Protein Power

[Beefcake]

Alright, I know "fad" diets aren't the best way to achieve true health, but I have been struggling with my weight a little bit for the last 8 years or so, so I am currently on one of the protein diets. My weight used to regulate itself pretty well when my lifestyle was more active (I used to be a ski instructor and play tournament softball), but a long-term relationship and raising her kids got in the way of my old activities and my six-pack stomach became a full case. I'm not orca-fat, but I had reached the point where my weight was affecting my energy levels, fitness, and overall sense of well-being. I'm 6'2" and started the diet weighing approx 265# two weeks ago. I started with the goal of getting below 240#, but I quickly adjusted that goal to 220# (if I'm going to do it, I might as well become a Beefcake once again).

I have done this program in the past, and I know that it works for me, but I also know the pitfalls. It was encouraging this morning to see the scale stop at 250#, but one of the effects of this diet is that it knocks off a bunch of water weight first, so I have really only lost about 8# so far (still not bad for 2 weeks). There will be more substantial weight loss over the next month to six-weeks, then there will be a serious plateau, but I have placed a scale next to my refridgerator to remind me of my goal.

The good part of this diet for me is that it is somewhat self-regulating. I don't have to count calories; I can eat all I want as long as I stay under a certain number of carbs per day and over a certain minimum amount of protein. The major change that I am making this time from my previous experience with this program is that I am eating leaner, lower-fat proteins and more fiber (dietary fiber can be reduced from the number of carbs eaten, so I can still eat some vegetables). According to research I've read and discussions with a few medical professionals, this should have the added benefit of actually lowering my cholesterol (amazing that I can eat steak and eggs and lower my cholesterol, but it appears to work - the reason that some doctors are against this diet is that most people either live on sausage and cheese or cheat with too many carbs and never train their bodies to metabolize the protein and fat properly).

Anyway, I'm not trying to convert anyone here; I just figured the more people I tell about my goal, the more likely I am to stick to it. If anyone else decides to look into this, I would strongly recommend reading the book "Protein Power" first. Also, pay attention to the information about required supplements... without taking Potassium supplements, this diet can literally kill you.

So long to the old me

[kwigleydownunder]

Oh man . . . I thought you were going to say that you were using "Weight Gain 4000."
But seriously, good luck with your diet. I had good results with the Atkins diet several years ago, and have not put back on any of the weight, although I'd still like to lose a few more. I think the protein diets get a bad wrap cause everyone assumes you're just gorging on bacon all day, but if you do it smart it is a good diet. In recent years I have become a vegetarian and have trouble getting enough protein period, so if I tried a protein diet now I'd probably lose plenty of weight . . . from sheer starvation.
Anyway, best of luck and keep us posted on your progress. This seems to be a theme here lately.

[PTAaron]

I tend to lean towards extremely high protein intake myself. Protein has an interesting trait of requiring a fairly large amount of energy to break down - so it actually helps ramp up the metabolism (think "meat sweats"). At one time I was actually eating more than 5000 calories a day with 500g of protein ... and while doing this (with an intense workout program) managed to lose nealy 2" off my waist while also gaining 8lbs! (my goal was to lose fat and gain muscle)

[Beefcake]

Originally Posted by kwigleydownunder

Oh man . . . I thought you were going to say that you were using "Weight Gain 4000."

I am. Well, GNC Whey Protein, but the jug looks the same. That's actually how I got my monniker; when I was on this diet the first time, my girlfriend's kids thought my protein drink looked like WG4000.

"You guys are just jealous 'cuz I'm gonna be on TV lookin' all buff and everything... Beefcake! Beefcake!"

[Zenagirl]

If you approach this as a "diet" and something temporary, the minute you go back to your regular way of eating, you'll gain everything back. I've done exactly that far too many times in the past, which is why now I look at low carb as my lifestyle....something I'll never stop doing.

I also don't follow any particular low carb diet plan and instead have simply eliminated sugar completely from my life, severely reduced the amount of processed foods I eat, and severely restrict flour, pasta, and rice. I mostly eat meats, eggs, cheese, veggies, nuts, and a limited amount of fruits (berries mostly) and keep my alcohol consumption to a minimum.

Since changing my lifestyle 6 months ago, I've lost 27 pounds (25 more to go!), my cholestrol has gone down nearly 200 pounds, with a big drop in Triglicerides as well. I have no plans to ever return to eating the "typical" American diet of sugar and flour!

Good luck with your journey, I hope you find success!

[petronius]

Wow, this thread has been a huge boon to my vocabulary - "orca-fat" and "meat sweats" are going into immediate rotation!

I've had family members see great results from protein-heavy diets, especially when the foods are chosen carefully. I do think you should focus on long-term behavior changes; It's easy to have a 'successful' diet but a permanent change requires new food habits (and lots of diving)...

Good luck!

[PTAaron]

Worst meat sweats ever: started 3/4 through eating a 32oz sirloin - lasted for almost 2 hours!

[Beefcake]

Originally Posted by petronius

Wow, this thread has been a huge boon to my vocabulary - "orca-fat" and "meat sweats" are going into immediate rotation!

I can't take credit; I stole the phrase "Orca-fat" from Kevin Spacey in The Usual Suspects.

[Beefcake]

Zena- Good job! I agree about the lifestyle change. My big problem throughout my adult life hasn't been sugars / starches but rather massively fatty fast food. Through college an into my career, I was single and busy and didn't know how to cook, so the golden arches was easier than grocery shopping. Fast forward 20 years, and I'm surprised my heart can pump all the sludge that must be inside me. I'm ready to do this right.

[Lulubelle]

Originally Posted by Zenagirl

If you approach this as a "diet" and something temporary, the minute you go back to your regular way of eating, you'll gain everything back. I've done exactly that far too many times in the past, which is why now I look at low carb as my lifestyle....something I'll never stop doing.

I also don't follow any particular low carb diet plan and instead have simply eliminated sugar completely from my life, severely reduced the amount of processed foods I eat, and severely restrict flour, pasta, and rice. I mostly eat meats, eggs, cheese, veggies, nuts, and a limited amount of fruits (berries mostly) and keep my alcohol consumption to a minimum.

Since changing my lifestyle 6 months ago, I've lost 27 pounds (25 more to go!), my cholestrol has gone down nearly 200 pounds, with a big drop in Triglicerides as well. I have no plans to ever return to eating the "typical" American diet of sugar and flour!

Good luck with your journey, I hope you find success!

+ 1. First of all, good luck Beefcake and we want before and after pictures. Everyone's path to weight loss may be different, our bodies certainly are. But personally, I'm with Zena. I'm for lifestyle changes that you can commit to for life. Eat real food in moderate portions. By real food, I too mean nothing processed. Eat things that came out of the ground, off of the tree, out of the ocean, off of the ranch, etc. Caveman food. People sometimes don't realize that even white rice, bread, pasta, etc are "processed". And I'm a bit "granola" and buy organic when possible. The trick with carbs is to know which ones are complex and have a high glycemic index and which ones do not. The fruits vary widely in this regard.

Our bodies need all of the food groups, albeit in moderation, to be the most healthy.