Did you see what Lance Armstrong's trainer and coach say...

[Ebenezer]

about the no carb diet fab???

I don't have a link because it was in the Buffalo News and I cannot find it on their website but Campbell (Armstrong's coach/trainer) said he is amazed by the no carb diets...he says that they really work...but are for people who want to lose weight and not do any exercise. He doesn't recommend them for active people. Armstrong's diet consists of mostly carbs.

[Jeff1220]

Yeah. Active people need carbs. They are they best fuel for endurance sports like cycling, running, etc.
If you burn through your carb energy when running, for example, you then go to your fat calories/energy. While this is good if the goal is to burn fat, and you don't plan on exercising for a long duration, but it is also much more taxing on the body. The body metabolizes carb calories easier than fat calories, so when you get into the fat calories, you need to take in more oxygen (you breath a lot harder) and the blood flows faster (the heart rate goes up). If you are in a training or racing environment, the carbs will help you get your optimum performance.

[The Spaz]

Carbs = Energy and fat if you don't burn the energy. You will find 0 people in professional sports doing that diet.

[Valerie]

What do you guys mean by "active" people? I have just gotten back into going to the gym and I plan on going twice a day. Once in the morning for an hour of cardio and once in the evening for 35 - 60 minutes of cardio and my weight training. Would I be considered an "active" person? Even if I go to the gym once a day? The reason I'm asking is because I started the South Beach diet yesteday.

[Ebenezer]

Originally posted by Valerie
What do you guys mean by "active" people? I have just gotten back into going to the gym and I plan on going twice a day. Once in the morning for an hour of cardio and once in the evening for 35 - 60 minutes of cardio and my weight training. Would I be considered an "active" person? Even if I go to the gym once a day? The reason I'm asking is because I started the South Beach diet yesteday.

whether you believe it or not...you are thin, you are active, and you don't have THAT much to lose...you should not need to restrict carbs, jmo. restriction may actually make it tougher because it could affect your mood (no slam intended on women) and get you frustrated...

[Valerie]

I'm already frustrated, so what's a little more to an already full glass? lol

I'm going to stick to the South Beach diet, at least for the first two weeks and hopefully I'll lose some weight, even if it's only 5 pounds. If it works and I lose, I will continue to the next Phase. If it doesn't, I will stop it and figure something else out. Regardless of what anyone tells me, I am VERY unhappy with my current weight and I need to lose.

[Jeff1220]

Eat some good carbs in the morning, Val. You'll burn them all off by the end of the day, and still benefit from the energy they give you. Try some oatmeal, whole grain cereal, or toast with your breakfast. You can still go no carbs all day long, but get some in you in the morning. You'll need it if you're exercising.

Plus, it'll help keep you from getting carb cravings and crashing out into a carb binge, which will just discourage your diet and exercise.