Could use some guidance.

jdouglass · 05-24-2005, 09:35 AM

Good morning-

I am hoping to get some words of wisdom or guidance by starting this thread. I recently posted some questions regarding Tom Venuto's BFFM nutrition plan. I have read his book and am quite inspired by all that he says. But here is my major dilema...I cannot decide which nutrition plan to follow. I feel that I am at an absolute lost with what to do, what to stick with. I know so much about all the different plans. How many carbs? How much fat? How many calories? I worry tremendously about what will work because I am at a point where I must establish a healthy lifestyle. I am only 25 and this is such an opportune time for me to start a fresh path with my nutrition and lifestyle. Yet I am so confused as to what to do.

I was an avid Atkins follower about 3 years ago and had tremendous success. I was healthy, I was eating and I was exercising. I was at my healthiest and lowest weight ever and felt fantastic after a solid 1 1/2 of following Atkins. But then life happened...I could not stick with one plan and ended up eating a lot of junk and putting on a considerable amount of weight. Here I am, 2 years later and at least 25-30 pounds over weight. Now, I am a very active person and plan to start training for a marathon/relay races in the next few weeks. I need energy and calories. I do not want to restrict myself anymore in that regard.

What causes the most anxiety is figuring out what plan will work for my lifestyle and still allow me to enjoy food! That is what I loved about Atkins! I love huge salads and healthy meats and tuna salad and veggies with olive oil. What I'm afraid with Venuto's plan is that there is a pretty significant fat restriction. I enjoy lots of healthy fats. I worry about how I might eat out on the BFFM plan.

I guess what I am asking is some guidance on those who have revisited Atkins or tried the BFFM plan. What has been your experience with losing weight and lowering body fat? Especially after attempting low carb/Atkins multiple times, have you still had success in feeling healthy and have you been able to attain your goals?

I apolgoize for such a lengthy post...I feel as though I might get some very good answers here and would appreciate any thoughts!

Thank you so much!

JuliaL · 05-24-2005, 01:17 PM

I lost over 50 pounds following Atkins by the book. Then I quit smoking. I gained 8 lbs. and was able to lose most of it, but still wanted to lower my body fat percentage. I decided to try BFFM after reading about it on the Body For Life board.

I started BFFM about 6 weeks ago and so far I've lost 5.5 lbs. and 2% body fat. For me that's HUGE. I was stuck at the same weight for over a year, and I'm also smack dab in the middle of menopause so my metabolism has slowed down considerably.

I'm a huge proponent of Atkins for weight loss, but if you want to take body fat loss and training to the next level you should consider BFFM. I do what he calls "moderate carb". I eat 40% protein/40% carbs/20% fat. If you look at the back of the BFFM book in the appendix you'll find some sample menus - it's very easy to adapt these to your particular tastes. It takes some planning, and it helps if you use Fitday to figure out your calories/macros, but it is worth it. I'm definitely seeing progress and getting leaner since starting BFFM, and I don't feel restricted at all. Venuto advocates good fats in your diet (olive oil, natural PB, flax oil). I eat every 3 hours and feel good about my food intake. One day per week I have a cheat day. I don't go crazy but eat more legal food than I normally would and have a bowl of LC ice cream.

You mentioned training for a marathon - do you lift weights?

jdouglass · 05-24-2005, 02:21 PM

Thank you so much for your reply. I think Atkins might be my approach at least while I slim down to a more healthier weight. Then I can worry about actual body fat % and pushing from there. Atkins comes so easily to me, almost without thought and I feel like I have so much flexibility while eating out or if I find myself without a snack.

I am incorporating weight training alongside running. When I initially tried to just run, I actually injured myself. Once I began strength training every week, I was able to move past the injuries and improve strength alongside an increased performance.

05-24-2005, 09:35 AM	#1
jdouglass Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: MA Posts: 370 Gallery: jdouglass Stats: 185/180/120 WOE: Atkins	Could use some guidance. Good morning- I am hoping to get some words of wisdom or guidance by starting this thread. I recently posted some questions regarding Tom Venuto's BFFM nutrition plan. I have read his book and am quite inspired by all that he says. But here is my major dilema...I cannot decide which nutrition plan to follow. I feel that I am at an absolute lost with what to do, what to stick with. I know so much about all the different plans. How many carbs? How much fat? How many calories? I worry tremendously about what will work because I am at a point where I must establish a healthy lifestyle. I am only 25 and this is such an opportune time for me to start a fresh path with my nutrition and lifestyle. Yet I am so confused as to what to do. I was an avid Atkins follower about 3 years ago and had tremendous success. I was healthy, I was eating and I was exercising. I was at my healthiest and lowest weight ever and felt fantastic after a solid 1 1/2 of following Atkins. But then life happened...I could not stick with one plan and ended up eating a lot of junk and putting on a considerable amount of weight. Here I am, 2 years later and at least 25-30 pounds over weight. Now, I am a very active person and plan to start training for a marathon/relay races in the next few weeks. I need energy and calories. I do not want to restrict myself anymore in that regard. What causes the most anxiety is figuring out what plan will work for my lifestyle and still allow me to enjoy food! That is what I loved about Atkins! I love huge salads and healthy meats and tuna salad and veggies with olive oil. What I'm afraid with Venuto's plan is that there is a pretty significant fat restriction. I enjoy lots of healthy fats. I worry about how I might eat out on the BFFM plan. I guess what I am asking is some guidance on those who have revisited Atkins or tried the BFFM plan. What has been your experience with losing weight and lowering body fat? Especially after attempting low carb/Atkins multiple times, have you still had success in feeling healthy and have you been able to attain your goals? I apolgoize for such a lengthy post...I feel as though I might get some very good answers here and would appreciate any thoughts! Thank you so much!

05-24-2005, 01:17 PM	#2
JuliaL Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 17,214 Gallery: JuliaL Stats: 190/145/140 16/8/6, height 5'8", age 48 WOE: Atkins/BFFM Start Date: 4/22/03	I lost over 50 pounds following Atkins by the book. Then I quit smoking. I gained 8 lbs. and was able to lose most of it, but still wanted to lower my body fat percentage. I decided to try BFFM after reading about it on the Body For Life board. I started BFFM about 6 weeks ago and so far I've lost 5.5 lbs. and 2% body fat. For me that's HUGE. I was stuck at the same weight for over a year, and I'm also smack dab in the middle of menopause so my metabolism has slowed down considerably. I'm a huge proponent of Atkins for weight loss, but if you want to take body fat loss and training to the next level you should consider BFFM. I do what he calls "moderate carb". I eat 40% protein/40% carbs/20% fat. If you look at the back of the BFFM book in the appendix you'll find some sample menus - it's very easy to adapt these to your particular tastes. It takes some planning, and it helps if you use Fitday to figure out your calories/macros, but it is worth it. I'm definitely seeing progress and getting leaner since starting BFFM, and I don't feel restricted at all. Venuto advocates good fats in your diet (olive oil, natural PB, flax oil). I eat every 3 hours and feel good about my food intake. One day per week I have a cheat day. I don't go crazy but eat more legal food than I normally would and have a bowl of LC ice cream. You mentioned training for a marathon - do you lift weights? __________________ *"Our limitations and success will be based, most often, on our own expectations for ourselves. What the mind dwells upon, the body acts upon." -Denis Waitley*

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05-24-2005, 02:21 PM	#3
jdouglass Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: MA Posts: 370 Gallery: jdouglass Stats: 185/180/120 WOE: Atkins	Thank you so much for your reply. I think Atkins might be my approach at least while I slim down to a more healthier weight. Then I can worry about actual body fat % and pushing from there. Atkins comes so easily to me, almost without thought and I feel like I have so much flexibility while eating out or if I find myself without a snack. I am incorporating weight training alongside running. When I initially tried to just run, I actually injured myself. Once I began strength training every week, I was able to move past the injuries and improve strength alongside an increased performance.