Nutrition Question

[JaradW]

I've been trying to lean down a bit lately. Wondering if anyone has some tips on the subject. It seems that the one truth that I have noticed from the different diets I have researched is that less calories need to be consumed, but when I do cut back on my eating my training seems to suffer a little. So if anyone hase any advice I would apperciate it. Also does anyone know what the original Charles Atlas nutrional guides were? I have been trying to research them but to no prevail. Thanks everyone.

[Andy62]

As far as the weight loss I used Chisel and lost 20 pounds that had been on for years with no problem-I was never hungry.

[JoeJustice]

Jarad,

Can you give us a sketch of where you're at? There's a big difference between being 300lbs, 5'5" and trying to lose weight and being 200lbs, 6'5" and trying to lose weight.

-Joe

[mts]

I'm a big calorie counter. I've never had luck eliminating food groups (i.e. carbs or fat) and I haven't had much luck leaving things to my own judgement as to how much to eat.

I think the trick is finding the right balance for you. I tend to hit a ratio of something like 40/40/20 or 50/30/20 (carbs/protein/fat) but the two things that I find negatively impact my workouts are: (i) not enough carbs; or (ii) too little calories.

For me, if I cut my calories down to 1,800 then I'm out of gas quicky when I workout and I'm hungry all of the time. When I add only 300 extra calories and hit around 2,100 I have energy for my workouts, I'm not hungry and I lose body fat (albiet relatively slowly). I think slow is the key anyway otherwise you're losing muscle mass anyway.

[jan]

Hi Jarad,

the dietary guidelines of Charles Atlas' course are given in Lesson 2 of his mail-course. In brief, they state to eat lean meat, wholesome grains (brown bread, brown rice, whole-weat pasta), fruits and veggies, dairy products.
He adviced to stay away from too fatty foods, white sugar, cafeine (in coffee and tea), and to drink lots of water. He also adviced to get a good mastication of the food you are eating, and never to overeat.
John's books hold very good dietary guidelines as well, and if you stick to those, and use your common sense, I'm sure you can not go wrong :)

Jan