Muscular Gains since Atkins

[BornToWin]

I am curious as to what kind of muscular gains people get while on Atkins. It is kind of hard to fathom significant gains without significant carbs. Anyone familiar with bodybuilding knows the benefits of insulin in muscle growth.

I am open-minded and won't assume this is the only way. Is anyone on a weight training program with an intent to gain muscle while in any stage of Atkins?

[Iapetus999]

Re: Muscular Gains since Atkins

Body building/Atkins not the greatest combo.
However a lot of bodybuilders use lo-carb to reduce body fat right before a competition...then carb load the day before to fill out their muscles.
For regular training probably lo-fat because strength exercise requires carbs.
Kewl question.

[ttdriver]

Re: Muscular Gains since Atkins

I'm not a body builder, nor do I want those massive muscles that come with.

What I want is a sleek, toned, strong body with muscle definition ... and to me, the quickest most effective way to get it is with daily cardiovascular rigorous workouts, free weight work 3x a week, and eating lots of protein. Seemed to do the trick for me!

Carb loading is a myth and a very dangerous one at that.

Betty

[BornToWin]

Re: Muscular Gains since Atkins

I don't want to be massive. I just want to continue to grow. I been reading about the protein sparing benefits of Atkins so I am not worried about losing any muscle. Just want to make sure I can gain some more. I am 100% confident I can on Maintenance. Just unsure about induction and OWL.

[Brook]

Re: Muscular Gains since Atkins

I gained quite a bit of muscle during OWL. I never did an extended induction (well, not really - 4 weeks in total and then moved on to OWL). I definitely work out harder and better at OWL levels than Induction levels- no two ways about that. My muscle gains at OWL levels has always been consistant enough to make and keep me happy.

HTHS
~Brook

[2big4mysize]

Re: Muscular Gains since Atkins

I added 6 pounds of muscles from june 2003 to Dec 2003 according to the dunk tank while losing 8 pounds in OWL

Insulin use for muscle building is a very dangerous abuse of a drug and shouldn't be done.

Remember those body builders are in the I want it now mind set sort of like we all were when we started our Atkins and wanted all the fat weight lost yesterday.
You have a life time to develop new growth on those muscles youhave and to cut even more body fat. Don't jepardize yourlong term health just to add a few inches to your biceps this month.

[BornToWin]

Re: Muscular Gains since Atkins

Good post 2big, and congrats. I actually gave this more thought and with what Dr. Atkins is saying in Age Defying Diet Revolution about how the diet helps your body optimizes its own hormones. If this is in fact the case more testosterone and IGF will increase protein synthesis thereby helping you grow muscle with a proper weight training program.

[Jake]

Re: Muscular Gains since Atkins

No problems gaining muscle here.

[iyamamaschke]

Re: Muscular Gains since Atkins

In 8 months I have put on 11 pounds of lean Muscle mass which I am told is really excellent by a Bodybuilding friend. He gains on average 1 pound per month and is a serious muscle builder.

Sarah

[BornToWin]

Re: Muscular Gains since Atkins

11 pounds is great in 8 months. Awesome job!

[Flaxfan]

Re: Muscular Gains since Atkins

Hi,

I lost about 15 lbs total and gained almost 10 lbs of lean tissue in the process.