Let's do this!

[TimeTraveler]

Day 1: Starting the ITG diet again after a year off. Background: A few years ago, got to the high point of 239 lbs. Used Medifast to drop to 200 lbs. Bad habits had me back at 225 lbs. Used ITG diet to get to 207 lbs.

At 217 lbs today and heading downward. 

If you want to join me on the trip, let me know.

[Dominique]

I must admit I hadn’t heard about that diet, so I googled it and I’m including my findings for the benefits of other community members. Their site describes it as follows:

"ITG DIET: This is a Low Carbohydrate, Low Calorie plan. You will be eating approximately 40-60 grams of carbohydrates per day and consuming approximately 1,000 calories per day. Your body will actually go into a light ketosis, which simply means your body is in a fat burning mode."

A rather detailed description by a outsider can be found on a MyFitnessPal community forum.

My first reaction is 1,000 calories is extremely low for a 200+ lbs male. If you want to go the low-carb route, you will get plenty of advice and support in this community (not from me, I’m a high-carb guy!). For instance, check @Daves_Not_Here’s progress in the Weekly Weigh In topic:  he started at 240 lbs in July and is now nearing 200 lbs (also check his TrendWeight). He’s been doing it all by itself, with his Fitbit, buying his food from regular stores (I assume). There are many other low-carbers here.

[emili]

@TimeTraveler I haven't heard of either diet and since I too can't give up carbs, I guess that's why. Aside from the low calorie thing- my only comment would be.. what you are doing is a diet. Which means there is a beginning and an end. The beginning is easy- it is the end that gives me pause. You lose the weight and then what happens? How did this diet prepare you for maintenance. A diet isn't a lifestyle change. A lifestyle change has no end... you learn how to eat to get what you want from nutrition and meal planning. So you eat and plan one way when you need to be in a deficit- then you eat and plan a different way when you get to where you want to be. But all along there are "rules" and "guard rails" that are realistic and attainable. Eating so few calories and not having carbs- I am pretty sure is not sustainable. For me it would last 3 hours. If this works for you then I wish you well and I hope you have loads of success.. but I would recommend you plan for the day the diet ends... best, E.

[Daves_Not_Here]

Welcome @TimeTraveler - I think you'll find the whole forum here will join you.  Many are on a similar path of trying to lose a significant amount of weight.  Others like @Dominique have achieved the more difficult goal, to maintain at a target weight while gaining muscle and losing fat.

As far as what method of weight loss to pursue, I'd say go with whatever works for you and fits your personality.  The collective level of intelligence here is pretty high, and you'll find people are very supportive even if they subscribe to different approaches.  

I have to agree with @emili about planning for the end of the diet.  Those of us who have lost weight only to gain it back did not internalize and make permanent new and healthier behaviors.  My opinion is that the habit we need to cultivate is to remain attentive and mindful of our eating even when we have reached our goal.  @Dominique had mentioned Trendweight, which is a great tool for keeping you on track, and by posting your results, you inject some accountability into the process.

[TimeTraveler]

Day 3:

Lost .5 lbs on as of this morning. Getting in the groove more and more everyday. It is amazing what you eat throughout the day that is bad for you.

Processed foods are the worst.

I am enjoying the variety, and can't wait for my metabalism to kick in!

Slight headache the 2nd day, just ate some more veggies, that helped.

[Daves_Not_Here]

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@TimeTraveler wrote:

Slight headache the 2nd day, just ate some more veggies, that helped.

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@TimeTraveler - when I've had headaches on low-carb eating, I found I was dehydrated and adding sodium helped.