Atkins Diet & Exercise: Endurance Athletes & Electrolytes

In this third video of my exercise series, I detail one of the more important questions to those who exercise on the Atkins Diet -- how to stay hydrated while exercise. The easy answer is drink water, but on a hot day while sweating that is not always the best answer as one loses key minerals, like Sodium, Potassium, and other electrolytes. Non-low carbers have it easy as they can turn to any readily available Electrolyte replacement drink, like Gatorade or Powerade. Even those that recognize the need for protein like Accelerade, combine with 4x as much carbohydrates than protein.

Here is the home-made low carb Gatorade recipe:

Artificial Sweetener equivalent of 10 tbs. sugar (5/8 cups or 120 grams)
3/4ths tsp Morton Lite salt (4.2 grams)
1 package of unsweetened Koolade mix for flavor
2 liters Water

Commercial Low Carb Electrolyte Replacements:

Tablets:
Hammer Endurolytes - http://www.e-caps.com/za/HNT?PAGE=PRODUCT&PROD.ID=4037
Succeed! S Caps - http://www.succeedscaps.com/main_scaps.html

Drinks
Ultima Replenisher
http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=atkdiehowtovi-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&a...
Ultima Replenisher is a natural sports drink with zero sugar. It contains a full complement of electrolytes, not just a ton of sodium. Ultima also contains complex carbs for energy, water-soluble vitamins and vitamin enhancers for day-to-day health maintenance, and antioxidants to protect body systems from free radicals (toxins). Ultima uses no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. Sweetened with Stevia.

Emergen-C Lite by Alacer
http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=atkdiehowtovi-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&a...
This delicious natural citrus flavored drink boasts eight times more potassium than Gatorade, plus 25 different electrolytes, vitamin C, and B vitamins. Each effervescent serving features 1,000 mg of vitamin C plus valuable minerals and electrolytes as part of an advanced ascorbate complex. No sugars, no calories.

Not recommended: Gatorade G2

Dr Stephen Phinney noted the importance of Sodium and Potassium in his study. (http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com/content/1/1/2)

Note: photos from my running of the 2007 Des Moines Marathon are at the conclusion of the video. I used Ultima Replenisher as my electrolyte replacement during that race.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Atkins
• Diet
• Low
• carb
• Carbohydrate
• Fitness
• Weightloss
• Success
• Exercise
• Marathon
• Ultramarathon
• Electrolytes

[bowulf]

@Jordonified Dude, I never claimed to be a pro, but pro-marathoners like Ryan Hall run 120 miles per week, I run 30-45 miles per week when I am training. How would how they eat resemble or be what I need to eat? Using the Michael Phelps example, is it important to eat 12,000 Calories in the form of pancakes each day?

Since it is apparent, you won't actually read the study I keep referencing and is linked in the video description, best of luck with your vegan ways. I am done humoring you.

[Jordonified]

@bowulf Those are relatively slow times, far from pro's. 1:42 is decent for a half marathon if your not competitive. However if you want to be a good runner why not look at what the pro runners are eating? Again I don't know any pro endurance athletes that follow a low carb diet. You have to ask yourself why is that? Simply because carbs = glycogen = fuel. Also do you run 10k's? If so whats your time?

[bowulf]

@Jordonified I run 1:42 half marathon and 4 hour full marathon. My half marathon time put me in the top 20% of the runners for that race. With my marathon times, I am in the mid pack.  Am I elite or even close to elite? No, but then again elite runners or most other runners never weighed 429 pounds either.

It's doubtful that I will ever prove anything to you with as convinced in your mind as you are. Did you even read the study and see the results of the athletes in the study?

[Jordonified]

@bowulf Lets hear your PR for a marathon. I can tell by your size in the video you run at the back of the pack. Study's are great for talking, however I judge by results not by theory and have yet to see any profession elite level endurance athletes. Prove me wrong, I always like to see how others get good results.

[bowulf]

@Jordonified You don't get the point. I have ran many marathons following a low carb diet. I have ran further and faster at age 35-39 than I have at any other point even age 17 and 18 in basic training. You say "You simply cannot," and I say I already have.

Sorry my reality defies your pre-conceived beliefs. This was even proved by Dr. Stephen Phinney years ago in a study of ketogenic effects on endurance athletes and cyclists.

[Jordonified]

@bowulf lol you will never be able to perform your best on a low carb diet. You simply cannot, it defies human physiology. Strength training coach, not endurance athlete.

[bowulf]

@Jordonified Do you realize it does not matter if there is or isn't? If no billionaires in the world checked their cell phone bill for incorrect charges themselves, does that I shouldn't? Their experience with their body does not relate to mine or 99.999% of everyone else. Michael Phelps eats 13,000 Calories every day. Should I?

But if I must name drop, one US Olympic strength training coach, Charles Poliquin, recommends a ketogenic diet.

[Jordonified]

Do you realize there is not a single professional low carb athlete. Why is that? Maybe because carbs = glycogen = fuel.

[bowulf]

@fightclubfreak7 I seem to be doing fantastic on it long term, but then again you wouldn't know that if you just listened to mainstream trainers.