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Week 1 carb free

So I was inspired by a thread started by Stark and some reading reco'd by mike G. "The art and science of carb free lifestyle" or something like that..

Brief background... About 10 yrs ago I peaked at about 191 lbs and lost about 30 on Atkins. Worked well for me and I felt good on it but wasn't a long term eating style. My weight has done up and down over the years and have tried various other programs including a medical supervised very low calorie diet. In the course of going to this dr., I learned my insulin was high which is an early indicator of insulin resistance and pre diabetes. Yikes! I lost some weight and started going to an endocrinologist, then I got into tris. Eating better (including less carbs) exercising and I'm "cured" so she said.

So always still trying to drop some pounds to raise that w/kg. so back to the beginning of the thread... Low carb. I had always thought athletes need carbs. The science in the book indicates the contrary and the made sense to me so I figured I'd give it a whirl. Started Sunday night w no carbs. More meal prep required but I'm game for it. So first week.... Eating lots of bacon, eggs, burgers, salad w full fat dressing, nuts. I feel really good, much less hungry than when just trying for that 500 calorie deficit per day. I am still tracking calories for fun, and to track fat vs. protein and carbs and I'm generally falling between 100-300 over that 500 calorie deficit. I'm down 1 lb which doesn't sound like a lot but it has generally been taking me a month to lose a pound. (By the way I'm 5'6" now 145. Not a lot to lose but still have some "baby fat" to lose)

So I have felt really good all week, same or more energy. First bike vo2 wko was rough as was run but I'm not sure if that may have been just as much mental as I had read your body takes a couple of week to relearn how to burn fat for fuel when carb deprived. Other wkos seemed better. Did a 5k today and although I didn't hit the sub 30 I wanted, I think that is more a function of the course (a little hillier) than anything else. So, as of week one I will call it a success. Also, I'm not as hungry naturally so less cases of the crankies.

Comments

  • When I switched to Paleo it took me about three weeks to feel better. I am since switched to a Plant based diet because I came down with Pericarditis which is an inflammation of the sac around the heart which lead me to believe I had inflammation in other parts of my body, and after some research I found that meat and eggs can cause inflammation in the body, so long story short - I am no clear. No pericarditis and I would like to keep it that way, so Plant based I am. I wish you all the luck on this new lifestyle and above anything else, just listen to your gut. If you feel it is right for you, then do it.
  • Thanks Brenda. I'll give it the ol college try.

    Update: first longish wko this morning and first outdoor ride. Bfast of 2 eggs, bacon, cheese and spoonful of pb. Felt great throughout ride. Not killing it but hit z4 intervals and the rest was more social. .82if overall, 25.5 mi. . Drank powerade zero. A little hungry after about an hour and 15. Will have pb at hour mark next time. Got home had a protein shake then jogged around the block for 1 mile. Chilled out on the deck then started feeling progressively more nauseous. Had a power crunch bar but that didn't help. I suspected a lack of sodium based on my reading so had a bouillon cube and feeling a bit better. I should be having at least one per day but I haven't been consistent w that. Need to. Still don't feel like eating but don't feel like puking either. May have another cube. Will update again next week after long ride. Don't wanna feel like this again!
  • @Kim - thanks for the thread. I am also on a mostly plant-based diet like Brenda and have very little meat. I use protein-mix and lots of PB. For the few times I go out and have a burger with the office at lunch, I don't have that raging hunger and have to devour almost my weight in fruit during the day. Impressive story about the weight loss and change of life-style.

    @Brenda - how did you know you had Pericarditis?
  • Kim, definitely be sure to pay attention to sodium and to your intake of good fats. Nothing wrong with a little bacon, but be sure to keep looking for opportunities to work in avocado, olive (and other) oils, almonds, flax, chia, walnuts, etc.

    Looking forward to hearing more of the journey.
  • Ok, good stuff Kim thx for the update.
  • Joe - a trip to the emergency room. I have now been cleared but it was 6 months of taking meds and getting MRI's etc.
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