What is up with this low carb craze ? Atkins question

[stealthycat]

I'm getting about tired of this craze about low carb this and low carb that. They are marking things "low fat" and "low carb" that have ALWAYS been low fat and low carb and people are buying into it. At the fronts of Sam's and Wal-mart stores theres displays of low carb this and that, but I've looked at the ingredients and nutritional info and I just don't see THAT much of a difference.

Question (to VC espcially) do atheletes do low carb eating ?

Question (to anyone) did you lose weight on the Atkins and actually keep it off long term ?

[1eyedfish]

Whats a diet?
But i have seen this low carb thing & wonder how the ingredents in somethings where diffent/ icecrean pasta etc. been lookin some

Bet you wont see this diet soon in india, begladesh, china etc

[Charlie P]

Went from 298 to 262 last year . Started the diet the day after the superbowl and lost the weight in about two monthes. Decided to go back on the diet Monday even after the holidays I was 265.

There are actually three phases of the diet. The first being the most restrictive on carbs.

There is a section in the book on how athletes should approach the diet. Honestly didn't because I'm not an athlete anymore.

When you look at what's on the Ama'S List of foods that are low fat you understand what he's getting at. Fruit loops has the low fat stamp on it.

The first time I went on the diet I put back on the weight. My doctor strongly advised I loose a bunch before surgery. Got down to allmost 250 with out any excercise. Then I started back with the old bad habits and put the weight back on.

This time I've kept the weight off for a year.

By the time I go Turkey hunting at NYBH place in May I plan on being around 225. We'll see. That's what I was in highschool.

[Strut&Rut]

Stealthy,

I can answer a few aspects of your question. First----no, most athletes do not eat low-carb diets. In fact, most athletes that are highly aerobic and undergo multiple long-winded events each week (such as soccer & basketball players, long-distance runners) actually usually carbo-LOAD the day or night before an event.

However, in general, athletes are taught to---and generally adhere to, a much more regimented & more balanced diet than the average individual. The protein is usually more lean and lighter, such as chicken or fish, and the carbohydrates are always of the multi-grain variety. Vegetable & fruit intake are usually at 1.5-3 times the recommended, and literally gallons of water are consumed.

Strict athletes strongly limit the intake of caffeine, alcohol and many nutritional supplements (due to testing). You will rarely find an athlete guzzling coffee or soda after meals, and the meals are usually light and balanced. Then again, you need to remember that almost all highly trained athletes, other than football and some basketball players, are quite lean in appearance and have acquired a relatively high metabolic rate---due to the intense amount of cardiovascular daily exercise.

Hence, because of the amount of exercise, a large plate of pasta is nothing for the collegiate woman's basketball player to burn off---she practices twice a day, hits the weight room for an hour, and then may either swim or run an additional 30-60 minutes. And that is everyday just during the season---off-season the workout may be more intense because it will be without contact and should be injury-risk free. In addition, that's why it's so easy to see which pros conditioned during the season and those that did not---those out of shape simply do not restrict their diets and they just "condition" (the professional word for exercise) less...

Only those athletes who depend solely on strength, such as football players and power lifters (and some baseball players) will adhere to a heavily weighted protein diet. The bottom line is the athlete looks at the big picture over a long time period, and therefore protein-loading is not in their best interest. A chronic overload of protein can drain energy and can lead to severe problems in most athletes, mostly GI, urinary and renal problems.

In the short term, however, protein diets can work. Protein can be converted easily into energy by-products, and the body can be forced into tapping into fat/energy reserves. The trade-off is a much higher off-loading of nitrogenous wastes, and the intake of more fatty acids.

Those on protein diets can have the aforementioned problems, while also being at risk for 1) elevated cholesterol, both LDL (bad) and HDL (good), 2) higher triglycerides, 3) increased creatine, and 4) increased BUN----which can all lead to an increase in high blood pressure, increased risk of heart disease and obviously an increased risk of cardio-vascular afflictions, most notably stroke and MI. The risk depends on the current status of the individual's health and how long they stick to a strict protein diet.

Short-term, the body will increase metabolism to remove fat stores for energy, thereby reducing body weight while rejuvenating the spirit.

Long-term, I think it may be an anectodote for disaster, especially if the person has poor eating habits and does not exercise.

Bottom line: Someone that wants to lose weight, and needs to lose weight, needs to do 2 things: 1) Eat a better, more balanced diet---and probably in smaller current amounts, and 2) exercise often on a more regular basis---working themselves up to daily.

The diet does work, but just realize the consequences. Also look at 1) long-term health issues, 2) current health, 3) desired weight loss in a given time period, 4) daily eating habits, and 5) daily/weekly exercise habits.

S&R

[Charlie P]

Atkins is designed as a way to eat for the rest of your life.

He actually encourages you to reward yourself every once in a while with a little cheat.

If you go back eating the way you alway's did the weight will come back.

I've alway's had a belly even when I was in very good cardivascular shape. I swam 5,000 - 6,000 yards a day and lifted weights. So I never thought I'd be able to loose weight eating until I was full and not being able to excercise.

5 ft 11 at 225 swimming the 100 yd fly in 58 seconds. 500 yd free in 4:55 with a bit of a spare tire ain't too bad.lol.

[Jorgy]

My g/f and I have been asking the same question. The last few restraunts that we have dined in have had all of the low carb things specially marked. But you would really have to be an idiot not to know what they are if you are on the diet.

As far as the low/non fat items, thay have cracked me up for years. All the things that are 100% sugar have a little claim on them to be 100% fat free

Me, I've finally broke down and realized I have to start a diet, but I'm going the weight watchers way. I've spent the last week making myself sick getting rid of all the "bad" stuff in my house. Yesterday was spent working on finishing the chocolate left over from x-mass. Mmmmmm, chocolate

[NY Bowhunter]

Strict athletes strongly limit the intake of alcohol

I beg to differ with that statement.

[Charlie P]

Those on protein diets can have the aforementioned problems, while also being at risk for 1) elevated cholesterol, both LDL (bad) and HDL (good), 2) higher triglycerides, 3) increased creatine, and 4) increased BUN----which can all lead to an increase in high blood pressure

In most of Atkins patients Cholestrol levels went down as did blood pressure.

One of the first things he mentions having done is a complete set of blood work, to check all the things you mentioned.

I tried alot of things to try and control my weight this is the only one that has worked. So I guess I'm a little biased.

[1eyedfish]

finishing the chocolate left over from x-mass. Mmmmmm, chocolate

lol@

Im still eating holloween& xmass chocolate.
Maybe someday i will go on a diet.
I been trying more veggies in it& whole grains, besides french frys& potatos lol

[farmcntry]

Question (to anyone) did you lose weight on the Atkins and actually keep it off long term ?

Another $ maker only!!

Only 2 diets have ever worked in my life:
1: Heart risk diet from Baptist Hospital (OH it's harsh, but VERY effective.)
2: Liquid diet (back in my drinking days.)

By the time I go Turkey hunting at NYBH place in May I plan on being around 225. We'll see. That's what I was in highschool.

Ok, but if I cook while your up there, you'll gain it back!!!
We fry everything!