northernmusician's Journal, 26 October 2015

I'm planning on refeeds on Sundays as well. I think our bodies and minds need a break from a constant caloric deficit. 

I think it's true. I used to avoid fats as well, because that was the commonly promoted way of losing. It seems to make sense since a fat gram has double the calories of either carbs or protein, but I found my mindset and hormonal system took a horrible beating.  

Ditto what Glen posted. 

When you're dieting down, particularly if you're relatively low bf and exercising consistently, the tendency is to restrict carbs and so your glycogen stores get low. A 'refeed' that includes carbs to maintenance can restore those stores and set you up again. Also, the body tends to get sluggish on a long cut lowering metabolism and making it harder to lose weight. The refeed is supposed to help this as well. It's usually not necessary for initial weight loss, but can be helpful when the body is lean and working hard. 

I'm like you, it's much easier to keep on track workdays...I guess because of the set routine and I'm away from easy access to food during the day. 

I guess we'll never retire, Jim. 

Congratulations on the excellent calipers score, this should make you very happy. The refeed information, as well as the IIFIYM info. is and will be very helpful. Cute dog, peaceful location. Thx 

Thanks, Watcher. That's my old dog, Ginger. I lost her last summer. Now we have Tika. She's a Belgian shephard, golden retriever cross. 

I still think of Ginger every day. 

Sorry to learn that Ginger is gone, but on a happy note I believe our pets are waiting for us. Ginger was a pretty girl as I'm sure Tika must be by now. I think the last picture I saw of her she was a puppy in the snow. Yeah, I know what you mean about thinking about pets. My last English Bulldog, Sweetboy, is in my thoughts alot. I have two of those solar lights at his grave...he doesn't like the dark. Rusty, is a Norwich Terrier, I adopted from a rescue shelter. Everyone says he looks like he is part fox. He is my constant companion and one of the loves of my life. Maybe I'll post a picture of Rusty sometime. I couldn't imagine not having a pet. Hope your down south family is A OK.  

Cardio usually works better at reducing body fat. Plus it makes the muscles look more defined without all the fat on top of it. 

I used to believe that as well, soon. Unfortunately, what a lot of things that people think of as cardio/aerobics can actually strip lean body mass. Running particularly will tend to strip lean mass because the body is attempting to become more efficient for that exercise. The body is good about becoming more efficient at whatever it does most often. That being said, everyone enjoys what they enjoy. I would never fault anyone for doing any for of exercise. I might laugh, but I wouldn't fault them. :D