Anyone else run and doing Weight Watchers? (Read 709 times)

We do have a weight loss group...it's been really quiet in recent months, but I expect things to pick up after the holidays.  In a few weeks we'll be starting our Winter challenge.  I'm personally going to be experimenting with a ketogenic plan as soon as I finish my last cyclocross race of the season in a week.  I originally started running almost 7 years ago to lose my last few pounds...instead more have found their way onto my ass.  I simply cannot lose on a high carb diet, but lost really well (60#s) years ago on low carbs.  I've been reading a lot about low-moderate intensity endurance cardio and ketogenic performance.  I hope to take off at least 15-20#s this Winter on steady-state runs and bike rides before going back to higher-effort activities come Spring (I suspect low-carbs will not lend well to the increased "interval" intensity nature of mountain biking).

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You have to join to see the forum.  It's semi-private, that way.

The essence of ketogenic diets is to force one's body to adapt to a fat-burning metabolism by not feeding it it's preferred quick energy source.  Humans can and do survive well on limited carbs (the Inuit and Masaai are 2 peoples who demonstrate this).  Atkins is an example of a ketogenic diet, where one eats only very low-glycemic carb sources, like lettuce, veggies, berries and very limited whole grains...no refined sugar, no white potatoes.  A lot of people on paleo-style diets eat very restricted carbs, too.  This guy has a really interesting blog chronicling his own experiences.

I did running and weight watchers 7 or so years ago.  In fact, one of the reasons I started running more was to get the activity points.  I generally would give myself 1 point for each mile I ran up to 6 miles.  Once I went over 6 miles, I would add an extra point.  For example, if I ran 8 miles, I gave myself 9 points.  If I went over 12 miles, I would add two points (i.e. if I ran 12 miles, I got 14 points).  At that time, I was training for my first half marathon. I know different things work for different people, but that worked for me. I was trying to balance the need for energy with losing weight.  If I was too tired and hungry to run, I wouldn't do it.  I also found that too few points would actually stall my weight loss.  

This was on the older plan, and I have no idea what the new plans are like. 

I'm a big believer in Weight Watchers, so if you start a group let me know and I'll join. I've been running for four years now and when I first started I lost 50 pounds with a combination of running and Weight Watchers. I'm not currently active in Weight Watchers but I did the new plan (Points Plus) for several months this past year and it's great. I keep on getting down to a great running weight for me then backsliding and gaining 10 pounds or so before I get back on the wagon. It's time for me to get back on right now as a matter of fact.

WW folks are always free to use the weight loss board for any discussion.  We do general 3 month challenges where most folks set a goal to lose ~5% of their body weight.  We're all using different approaches.

never even knew that was there.  I joined so I can check things out later!