Running and Induction/atkins diet

[buster404]

Hi,

Today is the first day of my induction period. Also, I am in the first phase of training for a marathon. I do few 4-8 mile runs a week.

While I was doing the normal diet(eating tons of carb), I haven't had any issues as far as hitting wall or feeling weak while running/working out.

How would the Atkins diet affect my running performance? Will I run in to any issues? I can't get over the fact that your body needs carbs when running. When it comes to running all I hear is Carb, Carb, carb...

I'd really appreciate if you can shed some light, point me in the right direction(books, websites etc) and if you a marathon runner please tell me how atkins is working out for you. Thank you in advance.

[WaterBaby]

Though I am not a marathon runner, I take intense Power Pilates classes that are very physically demanding, and I'm interested in hearing how other Atkins devotees tackle the issues of "pre-workout fueling"... I've had several instances in class where I just completely lose energy and can't go on.

[sadie147]

I'm going to move this to the Exercise forum, we have some long distance/marathon runners there and it will get more exposure in that forum!

[liv]

Are you a guy buster?
Here is an interesting thread on this topic
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...orum-well.html (Need advice - posted in general forum as well)

[buster404]

Thanks a lot for the replies. Also thanks for the link, it was helpful.

Yes, I am a guy.

[liv]

The reason I asked about the guy thing is that some of the guys around here think that to do very hard exercise their experience was that they needed more carb. Nothing like the carbloading thing but more than the 20 that we have on induction. You probably have to try it out.

[WaterBaby]

Ditto on appreciation for the links... I think the funny thing is that the "low fat, carbs for fuel" concept has been drilled into our heads for so long that the idea of using FAT for fuel is sometimes hard to swallow... literally!!! It's taken a while to adjust to cooking with real butter and lots of olive oil and eating more meat than I thought was humanly possible...

This morning was my tri-weekly power pilates class and even though I was late and in a hurry to get to class, I managed to make my special "microwave" omelet. I basically throw together some leftovers (this morning it was roasted chicken and broccoli) with beaten eggs in a bowl and then microwave until the eggs start to fluff up. I know it sounds crazy but it works.... I didn't have any energy crashes at all during my class.

Although it is hard to completely change the way you buy groceries and the way that you eat (especially when you are in a hurry or on the road), the Atkins diet WORKS and it has always worked for me. I'm a total believer for life!!!!

[ttdriver]

I've run 2 full 26.2 mile marathons while in Atkins lifetime maintenance. No problemo either time.

I know on most running forums, its all about carb loading. Its been my experience, that I run best on high fat/protein as fuel.

Running during induction could be difficult until your body switches over to a full fat-burning metabolism. My advice would be to keep your mileage low until you get that "burst of energy" that comes from total detox from sugar/starch. Keep your fats HIGH (at least 65% of your daily intake) and also keep your protein around 30%.

I run 30-35 miles every week (and have since 2003) with no problem.

Good luck!

Betty

[agentburns]

What would you recommend for fueling during long training (over 1.5 hrs) or competition? I'm in training for a 1/2 ironman triathlon.

Thanks

[lowcarbHK]

I agree with Betty. Pre atkins i would run 8km a day, i have just finished my 3rd week of induction and during my first week i could barely make it to 4km!! I am gradually getting used to using fat as fuel by running 3km, walking 1 km, running 3km, walking 1. Its best if you let you body adjust and slowly increase the running distance