by Jon Benson
Creator, Fit Over 40
What do these have in common?
- McDonalds - Renée Zellweger - Epileptic children - Yours truly - Most bodybuilding and fitness competitors - Kiefer Sutherland
Give up?
All the above employ the strategies of the low-carb diet, popularized by the late Dr. Atkins.
Recently researchers have found that an Atkins-type nutrition plan reduced the number of seizures in epileptic children.
Most of the world's leanest physiques get that way on a regimen, limited or not, of low-carbs and higher protein.
Even McDonalds is getting into the act. Even Renée Zellweger. Even Kiefer Sutherland. Even me. Kinda.
Read on and I'll explain what I mean...
Why Low-Carb Works
When McDonalds starts counting carb grams in their food, you know someone is either jumping on a trend or finally seeing the light.
In this case, both -- but it is a good thing. Low-carb diets. They work.
For the masses, they work because they are the easiest nutrition plan to follow when you're busy.
McDonalds and stars like Kiefer Sutherland figured this out. The busy on-the-go guy or gal doesn't want to make the time to prepare six meals per day and carry them around in Tupperware.
When choosing my own lifestyle nutrition plan, time and convenience played a major role. I looked at role models who were very busy, formerly obese, and very lean.
Most of them rely in some form or fashion on a low-carb strategy.
Low-carb also works, much to the hem and haw of traditional doctors and nutritionists, due to the way the body processes fuel.
For those of us fortunate enough to grow up on whole grains and very low-sugar mealplans, a moderate to higher-carb nutrition plan may work just fine.
But most of us grew up eating junk.
Processed foods, fast foods, and downright junk was the cornerstone of our diets. That puts your body on the "carb defense."
After years of abuse the body becomes resistant to carbohydrates. The insulin they produce can cause all sorts of health issues, fat-burning problems, and more.
When carbs are removed, even healthy carbs like whole grains, the body has time to re-adjust.
In some cases, you can go back to a moderate-carb plan with whole grains and fruits after a period of time.
In others, you are a "low-carber" for life.
Guess which one I am?
Finally, low-carb works because you tend to eat less. Fat is very satiating, and most low-carb plans are fairly high in dietary fat.
So, in recap:
-- Easy and convenient;
-- Metabolically important for carb recovery;
-- Lower in total food volume (eat less)
Do not make light of that first point. Any plan that is not simple is one very few people will stick to. Making your plan simple and tasty is key, even if that plan is not "perfect" by nutritional standards.
Progress always trumps perfection.
Why Low-Carb Fails
There are two primary reasons for the failure of the low-carb nutrition plans: boredom and media bashing.
One causes irritability. The other, doubt. Unless you're certain that your plan will work, you will eventually go off of it.
This is true of any plan, no matter how ideal it is. Certainty rules.
That's why I cover The Law of Certainty in "Fit Over 40". It's crucial to understand and to create.
Yes -- you can create certainty. Read my book to find out how.
The boredom is easily solved.
I cover how and share my own unique plan that cycles carbs and fats in Fit Over 40 --
Using my cycle strategy you will rarely if ever become bored. And your body will burn more bodyfat too. It's just a cheap metabolic trick...but boy, it works.
The second reason is media and medical bias. One study after another has proven that low-carb plans, even the Atkins plan, works and is safe to use for most people.
Check with your doctor first, of course.
I've seen researchers get down-right angry when the results come back. In one study, carried out for a full year, the low-carb plan out-performed the so-called "healthy" Dean Ornish plan.
Lower blood fats, more weightloss, and more energy were the results.
That being said, no one plan works for everyone. Some people are natural vegetarians. I know one low-carb veggie, but he has a heck of a time with it.
Still, it works for him.
Some will do really well on higher carbs. One of my role models, Clarence Bass, has consumed a 55% carb diet for most of his life. It serves him well.
Over the years, Clarence has added more "healthy" fats to his diet -- and the result has been better blood profiles and lower bodyfat.
Which Plan To Use?
Check out my book, Fit Over 40. There are dozens of plans in there from 53 near- ageless role models 40-80 years old --
Select the one you relate to the most and follow the leader. Make it simple.
But my preference always comes back to low-carb nutrition. I just cycle it in a way that allows me to get plenty of veggies, some grains, and ample fiber.
Even a slice of cheesecake here and there.
Hey...I said "low-carb", not "low-life!"
Sincerely,
Jon Benson Creator, Fit Over 40
P.S. One of these days the mainstream medical community will wake up to the fact that 90% of the population will never eat 15 servings of veggies per day.
While this may be "optimal", it's not at all practical. I'd rather give you down-to- earth practical nutrition advice that you CAN and WILL follow -- and enjoy.
Makes sense, doesn't it?
Fit Over 40
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