ASFN Diet Challenge??

Ryanwb · January 5th, 2004, 04:24 PM

I have never dieted before and I think I want to lose 25 lbs on the Atkins diet since everybody says that it is the most effective. Since I have absolutely no motivation I was thinking a contest would be in order to keep me and who ever else wants to join motivated.

So I was thinking, anyone else here who needs to lose 25 LBS (and I am thinking that is a lot of us

) could join me in a contest to see who could lose 25 LBS the fastest??

We could all pitch in a few things as prizes, nothing big...for example: I have a Dave McGinnis autographed hat and a Jake plummer auto'd 8x10 that I got at training camp that I want to part with. Or I have a few certificates to starbucks and what not...whatever.

The rules would be simple but would have to be completely on the honor system. Nobody shall be forced to reveal their weight, this is all in fun. From the starting date chosen, whoever loses 25 lbs the fastest by whatever mean (liposuction is not an option) wins the pool of prizes.

Going by the guidlines of good health (losing 1-2 lbs a week), this should take us into late spring or early summer.

Would anyone be interested? Any thoughts or ideas or suggestions?

I am giving up alcohol in support of this so I am committed regardless

maddogkf · January 5th, 2004, 08:16 PM

I'm in...I'm 238 right now & want to get down to roughly 215.

I'm going back on my CKD program (cyclic ketogenic diet)

Basically, it's similar to Atkins in the low carb regime, but it includes weight training & cardio & you can have carbs after the depletion workout one day a week.

here's more info...
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/forumd...php?forumid=61

maddogkf · January 5th, 2004, 08:17 PM

Ryan - meet me & my bro @ Gold's Gym on Country Club & Southern in Mesa - usually betw 5 & 5:30 AM to 6:30 AM M-F......

FischerKing · January 5th, 2004, 09:36 PM

I'm game - I'm looking to get back on the Atkins diet now that I'm feeling better and I can excercise again.

I'm 224 right now and I want to get back down to 175-180 - but 25 lbs is a start in the right direction.

Shawn

jf-08 · January 6th, 2004, 04:59 AM

I'm in. I'm @ 261 this morning and need to be 235 by May.

In order for this to work properly, we need to give weekly updates. I will probably post my current status on Tuesdays (because the scale at the gym is near the mats where I do my Ab execises - don't want to exert too much energy the other days walking to the scale, ya know.)

If you don't want to post your weight, just post how much you are up or down this past week and total overall.

I'll post my weight because it freaking disgusts me and I'm kind of ashamed and this will light a fire under my ass to get motivated again.

BTW - I was @ 307 a year and a half ago and got down to 240 in Septemeber.

Pork rinds, Bacon, Cheese and Meat - here I come!!!!!!!!!

Chris_Sanders · January 6th, 2004, 05:23 AM

The Atkins diet is a sham. It is extremely unhealthy for you. It will be this generations great fad.

I lost 25 pounds at this time last year in about 3 months before leveling off at 183 where I am now. How did I do it?

No funky diets. I hit the gym every other day for about an hour each time and the pounds melted off.

The only true way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you eat. Very simple formula.

jf-08 · January 6th, 2004, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris_Sanders
The Atkins diet is a sham. It is extremely unhealthy for you. It will be this generations great fad.

I lost 25 pounds at this time last year in about 3 months before leveling off at 183 where I am now. How did I do it?

No funky diets. I hit the gym every other day for about an hour each time and the pounds melted off.

The only true way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you eat. Very simple formula.

but that's no fun. I like bacon, cheese and pork rinds.

Actually, Atkins is very healthy - my cholesterol dropped significantly and blood pressure dropped dramatically from July to October (this is the only time I did Atkins). During my other weight loss, I still had problems with both.

The fat stores are actually used for fuel first instead of carbs first. For some, this will lead to fat loss. But you are right that you still have to watch portion size and caloric intake.

Mike Olbinski · January 6th, 2004, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris_Sanders
The Atkins diet is a sham. It is extremely unhealthy for you. It will be this generations great fad.

Bah...you have no proof to back that up, in fact, the Heart Association (or whatever) came out with data from actual studies that it doesn't affect you at all, in fact, your cholesterol levels might even be lower than if you did another diet.

Sure, it's not something you should do for the rest of your life, but if you need to drop 25 pounds, it's a great diet, and then you can start working out and staying in shape to keep the pounds off.

Not everyone has time or money for a gym membership, I know I don't.

Mike

Chris_Sanders · January 6th, 2004, 05:34 AM

The recent popularity of diets high in protein, such as the Atkins Diet, has led to fears about their effect on the strength of your bones.

The more protein in your diet, the more calcium you lose in your urine. Because your bones are your largest source of stored calcium, there are concerns that the amount of protein eaten by people following the Atkins Diet (or any low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet) will increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is often called the silent disease. You can lose bone without even knowing about it. The first sign you have osteoporosis may be when you step off a curb and your hip simply gives way, shattering a bone weakened by the loss of calcium.

Atkins diet
Evidence of a possible link between low-carbohydrate diets such as the Atkins Diet and bone loss was published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases [22]. The six-week trial shows that the loss of calcium in urine increased during the study. What's more, this wasn't compensated for by an increase in calcium absorption. In other words, calcium balance dropped by up to 130 milligrams daily. To put this figure in context, one glass of low-fat cow's milk contains around 225 milligrams of calcium.

This means that subjects in the study were losing more calcium than they were getting from their diet. If this were to persist over a period of several years, the loss of calcium from bone could increase the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Although normal bone contains small holes, osteoporotic bones have much larger holes and have a "spongy" appearance.

"People may lose weight on this diet, but this study shows that this is not a healthy way to lose weight," said Dr. Chia-Ying Wang, a co-author of the study. "We already know that osteoporosis is going to be a major issue as the population ages and if people are going to eat this kind of diet on a long-term basis, it's unknown what the implications would be for your bones."

Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by a reduction in bone mineral density. Almost 4 out of 10 women (aged 50 or over) have osteopenia, which describes a mild bone mineral loss. Seven percent suffer from osteoporosis [18]. Women with osteoporosis are four times more likely to sustain a fracture —especially of the hip, spine, and wrist — within the next 12 months.

According to some estimates, one out of two women and one in eight men over the age of 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. In the U.S. today, 10 million people already have the disease and 18 million more have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis.

Your bones are not static. They make various immune and blood cells. They also act as a "metabolic reservoir" for calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Older bone tissue is resorbed by cells called osteoclasts. New bone is formed by cells called osteoblasts. In the case of osteoporosis, the problem is that resorption gets ahead of formation, resulting in bone loss.

According to some experts, calcium lost from the bones cannot be replaced, and once osteoporosis reaches a certain stage, all you can do is prevent the condition getting worse. However, recent trials show that (in some circumstances at least) bone density can be restored [35]. But what role — if any — do low-carbohydrate diets such as the Atkins Diet have to play in the development of this frightening disease?

jf-08 · January 6th, 2004, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris_Sanders
The recent popularity of diets high in protein, such as the Atkins Diet, has led to fears about their effect on the strength of your bones.

eat alot of cheese and make sure you take fiber too.

Weight lifting will also help combat the bone strength loss

Chris_Sanders · January 6th, 2004, 05:37 AM

The Dangers of the Atkins Diet
by Dr. David E. Norwood
One of the most popular diets of the late 20th Century has been the Atkins protein diet, named after its founder and guru Dr. Robert C. Atkins. With more than six million copies in print, Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution proclaims to be "the amazing no-hunger weight-loss plan that has helped millions lose weight and keep it off" (Atkins). Sounds great, but what is this diet, and is it too good to be true?

The purpose of the Atkins diet is to change your metabolism and lose weight easily by eating foods high in protein and limiting foods high in carbohydrates, which tend to raise blood sugar levels the most. The diet works on the principle of ketosis – a process by which excess, stored body fat can be burned (as well as protein), resulting in weight loss.

Dr. Atkins claims that the eating of foods high in carbohydrates causes the secretion of increased levels of insulin in the blood. The increased levels of insulin cause any excess food intake to be turned into body fat, in the form of triglycerides. Thus, if lower amounts of carbohydrates are consumed, the body naturally produces less insulin and looks to other sources for fuel, namely FAT! For this reason, the Atkins diet restricts processed and refined carbohydrates and limits intake to 15-60 grams per day, encouraging protein and fat consumption.

As compelling as it may sound, the presented information on the widely acclaimed success of the Atkins diet must be examined in terms of who presents this information and what their motivation is for presenting it. The majority of the above claims come from the Atkins' Center web page. Whether presented as a "news" press release or as an article on Dr. Atkins, the entire web page has one underlying motivation – to convince people that the Atkins diet is The Way to lose weight, so people will then go out and buy Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution.

Looking at the other side of the coin, numerous health organizations and medical professionals have sharply criticized the Atkins’ diet, both for what it does to the body and for what it does not do for the body.

According to Dr. Chris Rosenbloom of the ADA (American Dietetic Association), “You might be setting yourself up for (health) problems down the road.”

The Atkins Diet, and others like it, trigger short-term weight loss through a process called ketosis. Ketosis occurs whenever the body lacks a sufficient supply of carbohydrates, a prime source of energy. During ketosis, carbohydrate-depleted metabolisms turn to other sources, including ketones from stored fat or protein, to satisfy daily energy needs. (more of Ketosis later)

”So you do lose weight,” Rosenbloom says. “The first bit of weight loss is water weight, the carbohydrate that’s in your muscles, and then as you progress on the diet you will lose some fat, but you will also lose some muscle mass.”

Rosenbloom and the ADA believe that this type of diet can have a negative long-term impact on health. “It’s so high in cholesterol and fat and total fat -- the opposite of what all the health organizations, from the American Heart Association to the American Dietetic Association, recommend,” Rosenbloom points out. And she noted that the diet “is also low in fruits and vegetables and whole grains”-- foods with proven health benefits. While some of the vitamins and minerals in these foods can be obtained through supplements, other benefits -- like fiber or phytochemicals -- can only be found at the source.

In recent years the American Dietetic Association has become concerned with the increasing amount of misinformation on food and nutrition circulating in the U.S. The Association released a paper to inform and guide the segment of the population who may be victims of consumer misinformation. Much of this information is blatantly in contrast to the methods of weight loss heralded by Dr. Atkins.

First of all, Atkins claims that it is normal and even desirable that in the Induction phase of the diet the individual loses 5 pounds or more the first week. The American Dietetic Association, however, maintains that in order to avoid potential health hazards one should only lose 1-2 pounds per week. Pounds lost quickly on diets like Atkins are often regained because faulty habits have not been changed. Another area where the American Dietetic Association disagrees with Atkins is with fat intake. Low carbohydrate ketogenic diets (such as the Atkins’ diet) are often high in fat, which may increase cholesterol and lead to many other health risks.

The American Institute for Cancer Research has also evaluated the Atkins’ diet and their assessment is quite alarming. They say that the high-protein, high-fat, low-carbohydrate Atkins diet tends to promote the loss of water weight, and that if such an imbalanced diet is maintained, the body soon reverts to the fasting state of ketosis, in which the body begins to break down muscle tissue instead of fat over the long term.

Ketosis is one of the body's last-ditch emergency responses; deliberately inducing ketosis can lead to muscle breakdown, nausea, dehydration, headaches, light-headedness, irritability, bad breath, and kidney problems. In pregnancy, ketosis may cause fetal abnormality or death. It can also be fatal in individuals with diabetes! While supporters of the Atkins diet concentrate so much on the fat burning capability of ketosis they neglect to mention that over the long term protein, and thus muscle, is also burned!

Over an extended period of time, the Atkins diet can give rise to other health risks, as well. By restricting carbohydrates, all four diets inevitably lead to a lack of fiber, which can cause constipation and other gastrointestinal difficulties. In addition, the high amounts of cholesterol and saturated fat they prescribe increase the risk of heart disease and, possibly, some cancers. There is recent evidence that a diet featuring excessive protein may leach calcium from the bones (giving rise to osteoporosis).

Finally, nothing about the Atkins diet encourages the dieter to learn some very basic weight management strategies like portion control and serving sizes, let alone develop the skills necessary for a lifetime of balanced nutrition.

I would therefore strongly advise no one to use the Atkins diet. Sure, you’ll lose weight over the short term – but at what expense to your body in the long term! Many people will tell you that this diet has worked for them. But how do they know what permanent damage has been done to their bodies which will only come to light in the future?

So what is a good, safe way to lose fat? Essentially, diets that work involve a reduction in your calorie intake and an increase in your body's energy output WITHOUT being unhealthy or dangerous. Every dietician and/or nutritionist will tell you than a diet program which reduces weight permanently and healthily involves gradual weight loss - an average of 2-3 pounds a week. This diet program must also retrain your eating habits so that you’ll not easily fall back into the behavior that made you overweight in the first place.

Chris_Sanders · January 6th, 2004, 05:42 AM

Mike,

The long term reprecussions of fad dieting like the Atkins is simply not known yet because no studies have been done on it.

Edit: Let me qualify that. You won't know the long term effects of Atkins dieting for several years. In effect, you are the departed Dr. Atkins focus group.

The Atkins diet...for layman's terms...convinces your body that you are starving. That isn't good for you at all.

FischerKing · January 6th, 2004, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris_Sanders
Mike,

The long term reprecussions of fad dieting like the Atkins is simply not known yet because no studies have been done on it.

The Atkins diet...for layman's terms...convinces your body that you are starving. That isn't good for you at all.

When I was on it last spring before I slacked I never experienced the sensation that I was ever starving. If anything I always was very full - however, I wasn't going exactly by the book with it either - I had modified it a bit and I was still experiencing weight loss. There were a few things about it that I didn't totally agree with so I did my own little version of it and it seemed to work fine for me - my big weakness is soda (Dr. Pepper and Vanilla Coke).

Shawn

jf-08 · January 6th, 2004, 05:46 AM

Fiber is encouraged by the program. Weight lifting to counter muscle loss is also encouraged.

Chris, for some people who have troubles losing weight with other programs, this is a god send.

Don't be so quick to judge. For every Medical Journal con there is one on the pro side.

Everyone has a different make up so if it works for them, then so be it.

Alot of people aren't as fortunate as you to be blessed with good genes.

I know what my problem is - I was lazy and had poor eating habits for 5 years. But for some, genetics do in fact have a role in obesity. The Atkins can be a life saver for them. I think if this motivates people to lose weight then great.

There MAY be a chance of osteoperosis, but this is better than dropping from a heart attack or stroke at the age of 42 if nothing is done.

maddogkf · January 6th, 2004, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jkf296
Fiber is encouraged by the program. Weight lifting to counter muscle loss is also encouraged.

Chris, for some people who have troubles losing weight with other programs, this is a god send.

Don't be so quick to judge. For every Medical Journal con there is one on the pro side.

Everyone has a different make up so if it works for them, then so be it.

Alot of people aren't as fortunate as you to be blessed with good genes.

I know what my problem is - I was lazy and had poor eating habits for 5 years. But for some, genetics do in fact have a role in obesity. The Atkins can be a life saver for them. I think if this motivates people to lose weight then great.

There MAY be a chance of osteoperosis, but this is better than dropping from a heart attack or stroke at the age of 42 if nothing is done.

Hear here!