Anyone else doing Atkins/low carb?

libra01971

libra01971

Cathlete
Hello,

I am doing the Atkins diet for about a week or two. I am in the induction phase right now but I am trying to do it with lean meats and just more healthy than the infamous bacon, cheese, greasy way.

While I did use Atkins diet before (about 6 years ago) I didn't exercise at the time. I was just wondering if anyone else is doing this type of diet and working out. I have been feeling a little tired ealier than usual (evening). I did IMAX2 this morning and didn't feel I had the intensity I usually feel. (Though my HR monitor registered more calories than usual??)

Anyway, if you are doing Atkins or low carb, do you have any problem working out? And would it be better to do more weight work right now? Would I even be able to build muscle?
 
Laura, I've been on Atkins for almost 1 year now. I felt pretty tired during the first 2-3 weeks as my body was switching fuel sources. I have no problem now though--just did Kick, Punch & Crunch the other day and actually surprised myself with how much energy and intensity I could give that workout. I kept my workouts kind of medium to low intensity during that first 3 weeks.
 
I lost about half of my weight on Atkins (22 pounds before, around 22 after). The first half I lost by limiting my carbs to clean, whole foods and keeping my carbs to around 150 grams per day...not unlike what my maintenance will be like, lol! I should say that I began exercising before I started any kind of diet and that took off around 6 pounds.
 
I did Atkins with my dh for the 2 week induction and found that I just didn't have energy or the strength for my workouts. Plus I lost 16.5 pounds in 17 days so I think that was waaaaaaaaaaay to fast to be healthy. I am now doing my own thing with low carbing. I still have had no rice or pasta or regular bread (I did buy a loaf of low carb bread), or sugar, but I did add back in bananas so I could have my smoothie for breakfast with my Carbsolution Vanilla Powder. I really missed my breakfast. I am also not a big veggie eater so I was constantly struggling with constipation.:+ :-( My dh is continuing with induction and has lost 24 pounds and his cholesteral and triglycerides have both gone down!!!:) I did gain 3 pounds back when I added back in my smoothie but I was within 8 pounds of my goal so I am not worried about the 3 pounds. I stay within a 2 pound range now and if it takes awhile to get the last (now) 10 pounds off then so be it. I lost alot of inches and can now fit into my smaller clothes and am seeing muscle definition for the first time since beginning Cathe a year ago.:7 So I am happy about that.

I am doing only weight training right now but for other reasons. I figure with all the protein I am eating that I should be able to build some muscles. I have plantar fascitis and can't do impact cardio for another 1.5 weeks til I go back to the doctor and then I will end up with orthotics. I haven't done step in over 7 weeks:( ;(

Anyway I was also not eating enough food to keep a bird alive on Atkins averaging between 600 and 800 calories a day. I needed more calories considering the workouts that I do. I was hungry and just had no energy, maybe it would have gotten better if I had gone longer but with all the constipation and cramps I got I just couldn't handle it very well at all.;(

Not sure if I answered any of your questions, but this has been my experience.:D
 
Laura,

Please don't go the low carb, lean meat thing. Such a thing as rabbit sickness. The fat is very important and found in cheese, bacon, beef, lamb, etc... not in chicken breast or turkey breast. You can get very very sick living low fat/low carb. High(er) fat and low carb is very important and one of the reasons why low carb plan work. Please be careful.

Wayne.
xxxxxxx
 
Wayne is right! You can get your fats from very healthy sources, but the fat is very important for this to work, it also keeps you feeling full. On an average day my fat intake is around 60% of my total calories, protein is around 30% and carbs around 10% (mostly from vegetables) give or take a couple of percentage points. I have a balance of all kinds of meats throughout the week. Most of my fat comes from sources like nuts, olive oil, whatever fat is in the foods I eat and yes even butter. My daily calories average around 1700-2000 calories. I should mention, however, that I am not actively trying to lose weight. I consider myself at the pre-maintenance stage--I wouldn't mind losing 5 more pounds, but won't be upset if I don't. I should also mention that I didn't go on Atkins solely to lose weight--it is definitely a lifestyle change for me, not a diet. I have a side issue with Candida Albicans (yeast overgrowth due to overuse of antibiotics/prednisone from allergies/sinus infection) which is fueled by sugars of any kind, so I necessarily limit them.
 
Annette, sorry to hear about your plantar fascitis. Thanks for sharing you and your hubbys experience with Atkins. I was glad to hear that his cholestoral went down. I was a little worried about starting atkins again because the last time mine was checked it was borderline. Since I only plan to do the diet for a couple of weeks, I figured it won't do any or much damage.

Wayne, I didn't know that about lean meats. I have been having some bacon and sausage and stuff. I've just been trying to not overdo the greasy stuff. Is it okay to balance that out with some chicken and lean meats? (I love chicken!!)

Donna, would you PM me your typical day's worth of food? The balance of carbs, fats, and protein sounds interesting. Hopefully I will be maintaining soon. (I only have 5-10 lbs. more to go.) I always have a hard time maintaining my usual weight when I go back to "clean" eating. (which seems to be more carbs than protein or fat.) It always seems to slowly creep up. (Thus the reason I am doing atkins now.)
 
I have been doing atkins for about 4 months. I was very tired and had problems with foot cramping at night the first few weeks. Once I got past that I had no problems. I did eat more salad and greens than allowed during induction just because I think I felt a little better when I added veggies as apposed to strictly meat and cheese every meal. The greens add some much needed variety to this diet.

I was against atkins for a long time and swore I would never try it. but something changed my mind (don't remember what) and it is the easiest most successful diet I have ever been on. I have a VERY hard time losing weight but with atkins it just fell off.

God Luck!

Stacy
 
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