Yep, South Beach got me in to the whole healthy eating thing. Then I got in to lifting, then running.

I'd just like to say "kudo's" to sweetiepie for going from 199 to 162 and for being a mother of 5. You rock, girl.

I agree with Born to Run. We know what we eat that puts on weight. I have to limit my carbs and focus more on protein, but that's because i'm more "attracted" to carbs than protein, therefore i eat more of it, and tend to put on weight when i do. When i focus on better balance, and eat more protein, along with quality meals, then i maintain a good weight.

Thing is, Atkins, South Beach, Zone, whatever... all structures and some find them usable, others not. As mentioned, food is pretty individual. Actually, I tried the flu diet several years back (chicken-rice soup, more chicken-rice soup, and did I mention chicken-rice soup? it was all I could stand...) and lost twelve pounds, but I don't recommend it.

My main objection to the low carb diets is that when I try to find energy bars in grocery/drug stores, just about everything is low-carb. Then go to other food aisles and find low-carb versions of just about everything... including dog food. And it just gets old. Feels like so much hype.

That said, back to the idea of "different strokes." Everyone to her own, etc.

I just think that means that those of us who just want regular energy bars (yeah, yeah, I know...energy bars are a lot of sugar, fat, etc., etc.) should have more of a choice and the low carb diet business sometimes seems to crowd out choices.

Man, I need to shop where you shop. I can only find two flavors of low-carb Slimfast -- even online -- only two! Chocolate & Vanilla. And a lot of the supposedly "low carb" energy bars aren't very low in carbs at all. The few that I've tried are vile.

After 209 pounds lost due to Atkins and exercise, I can only say it was the best thing that ever happened to me and my health. Any health indicator I have now registers great. My first half-marathon (the other races have all been 10k-10miles) is in a few days, so whatever might be required or essential, I must be proving it wrong daily on each run.

Iam also a low carb fan..I got down to 129 after weighing 175,with low carbing and running.I started eating alot of the white starch carbs,and gained 20 lbs back.I lost 12lbs agian on low carbing,and am running my 2nd Marathon in a mth,and feel great..I will eat pizza,and bread and ice cream,on ocassion,but I do better low carbing.

------------------
4:18 :21 Johnstown Marathon 200chttp://www.81x.com/Authors/ljrunner/01010002.JPG[/URL" target="_blank">

quote:<HR>Originally posted by wetfeetl33t:
Tried the low carb thing, probably the worst thing I've ever done to myself. Serious loss of muscle, added over a minute to my mile splits, got very sick... I really don't need a study to tell me that those low-carb diets can be really unhealthy.<HR>

__________

How long did you stick to the diet ? Which one ? How many carbs did you decrease? Not grilling you but looking for comparisions as my experience was the opposite of yours.