Originally posted by trekchic
This is just my $.02 worth:
I lost about 40# in 4 months doing the low carb diet and working out with resistance machines last Spring and Summer. By July, I was working out less, but increased my aerobic work (walking 5+ times a week for about 45 mins to an hour). I got hooked on cycling, and found out I couldn't stay on the bike very long with my current diet; someone suggested carbo-loading before a ride and adding them back to my regular diet. I kept that up thru Christmas, watching the carbs and keeping up on the walking. However, when I quit watching the carbs...especially sweets... and the only workout I was getting was an hour or so on the trainer 3-4 x's a week, some of the weight came back and I feel horrible. I am sure it's because I put the bad carbs back into my diet. I let bleached flour and sugar back into my life! I am so mad at myself and even though I am riding as much as possible and walking 4+ times a week, I couldn't get the weight loss to kick in again until I eliminated the sugar and flour from my diet cold turkey! It's only been 2 full days, but I already feel better.
So, when I get off the first 2 weeks and need to increase the carbs to stay on the bike, what do I add? Carrots, potatos, corn, bananas, melons, apples...........stay away from the breads and sweets? I am terrified that I am going to gain the weight back + 40#! I've only gained 10-15 #, but it makes me feel horrible!
Also, anyone ever heard that caffeine decreases metabolism? Someone on Atkins told me that........never heard that before.
Kim in TN
Kim, this much I can tell you. Either 1) Your weight gain didn't come from replacing some food with an equal amount of refined carbs, or 2) your weight gain is not all fat. Think about this... 10# = 35,000 calories. Have you cranked in that many MORE calories? If you have, I'm impressed! If not, then it is not, can not, be fat gain. Some of it has to be water. Note that it's quite possible that a good hunk of the 40# you lost was water in the first place.
On another note, I saw 'The Lance Chronicles' the other day on OLN TV, and Charmichael mentioned how low carb diets and cycling don't mix. Now, I'm sure he was referring to pro-level cycling, but the point is still really the same. Fuel w/ carbs.