ORIGINAL: edrice2
in that you will be hard pressed to ad lib anything and woudl need to always have meals with you more than on a more typical diet. its not that its not possible or anything.
its theoretical simple to follow, but doesnt necesarrily translate into an easier diet to follow imo.
im thinking more in terms of social situations, like restaurants or just being out w friends. i found myself limited by what i could take with me, since a lot of stuff is cooked like meat, etc. theres options, but much less than a typical diet. also, ive gotten equal results and better form a normal diet. then again i didnt use it get super cut or anything, maybe then itd be worth it if youre real driven to do so.
the biggest thing for me was it was negatively effecting strength, or at least i didnt make gains i dont think i lost any tho. the slight inconveniene factor i mentioend was just a side thing.
While I can see alot of what you are saying, I wonder if you've read
The Anabolic Solution by Mauro Di Pasquale, M.D.? This is where the Anabolic Diet (now called the Metabolic Diet) comes from. To me, it seems like this type of diet is even easier to follow than most. Dr. Di Pasquale suggests that you go through a phase where you determine your optimal carb level. He suggests extremely low carb, but agrees that different people have differing levels of carbs they need and so he allows for that type of adjustment in the program. You have to understand that the goal of the Anabolic Diet is to make natural metabolic changes in your body that approximate the benefits received from taking steroids. The diet was introduced to give powerlifters a chance to try something other than steroids.
There are 3 priorities to this program:
1. Switch your metabolism to burning fat as its primary fuel. This is done by liminting carbs and providing an ample amount of dietary fat. You do not change your caloric intake during the first phase of the program. You just substitute protein and fat for your former carb calories.
2. Once fat adapted, you vary your calories to suit the goal you have (bulk, cut or maintain).
3. If you want to cut, you slowly lower your calories and at the same time you lower your fat intake. Your body is now fat adapted and will burn fat and not muscle for its energy.
Your sources of fat would be essential and monosaturated fatty acids.
The claim is that this diet works because you train your body to burn fat instead of carbs.
Once fat adapted, your body continues to favor fat for energy even as you lower your calories.
I don't think you have it right about the cooked meats, etc. The idea is to have protein. This can be in the form of chicken, beef, fish, etc.
I recently tried the Velocity Diet (in modified form) and found the high protein and low carb program to be very beneficial. I am considering the Anabolic Diet as a longer term solution to my carb sensitivity. Right now I'm researching and reading and asking others who have tried it how their experience was. The final decision will be made later.
PS: The increased fat is going to increase testosterone, which should aid in building muscle and strength. I can only imagine what will happen on this diet because on the Velocity Diet, I gained a fair share of LBM and lost a fair share of fat (4% in 4 weeks). With the added fat I'm sure I would gain even more LBM, but I might not lose as much body fat UNLESS the science on this is correct and your body really does burn more fat in this situation.
<message edited by MikeMahony on Thursday, June 05, 2008 6:23 PM>