For Psychoschoolgirl, all Newbies and seasoned Dieters

[neutronnorman]

Re: For Psychoschoolgirl, all Newbies and seasoned Dieters

Well, on 06/12/09 you had 1 cup of spinach and 1 cup of mixed greens. And on 06/11/09 you had 2 cups of mixed greens and 2 cups of lettuce. Every time these added to less than half of your net carbs.

You counted 12 net carbs from Swiss cheese for 06/11/09.

Actually Dr. Atkins didn't say you have to eat 20 net carbs per day, but "no more than 20".

If one chooses to have days without cheese, that's fine. But this doesn't mean he/she can go over the 3-4 oz cheese limit the other days, no matter what type of cheese is chosen.

If you choose to eat only mixed greens, lettuce and spinach, you are left with little. This is why you should either choose more nutrient-dense veggies or reduce your other carb intake from other sources (cheese, eggs, olives, avocado, spices, etc.). Dr. Atkins recommends the former (for e.g. in Chapter 9).

Atkins Nutritionals is doing that, yes. However, Dr. Atkins never pushed shakes and bars. They were supposed to be used as emergency foods only, and there was even a warning on the Atkins website saying that these products can stall folks and explaining what one should do in case this happens. What Dr. Atkins was pushing were whole, natural, minimally-processed foods.

Dr. Atkins definitely did not "obsess over ketostix". He actually says in DANDR that ketostix are only tools and if they don't change color it simply means you are not left with (enough) excess ketones to register on the strips (Chapter 11, page 138 ).

Yup Georgiana you were right and I was wrong. I yanked out my book and looked up what you quoted. I need the protein, I weigh 225 lb and my lean mass is ~190 lb. I need at least 195 g protein to maintain protein (avoid catabolic protein turn over). I'm already getting vascular around my forearms and this what works for me. I'm struggling not to lose too much wait as it. I know, OWL, but I'm not going there. My problem is not obesity, my problem is getting a high degree of muscular definition.

[neutronnorman]

Re: For Psychoschoolgirl, all Newbies and seasoned Dieters

When I began Atkins, I could barely walk up two flights of stairs without having to catch my breath. If someone told me that the only way for me to lose weight on Atkins was to do the exercise routine Norman does, I would have had a heart attack. And if I didn't at that point, if I even tried to do 1/32 of Norman's routine, I would have had a heart attack.

There's no way that at my start I could do Norman's routine. There's no way I could do it now!

Please! Don't compare yourselves to me! Love you guys, but I've been a strength athlete all my life with good genetics. I've even cycled steroids in my time. I was seriously into the iron game. You guys already have accomplished more towards physical transformation than the average Joe on the street.

Everybody that has toughed it out and is on the quest towards improvement in all forms is a winner in my eyes. I post my workout routines not to boast or brag but to show that it takes hard work to reach goals. Plus I can reflect back to last week's post next month and tell myself: "Man what a wimp your flabby was last month."

You have no idea how much each and everyone here inspires me. Except Georgiana...just joking, G.

This is only minuscule compared to the stuff I've had to work for.

[not2late]

Re: For Psychoschoolgirl, all Newbies and seasoned Dieters

But you know something Norman, I lost 9 pounds during my first 14 days of Atkins and all I did for exercise those 2 weeks was walk around the my office parking lot for 15 minutes 5 days a week and I tried----tried---to do things like bicep curls and push ups. 2 pound hand weights were too heavy for me back then and even doing 8 repetitions was too hard for me. And push ups...well, I did the "girl" push ups and I could only do about 5 of those before my arms felt like jelly.

Honestly, if I read this thread when I began Atkins, I would be really discouraged and intimidated, because you're "getting phenomenal results" from your physically demanding regimen. Here's me who could barely walk 15 minutes around a parking lot or up a flight of stairs without getting tired--what in the world would make a physical wreck like me think I would get phenomenal results as well?

It's great that you're able to do what you do. But you have to keep in mind that folks here aren't typically in the greatest physical shape when they begin Atkins. In fact, they begin Atkins so that they will lose enough weight and become physically fit enough to be able to do some of the things you can.

[neutronnorman]

Re: For Psychoschoolgirl, all Newbies and seasoned Dieters

I'll share this with you and all. I became a raging alcoholic during the past 3 years of my life. To make a long story short, I would spend many hours in the lab running my investigations 7 days / nights per week. I'd be alone on campus during the weekend nights. I started drinking heavily because of boredom. When I decided to quit, back in April, I tried to walk up the block and was extremely out of breath. I started induction about May 26.

I've mentioned it before, I have very good genetics for strength training. I just look at a weight and I gain muscle mass and lose fat. As it is, at 2500-3000 calories per day, I'm having a hard time maintaining weight. I lost another 1.5 lb since last Thursday. I eat every 3 hours and I'm still losing weight like a maniac.

That's the way it is. Do not compare yourself to me.I was weighing 245 lb pre-induction and now weigh 225 lb. I started induction May 26, which according to Georgiana, I've been doing wrong but but in retrospect I'm doing it right for my body type because I'm sure Georgiana does not carry 180-190 lb. of lean body mass. When I started, I was at 32% body fat. I haven't taken my skin fold measurements this week, but a loss of 20 lb in 20 days leads me to believe I must be doing something right.

I guess my goals are different than most people here. What I notice is that if dieters focus on just losing inches and weight, the sad part about it is they'll probably end as fat as they were, albeit, a smaller version of themselves. It is nearly impossible to protein spare on any diet. To build muscle one has to take in enough energy to accomplish the feat. Also take into consideration that a good percentage of people that start this program are extremely obese, and their hormonal systems have been compromised. That's my two cents worth.

Guess what? I haven't been working out yet at my full potential. That workout I posted is my regimen to break into high intensity training which I plan to start in 2 weeks. What you read is really my beginner's stage.

Don't forget that I did this for many years prior, and I know how to dis-inhibit the Golgi tendon organs. I'm being prudent now because I'm scared that I might rip a tendon off a bone or injure some joint that may require surgery if I dive into what my mind tells me I can do.

I never should have posted this thread on this forum. I was an idiot for doing so. Mostly, I wanted to hear from other guys out there that workout like bodybuilders.

[Elizellen]

Re: For Psychoschoolgirl, all Newbies and seasoned Dieters

Maybe you would like this thread moved into the exercise forum instead, Norman? Or you could start a new thread there and this can be closed?

I just remembered that Tom (ADBB founder/owner) has set up a new forum for Atkineer weightlifters - maybe that would be a better place for your questions/information about your workouts?
Weight Lifting Fitness Workout

[chinadoll]

Re: For Psychoschoolgirl, all Newbies and seasoned Dieters

Norman I am in awe of what you do. I am a 49 y.o. woman and I lift every week and up my weights frequently but your routine is a killer. But like you said, your history and body type makes it happen. Sadly, many Atkineers are a different body type and very different set of lifestyle choices in exercise and food. So, I think the others have a point. Since the purpose of the board is to help the masses of obese trying to lose on this WOE your example is unrealistic and your success is frustrating for many. If they try to emulate your way of eating it could lead to disaster for them.

I do have a question for you--All the folks I know who wanted to get "cut" used low fat high protein diets. Are you finding Atkins is achieving your purpose of creating definition even with the high fat content? I am really curious about this. I would be very excited and hope so.

[LageNomAi]

Re: For Psychoschoolgirl, all Newbies and seasoned Dieters

I do have a question for you--All the folks I know who wanted to get "cut" used low fat high protein diets. Are you finding Atkins is achieving your purpose of creating definition even with the high fat content? I am really curious about this. I would be very excited and hope so.

I've wondered about this as well. I actually visited a weightlifting website and was going to post a question about low-fat vs. high-fat and whether any of them had tried Atkins, but didn't have the courage.

The only thing I know for sure is that those looking to get cut avoid salt at all costs. As someone who bloats up at the mere site of salt, I completely understand this, haha.