I have been on a low/no carb diet (South Beach/Atkins mix) for 3-4 yrs but I am tired of it and would like to find the healthiest way to lose weight. I gained quite a bit when I went off because I went crazy eating carbs. I am a Certified Pilates Instructor so that is the type of exercise I would do. I am 5 ft 6in and weigh 155 sz12. I was at one point a sz4. I would like to be a sz 6-8 or as close as I can get to that healthfully. I am kinda apple shaped too and so I know I have that extra risk of Heart disease. I would really like to be thinner and still eat carbs! I have not had much energy, physically or mentally, lately either. I have 4 kids & so a lot of stress. I need healthful ideas and plans that I can work around and feed the family too. I have tried to give all of the info you would need, let me know if you need more.
Thank you so much for giving your time and expertise to this site!

Couple concepts worth talking about:

First, 2/3 of American society unfortunately does terribly with carbohydrates, but of course watching what you eat could always be of benefit. Timiing of carbohydrates is also an ideal scenario, of course....in other words, having 10 its not really the bread per se, I mean if you had to chase your bread around the table and kill it first - perhaps we would have adapted like our hunter/gatherer ancestors. HA!

But one of the concepts my company teaches clients is that ALL diets have their adaptive points and you've likely been saturated at the 3-4 year mark! Its kind of an amazing amount of time to be following these types of plans. Do you offer cheat days? Planned cheat days could certainly be one answer and believe it or not - they are endocrinologically-sound. But please note that I said "planned" cheat days - HA! 99.9% of the population doesn't harbor the genetics that will take them to where they usually think of going. But, alas - do not be alarmed! The place you can take your body is probably on the order of 70% better than your current state given all that you tell me.

Do you engage in other types of activity outside of pilates? While it is good you remain active, pilates is not necessarily the best "shaping" exercise in existence. I am just curious - outside of chasing around 4 kids (I know - cardio covered), do you engage in any type of resistance training? I ask this for a particular reason brining us to my important concept #2 I want to mention here.

You mention "apple-shape" body type, which denotes the dreaded "problem-area" - this is uaully on a molecular level due to a disproportionate number of receptors held in a particular area (i.e. - your stomach, waist). In order to stimulate those receptors, you have to engage in a particular kind of exercise. This may certainly be a different type for you.


D_

Yes, I do alot of resistance training with all different types of things... balls, bands,weights, those circular tubes you can squeeze with your thighs.

The best diet is eating healthy first of all,like tons of fruits ,veggies,lean meats,etc.

Pair that with proper ,daily exercise and there you go! I couldn't see the benefits to the low carb diet over the long run.

It's great for initial weight loss, but it's unnecessary if you do not have diabetes.

America is poisoned by all this"carbs are bad" crap, get over it, just eat healthy and exercise regularly. Oh and just count your calories daily,this helps too

Vegetarian diet is the best. Go for vegetables, fruits and freshly squeezed juices. Avoid alcohol, fatty foods, butter, cheese, soft drinks. Non vegetarian diet is hard to digest. If you are health conscious, avoid non vegetarian diet altogether.