Yoga Strength

Question:

Wow Brian, That is some serious poundage gone and great motivation for me. Thanks for "part one". Deb – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – x-no-archive: yes Ok, folks …. you asked for it, so hear it is.  Well, at least the first 3 months anyways.  Sorry it’s so long but, as I explained in a previous post, I’m trying to be as thorough as possible because I’m also giving this to all my family and friends who want to know, "How’d you get so skinny??!!"  :-) Anways, I’ll try and get the next three months, my closing thoughts and the appendicies to you by the end of the week. Brian Begin paste from "The LowCarb GridIron"     Background: Started Low-Carb WOE: 1/1/99 Beginning Weight: 260 Current Weight: 186 Goal Weight: 170 Height: 5′9" Age: 26 Sex: Male Frame: Medium     History: I was a pretty mean 165 pound linebacker all through high school spending my free-time between the gym and my girlfriend.  Started working part-time in a gym my freshman year in college training people and showing new members the ropes.  My weight gain began my junior year when I traded my job at the gym for a job at a local internet service provider and developed a significantly more sedentary lifestyle.  By the time I was done with school I weight a whopping 220 — the beer and all the time on my ass in front of a computer had taken their toll. After college I took a position as a systems manager in a Congressional office.  This entailed more 14-hour days in front of keyboards and little time for anything else … except beer.  I left Congress after 3 years to work for another internet service provider and just last year left there to start my own consulting business. In January of 99 I began low-carbing at a weight of 260.     Month 1: 27 pounds gone! Strict Atkins induction.  Less than 20 grams of carbs per day.  Cut out all aspartame.  Began taking whole psyllium husks 3 x’s per day with meals to help deal with some minor constipation and up my fiber intake. The 1st three days were hell.  P.M. sugar cravings were unbearable and headaches and hunger were both prevalent.  The 4th day was much better — like coming into port after a week of rough seas.  I suddenly had tons of energy, my stomach was ALWAYS full and I just felt really, really good! I began exercising again for the first time in 5 years by walking around the block.  Then I added 1/10 – 2/10 of a mile each nite until I reached 3 miles.  At this point I would try and get home 10 seconds faster every night.  I also bought tae-bo which I would TRY and do twice/week. A typical days feeding: Breakfast – 3 eggs scrambled with 1/4 stick of butter, ham, coffee and cream, 2 GNC Mega Men multi-vitamin/mineral/herb, 1 T whole psyllium husks, 1 Quart h2o. Lunch – Chicken or Tuna salad over romaine lettuce, 1 Qt h20, 1 T psyllium. Dinner – Steak with sauteed mushrooms or bunless cheeseburger, romaine or spinach salad, 2 Mega Men, 1 T psyllium, 1/2 Qt h2o. Snacks: NONE.     Month 2: 16 Pounds gone. By the second month I was really feeling good!  My energy was fantastic, my sex drive was coming back, and I was really starting to feel quite comfortable with this WOE. At the beginning of the month I was jogging about 1/2 of my nightly 3-4 mile walk.  By the end of the month able to finish the whole thing jogging!  I began going through some yoga postures in the mornings and dusted off my old weight bench and began pumping a little iron in my basement. My daily food intake was almost identical to month 1 and I did notice that if I ate after 7 PM I would not lose as fast.  So …. I started making sure I got 99% of my daily calories before 7.     Month 3: 17 pounds gone. Three major changes came in month 3: I joined a gym again, started stacking, discovered ASDLC, and discovered TKD. Getting back to the gym again was surreal.  I was still fat and it felt kinda weird being around all those skinny, beautiful people.  But I persevered:-)  Each day I would spend about 1-2 hours there — 1/2 hour on the treadmill, 1/2 hour on the eliptical-stepper-thingy, 15 mins yoga postures (stretching), and about 30 minutes on free-weights (see appendix A for workouts).  My strength increased so rapidly it made my head spin!  I absolutely could not believe how fast I was getting strong again! I began stacking this month too for a couple reasons: to help with some cravings that were creeping up and to give me extra energy for workouts. In the beginning I took 2 ripped fuels with breakfast and 2 before my workout but this soon evolved into 2 Diet Fuels in the A.M. and 4 Ripped Fuels immediately before working out.  I got phenomenol results from this combo and am still taking it to this day! One day while I was hunting around the internet for cheap Ripped Fuel, I happened to run across a reference to this newsgroup on web page!!  Imagine my surprise when I learned there was a whole newsgroup dedicated to low-carbing!!!  So I subscribed and started reading all the faq’s and then lurked for about 3 weeks.  I was so excited about finding this TREMENDOUS source of additional information to expand upon that which Dr. Atkins had taught me. One of the first things I took away from ASDLC was the concept of a TKD or "Targeted Ketogenic Diet".  I researched it and ordered Lyle McDonald’s book, "The Ketogenic Diet" which I found to be one of the BEST books I have ever read.  Upon incorporating the principals of TKD was the first significant change in my diet since I began low-carbing in January.  I immediately noticed significantly improved performance in the gym and better (quicker) muscle recovery. At this point my diet was still very similiar to month 1 except for the pre/post workout carb-up on lifting days and 3 scoops of Designer Protein at 11:00PM to aid in recovery while sleeping. (TO BE CONTINUED)

Response:

Wow, Brian, thats pretty impressive.  I love to read a motivating post like yours.  Helps me to keep up with my exercise. Chris Be yourself–and leave everyone else alone.

Response:

Brian this is great! Thank you for your inspiration! Jane 165/163/110 Atkins since 06/14/99 *I hope to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am* I have chosen not to smoke for: Two months, four weeks, two days, 45 minutes and 21 seconds. 1820 cigarettes not smoked, saving $318.61. Life saved: 6 days, 7 hours, 40 minutes.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – x-no-archive: yes Ok, folks …. you asked for it, so hear it is.  Well, at least the first 3 months anyways.  Sorry it’s so long but, as I explained in a previous post, I’m trying to be as thorough as possible because I’m also giving this to all my family and friends who want to know, "How’d you get so skinny??!!"  :-) Anways, I’ll try and get the next three months, my closing thoughts and the appendicies to you by the end of the week. Brian Begin paste from "The LowCarb GridIron"      Background: Started Low-Carb WOE: 1/1/99 Beginning Weight: 260 Current Weight: 186 Goal Weight: 170 Height: 5′9" Age: 26 Sex: Male Frame: Medium      History: I was a pretty mean 165 pound linebacker all through high school spending my free-time between the gym and my girlfriend.  Started working part-time in a gym my freshman year in college training people and showing new members the ropes.  My weight gain began my junior year when I traded my job at the gym for a job at a local internet service provider and developed a significantly more sedentary lifestyle.  By the time I was done with school I weight a whopping 220 — the beer and all the time on my ass in front of a computer had taken their toll. After college I took a position as a systems manager in a Congressional office.  This entailed more 14-hour days in front of keyboards and little time for anything else … except beer.  I left Congress after 3 years to work for another internet service provider and just last year left there to start my own consulting business. In January of 99 I began low-carbing at a weight of 260.      Month 1: 27 pounds gone! Strict Atkins induction.  Less than 20 grams of carbs per day.  Cut out all aspartame.  Began taking whole psyllium husks 3 x’s per day with meals to help deal with some minor constipation and up my fiber intake. The 1st three days were hell.  P.M. sugar cravings were unbearable and headaches and hunger were both prevalent.  The 4th day was much better — like coming into port after a week of rough seas.  I suddenly had tons of energy, my stomach was ALWAYS full and I just felt really, really good! I began exercising again for the first time in 5 years by walking around the block.  Then I added 1/10 – 2/10 of a mile each nite until I reached 3 miles.  At this point I would try and get home 10 seconds faster every night.  I also bought tae-bo which I would TRY and do twice/week. A typical days feeding: Breakfast – 3 eggs scrambled with 1/4 stick of butter, ham, coffee and cream, 2 GNC Mega Men multi-vitamin/mineral/herb, 1 T whole psyllium husks, 1 Quart h2o. Lunch – Chicken or Tuna salad over romaine lettuce, 1 Qt h20, 1 T psyllium. Dinner – Steak with sauteed mushrooms or bunless cheeseburger, romaine or spinach salad, 2 Mega Men, 1 T psyllium, 1/2 Qt h2o. Snacks: NONE.      Month 2: 16 Pounds gone. By the second month I was really feeling good!  My energy was fantastic, my sex drive was coming back, and I was really starting to feel quite comfortable with this WOE. At the beginning of the month I was jogging about 1/2 of my nightly 3-4 mile walk.  By the end of the month able to finish the whole thing jogging!  I began going through some yoga postures in the mornings and dusted off my old weight bench and began pumping a little iron in my basement. My daily food intake was almost identical to month 1 and I did notice that if I ate after 7 PM I would not lose as fast.  So …. I started making sure I got 99% of my daily calories before 7.      Month 3: 17 pounds gone. Three major changes came in month 3: I joined a gym again, started stacking, discovered ASDLC, and discovered TKD. Getting back to the gym again was surreal.  I was still fat and it felt kinda weird being around all those skinny, beautiful people.  But I persevered:-)  Each day I would spend about 1-2 hours there — 1/2 hour on the treadmill, 1/2 hour on the eliptical-stepper-thingy, 15 mins yoga postures (stretching), and about 30 minutes on free-weights (see appendix A for workouts).  My strength increased so rapidly it made my head spin!  I absolutely could not believe how fast I was getting strong again! I began stacking this month too for a couple reasons: to help with some cravings that were creeping up and to give me extra energy for workouts. In the beginning I took 2 ripped fuels with breakfast and 2 before my workout but this soon evolved into 2 Diet Fuels in the A.M. and 4 Ripped Fuels immediately before working out.  I got phenomenol results from this combo and am still taking it to this day! One day while I was hunting around the internet for cheap Ripped Fuel, I happened to run across a reference to this newsgroup on web page!! Imagine my surprise when I learned there was a whole newsgroup dedicated to low-carbing!!!  So I subscribed and started reading all the faq’s and then lurked for about 3 weeks.  I was so excited about finding this TREMENDOUS source of additional information to expand upon that which Dr. Atkins had taught me. One of the first things I took away from ASDLC was the concept of a TKD or "Targeted Ketogenic Diet".  I researched it and ordered Lyle McDonald’s book, "The Ketogenic Diet" which I found to be one of the BEST books I have ever read.  Upon incorporating the principals of TKD was the first significant change in my diet since I began low-carbing in January.  I immediately noticed significantly improved performance in the gym and better (quicker) muscle recovery. At this point my diet was still very similiar to month 1 except for the pre/post workout carb-up on lifting days and 3 scoops of Designer Protein at 11:00PM to aid in recovery while sleeping. (TO BE CONTINUED)

Response:

Hey Brian, I am more than a little behind in reading the NG, so I just read your post… you’re a pretty cool guy!  Congrats on the weight loss, and I wish you much success in attaining your goal.  Great story, thanks for sharing…. Jae 197/151/140? since 1/11/99

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – x-no-archive: yes Ok, folks …. you asked for it, so hear it is.  Well, at least the first 3 months anyways.  Sorry it’s so long but, as I explained in a previous post, I’m trying to be as thorough as possible because I’m also giving this to all my family and friends who want to know, "How’d you get so skinny??!!"  :-) Anways, I’ll try and get the next three months, my closing thoughts and the appendicies to you by the end of the week. Brian Begin paste from "The LowCarb GridIron"      Background: Started Low-Carb WOE: 1/1/99 Beginning Weight: 260 Current Weight: 186 Goal Weight: 170 Height: 5′9" Age: 26 Sex: Male Frame: Medium      History: I was a pretty mean 165 pound linebacker all through high school spending my free-time between the gym and my girlfriend.  Started working part-time in a gym my freshman year in college training people and showing new members the ropes.  My weight gain began my junior year when I traded my job at the gym for a job at a local internet service provider and developed a significantly more sedentary lifestyle.  By the time I was done with school I weight a whopping 220 — the beer and all the time on my ass in front of a computer had taken their toll. After college I took a position as a systems manager in a Congressional office.  This entailed more 14-hour days in front of keyboards and little time for anything else … except beer.  I left Congress after 3 years to work for another internet service provider and just last year left there to start my own consulting business. In January of 99 I began low-carbing at a weight of 260.      Month 1: 27 pounds gone! Strict Atkins induction.  Less than 20 grams of carbs per day.  Cut out all aspartame.  Began taking whole psyllium husks 3 x’s per day with meals to help deal with some minor constipation and up my fiber intake. The 1st three days were hell.  P.M. sugar cravings were unbearable and headaches and hunger were both prevalent.  The 4th day was much better — like coming into port after a week of rough seas.  I suddenly had tons of energy, my stomach was ALWAYS full and I just felt really, really good! I began exercising again for the first time in 5 years by walking around the block.  Then I added 1/10 – 2/10 of a mile each nite until I reached 3 miles.  At this point I would try and get home 10 seconds faster every night.  I also bought tae-bo which I would TRY and do twice/week. A typical days feeding: Breakfast – 3 eggs scrambled with 1/4 stick of butter, ham, coffee and cream, 2 GNC Mega Men multi-vitamin/mineral/herb, 1 T whole psyllium husks, 1 Quart h2o. Lunch – Chicken or Tuna salad over romaine lettuce, 1 Qt h20, 1 T psyllium. Dinner – Steak with sauteed mushrooms or bunless cheeseburger, romaine or spinach salad, 2 Mega Men, 1 T psyllium, 1/2 Qt h2o. Snacks: NONE.      Month 2: 16 Pounds gone. By the second month I was really feeling good!  My energy was fantastic, my sex drive was coming back, and I was really starting to feel quite comfortable with this WOE. At the beginning of the month I was jogging about 1/2 of my nightly 3-4 mile walk.  By the end of the month able to finish the whole thing jogging!  I began going through some yoga postures in the mornings and dusted off my old weight bench and began pumping a little iron in my basement. My daily food intake was almost identical to month 1 and I did notice that if I ate after 7 PM I would not lose as fast.  So …. I started making sure I got 99% of my daily calories before 7.      Month 3: 17 pounds gone. Three major changes came in month 3: I joined a gym again, started stacking, discovered ASDLC, and discovered TKD. Getting back to the gym again was surreal.  I was still fat and it felt kinda weird being around all those skinny, beautiful people.  But I persevered:-)  Each day I would spend about 1-2 hours there — 1/2 hour on the treadmill, 1/2 hour on the eliptical-stepper-thingy, 15 mins yoga postures (stretching), and about 30 minutes on free-weights (see appendix A for workouts).  My strength increased so rapidly it made my head spin!  I absolutely could not believe how fast I was getting strong again! I began stacking this month too for a couple reasons: to help with some cravings that were creeping up and to give me extra energy for workouts. In the beginning I took 2 ripped fuels with breakfast and 2 before my workout but this soon evolved into 2 Diet Fuels in the A.M. and 4 Ripped Fuels immediately before working out.  I got phenomenol results from this combo and am still taking it to this day! One day while I was hunting around the internet for cheap Ripped Fuel, I happened to run across a reference to this newsgroup on web page!! Imagine my surprise when I learned there was a whole newsgroup dedicated to low-carbing!!!  So I subscribed and started reading all the faq’s and then lurked for about 3 weeks.  I was so excited about finding this TREMENDOUS source of additional information to expand upon that which Dr. Atkins had taught me. One of the first things I took away from ASDLC was the concept of a TKD or "Targeted Ketogenic Diet".  I researched it and ordered Lyle McDonald’s book, "The Ketogenic Diet" which I found to be one of the BEST books I have ever read.  Upon incorporating the principals of TKD was the first significant change in my diet since I began low-carbing in January.  I immediately noticed significantly improved performance in the gym and better (quicker) muscle recovery. At this point my diet was still very similiar to month 1 except for the pre/post workout carb-up on lifting days and 3 scoops of Designer Protein at 11:00PM to aid in recovery while sleeping. (TO BE CONTINUED)

Response: