Fri, Nov-19-10, 09:38
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Senior Member
Posts: 402
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Plan: PaNu (lacto-paleo) & VLC
Stats: 267/235.2/195
BF:40/35/20
Progress: 44%
Location: Northern Virginia
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Since you've been doing Atkins for 2-3 weeks, lets look at what's going on physiologically. You lowered carb intake dramatically and probably increased fat intake somewhat. Your glycogen in your liver and muscles has been depleted somewhat, trying to make up for the lack of carbs. (Which is why you lose a lot of water at first. It can take 6 weeks to several months to become "fat adapted". Your cells literally have to generate more fat burning mitochondria to replace all the glucose burning ones that predominated before. Once you are fat-adapted, your glycogen stores will replenish and you will run fine (maybe even better) on fat.
In the meantime, you may have a shortage of glycogen for your workouts. If your blood sugar drops as a result, adrenaline and norepinephrine are dumped into circulation as an emergency signal to boost blood sugar (this will make your heart race).
Two options, go easy until you are fat adapted (you'll know when). Add a few carbs pre or post workout on training days to keep up your glycogen (blasphemy, I know). It's actually really healthy to have more fat burning mitochondria AND they will help you lose the fat and keep it off - which is what we all want (right?).
Some people find that as they get closer to goal, they need to add some carbs on high intensity training days. Sweet potato or yams are ideal. I'm a long way from goal, but I can't hardly wait for an excuse to eat some yams!
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