CatHerder's Journal, 26 Aug 15

It was a pleasant morning for a run today. Nice and cool and relatively low humidity. I was able to complete my 4 miles without any problems. I still am running slow but trying to be consistent so I don't re-injure myself.

My vacation weight is almost all gone. Just about 2 lbs remaining to be where I was when I went on vacation. Basically it looks like a week to a week and a half to get back to normal. I don't think that is too bad.

I'm also liking my new diet. It's basically a body builder cutting diet, high protein, moderate fat and moderate carbs. I'm shooting for 35-40% protein, 20-30% fat and the remainder as carbs. I've upped my calorie intake to reduce my deficit, trying to keep that around 500-750 calories/day. I know this will be slow weight loss but I'm trying to at least minimize any muscle loss and hopefully actually add some muscles (beginner gains).

The following is my rant for the day:

Before anyone says "The excess protein will turn to fat" let me say this statement has no scientific evidence to back it. One theory I have heard is that any excess calories will turn to fat. Based on what I have read, this does not hold true for protein. A study by George Bray, et al in 2012 studied the effects of protein on overfed individuals. They were broken into three groups, 5%, 15% and 25% protein and overfed by 1000 calories/day over 8 weeks. The results were the higher protein groups gained more weight. You may say aha, that proves that it's true. Not so fast I say. Based on body composition each group gained the same amount of fat. The lowest protein group lost lean body mass while the two higher protein groups gained lean body mass. So it appears the the caloric intake controlled the fat gain, the protein level controlled the change in body composition.

The other thing I hear is that protein will be converted to glucose and then stored as fat. While it is true that some proteins can be converted to glucose via gluconeogenesis (as can glycerol and lactase) this is a slow process and the glucose produced will either be used up by the blood or central nervous system (which rely on glucose) or used to replenish glycogen stores. If you are in a caloric deficit, there will not be any driving factor to convert the glucose to fat. Also some of the protein you consume will be used directly as energy for your body.

I really wish people would do their research before they spout their theories as fact.

End of rant.

I hope everyone has a great day!

102.2 kg Lost so far: 3.4 kg.    Still to go: 11.5 kg.    Diet followed: Reasonably Well.

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2369 kcal

Fat: 73.94g | Prot: 213.04g | Carbs: 226.70g.   Breakfast: Optimum Nutrition Performance Whey 100% Isolate, Great Value 100% Whole Grain Old Fashioned Oats, Wilderness Family Naturals Powdered Organic Coconut Milk. Lunch: KC Masterpiece Applewood Smoked Bacon Baked Beans, Wegmans Grass Fed Beef Chuck Roast. Dinner: Birthday Cake Mini Cheesecake, Jack Daniel's Pulled Chicken. Snacks/Other: Oil Popped White Popcorn, Great Value Organic Vitamin D Milk, Bob's Red Mill Potato Starch, Now Foods Apple Fiber Powder, True Nutrition Protein Blend #3, Cauliflower, Apples, Crown Prince Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Olive Oil, Tomatoes, Cauliflower, Tomatoes, Bumble Bee Tonno in Olive Oil. more...

3509 kcal

Exercise: Mowing Lawn - 33 minutes, Running 5.2 mph - 1 hour and 3 minutes, Resting - 13 hours and 29 minutes, Sleeping - 8 hours and 55 minutes. more...