New to the Forum; Have Question

[ChocLot]

Hello All,

I found this site today and must say that the encouragement and support provided is really motivating!! I started Day 1 of induction today, but based on what I've read thus far, I'm not sure how effective Atkins will be for me. I currently weigh 155 and would like to get down to 140-145. As induction usually shows about a 5-10% reduction, does this mean I will probably lose no more than 1.50 lbs?

I currently run about 3.50 miles at least 4 times a week. Should I stop doing this for the induction phase to limit muscle gain? Or should I stick to exercising and nix the Atkins plan?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[sskyeye]

Welcome to the board!

Do both! Muscle takes up less room than fat, so even though those awful lying scales may say you aren't losing weight, you will lose inches, making your clothes looser etc. You may find that a size goal works better than a weight goal. Lots of people don't weigh more than every few weeks or even months because of this. The book says "exercise is non negotable." So if you are not exercising you are not doing Atkins. This is a Way of Eating (woe) for life, not a quick fix lose weight fast diet. So go ahead with Induction, keep up the exercise, and the pounds and inches may not fall off as quickly as they do for those with more weight to lose, but they will go. Especially with that exercise you're doing. You're off to a great start! Again, welcome aboard!

[Iapetus999]

People on Atkins don't generally gain a lot of muscle.
The reason people say that is because a lot of newbies have gone from no exercise to some and they get some muscles.
But someone who is exercising is not going to bulk up.
Remember this is a high-fat diet...not high protein.

[BreakfastSurreal]

Originally Posted by Iapetus999

People on Atkins don't generally gain a lot of muscle.
The reason people say that is because a lot of newbies have gone from no exercise to some and they get some muscles.
But someone who is exercising is not going to bulk up.
Remember this is a high-fat diet...not high protein.

so are you saying that with exercise and weight training it's HARDER to bulk up while on atkins as opposed to a different diet? My main goal is not to bulk up but definitely to gain muscle definition where there never was any before...

[matawguro]

Originally Posted by BreakfastSurreal

...so are you saying that with exercise and weight training it's HARDER to bulk up while on atkins as opposed to a different diet?

Most guys here will probably disagree with that assertion. Then again, we've got testosterone.

[BreakfastSurreal]

umm so do you think getting a tummy like this is unrealistic?

[matawguro]

Not unrealistic, just a lot of work. Six-pack abs require that you have a body fat percentage of no more than 9% (if I remember correctly). Any higher and they won't show through.

[2big4mysize]

on atkins you will gain some muscle mass. folk on the maintenance phase who were normal weight were ask to eat atins and not change anything else in their lives and a control group was ask to eat a high carb plan with no other changes. those that ate Atkins lost body fat and added muscle mass in the UConn study.

While Atkins is high fat it is also higher then normal protein the USDA recomends 10% protein while Atkins is 30%. You will store the extra protein as much as your body can in your muscle tissues and if you are exercising doing both the aerobic and the resistance training which is mandatory for Atkins you will lose fat and add muscle to the best of your genetic ability. Some of us add more muscle then others.

Keep doing your workouts, drink your water, eat your Atkins induction from chapter 11 of your DANDR and take the suplements you need based on your food choices and you will morph that body of yours to a leaner healthier one.

Happy low carbing

[Iapetus999]

I just meant in the weight loss phase it's a little hard to gain muscle mass (not impossible) BUT if you work out you will get a lot more muscle definition.
Sorry if my post was confusing.
Once you get near goal you can slow down the weight loss.
Remember muscle weighs more than fat so if you gain muscle you can stay the same weight and lose inches.

For you I think Atkins will definitely help your muscle definition and help lower your body fat % which may even give you those abs. :nod
For definition, higher # of reps and more sets at a lower weight helps.

[BreakfastSurreal]

IF IT TAKES ME 10 YEARS I WILL HAVE THOSE ABS! hehe