'Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show' Episode 149: Week Of Weight Loss Wisdom--Kent Altena

Atkins diet weight loss success turned marathon runner Kent Altena

Today we have my favorite interview of this "Week Of Weight Loss Wisdom" because the man I was privileged to interview lost over 200 pounds on the Atkins diet and is an excellent example of the life-changing impact of livin' la vida low-carb. If you are skeptical about whether the Atkins nutritional approach is right for you, then just take a quick look at this inspiring YouTube video that has garnered well over 100,000 views and counting:



In Episode 149 of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore," we get to hear from the amazing man in that video named Kent Altena. He is one of the most incredible low-carbers I have ever met because he exudes the confidence of his convictions about this way of eating and backs it up by pointing to himself as an example of what low-carb did for him. Kent's a real guy from Iowa who is just like you and me and living the low-carb life with all the gusto he can muster up. I'm so glad he was a part of this "Week Of Weight Loss Wisdom."

Click on the "LISTEN NOW" link below or download it to your iPod to hear Episode 149:

"The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" Episode 149 [27:21m]: LISTEN NOW | Download

Kent is a superstar in the low-carb community and his contributions under the pseudonym "Bowulf" (watch his YouTube videos) have gotten him noticed everywhere he goes online. He demands respect for what he has to say because he has been through the rigors of losing a large amount of weight, transforming himself from a fat slob into a fit marathon runner, and continuing to learn from others who have attained the fitness level he aspires to achieve himself. We need more Kent Altenas out there telling others about what the Atkins low-carb diet can do for them.

Check out interviews with people like Kent Altena anytime by:

1. Listening at the official web site
2. Calling (818) 688-2763 to listen via Podlinez
3. Subscribing to the RSS feed
4. Going to iTunes--Click here to subscribe!

In our hump day third interview of the "Week Of Weight Loss Wisdom", Kent Altena unashamedly discussed how the Atkins diet not only helped him lose 200 pounds, but basically CURED him of his sleep apnea and other health conditions. What did you think about what Kent had to say regarding how much his health has changed? Could you relate to the turnaround he said happened to him? Tell us about it in the show notes section of Episode 149.

Coming up the final two days of this "Week of Weight Loss Wisdom:
THURSDAY--Rebecca Wilhoit on The Perfect Body Diet
FRIDAY--Charlie Hills who authored a book called Why Your Last Diet Failed You and How This Book Won't Help You on Your Next One

Call us anytime on our podcast hotline at (206) 202-6516 and leave a message or you can e-mail me feedback, questions, or show ideas at livinlowcarbman@charter.net. Come back on tomorrow for my interview with a neat lady named Rebecca Wilhoit who has taken the low-carb advice of Cassandra Forsythe and ran with it to tremendous success. :)

21 Hot & Hip New Low-Carb YouTube Video Bloggers

YouTube is being taken over by enthusiastic low-carbers--NIIIIIICCE!!!

When I first started blogging about the healthy low-carb lifestyle back in 2005, there weren't very many "low-carb" blogs out there at the time. But today, you'd have to be blind to miss any of the literally HUNDREDS of new ones that have popped up in just the past couple of years. Check 'em all out at my low-carb links blog.

Well, a similar trend is beginning to happen over at YouTube. My wife Christine and I started making videos in August 2007 after getting a new computer with a video camera on it and thus was born our show "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb On YouTube." We've LOVED doing these videos over the past seven months, but it was kinda lonely out there sharing about low-carb living as the seemingly lone voice. In fact, that's why we decided to start this series to begin with--there was an obvious void in quality, positive content about the healthy low-carb lifestyle.

NOT ANYMORE!!!

Less than a year later, there are some absolutely incredible low-carb YouTube video bloggers out there providing their own take on this journey I call livin' la vida low-carb. Here are 21 of the very best and brightest low-carb YouTubers out there making a real impact today:

1. BOWULF

You can't mention low-carb YouTube videos and neglect to talk about Kent Altena (aka bowulf). He's the granddaddy of all the low-carb YouTubers because he was out there way back in 2006 sharing his How To Do Atkins videos that I thought were fabulous. Unfortunately, we got spoiled by all of the quality videos Kent was producing and he slacked off on them a bit last year. But in early 2008, Kent started back again and you can see his enthusiasm and passion for educating people about the Atkins diet is as strong as it ever has been. THANK YOU Kent for inspiring me and tens of thousands of others at YouTube with your phenomenal videos!

2. HEALTH DOC

Dr. David Hite is the Health Doc and he presents information about the importance of the glycemic index as it relates to diabetes care. He recorded this brief video segment on low-carb diets and communicates in an engaging manner about health and wellness.

3. THE SPIKY HAIRED GIRL

You have GOT to meet Cameo. She's the very cute and ever-so-quirky "Spiky Haired Girl" and is a voracious researcher about health and nutrition. Cameo TOTALLY gets it and now she's making YouTube videos about the low-carb lifestyle. WOO HOO! Her quick-witted sense of humor alone makes these videos worth watching, but the knowledge she provides on low-carb living (check out her latest one on coconut oil is more than worth the price of admission (which is FREE, by the way!). Although she's just getting started, I'm sure the "Spiky Haired Girl" will be around for quite a long time. Welcome to the fray, Cameo!

4. DR. JOSEPH MERCOLA

If you've been around the diet and health community for even a short time, then you have undoubtedly come across the work of a man named Dr. Joseph Mercola. The man is practically a living legend among health advocates because he shares solid, scientifically-proven research in a way that just makes good sense. And, lo and behold, he's even got his own YouTube series, too! Check out this recent video where he "Exposes The Cholesterol Myth." This is CAN'T MISS information that your body will appreciate you for!

5. LOW CARB SHOW

Last year I introduced you to a brand new low-carb podcaster named Marc Sage who is now the only other active low-carb podcast on iTunes along with "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore." He has recently started adding videos to YouTube as well focusing on diet and low-carb. They are basically segments he has seen on television in the news that he is uploading so that the good news about livin' la vida low-carb can be spread. Great to have you contributing Marc!

6. INSIDER EXCLUSIVE

What does a legal-based television show have to do with low-carb? Since they recently featured a segment on the Kimkins diet scam with attorney John Tiedt, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share this with you. It's an amazing dissection of the ongoing Kimkins controversy and how an obese housewife from Corona, California named Heidi Diaz has gotten away with bilking millions of dollars out of unsuspecting dieters. It's quite a fascinating video to watch if you haven't seen it already!

7. MUSCLE HACK

Another popular low-carb blogger who is trying his hand at YouTube videos now is Irishman Mark McManus from the "Muscle Hack" blog. He's already shared about some creative low-carb substitutions as well as a very simple high-protein drink for your bodybuilding workouts. I LOVE this guy because he's living proof that you don't need to "carb up" to get ripped! I want abs like Mark! :)

8. TRENT H. BAKER

Trent Baker shared this low-glycemic strawberry whip recipe that I thought was too delicious to overlook. ;)

9. NEWBIRTH35

One of the first low-carb bloggers I found when I began blogging was Victoria from what was known as the "Stumbling to Bethlehem" blog back then. Newbirth35, the username for Victoria, now makes YouTube videos sharing her thoughts and opinions about low-carb, including this one questioning whether Dreamfields pasta is really low-carb or not. Never afraid to share what she REALLY thinks, you'll enjoy Victoria's no-sugar-coat style!

10. DR. JONNY BOWDEN

What more could I possibly say about Dr. Jonny Bowden than I already have? This man is a walking encyclopedia of diet and health knowledge and a living example of what taking care of your body can do for you. He's such a dynamic speaker whose voice draws you in and you become mesmerized by the words he speaks both because he's entertaining to listen to and his comments are well-thought out based on the research. But there's no question this man holds true to his principles that a low-carb diet can improve health for many people. In fact, here he is talking about "the perfect diet." You gotta love that Jonny Bowden!

11. AWAIS M.

Here's a guy just starting out on low-carb--let's encourage him so he can succeed!

12. SPARKY'S GIRL

I've previously blogged about these videos from Sparky's Girl and she's still going strong. Fellow low-carb blogger and bestest bud Amy Dungan "The Healthy Low-Carb Living" blog is cranking out the YouTube videos every chance she can and has been doing some really good low-carb product reviews lately that I'm sure you'll enjoy. Keep up the awesome work you are doing, Amy! :P

13. EATING LOW WITH AMY

Speaking of Amy, there's another one I want to introduce you to if you don't already know about her. She's Amy Von from "Eating Low" and her regular low-carb YouTube video series is a big hit with people who love to try new recipes. If that's you, then Amy's your gal! With over 50 episodes in her "Eating Low with Amy" series, you'll have enough recipes to last you for the next year. ENJOY!

14. MONKABOO PROJECT

Follow the progress of Monyka whose nickname is "Monkaboo" as she follows the Atkins low-carb diet. She's already been on it for 12 weeks since January 2008 and is doing absolutely FANTASTIC!!! These are the kind of videos that make low-carb living compelling because it's real people applying the principles that make low-carb work with amazing results. KEEP IT UP, Monyka!

15. CC1 SILLY GOOSE

"Low-Carb And Losing It" blogger Cecilia (aka cc1sillygoose) is making YouTube videos now, so follow her adventures in low-carbland to see how she's doing. YOU CAN DO IT, Cecilia!!!

16. FAT GRRL THIN

Dananananananananananananananana...FAT GRRLLLLLLLLL! That's how these ever-so-funny videos begin with the adventures of a fat girl making herself thin. Personality is certainly not lacking in this YouTube video blogger and I can't help but think she's gonna be a GREAT success by the time all is said and done. Wish her well in this journey to better health!

17. ALEX REIF

Speaking of strange people on YouTube, check out Alex Reif talking about being on a low-carb diet. I don't know if I wanna give him a high-five or slap him upside the head. YOU decide!

18. LOW-CARB COOKING WITH OH2BFIT

If you like the low-carb recipes, then you're gonna LOVE Niki (aka Oh2BFit) and her daughter Serena as the share some tasty ones that will keep you on the straight and narrow in your low-carb lifestyle. There are many precious moments between mom and daughter that are captured for all the world to see and hear on these videos. Keep pumping them out, Niki! Your 100+ pound weight loss is so incredibly inspiring, too! WAY TO GO!!!

19. ROCK THE SHADE

Another YouTube weight loss journey...who's well on her way to beating her obesity!

20. HALLMARK FITNESS

Diet and fitness advice that you can take or leave--here's an example.

21. HOOTY HA HA

Finally, no joke, we have a YouTube blogger named Hooty Ha Ha. Yep, that's what he calls himself and he thinks he's pretty hilarious. Just take a look at this YouTube video about the Atkins diet and seafood. Ummmmm, okay. And your point is?

If you or someone you know decides to start video blogging about livin' la vida low-carb on YouTube, then let me know about it. I'd love to check 'em out and give a quick shout out to them here at my blog. E-mail me their YouTube URL to livinlowcarbman@charter.net. Making YouTube videos is very easy nowadays with inexpensive and easy-to-use video cameras like the FLIP as well as the built-in cameras on most computers. Go ahead, give it a try! We NEED more voices sharing about low-carb in an encouraging and uplifting way to continue impacting our culture for the good.

Special THANKS to all the courageous low-carb video bloggers doing their part. I appreciate you more than I could ever express and I'm proud to be a part of the growing community there on YouTube.

Atkins Diet Gives Kent Altena A Weight Loss Platform

Courtesy of The Des Moines Register, this photo of Kent Altena speaks volumes

He baaaaaaaaack!

One of my favorite people in the entire world has been featured YET AGAIN in his local newspaper for being an example of a life that has been radically changed for the better because of the Atkins diet. His name is Kent Altena.

I first blogged about Kent's remarkable 200-pound low-carb weight loss success shortly after starting my blog in 2005 and updated the progress of his story last year to show that he is keeping his weight off. He even got featured in his local Des Moines Register newspaper for his remarkable achievement last year.

Kent subsequently started making a series of YouTube videos about yummy recipes and how to do Atkins, including this highly inspiring one showing the amazing weight loss progress that both he and his beautiful wife have enjoyed while livin' la vida low-carb! But Kent has gotten a little slack in his videos in 2007--with good reason!

For him, there's no greater satisfaction than to continue proving to the whole world he is healthy and fit because of the Atkins diet. So he has taken up the fine art of marathon running. And lest you wonder if he is "carbing up," think again! Check out this video from Kent about the fallacy of that archaic principle.

Last October, the Des Moines Register again featured Kent in a column about his half-marathon experience. Even then, Kent had his eyes on something bigger--his first full marathon. And this Sunday he will FINALLY have his chance.

For the third time in the past two years, Kent Altena has been given a weight loss platform in The Des Moines Register because of the Atkins diet now that they published this story about him today. The newspaper is highlighting people who have successfully lost over 30 pounds and kept the weight off for at least two years. It's part of a new series of stories designed to inspire the nearly two-thirds of Iowans who are overweight or obese. I think EVERY state newspaper should do something like this to illustrate it IS possible.

This column is INCREDIBLE and I urge you to read it, be encouraged by it, and then share your personal comments about low-carb living for the other readers to see. We should seize on these rare opportunities in the media to present livin' la vida low-carb in the positive light it deserves. I know Kent would be very appreciative for the support too!

With Kent being nervous about running in the Des Moines Marathon on Sunday, let's encourage "bowulf" that he'll be just fine. It's an unbelievable accomplishment to even TRY to do something like this, but we are confident he WILL succeed. Visit Kent's blog and send him a note of encouragement at bowulf@network-admin.net.

WE'RE ROOTIN' FOR YA, KENT! You already make us VERY proud of you. :)