Weeks 6,7 and 8
IN A NUTSHELL:
Anabolic Diet: Things are finally looking up. I have decided to continue with AD through September. I can’t remember whether I’ve posted that some people reported not feeling good on AD until between weeks 5 and 8 and that I read somewhere that Dr. Pasquale said it can take some people up to 4 months to truly see the benefits of AD. I DO seem to be one of the people who respond slowly to it. I’m really happy I read other people’s accounts of not getting “instant gratification” before I gave up.
Still eating around 1,500 on low carb days and 1,800+ on carb ups.
I have had some issues that I guess are hormonal. Let’s just say if I had a significant other, this diet would be OVER. LOL TOM was a little different, too, but overall it was in a good way (just didn’t know what to expect with it). If you’re female and want further details about that, just pm me. LOL
Hunger: None on low carb days. My appetite is definitely stimulated during carb-ups though. Carbs used to not have that effect so I’m not sure what to think about that.
Cravings: None.
Energy: Normal.
Mood: Normal.
Mental Clarity: Normal.
Physical Appearance: I’ve been getting lots of compliments from people at the gym, so that’s good. I’m definitely not flattening out as much as I was and my body really appears to be tightening up even though there has been no real change in my measurements. I still get a little smaller as the week goes on, but not like I was. I had been Weighing in at 124 after my carb ups and would weigh 120 the morning of my carb up. This last week, I only lost 2 lbs over the course of the week (that I gained back after carbing up), so I think that’s also a sign that my body is getting better at rationing glycogen or something.
Workouts: Workouts have been going SO much more smoothly. Still not as strong as I was before AD and I’m still having some endurance issues but they’re pretty slight. And I have felt good enough to add a 5th day back into my routine. I think there is a chance that strength might be able to come up over the next few weeks. We shall see.
Amanda76, Age 31, Height 5″4″
(measurments taken morning after carb ups on empty stomach)
<em />
| 28JUN08 |
19JUL08 |
24AUG08 | |
| (start) |
(Day 22) |
(End of Wk8 ) |
|
| Weight: |
126 lbs |
124 lbs |
124 lbs |
| Shoulders: |
41″ |
41” |
41” |
| Chest: |
32.5″ |
32” |
32.5” |
| Arm: |
13” |
13” |
13” |
| Waist: |
26” |
25.5” |
25.5” |
| Abdominal: |
29.5” |
29.5” |
29.5″ |
| Hips: |
35.5” |
35” |
35” |
| Upper Quad: |
21” |
20.5” |
20.25” |
| Mid Quad: |
20.25” |
19.25” |
19.5” |
| Calf: |
14.25” |
14” |
14” |
Again, my measurements aren’t changing much, but I do feel like I’m losing size where I should be losing size (places like my hips, upper thighs and glutes, where I know I carry a lot of fat) and gaining size back in places I was disappointed about losing.
I think my skin texture is totally better…even through my legs, an area that was totally freaking me out before. They lost size and got saggy looking! But now they’ve filled back out and look tighter. I’m definitely holding onto muscle volume better throughout the week and that’s made all the difference!
My abs are starting to look really nice, but I’m a bit disappointed in my back compared to last year. However, I am feeling good enough about AD at this point that I think there’s a chance for a comeback over the next month or two. :p
August 24, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Hey great work! I also lose size and clothes suddenly "slip on" now. I am frustrated at the scale but very pleased when I put on my smaller sizes and they fit!
August 28, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Well….you’re still at it. Kinda thought you might have thrown in the towel by now. Proud of ya!
Amazed you can get by with only 1500 Cal - I guess no cardio probably makes a difference.
Looks like you’re in fine form - NO SO? What the heck’s the matter with the young men down there? You’re not still holdin’ out for Richard Simmons are ya? You’ve just got to set your sights a little lower - it’s time to move on, girl. Give those San Angelo fellars a chance!
Take care.
August 28, 2008 at 7:31 pm
I can’t give my honest opinion about AD without following through.
1,500 cals is only 3-400 cals under my estimated maintenance. It’s really not that that big an energy slice. Especially when AD leaves you feeling so frickin’ full all the time! It was super hard to eat at maintenance for the first couple of weeks. The days of my hardest workouts are carb ups and I consume at or above maintenance those days. And I’m sure my lack of cardio does help. :p
I haven’t seen any San Angelo fellars to be particularly interested in…must be one of those "not if I see you first," situations and they’re all hiding from me.
LOL
August 28, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I thought you weren’t supposed to workout on your carb up days because it effects your glycogen super compensation thingy.
Monday’s and Tuesday’s are meant to be your best work out days.
August 30, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Hon,
Thanks for bringing that up. I had read how that’s SUPPOSED to work. Not so much that it hurt things, but simply that the day after your second carb up should be your most amazing workout. Maybe I missed the point.
Now that things are going a bit better, I’ll have to look into how that a bit more. Up until the last couple of weeks, there’s no way I would have been able to have semi-productive workouts without doing them during my carb ups (I work out in the evening so that does give me a full day to carb load before lifting). I would have given Monday the possiblity, but I’d start falling apart Tuesday — and my workouts have been crappy enough as it is! LOL.
Anyway, thanks for bringing that up…that’s something that really could be effecting my time in the gym now that I think about it. Will let you know what I discover.