Some time ago there was a thread about Atkins diet and exercise. I am wondering if anyone has some good advice about using this diet when you are an athlete. I work out every day, whether it's 4,000 yards in the pool, or 3-4 miles on the treadmill, or dryland training (weights). I went on Atkins a week ago to lose 10 pounds, so far I've lost 4 and feel terrific. Last Saturday I had a 5000-yard workout that was the best in ages. So much energy!
I'm just wondering if it's because I've added much-needed protein to my diet (I'm a carb junkie). A fellow athlete poo-poo's the Atkins plan and says it's a bunch of hogwash, that athletes HAVE to have some carbs and they won't kill you.
Anyone?
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Originally posted by Mag Bowen
Hey thanks to all of you who've replied.
avoiding protein like the plague, eating fat free stuff, and feeling generally lousy. --mag
Ugh! I can relate to that, all too closely.
That's one of the things that lead me into pretty severe overtraining and malnutrition about 7-8 years ago.
Avoiding protein cause it might contain some hidden fats. Talk about going into extreme. I learned a lot since then.
Our bodies need little bit of everything (carbs, fats and protein).
Best diet for me has been ... balanced nutrition (adjusted for my activity levels). If I want to lose some weight, I just reduce the caloric intake some.
When I pay clsoe attention to my diet, it generally resembles the Zone diet. I don't get as particular with what specific food should go with what other, or what precise time of the day to eat it.
I try to stay in the range 40%protein,40% carbs, 20% fat.
I don't believe in Atkins as a long term diet. Although if one is eating unbalanced junk, and they switch to Atkins or any other little more regimented diet, and stick with it for a while, they are likely to lose some weight.
Also, for most people, when they are starting a dietthey seldom know what their caloric intake used to be, vs. what it is on the new diet. I'm willing to bet that most regimented diets will cause a reduction in caloric intake.
The way i see it, this no carbs, or very low carbs is a fad. Just don't overdo what you're eating, and you'll be fine. Another thing, learn to be consistently aware of what you're eating how much carbs, fat and protein it contains. Protein, and carbs both can contain hidden fats that will make your caloric intake skyrocket.
Very simplified, we need carbs for energy, protein for strength, and a little bit of fat so our bodies can digest it all and a calorie intake proportionate to ou activity level. 90% of the dieting boils down to that. Little finesse of combibing certain foods a certain way may make tyour diet a tiny bit more efficient, and instead of taking a week to burn 2 pounds, it may take you a week minus 3 hours to burn 2 pounds. As long as you're getting proper nutrition, and you're not preparing for a body building competition, the minute details are hardly worth the effort.
Originally posted by Mag Bowen
Hey thanks to all of you who've replied.
avoiding protein like the plague, eating fat free stuff, and feeling generally lousy. --mag
Ugh! I can relate to that, all too closely.
That's one of the things that lead me into pretty severe overtraining and malnutrition about 7-8 years ago.
Avoiding protein cause it might contain some hidden fats. Talk about going into extreme. I learned a lot since then.
Our bodies need little bit of everything (carbs, fats and protein).
Best diet for me has been ... balanced nutrition (adjusted for my activity levels). If I want to lose some weight, I just reduce the caloric intake some.
When I pay clsoe attention to my diet, it generally resembles the Zone diet. I don't get as particular with what specific food should go with what other, or what precise time of the day to eat it.
I try to stay in the range 40%protein,40% carbs, 20% fat.
I don't believe in Atkins as a long term diet. Although if one is eating unbalanced junk, and they switch to Atkins or any other little more regimented diet, and stick with it for a while, they are likely to lose some weight.
Also, for most people, when they are starting a dietthey seldom know what their caloric intake used to be, vs. what it is on the new diet. I'm willing to bet that most regimented diets will cause a reduction in caloric intake.
The way i see it, this no carbs, or very low carbs is a fad. Just don't overdo what you're eating, and you'll be fine. Another thing, learn to be consistently aware of what you're eating how much carbs, fat and protein it contains. Protein, and carbs both can contain hidden fats that will make your caloric intake skyrocket.
Very simplified, we need carbs for energy, protein for strength, and a little bit of fat so our bodies can digest it all and a calorie intake proportionate to ou activity level. 90% of the dieting boils down to that. Little finesse of combibing certain foods a certain way may make tyour diet a tiny bit more efficient, and instead of taking a week to burn 2 pounds, it may take you a week minus 3 hours to burn 2 pounds. As long as you're getting proper nutrition, and you're not preparing for a body building competition, the minute details are hardly worth the effort.
