After a few bumps and delays, I finally wrapped up the Break-In program (I'm another eternal beginner). I'm in my rest week and studying up on the Fat Loss 1 program. When I did some searches on this forum, I found that a number of folks said they didn't lose weight in Fat Loss 1 or 2, largely due to diet.
I'm overweight, so losing some weight in this next phase would be a good thing. I'm 52 years old, 5'11" and weigh about 212 lbs. When I was 36, I went through a fairly thorough physical evaluation that put my ideal weight (at the time) at 163 lbs. So, I've got some work ahead of me and I'm motivated to do it.
My question is what is a good diet to go along with this exercise program? TNT? South Beach? Atkins? Fit or Fat? Any suggestions?
Before I started NROL, I did the South Beach diet. It was the first time in my life I had even thought about dieting but the pounds came off quickly and I was never really hungry or felt like I had to count calories. I just stuck to the allowed foods and followed the recipes in the cook book. The pounds came off easily and I learned about making better food choices in the process....
I would find what your calories should be just to maintain. Then just eat less then that while doing the hard workouts. One of things some people have mentioned on the fat loss workouts is if your not use to them, they can cause you to be very hungry.
I'm certainly no expert on this, but do have some experiences to speak from. Personally, I've found that Adam Campbell's TNT diet is a great program -- lots of freedom and choices without having to go hungry. There's a lot of support for that diet on this forum. I would also recommend any of the other low carb diets, as well.
The only drawback I have found when combining this with lifting is:
If you find yourself "cheating" too often and loading up on carbs, then you may have low energy during the first few days after you get serious again about low carbing. This will likely affect your endurance and lifting abilities. (Note to self -- so, stop cheating!)
I agree with TCoy, that you will find you're hungrier. But, on a low carb diet, you should have the freedom to eat a little more and still experience fat loss.
Thanks guys. Sounds like the low-carb approach is the way to go. I tried the South Beach diet awhile back and liked it, but got lazy. I'll dig it out again and compare it to the TNT and make a choice.
You may want to cross-post your question on the Fat Loss Troubleshoot subforum, so as to make it more likely that Leigh Peele can offer her input as well.
__________________
Tom
No "happy hours" makes for a lot of miserable days. - Mahler
Just remember that calories trump all. All those diets that say you don't need to count, are mostly full of it. Depending on how you react to the intensity of your workout, you may end up eating enough to not lose anything. If they say you don't need to count, they're banking on the idea that their foods are more filling for the calories than pixie sticks and twinkies are. They don't take into account your personal responses to anything, let alone the intensity of your workout/lifestyle. So, if you find yourself not losing, you're likely eating too much, and will need to measure and count.
Thanks. I've cross-posted as suggested. I've started to do a little research on TNT (online - can't find the book in the library and not ready to buy it, yet) and it is looking very interesting.
Just remember that calories trump all. All those diets that say you don't need to count, are mostly full of it. Depending on how you react to the intensity of your workout, you may end up eating enough to not lose anything. If they say you don't need to count, they're banking on the idea that their foods are more filling for the calories than pixie sticks and twinkies are. They don't take into account your personal responses to anything, let alone the intensity of your workout/lifestyle. So, if you find yourself not losing, you're likely eating too much, and will need to measure and count.
This statement has been bugging me...primarily because it makes sense, but requires me to do stuff I don't want to do.
So yesterday I counted calories....Yikes!!! It is safe to say that since I was recording what I was eating, I showed more restraint than usual.
2827 total calories
939 from fat (33.2%)
162 grams of protein
And while I don't know how to go about figuring sugar content, I am confident from looking at the list of of foods that there was way too much. I'm definitely going to do more of this to get things under control.
I recently lost nearly 40 lbs so allow me to speak from experience.
I highly recommend Tom Venuto's "Burn the fat, feed the muscle"
The most important thing to do is keep track of what you are eating!
Eat 5 or 6 small meals per day w/ a lean protein source included w/ every meal
Watch your macronutrient ratios - I found that a 40/40/20 (Carb/Prot/Fat)
works well for me, but everyone is different so adjust it for your needs.
I use a spreadsheet to keep track of everything. Since I have my laptop with me pretty much all of the time, it makes it easy. (If you want the file, pm me. I tried to attach it, but it's too big)
Got the book and just finished break in week 1. I like it so far. I think I am skimping on my calories too much. I am overweight at @215 and 5'9" last time I weighed (last monday). Right now my intake is 2000 calories, with a 40/30/30 macro. Is this too little?
This statement has been bugging me...primarily because it makes sense, but requires me to do stuff I don't want to do.
So yesterday I counted calories....Yikes!!! It is safe to say that since I was recording what I was eating, I showed more restraint than usual.
2827 total calories
939 from fat (33.2%)
162 grams of protein
And while I don't know how to go about figuring sugar content, I am confident from looking at the list of of foods that there was way too much. I'm definitely going to do more of this to get things under control.
Well, it may not be an issue, but it is something to keep in mind. Hope it works out well for you.
Well, it may not be an issue, but it is something to keep in mind. Hope it works out well for you.
Oh it absolutely is an issue. If I hadn't been recording my intake, I'm confident I would have tossed in another 1,000+ calories (all junk) easily. And as someone said somewhere on this forum - calories are not just calories. There were way too many empty calories in that one day.
So starting this morning, I am doing a detailed food diary and calorie count (using the spreadsheet that Chownrus so graciously provided me - I've already added some of my common foods to it).
Fat Loss 1 - Diet question
It is safe to say that since I was recording what I was eating, I showed more restraint than usual. 
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