Here is a reader’s question on how to get toned.
My question: I’ve been doing the Atkins Induction diet for 3 weeks and lost only 5 lbs. It seemed I’ve gained it back too. I’ve been reading a lot about carb-cycling. The last 2 days (fri and sat) i’ve added carbs back – okay, I ate pizza and bread sticks both days (I feel sick and bloated). So I’m going back on protein only today Sunday – Thurs, then carb again on Fri and Sat. I’m trying to shock my system. Does this really work. Also I’m a cardio junkie. I never do weights. However, I started adding them this last Monday. I want a lean and strong body – it’s not about being skinny anymore. Tell me how to get toned. Thanks!!! Kyra Morgan
Hey Kyra,
Sorry it took me a few days to get back to you. I’ve caught a little cold and have been out of commission. Okay now onto Atkins. Carb cycling is an advanced diet system. You have to know your body to do it right. I really only recommend body builders to do this when they have to lose that last 1% body fat. These low carb diets, atkins included, cause the body to go into ketosis and this causes your body to use muscle as fuel. So you’re going to lose weight, yes, but its going to be a lot of muscle. Losing this muscle would hurt that toned look you’re going for. Here is the right method on how to get toned.
So here’s my suggestion to lose weight. Get a good amount of carbs, proteins, and fats. Don’t exclude any of them, they are all important for your body to function at its maximum level, and it helps to be getting all your nutrients when doing any exercise routine. Your carbs should come from whole wheat products like bread and pasta. Keep your proteins lean like chicken or tuna, and eat plenty of your omega fatty acids found from plant oils and fish. Now you should write down everything you eat in a day. If you haven’t lost any weight after a week or two, you can go back through your nutrition journal and cut foods out. It’s important to learn how much food you actually need to maintain your weight.
Now onto lifting weights. Lifting weights is very important on how to get toned. By just doing cardio, you’re telling your body you need to be built to run long distances. When you add in weight lifting, you add in muscle development. The muscle is very helpful when you’re trying to get lean. The more muscle you have, the more calories your body requires to maintain. Now gaining muscle won’t make the scale go down. Muscle weighs more than fat, but the number that needs to be looked at is your body fat percentage. To lower your body fat is to get that lean body.
I hope this helps you on how to get toned and thanks for the question.
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Travis
