18 April 2007
Boring Fitness Stuff - You Have Been Warned
I'm psyched. After Easter's carb pig-out, I went back to Atkin's induction and as of this a.m. weighed in at 153.5. Cindi and I have also been walking outside in the nice weather. We walked early this morning (a tad cold) and I walked again in the sun this afternoon. That makes 8 miles walked this week so far. Yeah! So feeling rather pleased with myself decided to check out those index things. BMI came in at 22. Body fat at 15%. Both EXACTLY where they are supposed to be. So much for the external stuff. The internal as well: total cholesterol is 173 (bad stuff is 76!) and triglycerides at 132. What does this mean? It means: don't believe all that junk they tell you about what Akins will do to you! I know that it's been GREAT for me and for Cindi. Cindi told me this morning that she tried on her wedding dress and it fit just fine. And I am weighing what I weighed when we got married. How many folks at 25 years of marriage can say that? Low-carbing, baby! It's the way to go.
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I was meaning to ask you this all Lent. How does one abstain from meat and carbs at the same time? I'm far from being an Atkinsonian, but I couldn't help noticing how my carb-consumption went through the roof this Lent.
> How many folks at 25 years of marriage can
> say that?
I have a strategy: get married while heavy, then start working out. 'Course, I still have 21 more years to go, but so far it's working great.
Well, if you observe the typical Western fast, AND don't go overboard on the one full meal you eat, then it really doesn't matter much what you eat: there's not enough of it to matter as far as weight gain. Instead, it's almost a sure-fire weight loss (but a totally temporary one and "fasting" sans prayer and almsgiving is just dieting, as a wise soul once observed).
So during Lent, I allow myself a little more bread than usual. On days of abstinence, one eats fish.
The funny thing is that eating the carbs even in the smaller amounts made me feel really sluggish and tired. I am just convinced that nothing beats the "high energy" that comes from the lo-carb way of eating. And what's really odd is that when I am eating strict Adkins, I end up eating MORE of the healthy carbs than than I do when I'm eating breads and pastries etc.
I have no idea how folks who follow the Eastern fast observe Atkins. Maybe they just eat Tofu?
> if you observe the typical Western fast
Oh, right. I should have figured that.
I was meaning to ask you this all Lent. How does one abstain from meat and carbs at the same time? I'm far from being an Atkinsonian, but I couldn't help noticing how my carb-consumption went through the roof this Lent.
It is a problem that I have experienced and the increased carbs make me want to jump out of my skin! Fortunately...the fast is made for man, not man for the fast.
As faith is lived both individually and in community so, too, is the fast. While the community fasts, the fasting regime needn't be one size fits all...but rather one's spiritual father can work with a person individually such that if a person needs to lose weight for health reasons and if low carb is the best way for that person...the spiritual father can help set up something appropriate. Well, that's how it's done on my side of the Bosphorus, anyway. However, I would think a Lutheran could do something similar.
orrrr...you could ditch the meat and eat alot of carbs...I like that idea better...mmmm bagels.
Dixie,
Although I am not a "vegetarian" in the strict sense of the word as I do eat fish and some seafood, my diet basically revolves around "complex" carbs such as whole grains, beans and lentiles, fruits, vegetables, etc. After my husband's second heart attack and bypass surgery red meat is rarely seen in our house as his cholesterol level had gone through the roof.
There are some great Orthodox and mainstream cookbooks that have wonderful recipes for soups, casseroles, baked goods, etc. that don't involve flesh or dairy products and us. Asian and Mediterranean cookbooks are also good sources, as are the myriads of recipes on the Internet.
I know it sounds impossible but it really isn't.
Now, Christine! : )
This thread was advocating NOT eating lots of carbs, but I will tell you what: the complex carbs are the best, also from the lo-carb point of view.
Whole grains are the only way to eat bread, I'm convinced. You have Laurel's Kitchen and the Bread Book? Great stuff in there.
BUT if I eat too many carbs, I agree with Dixie, I feel just awful. So I bulk up on the protein and I don't shy away from fat at all - I use real cream, real butter, etc. Good stuff! AND my cholesterol has gone DOWN doing Atkins - and certainly my weight has. Before I started Atkins, I was pushing 200 (which is a lot for me - small frame and not even six foot). Now I stay right around 155-165 (though right now, I'm under the 155 mark) and we've been doing this way of eating since 2001. People who tell you it can't be done long-term are just wrong.
I've a friend who has been eating this way since back in the 1980's! He tried to talk me into it then, but back then I was in my 20's and could eat whatever I want and never worry about gaining a pound.
One other weird lo-carb thing: my wife and I noticed this a while ago and so have lots of other lo-carbers. When you eat this way, you shop the perimeter of the grocery store. The stuff to avoid is the stuff packaged on all those shelves in the middle! So all the fresh veggies are great, and the fruit also, but in moderation (which we control by just eating fruit seasonally - the way God gives it!), and then the dairy and the meat and seafood. Shopping has never been so easy! : )
Hi Pastor Weedon !!
Gulp, yes, I've done it -- I've openly and freely advocated for carbs!
But as you also well point out, junk carbs are not at all what I mean.
As far as the Atkins diet goes, it sounds like it's worked well for you but there are solid medical authorities who concur that for some people it might not be a good idea, i.e, people with a history of heart disease or clogging of the arteries (as was true in my husband's situation).
Interestingly, I've had the same good results on my complex carb lifestyle.
I've had a copy of Laurel's Kitchen for years and years and my cookbook collection has grown considerably since then.
I also totally agree with your shopping scheme of surfing the perimeter and avoiding the middle where the truly junk stuff resides (not that I haven't been known to break down and snarf some of it from time to time)!
One thing I wish we could get back to in this country is to encourage people to shop locally. Of course, will so little support from the government for the local farmer and all the propups that agribusiness gets it's a tall order. When I was in Europe visiting relatives I just loved making the rounds on Saturday morning from the local bakery, dairy store to the open farmer's market in the village square.
Fresh, tasty and healthy, the way food is meant to be.
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