Yup. I do all my exercise in the morning. I lift (hard) 3 days a week in the morning, and walk about 2 1/2 miles in the hills 3 mornings a week. I have my higher glycemic index carbs in the morning. The Atkins 40 gms/carbs diet is more like a bodybuilding diet, and is actually very healthy. And I remind folks, this is a short term diet. You are not expected to remain on either the Atkins 20gm or 40gm diet forever. Once I reach my goal weight, I will be adding more carbohydrates to my diet, but from here on out, I really need to watch the kind and amount of carbohydrates I consume. I try to make the healthiest choices I possibly can. When the diet calls for “2 slices of bacon”, I use Applewood Farms uncured turkey bacon. When the diet calls for a slice of “whole wheat toast”, I use a slice of Ezekiel bread, etc. So, after the weight is off, I will continue to do a few key things consistently: Watch my portion sizes, curtail my poor-choice carbs permanently, continue to eat my higher glycemic index carbs prior to noon, keep exercising as I do or more, and watch my alchohol intake (I don’t drink much, anyway, but that can be a real significant source of poor carb choices and calories for some). And, I agree, Alan, combining carbs with fiber is really the key to slowing down absorption and insulin spikes. Having developed and run a community wellness program for my health care system, I always knew what I needed to do. It was just a matter of making the commitment to actually going on a weight loss diet I struggled with. It is my nature to not like being told what to do So, I just had to get over myself, and get with the program. I want to watch my grandbabies have THEIR babies.
Patty S.