Started low carb dieting- anyone have any tips to share?

Hi ladies! I've decided to give low carb dieting a try. I have a lot of weight to lose and I'm super motivated to start losing before summer really kicks in!
With that said, can anyone give me some pointers on what you think the most important part of this diet is in order to be successful? I'm finding that when I'm unprepared, I tend to just reach for anything to satisfy my hunger rather than sticking to my diet!
Any ideas/tips would be greatly appreciated!! TIA!

Re: Started low carb dieting- anyone have any tips to share?

Really check the carb level in foods. I was low-carbing and assuming certain foods had little to no carbs and I was stunned to see the count. For example the meatloaf at Boston Market - one serving had 38g!

And know that little amounts of carbs add up. 3g's in the protein shake, few more grams int he ketchup, etc. end up coming to more than you would expect.

Also, even though they say you could eat any kind of meat - I found that if I really stick to chicken instead of beef the weight comes off much quicker.

Good luck!

Re: Started low carb dieting- anyone have any tips to share?

I don't do low-carb, but I have found that the key to any eating plan is to (i) invest the time upfront to educate yourself (so as the previous poster said, read labels or look up carb info), (ii) plan ahead, and (iii) find foods that fit the plan, but that you actually LIKE, too!

I find that if I take the time to really get all of the details on what I am eating (be it carbs, calories, WW points, etc.) -- and a site like www.myfitnesspal.com would probably be a great resource -- it's slow going at first, but then becomes easier to follow as time goes on because you learn more and more (and probably eat the same things on a regular basis). I would also spend time researching low carb snack and meal ideas to get you going.

The planning ahead piece is so key for me. If I buy healthy snacks and plan my weekly dinners, I find I do so much better than when I leave things to chance. Again, it's time spent upfront but makes for a smoother week. As you said, if you don't plan, it is too easy to just grab what is there and convenient, even if it doesn't mesh with your eating goals.

And finally, no matter what plan you are following, I think it's impossible to stick with if you don't like what you eat. So that kind of ties into step 1 - - research. Figure out how you can modify foods you love and find some new favorites. If you enjoy what you are eating and think of it in terms of what you CAN have and not what you can't, you'll be more apt to stay with it.

Good luck!