I'm having second thoughts

[rrittenhouse]

Hello,

This evening I met with a trainer at my local gym and he went over how to exercise and how to "diet" in his terms. He *thinks* that I should do a "low glycemic diet
" and spouted a bunch if stuff about how my body works and whatnot.

He gave me a list of foods that are Low GI, Medium GI, and High GI; when to eat what and all of that.

Some of the notes on my paper he gave me:

* 5-6 Meals per day
* .5 grams of protien for ideal bodyweight
* 20-30 grams of fiber
* 1 gallon of water
* multi-vitamin
* lean protien and low glycemic carb each meal
* if you eat high glycemic carb not after 3pm
* Avoid simple sugars, flour, candy, alcohol, white bread, corn syrup.

He also claims that I *might* be losing muscle but from what I've learned here on Atkins is that it SHOULD be fat!

I either need someone to slap some sense into me and tell me to continue with Atkins or if I should look into what this "trainer" is offering.

Thank you all

~Robert Rittenhouse

[kate58]

Re: I'm having second thoughts

I don't see a single thing in what he said that is not part of Atkins.

[Porcelain]

Re: I'm having second thoughts

I have a question for you to think on...

If you are getting more than adequate calories, more than adequate protein, and working out, how do you suppose you are losing muscle?

*Edit*

And I agree with Kate. What he is proposing isn't against Atkins at all.

[rrittenhouse]

Re: I'm having second thoughts

Well..........I'm glad to hear that out of someone because I was thinking the SAME THING!

The only thing different is he told me to get lean meat (which I dont know if thats what im buying or not when I buy steaks.. i just buy meat!)

The only differences that I saw (or didnt know?!) is that I can't eat complex carbs after 3PM (Veggies, whole fruits, rice, pasta, potatoes, grains). Also if I were to start to add in fruit and whatnot I guess thats compared to OWL.

Any more thoughts?

Thank you


~Robert Rittenhouse

[Porcelain]

Re: I'm having second thoughts

When you eat too much protein, it is actually converted by your liver and stored as fat. A lot of people didn't know that. I didn't know it either but even my A&P professor agrees with it. Good fats are good for you. Even my professor said that it isn't fat that makes you fat it is when it is combined with carbs and the over production of insulin which is like a shuttle bus for storing fat.

It looks like he is wanting you to do something similar to the Body 4 Life diet. You will eventually get to that as you move up the rungs. Did you say to him you were on Atkins? Most people when they hear that, they think only of induction and not all the foods you add back in on the rungs. I think Atkin's is the best way because you get to see what foods affect your weight gain/loss.

I only take (a little bit) of offense to him saying you might be losing muscle. How many calories a day are you eating? It just isn't conceivable to me that there would be any muscle wasting.

[rrittenhouse]

Re: I'm having second thoughts

OH He said it was a diet that some football players promote. I cant recall the names of the players though!

I havent kept track of the calories ive been eating actually.

Breakfast: 2-3 fried eggs, 1 sausage patty
Lunch: 2 Cups Salad, 1OZ Fresh Grated Cheddar Cheese, 2 Servings of Bacon Ranch Salad Dressing (Somedays I cut up a chicken breast in the salad)
Dinner: 2-3 small steaks (2-3" circumfrence) with 1-2 OZ cheddar and sometimes salsa on top of that. Sometimes Ill eat fresh veggies with my meal sometimes I don't.

I've been surviving on this for 9 weeks but I am starting to think "DANG I could really use an apple right now!" haha.

~Robert

[Porcelain]

Re: I'm having second thoughts

lol, I know. I would kill for a strawberry right about now. But I will get there soon enough. I can see them within my reach, I just choose to wait to maximize my weight loss.

It seems like you need a few more veggies, though.

Good luck on whatever you decide to do!

[Elizellen]

Re: I'm having second thoughts

I dont know if you can get jicama where you live (they dont seem to be available in UK ) but I have read that sliced and chilled they give a little of the mouthfeel of apple!

There are a few fruit-like foods on the veg lists like rhubarb & pumpkin too! Fresh rhubarb is a bit tart but has a refreshing taste and eaten with some sweetened cream might be good.

[Porcelain]

Re: I'm having second thoughts

I dont know if you can get jicama where you live (they dont seem to be available in UK ) but I have read that sliced and chilled they give a little of the mouthfeel of apple!

It's a bit more like a pear to me but I do like them very much. I keep mine in the fridge and they are cold and juicy. I wish you could get some El!

[Brook]

Re: I'm having second thoughts

Hello,

This evening I met with a trainer at my local gym and he went over how to exercise and how to "diet" in his terms. He *thinks* that I should do a "low glycemic diet
" and spouted a bunch if stuff about how my body works and whatnot.

He gave me a list of foods that are Low GI, Medium GI, and High GI; when to eat what and all of that.

Some of the notes on my paper he gave me:

* 5-6 Meals per day
* .5 grams of protien for ideal bodyweight
* 20-30 grams of fiber
* 1 gallon of water
* multi-vitamin
* lean protien and low glycemic carb each meal
* if you eat high glycemic carb not after 3pm
* Avoid simple sugars, flour, candy, alcohol, white bread, corn syrup.

He also claims that I *might* be losing muscle but from what I've learned here on Atkins is that it SHOULD be fat!

I either need someone to slap some sense into me and tell me to continue with Atkins or if I should look into what this "trainer" is offering.

Thank you all

~Robert Rittenhouse

As the others said, I don't see anything there that isn't Atkins friendly. The only thing that sticks out to me is the protein recommendation- and it strikes me as being low, especially coming from a trainer/body builder type. Even PP recommends 1 gram per lb. :dunno:
A diet high in fat and protein is a muscle sparing way to eat. But you know how it goes, everyone thinks their way is the best way.

Too much protein in the system is converted to glucose- but no one can really define how much is too much for each person, so it's squiggy at best. Personally, I stay around .75 gram per lb a day or so and I do famously with my workouts. Figure out what works for you and stick to it!

~Brook

[rrittenhouse]

Re: I'm having second thoughts

As the others said, I don't see anything there that isn't Atkins friendly. The only thing that sticks out to me is the protein recommendation- and it strikes me as being low, especially coming from a trainer/body builder type. Even PP recommends 1 gram per lb. :dunno:
A diet high in fat and protein is a muscle sparing way to eat. But you know how it goes, everyone thinks their way is the best way.

Too much protein in the system is converted to glucose- but no one can really define how much is too much for each person, so it's squiggy at best. Personally, I stay around .75 gram per lb a day or so and I do famously with my workouts. Figure out what works for you and stick to it!

~Brook

I'm sticking with my usual Atkins stuff but I'm trying to add in more protien in during lunch and maybe a snack. I don't have a snack! I keep sticking with the same stuff in fear of overeating!

I had a slip-up the other day with my lunch. My lettiuce was bad so I went out to eat with a buddy. He ended up going to chinese so I had to make the best of it. I tried to eat 3 of the "pork on a stick" things hoping they weren't TOO bad for me along with picking meat out of some kind of (probably sweetened sauce) and a small salad (no dressing?!.. ive never done that before).

I didn't -gain- any weight but I also havent gone below 341.2 yet in like a week! I'm drinking my gallon of water per day and im basically not using any artificial sweetners anymore. ALSO that trainer has me on a weight training schedule. He wants me there 4 days per week M W F S. Lower body, Upper body, Lower Body, Total Body. When im doing lower body I should get at least 20 minutes of cardio and when doing total body I should get 40 minutes of cardio.

I'm guessing the weight training could be part of the numbers stopping on the scale haha.

Ill shut up now

~Robert

[TyCowboy]

Re: I'm having second thoughts

Just a quick note, however. I do see a problem with his recommendation for such a low amount of protein daily, and also his recommendation for a low-fat or lean meat selection. If the body is essentially starved of carbohydrates and fats, it has no choice but to fuel itself from the breakdown of protein. This is part of why Dr. A has us to eat liberally of full-fat cheeses and meat selections. Obviously, not all fats are necessarily created equal, but there is nothing wrong with saturated fat, provided it's not consumed in excess of need.

The trainer shows a real lack of understanding of energy derivation for the body's needs by his recommendation. What I mean is that carboydrates are (regardless of their GI status) less energetic per gram consumed than are fats. Utilizing fat as a primary means of energy generation for the body is more efficient as well as probably more historically accurate.

All low GI foods have going for them is that they digest more slowly and have less impact on blood sugar. I don't see GI as the basis for a reasonable diet unless someone has to consider diabetic needs with their diet and exercise regimen.

Ty.

[Nilo]

Re: I'm having second thoughts

What I have found works is 1 gram per lb of desired muscle mass... not total body weight... that packs on the muscle and leaves little for fat conversion. Ive experienced great success with this formula. Also cram my carbs in the morning and before my workouts. Dont be afraid to snack down some low carb whey protein. There are days that I cannot eat anymore and cant make the numbers so I cheat with whey. Dont know its thats a no no for Atkins to be honest, but Im getting desired results so for myself Im sticking to what is working.

On the topic of muscle mass. what did kill muscle mass for me was high heart rate during aerobic exercise. A gym member recommended that I keep my heart rate at around 120-125 rather than 140+ to burn off fat when performing cardio exercises. I assumed that the harder you worked the more will melt off. But it was muscle loss not fat. A body composition test confirmed my suspicions. So I tried the 120 heart rate method. It worked for me. Cant promise anything, just letting you know what worked for myself.

At the moment I have stalled... but not in results, rather in scale numbers. Im decreasing in body fat and increasing muscle mass at the same time, something a trainer at the club is astounded Im doing and said it cant be done. The same trainer that said I would burn out after 20 minutes at the gym if I continued to follow the atkins program. My workouts are on average an hour and a half. I feel great before and after my workouts. Everyone has an opinion, you have to figure out what vibes for you and your body.

Check out bodybuilding.com and see whats out there. A great deal of opinions, some by professionals, some by people with practical knowledge, but alot of good reads and a nice reference when it comes to proper form for weight training if interested.

Good Luck.


December 23, 2007 - 265lbs


February 22, 2008 - 235lbs

(hope the photos work... )

[rrittenhouse]

Re: I'm having second thoughts

I am thinking correctly.. 15G of my 20G of carbs come from veggies? That was always my assumption anyways..

I have a typical menu and I've never put it into fitday or anything. I should take that time out and do it sometime.

Breakfast:
3 eggs, Fried
Water

Lunch:
2 Cups Classic Romane Salad Mix
4 TBSP Balsamic & Olive Oil Dressing
1 Chicken Breast baked (cut up in salad)
1-2 Mozzarella String Cheese Sticks

Dinner:
3 small round steaks (or 1 Chicken breast)
1Cup frozen veggies, Sautéed
(3 servings) 1G net carb salsa poured on it

Sometimes I will stray away from that and change it up a bit. Like today were having a family "outing" and they chose Chinese. I've went to that place while being on Atkins and I know how to get out of there without screwing myself up too badly.

I would like to build muscle but I don't want to be too big. I want to be smaller but still show that I have muscle..just not too much. Now all this talking about food has me wanting to eat! Oh brother.

~Robert

What I have found works is 1 gram per lb of desired muscle mass... not total body weight... that packs on the muscle and leaves little for fat conversion. Ive experienced great success with this formula. Also cram my carbs in the morning and before my workouts. Dont be afraid to snack down some low carb whey protein. There are days that I cannot eat anymore and cant make the numbers so I cheat with whey. Dont know its thats a no no for Atkins to be honest, but Im getting desired results so for myself Im sticking to what is working.

On the topic of muscle mass. what did kill muscle mass for me was high heart rate during aerobic exercise. A gym member recommended that I keep my heart rate at around 120-125 rather than 140+ to burn off fat when performing cardio exercises. I assumed that the harder you worked the more will melt off. But it was muscle loss not fat. A body composition test confirmed my suspicions. So I tried the 120 heart rate method. It worked for me. Cant promise anything, just letting you know what worked for myself.

At the moment I have stalled... but not in results, rather in scale numbers. Im decreasing in body fat and increasing muscle mass at the same time, something a trainer at the club is astounded Im doing and said it cant be done. The same trainer that said I would burn out after 20 minutes at the gym if I continued to follow the atkins program. My workouts are on average an hour and a half. I feel great before and after my workouts. Everyone has an opinion, you have to figure out what vibes for you and your body.

Check out bodybuilding.com and see whats out there. A great deal of opinions, some by professionals, some by people with practical knowledge, but alot of good reads and a nice reference when it comes to proper form for weight training if interested.

Good Luck.


December 23, 2007 - 265lbs


February 22, 2008 - 235lbs

(hope the photos work... )