Low Carb Dieting/Working Out Question

[Stryker44]

Do you guys ever hit a rut when you stop feeling like workout and/or eating well? I've been like that the past week and really need to get past it mentally. What do you do to stop putting things off "until tomorrow" when it comes to this?

[Reality]

Originally Posted by Stryker44

Do you guys ever hit a rut when you stop feeling like workout and/or eating well? I've been like that the past week and really need to get past it mentally. What do you do to stop putting things off "until tomorrow" when it comes to this?

All it usually takes for me is to look in the mirror or notice how loose my clothes have gotten to remind me no food or laziness is worth throwing that away.

/reality

[a_minimalist]

Originally Posted by Stryker44

Do you guys ever hit a rut when you stop feeling like workout and/or eating well? I've been like that the past week and really need to get past it mentally. What do you do to stop putting things off "until tomorrow" when it comes to this?

Take a break. Still eat well but allow yourself some of the thing that aren't as bad for you. Avoid the stuff that's horrible though. You could be burning yourself out. You really have to think long term. There's no rush since eating healthy should be a lifelong change.

[rickjameschinaclub]

As Jenky points out, the appearance of weight loss, when going low-carb, is really just about water weight. Carbs actually make one retain water to an extent, which isn't a bad thing.

Also, as Jenky points out the idea of nutrition timing isn't real either. As long as your your daily needs, you'll reap benefits in the end. It's pretty much common sense. It would be an example of ultimate stupidity of evolution that the body, in periods where it believes that one may encounter a starving scenario, would start to fall apart. The exact opposite happens in reality, which is, the body for a significant period sharpens it's performance, with the release of cortisol and other hormones. This is why, people who have trained with intermittent fasting often during their training periods mind themselves much more alert and energized.

This state of 'alertness happens for a certain period of time until it starts to become harmful for the body. Elevated cortisol for extended periods of time is not good, i.e. it's one of the stress hormones. Elevated cortisol levels is also an example of over-training, which may be what your facing now.

One should keep in mind, all these ideas of excess protein and the like are nothing but mindless fanaticism in respect to fiet. The body can even recycle protein it already has according to it's needs. The basic principle of weight loss is calories expended must be greater than calories consumed. The problem is, nutrition is now looked upon like alchemy was in the past, i.e. there is a magic diet. There are some benefits of low carb diets from a certain angle in respect to wieght loss. And this is the fact that fats and protein tend to be more satiating then carbs. One should also take into account the idea that the urge for a certain type of food is that your brain may desire a certain food, because it has learned over the past that that particular food possesses a certain nutrient, which it may sense it needs at the very moment one has the urge for it.

The basic principles to health and weight loss are essentially eat a balanced diet, remain active, which doesn't necessarily equate to exercise, reduce stress and sleep well.

[goshan]

One point that I disagree with others on in here...
If someone is quite a bit overweight and trying to lose weight even at a reasonable pace, it is perfectly fine and recommended to keep carbs fairly low. As many have pointed out, the key to this is avoiding simple sugars, breads, chips, crackers, etc. Carb intake should be things like beans, brown rice, etc.

I would not recommend for someone this overweight who is trying to drop fat to to eat 80-90g of carbs per day. About 40-45g is probably better.

Also, in terms of calories, I suspect a better level of intake is around 1800-2000, not 2700. This would assume you are burning about 2200 per day, which would be a good calaorie deficit ratio (200 calories or so). In terms of your aerobic workouts, I suspect you aren't burning as much as some people in here think.

Finally, the tuna diet isn't going to be sustainable. You are going to get burned out. Focus on a lifestyle change and find some healthy foods you sort of like. For example, I eat egg whites w/black beans and salsa for breakfast most days. And I like the way it tastes, and it's very healthy.

[TheCowboy]

I am on a low carb diet and started on New Year's Day. I weighed 300 lbs and now am about 287. My goal is to get to 250 by August. Good to know you are having success bro! I am only exercising 3 days a week especially 20 min on a elliptical.

[CATCH17]

Originally Posted by goshan

One point that I disagree with others on in here...
If someone is quite a bit overweight and trying to lose weight even at a reasonable pace, it is perfectly fine and recommended to keep carbs fairly low. As many have pointed out, the key to this is avoiding simple sugars, breads, chips, crackers, etc. Carb intake should be things like beans, brown rice, etc.

I would not recommend for someone this overweight who is trying to drop fat to to eat 80-90g of carbs per day. About 40-45g is probably better.

Also, in terms of calories, I suspect a better level of intake is around 1800-2000, not 2700. This would assume you are burning about 2200 per day, which would be a good calaorie deficit ratio (200 calories or so). In terms of your aerobic workouts, I suspect you aren't burning as much as some people in here think.

[View Full Quote]Finally, the tuna diet isn't going to be sustainable. You are going to get burned out. Focus on a lifestyle change and find some healthy foods you sort of like. For example, I eat egg whites w/black beans and salsa for breakfast most days. And I like the way it tastes, and it's very healthy.

45 grams of carbs a day? That's way too low.

[Stryker44]

Originally Posted by TheCowboy

I am on a low carb diet and started on New Year's Day. I weighed 300 lbs and now am about 287. My goal is to get to 250 by August. Good to know you are having success bro! I am only exercising 3 days a week especially 20 min on a elliptical.

Congratulations dude! I've been hovering around the same weight since the holidays, but also didn't eat well or work out last week (was kinda in a funk after the Redskins playoff loss).

Getting back on track this week.

[Stryker44]

I may have overtrained at first...I got down to 246 just before Christmas working a cardio workout each morning and lighter cardio/weights in the afternoons...but since the holidays I've had trouble getting my consistent routine back.

When I was doing the workouts twice a day, I was having to nap for 1-2 hours after work to have the energy to do the second workout. I assume that's not a good thing.

[CATCH17]

Originally Posted by Stryker44

I may have overtrained at first...I got down to 246 just before Christmas working a cardio workout each morning and lighter cardio/weights in the afternoons...but since the holidays I've had trouble getting my consistent routine back.

When I was doing the workouts twice a day, I was having to nap for 1-2 hours after work to have the energy to do the second workout. I assume that's not a good thing.

I think thats normal. At least it is for me. Lack of calories plus exercise = lack of energy.

[Stryker44]

Originally Posted by CATCH17

I think thats normal. At least it is for me. Lack of calories plus exercise = lack of energy.

Would you still separate the hard cardio sessions from weight sessions each day? I think I could still do twice a day, as long as I sleep well and eat more than I was. The weight loss will be slower but probably more sustainable.

[CATCH17]

Originally Posted by Stryker44

Would you still separate the hard cardio sessions from weight sessions each day? I think I could still do twice a day, as long as I sleep well and eat more than I was. The weight loss will be slower but probably more sustainable.

Are you in a calorie deficit and working out each day?


Whats your workout schedule?

What do you currently weigh and what is your goal?

How many calories are you taking in? Do you know your macronutrients?

[juck]

I was 235 at 5ft10 in jan of last year. I was into powerlifting hardcore and occasional cardio. I was pretty big,fullback build. I decided to change my routine which meant getting out of a gym where I would chat too much and do more cardio. So I built a decent home gym for circuit training lifting but I run about 5 miles 3-4 days a week. The diet is small meals and way down on calories. I haven't lost muscle and lost 30 lbs down to 205 now. I wanna get to 185. Id be pretty cut up at that weight. I have a cheat day too. Im starting to think its not worth it lol. I gain a few just from one cheat day. Now im down to a rb build and want a slot WR build lol.

[TheCowboy]

Originally Posted by Stryker44

Congratulations dude! I've been hovering around the same weight since the holidays, but also didn't eat well or work out last week (was kinda in a funk after the Redskins playoff loss).

Getting back on track this week.

Thanks man. It's really annoying to see myself gain weight even though I am sticking to my diet. I don't get it. Once I was 285.7 and now it was 291.2. What the heck?

[Kristen82]

Originally Posted by TheCowboy

Thanks man. It's really annoying to see myself gain weight even though I am sticking to my diet. I don't get it. Once I was 285.7 and now it was 291.2. What the heck?

Muscle mass weighs more than non-muscle mass.