Weight Loss Club

[IowaParamedic]

I just scored a major victory. I lost my first 10 lbs. It has been over 3 weeks, that I began to weigh in.

My secret:
Commute 75 miles per week
25+ weekend ride
Weight training 2-3 x per week
Still eat like cr*p!

I have been strength training and riding stationary bike since November and noticed significant body composition change, but no weight loss. Now the weight is going.

Any other success stories?
Potential Subway commercial candidates?

[MediaCreations]

I'm at a stubborn stage with weight. I keep trying to show it the door but it doesn't want to go.

Congratulations on seeing the scales head downwards.

I guess we all know how to lose weight. More excersize - less food - but it can still be tough making it work.

Any other success stories? Let's keep each other informed on how the battle goes.

[Gary W. Graley]

I'm hanging in there, last June weighed in at a hefty 225 and by Christmas dropped down to 185, since then dropped down to 178 but just yesterday weighed in at 186 which if you'll note is the wrong way! So I'm stepping up my daily ride to include more miles to help out and the main thing is my eating routine that I was following dropped by the wayside, chips and salsa and stuff that I had dropped I picked up, sweet tooth for salty things!

I used the Fit For Life II book by Harvey Diamond that works very well for me, fruit in the morning and light meals at night, nothing after 9pm. A life changing eating habit is the only way to do it, dieting is a way to start but you have to really purpose in your heart that you want to change the way you look and feel....

Right now I'm riding about 6 miles during lunch time, doing all my errands in town, I'll bump that up to at least 9 or 10 miles and try to get in that many again after work...just a little to far from home to commute in as I go in early and it's both dark and foggy a lot of the time, so the lunch rides work well, but now to step up the pace!
G2

[Inkwolf]

Well, I've been having problems for years. Finally about 3 years ago, I managed to lose 50 pounds one year by eating almost nothing and going on 7-mile hikes five times a week. I think I wore out my knee cartilage, though. And I started getting overtraining symptoms, though I didn't understand at the time what they were. (Until I came to this forum, I had no explanation for the weird panic attacks I was going through!)

Then I slacked off a couple years, and 20 pounds came back...

This year I started with the biking (easier on the knees) and eating healthy, normal meals. In fact, what with energy snacks and stuff, I believe I am eating more than I did before, and I've lost 15 pounds this summer! The trick, like IowaParamedics, is commuting 64+ miles per week, plus longer trips on weekends. (I'm also at a point where it is creeping down by ounces, though.)

And now, when I trash my diet, I have the option to run outside and work it off on the bike. :D Still, got a long way to go....

[tonyr]

Hi - I've also been riding the roller coaster for many years. I signed up for the Minnesota version of the MS150 this year and was concerned my 262 pounds wouldn't make it. I rode indoors on my trainer almost up until the ride on June 8 and 9. I use a tape that came with my trainer, Cyclerobix. It's a good workout, I like it and used it a lot, four to five time a week. I don't like to look at the scale and typically don't. About 3 days before the ride I hopped on the scale. I knew I had lost some weight, clothes were fitting big, that sort of thing. I weighed in at 230! I couldn't believe it. I lost 3 more pounds on the ride but developed a case of tendonitis in my left knee. I laid off riding for two weeks and went out this past weekend. I made it three miles out and had to turn back it hurt so much. I don't know if it's seat height and positioning, pedal adjustment or what. Anyone out suffering through the same and if so how did you cure your ailment. Thanks in advance for any advice and congrats on everyone's loss!

Tony

[OWHIP]

WELL, HERE IS MY STORY. LAST APRIL IQUIT DRINKING , EATING,AND STARTED TO RIDE TO WORK. THE TRIP IS 28 MILES ROUND TRIP,WITH PLENTY OF HILLS.

1 YEAR LATER IM 50+ POUNDS LIGHTER AND ALOT HEALTHIER.

I LOST THE POUNDS PRETTY QUICK, SO I WAS AFRAID IT WOULD COME BACK DURING THE WINTER. SO I LIFTED AND DID SIT UPS EVERY DAY AND KEPT IT OFF!


LETS KEEP IT GOING

[RockHopper]

I bought my bike June 1st to use it as an aid to losing weight. In 3 weeks I have been riding about 5 times per week (20 miles a ride) and eating 3 meals a day with no snacks.. The meals haven't been perfect but overall are pretty healthy which i think is the best way to go because if you quit fatty foods cold turkey it makes the diet harder to keep. I've lost about 8 pounds in 3 weeks and I know its mostly "water weight" but its defintly an improvement. I hope to continue all summer and hopefully lose the gut i've had my whole life. Thats my story :)

Matt

[Richard_Rides]

Well, I'm down 35 pounds in about 3 months. I'm 45 years old, I'm currently riding 80-100 miles a week.
I have maybe 30 more pounds to go before I start my new career as a Supermodel.
:beer:

[nunquam]

I gained 50lbs (bringing my weight to 230) in less than a year when I started dating a woman who loved eating and partying all the time. I had gradually stopped riding all together while we were going out. Except for the weight gain, it was a lot of fun. (Amazingly, she never excercised and never gained a pound!)

After we broke up, I didn't make an effort to lose that weight until this year, when a doctor told me my blood pressure was borderline-high.

I adjusted my diet and intake, got back in the saddle (though not nearly as many weekly miles as before...my cycling buddies now live 400mi away) and do all my errands around town on foot or by bike. It has been about 4 months, and I've lost 30lbs...20 more to go!

[Goatbiker]

Goatbiker here (AKA Lardbutt Aerobelly) Fat is great for downkills, but you got to get up 'em first. I'm checking in at 250. Lets see what summer can do.

[Gary W. Graley]

My goal isn't so much in the weight department but in the pants size I wear, when I was heaviest at 225 I was in a Tight size 40 and now I'm into a comfortable size 33 but my goal is to wear size 32, once again! Reason for that is while I keep riding and also working out with free weights I'll add muscle which will either replace the weight of the lost fat and might even increase my overall weight, so I don't give weight lose much weight...(0xymoron?)

When I entered the Navy, lo those many years ago...;)
I wore size 29 but I don't believe that I'd get back to those again, nor would I want to.

In less than a year and a half I'll turn 50, which prompted my change in eating habits...

I read the book by Harvey Diamond, Fit For Life II, why didn't I read the first one first? Well I just happened apon the book while at the library and they had a rack of books for free...so I helped myself and very glad I did! I recommend this book to about anyone, there are some Yoga thingys in there I don't go into but it is written in a clever and witty way, which makes for an easy read and some very common sense ideas. There have been people that go against his teachings but then there always are those on both sides, I read what I could and put them into action and find that I am able to keep the weight off, if I stick to it! One of the main things that I found was Fruit, I only eat fruit in the morning on an empty stomach, a banana on the way to work, an apple around 9am, out on my bike ride at noon and back I get an orange, and sometimes mixed nuts. Stay away from chips and fast foods. And I set myself so that I don't eat late at night, as a rule I stop at 7pm and a HARD rule of nothing after 9pm so as to be able to digest during the nights rest.

I also avoid bread as that really seems to LIKE me a lot.

One other Trick? from the book is to not drink during your meal as the liquid can dilute the enzymes from doing their job of digesting and cause it to take longer for your meal to digest. I find that most of the food that you eat during your meal has some liquidness within itself that I don't need to WASH down my food. If the food is pretty dry, I'd have a glass of water handy...just in case.

Well, sorry to run on so, but I think it helps to air things like this out and maybe others can benefit. Todays ride was Great! a little over 7 miles but quick ones none the less.

G2

[jetski]

I consider myself about 25 lbs overweight. All in the tummy of course. Losing that weight is a very very hard thing to do. I commend those that have lost it. I have a hard time staying away from the fast food and the late night snacks. I am going to try to dedicate myself, and see if I can't take off that extra weight by the end of the summer.

[ssgl502002]

My story is simple. Last year I turned 50 and decided it was time to get some control of my health, which up to that time wasn't bad, but wasn't really where I wanted to be after looking at alot of people my age, huffing and puffing to do even the simplest tasks. I have been riding my bike to work and back for the last 5 years or so, but only in the last 2 years have I really taken it seriously. Last year as I turned 50, I decided it was time to make cycling part of my life, not just a thing I did once in awhile to work. I also had to change my eating habits, because enjoying too much of the good life, would surely counteract all the exercise I was trying to do. Since I got serious last year, I went from 215lbs to 180lbs, where I am now and I am keeping it off for the most part and not really having to give up much. Usually on the weekends, I let loose a little, but try to watch out how much.
I will see my weight fluctuate some, may as much as 4 lbs over the weekend. But after I get back on my usual routine during the week, those 4 lbs or so, go away. During the week, I pretty much keep to strict routine. I try to eat 4 to 5 times a day with each time not being a whole lot of food, but the the right kind. I have been doing this awhile and now its a way of life for me, which makes it alot easier to do. Over a year later now, I feel a whole lot better, I have more stamina that I thought was possible and I went from a 38 pants size down to a 34. I haven't been there in years and it sure does feel good. My ride to work each day is 10 miles round trip with hills and on the weekends I try to get in some long rides of 20 to 30 miles. Cycling is the only way to go!!!!!

[webist]

Here's from another 50 year old.
Last September the Doc told me I had diabetes. I was instructed to lose weight, exercise, diet (watch carbs) and build muscle mass. Also needed to reduce cholesterol. Thank goodness blood pressure is low.

When he said that, I went to my business landlord which happens to be my LBS and in the same building where I work and bought a Giant Sedona DX. Also added a weight machine to my arsenal and cleared the yard-sale junk off the treadmill and plugged it in.:)

Dr also told me to quit "wasting" calories on beer and maybe have a red wine or two instead. I quit drinking entirely that day. There is a well known Colorado brewery whose stock must have suffered as a result of that decision;)

In short, I have undergone a rather complete change of lifestyle. Weight is down 56 lbs. Cholesterol is down 100 points. Blood sugar is entirely within normal range. Waste size has gone from 46 to a loose 38. And I am addicted to my bike.

The first ride was about 3 miles in September. It killed me to cover that distance in about 40 minutes. In contrast, last night's ride was 13 miles in 57 minutes and I felt great.

As I told the Doc, "I'll be healthier with diabetes than I was without." I really think that is true.

Carl

[LittleBigMan]

My experience is that not only did I lose a lot of weight, I gained a lot of muscle and fitness! I figure I lost a lot more fat than the scales show, since I added muscle, too.

I never want to go back. I could grab my bike and step up on the scale if I wanted to see how much I'd weigh, though!

It's really neat to see what my muscle looks like with the layers of fat gone. At 42, I don't think I've ever been as strong!

:thumbup:

[Johndon]

I don't know my weight in pounds, but initially, before I started to use my exercise bike, I weighed 151 Kilograms. In 3 months I lost about 5 kilos just by riding and adjusting my food intake.

In August 2001, I changed tack, when a chaplain encouraged me to keep going. I bought a new exercise bike after breaking the other one, and in the ensuing 6 months, I lost 24 Kilos.

I'm going through a time of plateauing at the moment, but I know I will perservere.

When I get down another 10 kilos I will get out my MTB and ride to work.

I have proved to myself that it can be done, albeit with some ivine intervention you might say, and will press on to the goal of riding from one side of Australia to the other next year.

It's amazing what a little sweat, determination and a lot of prayer can do!:)

[Maelstrom]

I have been battling with weight for years. I powerlifted, bodybuilded (not a word I know). Through all of this I did casual riding. Now I do some intense climbs with what I consider little to no lifting. I have lost 2 pnds in 1 monthand now weight 268 at 6'5. But I have lost 10 pnds fat and put on a few inches in my thighs.

I ride around 100km a week total.

[dalerider]

Congrats on your progress.

I made a New Years resolution to lose 100 pounds this year and get in shape. Thanks to the my miraculous secret diet I have gone from 270 pounds on Jan 1 to 192 as of today. (32 pounds to go). My resting pulse has gone from 92 to 54. When asked- I tell people I am on the ELMM diet. That stands for Eat Less, Move More. What a concept!

I credit biking for being the key to my weight loss. My only major dietary change has been to cut out all of the late night snacking I used to do- (I was a major chip and nuts fiend). Other than that I have built up a cycling routine that involves riding 150-200 miles a week over rolling terrain at an average speed of 18-19 MPH.

I feel reborn without all the extra weight. I have all sorts of extra energy thanks to the cycling and weight loss. I feel incredibly lucky to have an activity like cycling, that I enjoy so much, and has such amazing benefits.

[deliriou5]

I am incredibly frustrated... I started running and biking back in march... and here i am and i've gained 5 lbs. granted... my thighs are getting massive... but my gut is not going away. i'm starting some crunches... but it is not fun, like cycling is. ack... i hate indoor exercise :cP.
well, i do plan on doing a tri sometime... but i just don't want to shell out the dough for a gym membership so i can start swimming :(. i think that would help immensely with fat control.

[Gary W. Graley]

Originally posted by deliriou5
I am incredibly frustrated... I started running and biking back in march... and here i am and i've gained 5 lbs. granted... my thighs are getting massive... but my gut is not going away. i'm starting some crunches... but it is not fun, like cycling is. ack... i hate indoor exercise :cP.
well, i do plan on doing a tri sometime... but i just don't want to shell out the dough for a gym membership so i can start swimming :(. i think that would help immensely with fat control.

Crunches certainly help and are a pain but worth while, I do those as well as leg lifts to shape and form those seldom used muscles that really help to support your back.

As to weight loss, gyms I guess are nice and structured but biking and running should be enough? Sounds like eating more than burning off, imagine it like a savings account, if you put in more than you take out, that account will indeed grow larger.

One thing that really helped me is not eating junk food and cutting out eating at night, especially after 9pm. Also sodas are something that I've heard people claim that after giving them up, they lost 20 pounds right away...addictive stuff that soda!

Keep up the work and purpose in your heart that you don't want to remain heavy, it's really is mind over matter! I know I tried several times to lose but when I put my mind to it and really perserved it finally stuck that I meant business and can now easily turn down donuts without really missing them at work!

G2

[orguasch]

I have maintain my 165 lbs weight for about 30 years now, secret constant bike riding.........

[nunquam]

I agree with Gary's advice. Biking is great for your legs and cardio, but not as effective for the rest of your body. To be honest, I think most of my weight-loss has come from the reduced amount/reduced fat diet and walking. I walk 3-5 miles a day at a brisk pace, not as a separate work-out, but incorporating it into my daily routine. The cycling is great for my heart and legs, and makes me feel good, more alert, positive.

As my weight drops, I know I need to start doing upper-body excercise. I used to have a pretty simple upper-body routine of push-ups, pull-ups and sit-ups...I did them in rotating sets to the point of muscle exhaustion, 3-4 times a week for years, with great results. I didn't get "big" but I had definition and I felt strong, confident, felt like I looked better. (I used to get a lot more dates because of it! :D)

[Inkwolf]

I think I'm having a lot more success with less effort biking than I did walking. Especially (ahem) in areas I needed it most. (Down two jeans sizes. :p And lost another 5 pounds.)

BTW, anyone else tried Wendy's new salads? I had the Mandarin Chicken and the BLT Chicken, and both were so good I was never even tempted to use the dressing packet. :p

[oceanrider]

Pre-cycling, I went on Atkins and lost 10 lbs. I felt terrible and gained most of it back as soon as I began eating a variety of foods. Then I lost another 6lbs. by cutting way back but eating a variety. I was hungry all the time. Then I started cycling and eating like "normal" people. That's when I noticed the weight beginning to melt away. Plateaus were overcome, fat turned to muscle and I became a fat burning machine. It was GREAT.

Then June came. It rained 25 inches in June. Being a Floridian, there's not much use for a trainer but I wish I had one. Pretty much it was 3 weeks off the bike. The weight loss stopped but I didn't gain any. The fat burning machine was still working. My sister told me it was because the muscles still continued to burn fat. Pretty cool I'd say. Now it's back on the bike again. July should be more bike friendly.

[LittleBigMan]

Originally posted by oceanrider
Pre-cycling, I went on Atkins and lost 10 lbs. I felt terrible and gained most of it back as soon as I began eating a variety of foods. Then I lost another 6lbs. by cutting way back but eating a variety. I was hungry all the time. Then I started cycling and eating like "normal" people. That's when I noticed the weight beginning to melt away.
This is my experience, too. That's why I believe exercise is the key to getting the weight off and keeping it off.

I believe that any weight-loss program that does not include a balanced exercise/muscle-development program is basically an unhealthy starvation-type diet. (And don't let me start on Atkins; how can you exercise properly without carbs?)

[Andy Dreisch]

For years now people have urged me to do the Atkins thing. NO WAY !! Total witchcraft in my view.

I'm 220 and 6'4". I've been around 220 probably a decade now. Recently I spiked to around 230 when I stopped running due to an injury. To counter this I've stepped up the biking miles (commuting and weekend) and have scaled back come on the diet.

I'd like to get to 210 one day.

I can never seem to stick with a weight training program -- bores the tears out of me. However, the comments on this thread give me hope.

[CycleMON]

I only get to ride on weekends because of my schedule; work and school. Is there a good way for me lose weight with this kind of schedule? I'm on the move from 6:00 am 'til 9:00 pm.

Please help.

Thank you.

[Inkwolf]

Any exercise is good...but have you considered biking to work and/or school?

[CycleMON]

Originally posted by Inkwolf
Any exercise is good...but have you considered biking to work and/or school?

Yes, I don't have a place to lock my bike. I have one more quarter to go, I'll try to locate a place to leave my bike.

It's like my sig says; I need to ride more!

[Andy Dreisch]

Originally posted by me
I'm 220 and 6'4". ... I'd like to get to 210 one day.
Weighed in at 217 today. Getting there !!!

[deliriou5]

Originally posted by Inkwolf
I think I'm having a lot more success with less effort biking than I did walking. Especially (ahem) in areas I needed it most. (Down two jeans sizes. :p And lost another 5 pounds.)

BTW, anyone else tried Wendy's new salads? I had the Mandarin Chicken and the BLT Chicken, and both were so good I was never even tempted to use the dressing packet. :p

Man those salads are great... but don't be fooled... they are REALLY fatty!

[Inkwolf]

Originally posted by deliriou5


Man those salads are great... but don't be fooled... they are REALLY fatty!

G'wan, how can they make a 'really fatty' salad if you don't put dressing on it (and there's no cheese)? Are those chicken cubes soaked in oil? Do they deep-fry the lettuce? :p

If you've got info on the nutritional values of the new salads, could you post a link, please?

[Bikes-N-Drums]

I don't own a scale at home, but I saw this thread so it inspired me to see where I was at. Lost 20 pounds since May 1.

I got mail! YAY!

[deliriou5]

cyclists tend to have pretty lean and toned bodies after training for a while, but we all know that the fat around your waist area tends to stay there, even for those of us in the best shape. you know what is a GREAT way to get rid of that impossible-to-get-rid-of fat in your gut? hula hoop! My sister bought one yesterday, I did it for about 30 minutes, and my abs are REALLY sore. try it out! :)

[wabbit]

I know I could never wear one of those ab-baring triathlete suits. I just don't have the washboard abs. Mine are more like the laundry. I'm just really short waisted- even if I did have washboard abs you wouldn't be able to see them. I'm just not built that way.

[Gary W. Graley]

Originally posted by wabbit
I know I could never wear one of those ab-baring triathlete suits. I just don't have the washboard abs. Mine are more like the laundry...

Like me, no Six pack here, more like a half a keg...;)

But I'm working on it, the Keg is about empty though!!!
Now onto definition!
G2

[Don Johnson]

04/01/02...260#
07/01/02...220#

Two Rudimentary Rules:
1) Calories in < Calories out
2) You gotta move.

My regimen has been: no red meat, very little other meat (chicken or fish), lots of veggies, 7 to 8L of water a day, 100 different ways to cook Top Ramen, a really good Heffeweizen after a good, long ride and finally "20 miles a day to keep the doctor away".

The best piece of equipment I have purchased has to be the heart rate monitor, not for things like a racer would use one for (interval training and such) but mostly to let me know when I am slacking off when on a ride. I have noticed that as I get lighter and faster the heart rate is slowing down to keep the same pace. With the monitor I can tell when I need to step up the effort to keep the heart rate above a certain level to maximize fat burn without exceeding my calculated MHR.

It certainly feels good to be able to put pants on in the morning when they are still buttoned and zipped...soon I'm gonna have to get some new duds.

DJ

[vlad]

In 1992 I lost seven inches in the waist; and from 297 to 260 in about nine months. It was easy. I was never hungry. I am still on this diet and feel wonderful. I am 6-3 275 (sigh) and will be 70 this fall. I try to ride daily -- in summer usually twelves miles between 0600 and 0800 thanks to the ferocious heat and humidity of East Texas.


here is food for thought, all puns intended

(repost)


page 22 Let's eat right to keep fit by Adelle Davis

a similar study was made at Harvard University by Dr Thorn and co-workers who determined blood sugar levels for six hours after meals high in carbohydrates.

A high-carbohydrate breakfast consisted of orange juice, bacon, toast, jelly, a packaged cereal and coffee, both with sugar and milk. The blood sugar rose rapidly but fell to an extremely low level, causing fatigue and inefficiency. A packaged cereal eaten only with whipping cream for the high-fat breakfast, after which the blood sugar inceased slightly, then remained at the fasting level throughout the morning.

The high protein meal consisted of skim milk, lean ground beef, and cottage cheese; the blood sugar rose to the high level of 120 milligrams and remained there throughout the entire following six hours.

To determine the effects of different types of food on energy production, metabolism tests were taken at fcrequent intervals. The metabolism, or energy production, increased only slightly after the meals high in fat or carbohydrate. After the high-protein meal, however , the metabolism rose more quickly than did the blood sugar and stayed high throughout the entire six hour study period.

p 23 sugar, cereals, hotcakes fruit, fruit juice quickly changes to sugar during digestion . in minutes blood sugar may increase from 80 to 155 milligrams ..stimulates pancreas to pour forth insulin; the insulin in turn causes the liver and muscles to withdraw sugar and store it as a form of sugar, or glycogen or change it into fat, thus preventing it being lost in urine. The tremendous amounts of sugar defeat the purpsoe for which sugar is needed -- to produce enegy efficiently. Too much sugar is withdrawn due to the oversupply of insulin; the result, ironically, is fatigue

p 24 in studies mentioned, efficiency for three hours was produced by only 22 grams or more of protein. Meals furnishing 55 grams protein sustained a high level of energy and a high metabolism for six hours afterward.


p35 "Let's eat right to keep fit" Adelle Davis

When you eat more protein than your body can use immediately, your liver withdraws amino acids from your blood and changes them temporarily into protein storage. As your cells use amino acids the supply is replenished from the breakdown of stored protein. As long as your diet is adeduate, the amount of amino acids in your blood is thereby kept relatively constant.

If you ignore your health to the extent of eating insufficient protein, the stored protein is quickly exhausted. From that time on, the less important body tissues are destroyed to free amino acids needed to rebuild more vital structures. Such a process can go on month after month, year after year. Your body continues to function after a fashion. Useen abnormalities set in because blood proteins, hormones, enzymes, and antibodies can no longer be formed in amounts needed. Muscles lose tone, wrinkles appear, aging creeps on , and you, my dear, are going to pot.

It is possible, though not probable, that you may eat more protein than your body needs. After the storage depots are filled, the leftover protein is changed by the liver into glucose and fat, the nitrogen being excreted in urine; the sugar and fat may be used immediately to produce energy or may be stored as fat. Proteins are also used to produce energy whenever too few other foods are eaten to produce calorie requirments.

[vlad]

see also

Calories don't Count by Dr Herman Taller MD. It worked for me.

Having read this book, published in 1961, one could almost believe that it is the basis of Dr Adkins Miracle Diet.


http://www.iamm.com/eat-fat.html

[Inkwolf]

Well, after reading what Vlad had to say, I decided to try switching to low carbs and high protein amd give it a try. This is based on only one day, of course, so it isn't anything definite or tested....

On the down side, I felt tired, cranky, and irritable (though I certainly didn't have any problem biking--the energy was there when I needed it.)

On the up side, I dropped 3 pounds overnight. :eek:

Guess I'll give it a few more days testing....

[LittleBigMan]

People who have used the Atkins high-protein, low-carb, "eat all you want as long as it's not carbs" diet, have one thing in common: the vast majority of them gain their weight back.

I advocate a "normal" diet and vigorous exercise. This is a lifestyle that you can maintain all your life.

The Atkins diet cannot be maintained indefinitely. It's not healthy.

Caveat emptor.

[Gary W. Graley]

Originally posted by LittleBigMan
People who have used the Atkins high-protein, low-carb, "eat all you want as long as it's not carbs" diet, have one thing in common: the vast majority of them gain their weight back.

I advocate a "normal" diet and vigorous exercise. This is a lifestyle that you can maintain all your life.

The Atkins diet cannot be maintained indefinitely. It's not healthy.

Caveat emptor.

I saw on some News Network reporting show that spoke about this and the thing that hit me was that they reported about the Atkins Diet the fact that;

People didn't Lose weight BECAUSE THEY ate only MEAT and FATTY stuff...

The LOST the weight BECAUSE they didn't eat all the Carbs, breads Pastas and the like...they just HAPPENED to be eating the MEAT instead, so as LittleBigman stated, people can't seem to stick to that diet, I advocate to just cut the Carbs as much as you can, I quit eating all that late night Toast! and to eat what you know is good for you, I recommend that book by Harvey Diamond, Fit for Life II, changed my life outlook and down almost 50 pounds, maintaining that now for just over a year, feel good and riding faster!

G2

[Andy Dreisch]

Originally posted by LittleBigMan
People who have used the Atkins high-protein, low-carb, "eat all you want as long as it's not carbs" diet, have one thing in common: the vast majority of them gain their weight back... I advocate a "normal" diet and vigorous exercise. This is a lifestyle that you can maintain all your life.... The Atkins diet cannot be maintained indefinitely. It's not healthy....Caveat emptor.
LBM, are you sitting down?

I agree !!

My experience with workmates who all religiously followed the Atkins diet was exactly as you say: they didn't change their exercise habits (they couldn't -- no carbs for energy), went off the diet eventually, and immediately puffed up.

Against immense peer pressure I instead increased my biking and running and ate pretty much the same ... more even.

Some years later I'm down about 30 pounds. They're not.

[Inkwolf]

I'm not on the Atkins diet, though, I've just increased my protein and reduced carbs. I've always been on the carnivorous side, anyway, so I feel a lot more satisfied eating some low-fat cottage cheese and a chicken leg or two for breakfast than a bowl of cereal.

[Don Johnson]

Originally posted by LittleBigMan
I advocate a "normal" diet and vigorous exercise. This is a lifestyle that you can maintain all your life.
[/B]


This pretty much sums up my philosophy now. The exception would be that I have cut red meat out of the diet mostly because there is leaner (and in my opinion more healthful) meat to be had.

Other aspects that I have become more conscious of are serving sizes and what each single-serving contains as far as fat, protein, calories, carbs, etc. for any given food. That knowledge alone has helped to curb the calorie and fat intake which aids in the pursuit of a healthier diet.

[Gary W. Graley]

One day I was having lunch with a friend from work and was going to order a nice big meat Cachata...(sp) but saw this guy sitting at a table that should have taken two chairs with a shirt 3 sizes too small and had rings around his body like Saturn!

NOW that made me change my order! Stopping to think is a good thing and needed...
G2

[Andy Dreisch]

My only real dietary change has been to change the order of my meal. I eat fruits and vegetables first, then the meats, etc. I still eat until full as can be, but you tend to at less "bad stuff" this way.

[Inkwolf]

If anyone's wondering how the higher-protein thing is going--after that first day, I'm back to holding steady, same as when I was eating higher carbs. It doesn't seem to have actually made any real difference, and I'm starting to think that the tiredness and the sudden weight drop that first day were due to totally other factors.

Still, not too bad...I've lost 25 pounds now, since I started biking.

[Andy Dreisch]

Originally posted by Inkwolf
...I've lost 25 pounds now, since I started biking.
Wow!! That's great.

[Don Johnson]

An update of my progress with a few more details than before:

04/01/02: started riding more religiously and keeping track of some numbers.
Wt: 260 (pathetic, but true.)

07/31/02:
Wt: 219
waist 4.5" smaller
chest 3" smaller
neck 2.5" smaller
Miles ridden (that are accounted for in commuting): 1026.5
Avg. MPH: 17.5
MHR increased by 3 BPM (or 3 BPM slower for the same level of effort as on 04/01/02).
51.3 gallons of gas saved; about $75.00. That's not really a lot of cash but if it prevents a quad by-pass in the future, I guess, as Visa says, "It's priceless."
Daily round trip commute only increased by about 35 minutes (which includes getting the bike out of and back into the truck, getting shoes on, etc).

Any other progress reports out there? Do we need a new thread?

DJ