Anabolic Diet

[War Wizard]

On a side note, I managed to fit into a pair of 36 inch pants today for the first time in months. My "muscle" measurements (arms, thighs, neck, chest) are growing too, so all in all good progress.

[Happy Panda]

Got my body fat measured yesterday, added it to the OP. Obviously those tests aren't necessarily very accurate, but as long as I get it measured the same way in a couple months, I'll be able to see if there has been any improvement.

[Asriel]

Since you didn't make it past the first two weeks I'm not surprised. Have you ever done a low carb diet before? If not, you'll probably have a harder time of than if you've done one at some point. The thing is you have to tough it out those first few weeks (anywhere from 4 to eight depending on the person) before you get "fat adapted" and can keep it rocking on low carbs and lots of fat and protein. I lucked out in that I take to low carb diets real easily. Hell I didn't even crash during the twelve day induction like most people do. Then again some people just really can't do a straight low carb diet. Dr. DiPasquale actually talked about to a mini-mid-week carb-up for people who were struggling with going just straight low carb during the week.

Nope, I'd never done it before and I'll never do it again. My performance in the gym went down the toilet. I now have fewer carbs than I used to and early in the day and i'm getting the desired effect without eliminating them altogether.

[War Wizard]

QFT!

This is EXACTLY what happened to me. I was not only gassing but running out of energy to the point where I could hardly move.

Since you didn't make it past the first two weeks I'm not surprised. Have you ever done a low carb diet before? If not, you'll probably have a harder time of than if you've done one at some point. The thing is you have to tough it out those first few weeks (anywhere from 4 to eight depending on the person) before you get "fat adapted" and can keep it rocking on low carbs and lots of fat and protein. I lucked out in that I take to low carb diets real easily. Hell I didn't even crash during the twelve day induction like most people do. Then again some people just really can't do a straight low carb diet. Dr. DiPasquale actually talked about to a mini-mid-week carb-up for people who were struggling with going just straight low carb during the week.

[Asriel]

Cheers Jack, that would be an interesting read.

I've managed to get the desired effect by having the majority of the day's carbs before midday.

[Jack Rusher]

This is EXACTLY what happened to me. I was not only gassing but running out of energy to the point where I could hardly move.

Again, Paleo Diet for Athletes has the benefits of the pseudo-Atkins plan without these problems. If I find some time this week I'll write a longer post about the differences.

[Asriel]

I did this same diet from April 1st until July 1st. I was abso-fkin miserable.

Went from 182 to 154. As soon as I quit I went up to 170 and have stayed around there (but for the past few months, have been getting more and more lean).

All I have to say is: Good luck not getting fed up when you grapple, if you do. I felt so weak I was getting tapped by people that shouldn't tap me in a million years. As soon as I started eating normally, I was significantly better.

QFT!

This is EXACTLY what happened to me. I was not only gassing but running out of energy to the point where I could hardly move.

[honesty]

Well, I started this today, so thought I'd give you a bit of a running commentary.

First off, my numbers. I'm 31, 234lbs, and 25.4% BF. BF has been measured using electronic scales, I will be keeping the scales at the same settings to give consistent reading.

I am going to be taking around 3500 calories, this is about 700 calories less than I should be at my body weight, but I want to drop some weight as well as loose body fat.

I am currently testing out Hot Rox Extreme, and have 10 days left on these (ok, but not fantastic, I've lost 4 lbs on them. Would probably do another cycle with them when I am less fat, as I can see their benefit when you want to loose those last few %)

[War Wizard]

thanks for these links, I found them to be useful.

No Problem. I'd also suggest looking out for Atkins recipes, especially the "induction friendly" ones because Atkins's induction phase is similar to the 5 days a week you go low carb on this diet.

Edit: forgot to add, pick up some psyllium husk at GNC or elsewhere to supplement your fiber intake. 40g a day will get you going good without breaking the carb bank because you count net carbs (Carbs - fiber = net carbs), not just total carbs.

[c22002]

4 weeks in here.

Down 15 pounds (mostly water weight 4-5 real fat pounds). Lost 1 inch off my waist.

Honestly it's not hard to stay on. Stronglifts has 3 articles of recipes here, here, and here. Use those recipes to get started and then use the food list here, a decent cookbook, and Nutritiondata.com.

I would also strongly advise checking out this thread at T-nation. It's REALLY long but there's an incredible amount of info about the diet and people's adventures with it in there.

thanks for these links, I found them to be useful.

[Happy Panda]

Eh...I guess I'll pull out the "been hit in the head too many times" excuse for this one. Never was much good with months.

[honesty]

Yeh, from my calculations then you were sorting yourself about 800 calories...

[Yojimbo1717]

3 months.

April > May > June > July

I was getting about 2500 Calories per day, lifting weights and doing BJJ for 3 hours a day (6 days a week). Sat and Sun I went absolutely crazy on food.

[Happy Panda]

I did this same diet from April 1st until July 1st. I was abso-fkin miserable.

Went from 182 to 154. As soon as I quit I went up to 170 and have stayed around there (but for the past few months, have been getting more and more lean).

All I have to say is: Good luck not getting fed up when you grapple, if you do. I felt so weak I was getting tapped by people that shouldn't tap me in a million years. As soon as I started eating normally, I was significantly better.

28 pounds in 2 months definitely isn't healthy...you probably felt weak because you weren't getting enough calories.

[Yojimbo1717]

I did this same diet from April 1st until July 1st. I was abso-fkin miserable.

Went from 182 to 154. As soon as I quit I went up to 170 and have stayed around there (but for the past few months, have been getting more and more lean).

All I have to say is: Good luck not getting fed up when you grapple, if you do. I felt so weak I was getting tapped by people that shouldn't tap me in a million years. As soon as I started eating normally, I was significantly better.