Diet

Having that athletic look year round is nice, but staying too close to contest weight for too long can have its own issues.

good like Annette!

I was thinking about 5 lbs over.  That shouldn't be too bad.  I have held that look for several months without issue.  As long as I am clean and consistent with the diet its not too much of a problem.  As I said, its not easy and it takes dedication and discipline,  but I seem to feel best when I am acting in that manner anyway, with any aspect of my life really.  Geez, maybe I should be in the military! 

haha...

I think the tell tale is where you physically and mentally fell your best...as long as you are objective, that is a great place to be.

Joe suggested that maybe I try a modified ketogenic diet and bring the carbs way down and the fat up to see if it works better with my physiology.  He said this is the fastest way (albeit not his favorite way) to lose weight.  I definitely want to give it a try.  I think it may actually work.  For me, when I eat carbs, I only want more carbs (we are talking starchy carbs) so I think dropping them will help me have more control over my appetite and cravings.  I was looking forward to getting the plan today, so of course I did the usual, "let me stuff myself with carbs since I won't be having them for a while" mistake that many people make and I just put myself even more behind.  The worst part is, I didn't get the plan today.  However, I won't let that be an excuse to do the same tomorrow.  I am going to take an educated guess as to how he will probably set it up and follow that tomorrow until I do get the new plan.  I am looking forward to not eating carbs (I do still get veggie carbs and I love veggies0, I really think after the initial craving withdrawal, I am going to feel much better.  I have a feeling those starchy carbs wreak havoc on my gut. 

I got my new macros and I am really curious to see how it works out.  130-135p/50-60c/45-50f with 100g carbs every fifth day.  I have never gone this low on carbs and high on fat for any extended period of time.  I think its going to be a positive change.  I think it will bring stability back to my insulin levels and I think it was help to get rid of any cravings and also it will help me shed some of this water weight that has me all bloated and puffy from all the carbs I have been ingesting lately.

I know that low carb diets like this are tough the first week with feelings of  brain fog and lethargy as your body adjusts to using fat for fuel, but it is supposed to only last about a week or so.  That is fine, I will just adjsut by not expecting any PR's in the gym and lay off any HIIT for a week.  But after that, I have a feeling that I am going to feel really great.  Plus that one carb up day will help with keeping my muscles filled up and from having my metabolism slow down.  As I start to lose at a good clip, I beleive we will slowly introduce carbs back in, but I am not a big fan of how my body handles carbs, so I always intend to keep them on the lower side and get most of the from vegetables.

How are the new macros working out? Are they easier to stick to? You sound positive and that is good.

I haven't posted in a while because the internet hasn't worked in a few days.  I can read the forum in work, but I am not allowed to post.  Well, the diet has been going very well.  I have been getting more and more hungry and have had less energy in the gym but I have stuck it out.  I am going on two weekslo carb  and that is the longest I have stuck to my diet all year. That in and of itself feels great.  I dropped a quick 4 lbs the first week, but now it has come to a screeching halt.  Although I did start my cycle this week, so maybe that has something to do with it. 

I have been pretty worried about the muscle loss and met rate slow down and insulin sensitivity issues of a keto diet, so I asked Joe if it might be a good idea if we start cycling carbs up now and bring the fat back down.  He agreed.  We will start with a carb cycle with 50 being the lowest and 150 being the highest with levels in between over the course of seven days.  I think I got over all the cravings and got my blood sugar level so I feel confident I can handle brining the carbs back in.  I asked if I could add some more cardio with the additional carbs (even though we lowered the fat back down) because I want to keep that fat loss going.  I only have 13 1/2 weeks and my weight hasn't been moving much, so I need to be on the aggressive side.  we'll see how it goes.

I think it is GREAT that you have stuck to the plan.  That may be the hardest part.  Keep at it, and the results will follow.

AFter following a 50g carb diet for a while we are making some adjustments.  Upping the carbs to 75g while simultaeously dropping protein to 120-125 and keeping fat on the high side for energy and satiety at 40-50g.  I will try to stay under 40g though.  I always feel like too much fat turns to fat.  Then again, if I am in a caloric deficit and my carbs are low, the fat is more likely being used for energy than being stored.  I am glad to start upping the carbs.  I know being keto for too long, athough good for fat loss, can have some adverse affects if followed too long.  I intend to get all carbs from vegetables and a little fruit here and there.  I will only have starches on the 100g carb refeed day (and only at one of the meals) which is every 5th day (dropping fat that day as well).  My body doesn't seem to react well with the starches. I am hoping this plan, with some increased cardio, will start stripping the fat off at a good rate.

My body doesn't like the starches much either.  I have been cutting the rice and pasta portions down by half and using them to mix into my veggies.  Mentally I am happy because I see the rice on the plate and my body reacts nicely since there is not a full portion on the plate.  Whatever makes it work ;)
 

I have actually noticed raising my fats has helped me quite a bit.  I have been eating higher fat now then I have in maybe 15 years, maybe 45-50 grams and I am liking it a lot.  Although I don't think I could do it keeping carbs and protein that low.  How are you handling it so far?