too good to be true?

[crosado]

Hello Everyone,
My name is Carlos (33y/o). This is my formal introduction(some of the details I posted somewhere else) and hoping to get some feedback on my experiences so far..

I am on my 15th day.. I lost 13 pounds as of yesterday. My goal is to reach 190. For workaouts I lift weights and do cardio. For weight training I changed my technique about the same time I started Atkins. I am doing weights only twice a week(40min). One day upper body one day legs (lower). I started reading about what I guess is called HIT..

Check out these links:
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http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blo...cle-in-4-weeks/

http://www.bodybuildingfanatic.com/...oexperiment.htm
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So I guess I am trying a mix of Atkins for diet and HIT for strenght training(at the same time reduce time spent working out) For cardio, I try to do it at least 5 times a week. I do swim for 40-50 minutes at least once a week. (YMCA masters)

I learned about FITDAY somewhere in your posts. I think it is a fantastic
tool.. Here is my log
http://www.fitday.com/WebFit/Public...Owner=morovis96

I am still learning how to best use fitday and tweak foods to get 65% fat, 30% protein and 5% carbs. The hardest part I guess is to have fitday properly count/track carbs. I love the custom food feature.

As for how I feel I think this is the best part... I used to get raveonusly hungry (and light headed/aches,etc) in the afternoons (pre Atkins) specially after my swimming workouts.. Last night after my swimming workout I went home and did a salad with some cheese/nuts,peperonis,etc. But my 2 year old needed tender loving care.. I spent the afternoon/night with him until put in bed.. I fell sleep with him and woke up at 11:30pm and moved to my bed.. I TOTALLY forgot about my salad or any food.. I sometimes not get hungry at all!! Not only that I feel my endurance and strenght have improved as well. This is too good to be true

The only "problem" I have experienced is that I feel very rested after short sleeping periods.. For example last night as well my wife went to the bathroom at 3:30am and her movements woke me up.. I could not go back to sleep! I felt I have sleep the whole night! I even remember I was dreaming.. When I dream it is usually right before waking up! So it took me another hour or so of tossing around to get back to sleep.. then the alarm ran and it was time to hit the GYM ;-)

looking forward to another Atkins week!
Carlos

[elsy]

Hi Carlos. I commend you for making the decision to make Atkins your WOL. You have a fantastic workout routine going on as well. That's great. Oh, and Fitday is fabulous. I used to think it was a lot of work to do that everyday, but I learned to plan ahead and jot everything down. It really has helped me stay on track, I'm telling you. The percentages should be quite simple during induction as long as you eat more of the higher carb/nutrient based veggies. Although I am concerned that you are putting nuts in your salad at this point. Nuts and Seeds are not allowed until Rung 3 in OWL. Sorry!

The reason why it's taking you longer to get to sleep is probably cuz your body is all wired up from all that excercise and energy. It takes a while for the body to assimilate that it's gotta get used to this new routine. Give it time and you'll be sleeping like a cat in no time. Good luck to you and congrats.

[Adena]

Hi, Carlos -- and welcome. First of all, congratulations on taking such a big step and going after this with such gusto! It sounds like you are doing great and really making an effort to do this right. And, you've made GREAT progress so far -- congratulations!

Seeing the effort you're making to do it do it all by the book, I have two suggestions for you:

1) If you haven't already, read "the book" -- Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution (2002 version) -- I strongly recommend it. It gives you all the rules and biology behind the plan. Tells you how it works and why. You'll read about appetite supression, which is what you've been experiencing. Isn't it great?!

2) While your percentages look great, you technically aren't following induction. Now you're almost done with the 2-week induction period, but you might want to consider adding in foods according to the carbohydrate ladder, as Dr A intended... this thread might be helpful: http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ead.php?t=5516 (The OWL Carbohydrate Ladder). That means that nuts and granola would be out for now...

Clearly what you are doing is working for you, so I'm certainly not knocking it. Just want to make sure you have all the facts!

Take care, and I wish you continued success.

[sallyseachange]

Warm welcome aboard Carlos! Congrats on your success so far. Awesome! Congrats also on your exercise routine(s).

I'm sure that pretty soon your body will get used to the "new routine" and settle down. You'll find you sleep better again... but you'll still have lots more energy.

Post lots and let us know how you're getting along. We're here for ya!

[crosado]

Hi Adena and Elsy.. thanks for the advice. Yes I read the book actually twice.. I think I am a slow learner.. I read about appetite supression and how the body switches from carb burning to fat burning but I never thought it would be so drastic.. I have even been in Golden Corral a couple of times and dont look at the dessert bar twice.. I mean I had little to no cravings for sweets at all after the first 2-3 days. I had a zip of diet pepsi a couple of days ago and it was very sweet.. I guess like I read everyone everyone is different.. if you navigate my fitday entries I have even included a some wine on some days..

I guess I am doing some experimenting as well.. Trying with what body for life calls a "free day" or similarly mentioned by Tim Ferriss here
http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog...-any-exercise/
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Rule #4: Take one day off per week

I recommend Saturdays as your “Dieters Gone Wild” day. I am allowed to eat whatever I want on Saturdays, and I go out of my way to eat ice cream, Snickers, Take 5, and all of my other vices in excess. I make myself a little sick and don’t want to look at any of it for the rest of the week. Paradoxically, dramatically spiking caloric intake in this way once per week increases fat loss by ensuring that your metabolic rate (thyroid function, etc.) doesn’t downregulate from extended caloric restriction. That’s right: eating pure crap can help you lose fat. Welcome to Utopia.
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actually in my "free day" I do not eat pure#@#$#.. instead indulge in a glass of wine or some steak/chicken fajistas at a restaurant.. (no tortillas)
as for the Nuts.. I think this is big part(if not essential) of suppressing my appetite until next meal...

I hope I dont get flamed or banned from these forums for not following instructions to the letter ;-)

[BluegrassMama]

Hi, Carlos and welcome! Congratulations on your super success so far! The links you posted sound very interesting. I'll have to check them out

Glad you found ADBB!

[elsy]

Hi again Carlos. I don't think you'll get banned but do keep in mind that if you do follow Atkins the way you're supposed to not only will you lose faster but you will get to the point (maintenace phase) where you won't have to binge eat anymore. You will be eating all types of fruits and veggies, all types of cheese and dairy, nuts, wine, oatmeal, cereals, and so on. If you continue to do Atkins during the week and then cheat on the weekends, your body will get to the point that it will not get into Ketosis anymore. So my recommendation to you is to either do one or the other. I'm afriad you are only going to screw up your metabolism even more. Good luck to you on whatever you decide.

[Adena]

No, Carlos -- you won't get banned. It's your choice. Based on our experience and many people we've seen here, it's just that people get the best results when the follow the plan to the letter -- or at least, as best they can.

I'd say the way you're eating, especially if you take your own version of the binge day, is "low carb," but not necessarily Atkins. But hey -- if it works for you, that's fine. Best of luck!

EDIT

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