Atkins advice please - UK-Muscle Body Building Community

Zebedy · 02-02-2005, 04:55 PM

Is possible to gain/maintain mucsle growth whilst on the Atkins diet??

I am very lean and pretty muscular all over except for my belly. I would love to be able to see my abs for the first time in my life!! and have been told that 4-weeks on the atkins diet will help me shed my gut. I have a 38inch waist and would like to get down to about a 32-34 without losing any muscle.

**Pscarb** · 02-02-2005, 05:25 PM

the Atkins diet is not the best diet for a BB..

i would advise you to do a low carb diet with plenty of good fats.

the diffrences are
Atkins diet generally go for approx 20g> of Carbs and it does not seem to mind where the fats come from (saturated/unsaturated)

Low Carb diet for BB generally has approx 100g of carbs and the fats come from EFA's (Omega 3/6 and 9) plus you would up your protein to 2g per lb of bodyweight...

Conan · 02-02-2005, 07:22 PM

if all you want to do is shed the belly then it is an effective way of loosing fat. depends on your goal really, if you are a serious bodybuilder then i wouldnt recommend it but a diet such as Pscarb describes.
if you just want to lean up and see your abs then give it ago!
Give it ago once see how it works for you. In this game its all about trial and error. It might work well for you or it might not. You will never know til you try it.
If you do try it keep your protein as high as you can.

**hackskii** · 02-02-2005, 08:27 PM

Yes, this will be fine for dieting down.
In ketosis the body can shed alot of fat pretty fast.
Why not give it a try for a month, after about week 3 you might slow down tho.

I myself love the Atkins diet, I just dont like staying on it for extended periods of time.

I would take about 12 fish oils a day with your meals, this will help in ways that I cant discribe here like aiding in the manufacture of Eicosanoids.

My favorite diet that I have used was The Zone Diet by Barry Sears.

Now, I just got ChefX's book in the mail yesterday and alot of guys rant about that way of eating. I have not used the diet nor read all the ingredients in it but I will start reading it today.

Zebedy · 02-02-2005, 09:25 PM

I've read that on the atkins diet the body gets the energy it needs from bodyfat and from your muscles. Question is does it take from fat stores first and then from your muscles, or a bit of both?? I was thinking of staying on the diet only until my belly had gone, and then returning to a regular diet before it starts eating away at any muscle....hope this all makes sense!!

winger · 02-02-2005, 09:44 PM

Atkins diet rocks. You can eat veggies just dont exceed the 20 grams of carbs in the first 2 weeks. Look at all the food that you can eat. Click here.
Just eat the above veggies.

**Pscarb** · 02-02-2005, 10:05 PM

although i do agree that if you are just wanting to lose weight the Atkins diet is a good way to go as long as you can stick out the first 2 weeks and that you don't overdo the Trans/Saterated fats..

but Zebedy's question was can you build muscle on the Atkins diet inmo you cannot otherwise all competing bb's on a low carb diet would increase muscle mass when they diet but they don't.

to gain muscle you must eat Carbs it is that simple now i am sure there will be one or two genetic freaks who post a reply saying they have gained 20lbs of muscle on 20g of carbs per day..

so the simple answer is

yes you can diet and lose fat whilst keeping the muscle you have already attained on the Atkins diet as long as the Protein is kept high....but you won't gain muscle whilst following this kind of diet.........

winger · 03-02-2005, 02:39 AM

Dont lump all low carb diets into Atkins diet.
Carbs are not my friend. I have been dieting hard with all good carbs and cardio everyday. I have only lost 4 pounds in 34 days and am way more muscular.
Can you add muscle and loose bodyfat?........yes. I have done it. Just be smart with the carbs that you use or should I say choose.

**Pscarb** · 03-02-2005, 08:53 AM

who's lumping all low carb diets into the Atkins diet....??

so you have lost 4lbs in 34days but you are "way more muscular" that is strange seeing as muscle weighs more than fat you should really be gaining weight???? you are a true genetic freak....

because you have dropped those 4 pounds you are going to look more muscular due to definition but that doesnt mean that you have gained muscle...

like i said before you if you could ADD muscle(not retain muscle) and lose bodyfat at the same time on a restricted carb diet then when most BB's diet for shows they would gain muscle but in fact most lose a small amount over their dieting period...

i do agree though that the key to losing weight is to be smart with the carbs you choose..

Pete · 03-02-2005, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pscarb

so you have lost 4lbs in 34days but you are "way more muscular" that is strange seeing as muscle weighs more than fat you should really be gaining weight???? you are a true genetic freak....

Maybe Winger has lost,say 20 pounds of fat, but put muscle on, hence only a 4 pound weight loss. Therefore he would be way more muscular as he'd have put on 12 pounds of muscle (i think!)

Zebedy, you say you are very lean, but you can't see you abs? Which is it? I reckon I'm quite fat at the moment but I can just about make out my upper abs.

Zebedy · 03-02-2005, 10:39 AM

Thanks for the advice guys, i will give it a go for a month and see how it goes. Couple more questions...1) as youre only allowed 20gms of carbs a day, which carbs are best. 2) Can you really eat as much meat,cheese and eggs as you like. 3) Do you pile the weight back on when you introduce more carbs after the first 4-weeks???

Zebedy · 03-02-2005, 10:46 AM

Zebedy, you say you are very lean, but you can't see you abs? Which is it? I reckon I'm quite fat at the moment but I can just about make out my upper abs.[/quote]

I am very lean all over except for my belly area which is the only place on my body that fat likes to rest.!!

ONE SMART COOKIE · 03-02-2005, 01:09 PM

Quote:

so you have lost 4lbs in 34days but you are "way more muscular" that is strange seeing as muscle weighs more than fat you should really be gaining weight????

pscarb please explain to me how muscle weighs more than fat????? a pound is a pound no matter what it is made of.

Zebedy get all your carbs from salads(no tomatos)during the atkins the crunchier and harder to chew the better,stuff like cabbage celery and dark greens plus make sure all are raw dont cook the veg/salad.

Quote:

yes you can diet and lose fat whilst keeping the muscle you have already attained on the Atkins diet as long as the Protein is kept high....but you won't gain muscle whilst following this kind of diet.........

pscarb how do you think all the oldtimers used to build there muscle before steroids and supplements???????

They used lots of fats and protein aka atkins diet(man I hate that word atkins diet he just nicked the idea,soory rant over)

Biker · 03-02-2005, 01:12 PM

I'm with Pscarb I'm Anti-Atkins, I think it's an awful diet and before someone harps on about eskimoes I don't see many of them on bodybuilding stages

lowering carbs and using better carbs is much better than taking no (well almost) carbs.

Biker · 03-02-2005, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ONE SMART COOKIE

pscarb please explain to me how muscle weighs more than fat????? a pound is a pound no matter what it is made of.

I'm sure he meant that the same physical size of muscle would weigh more than the same amount (size) of fat. And I'm sure you knew that's what he meant.

02-02-2005, 04:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Zebedy Newbie Trainer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bedford Posts: 20	Atkins advice please Is possible to gain/maintain mucsle growth whilst on the Atkins diet?? I am very lean and pretty muscular all over except for my belly. I would love to be able to see my abs for the first time in my life!! and have been told that 4-weeks on the atkins diet will help me shed my gut. I have a 38inch waist and would like to get down to about a 32-34 without losing any muscle. Last edited by Zebedy; 02-02-2005 at 04:59 PM.

02-02-2005, 07:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
Conan Newbie Trainer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: manchester Posts: 80	if all you want to do is shed the belly then it is an effective way of loosing fat. depends on your goal really, if you are a serious bodybuilder then i wouldnt recommend it but a diet such as Pscarb describes. if you just want to lean up and see your abs then give it ago! Give it ago once see how it works for you. In this game its all about trial and error. It might work well for you or it might not. You will never know til you try it. If you do try it keep your protein as high as you can. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Conan To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *************** "EAT like a monster, TRAIN like a monster, BE a MONSTER!"**

02-02-2005, 08:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
hackskii UK-Muscle Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sunny Southern California U.S.A. Posts: 23,049	Yes, this will be fine for dieting down. In ketosis the body can shed alot of fat pretty fast. Why not give it a try for a month, after about week 3 you might slow down tho. I myself love the Atkins diet, I just dont like staying on it for extended periods of time. I would take about 12 fish oils a day with your meals, this will help in ways that I cant discribe here like aiding in the manufacture of Eicosanoids. My favorite diet that I have used was The Zone Diet by Barry Sears. Now, I just got ChefX's book in the mail yesterday and alot of guys rant about that way of eating. I have not used the diet nor read all the ingredients in it but I will start reading it today. __________________ "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." - George Carlin Scott To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

02-02-2005, 09:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
winger UK-Muscle Male Animal Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Southern California, USA Posts: 10,260 Blog Entries: 1	Atkins diet rocks. You can eat veggies just dont exceed the 20 grams of carbs in the first 2 weeks. Look at all the food that you can eat. Click here. Just eat the above veggies. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

02-02-2005, 10:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
Pscarb UK-Muscle Moderator and NABBA Champion Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 10,036	although i do agree that if you are just wanting to lose weight the Atkins diet is a good way to go as long as you can stick out the first 2 weeks and that you don't overdo the Trans/Saterated fats.. but Zebedy's question was can you build muscle on the Atkins diet inmo you cannot otherwise all competing bb's on a low carb diet would increase muscle mass when they diet but they don't. to gain muscle you must eat Carbs it is that simple now i am sure there will be one or two genetic freaks who post a reply saying they have gained 20lbs of muscle on 20g of carbs per day.. so the simple answer is yes you can diet and lose fat whilst keeping the muscle you have already attained on the Atkins diet as long as the Protein is kept high....but you won't gain muscle whilst following this kind of diet......... Last edited by Pscarb; 02-02-2005 at 10:07 PM.

02-02-2005, 05:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
Pscarb UK-Muscle Moderator and NABBA Champion Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 10,036	the Atkins diet is not the best diet for a BB.. i would advise you to do a low carb diet with plenty of good fats. the diffrences are Atkins diet generally go for approx 20g> of Carbs and it does not seem to mind where the fats come from (saturated/unsaturated) Low Carb diet for BB generally has approx 100g of carbs and the fats come from EFA's (Omega 3/6 and 9) plus you would up your protein to 2g per lb of bodyweight...

02-02-2005, 09:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
Zebedy Newbie Trainer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bedford Posts: 20	I've read that on the atkins diet the body gets the energy it needs from bodyfat and from your muscles. Question is does it take from fat stores first and then from your muscles, or a bit of both?? I was thinking of staying on the diet only until my belly had gone, and then returning to a regular diet before it starts eating away at any muscle....hope this all makes sense!!

03-02-2005, 02:39 AM	#8 (permalink)
winger UK-Muscle Male Animal Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Southern California, USA Posts: 10,260 Blog Entries: 1	Dont lump all low carb diets into Atkins diet. Carbs are not my friend. I have been dieting hard with all good carbs and cardio everyday. I have only lost 4 pounds in 34 days and am way more muscular. Can you add muscle and loose bodyfat?........yes. I have done it. Just be smart with the carbs that you use or should I say choose. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-02-2005, 08:53 AM	#9 (permalink)
Pscarb UK-Muscle Moderator and NABBA Champion Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 10,036	who's lumping all low carb diets into the Atkins diet....?? so you have lost 4lbs in 34days but you are "way more muscular" that is strange seeing as muscle weighs more than fat you should really be gaining weight???? you are a true genetic freak.... because you have dropped those 4 pounds you are going to look more muscular due to definition but that doesnt mean that you have gained muscle... like i said before you if you could ADD muscle(not retain muscle) and lose bodyfat at the same time on a restricted carb diet then when most BB's diet for shows they would gain muscle but in fact most lose a small amount over their dieting period... i do agree though that the key to losing weight is to be smart with the carbs you choose..

03-02-2005, 10:39 AM	#11 (permalink)
Zebedy Newbie Trainer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bedford Posts: 20	Thanks for the advice guys, i will give it a go for a month and see how it goes. Couple more questions...1) as youre only allowed 20gms of carbs a day, which carbs are best. 2) Can you really eat as much meat,cheese and eggs as you like. 3) Do you pile the weight back on when you introduce more carbs after the first 4-weeks???

03-02-2005, 10:46 AM	#12 (permalink)
Zebedy Newbie Trainer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bedford Posts: 20	Zebedy, you say you are very lean, but you can't see you abs? Which is it? I reckon I'm quite fat at the moment but I can just about make out my upper abs.[/quote] I am very lean all over except for my belly area which is the only place on my body that fat likes to rest.!!

03-02-2005, 01:12 PM	#14 (permalink)
Biker Part of the UK-M furniture... gathering dust in the corner :) Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 3,807	I'm with Pscarb I'm Anti-Atkins, I think it's an awful diet and before someone harps on about eskimoes I don't see many of them on bodybuilding stages lowering carbs and using better carbs is much better than taking no (well almost) carbs. __________________ -- Biker To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. \| To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. \| To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.