ok, I'll take a break now, but I really would like to see actual studies that support the various knocks on a low carb diet, specifically for someone in OP's situation, just wants to lose wt. and get reasonably fit.

btw, there are LOADS more studies suggesting at the very least that the low carb avenue ought to be considered and investigated further.

as to why pro athletes prefer to carb up, it could be sort of along the lines of why does the American Diabetes Association, with lives literally in the balance, refuse to consider the low carb approach? even though it is clearly superior to their own politically correct guidelines that are sadly less effective. for more on that, read this http://weightoftheevidence.blogspot.com/