'Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show' Episode 162: Zero-Carb Dieting With Charles Washington

Charles Washington makes a compelling argument for zero carbs

Oftentimes people who are unfamiliar with livin' la vida low-carb mistakenly describe it as a "zero-carb diet." Anyone who has ever read Protein Power, Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, or any of the other respectable books about low-carb dieting knows that NONE of them advocate NO carbs. Not a single one. It just doesn't exist despite that pervading stereotypical view of what this way of eating is all about. But today's guest not only eating zero carbs, but he is also an active athlete running in half marathons.

In Episode 162 of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore," we hear from Charles Washington, one of my moderators at the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Discussion" forum, and he's proudly zero-carbing and loving it. After following the low-fat diet dutifully and losing a good amount of weight on it, Charles gained it all back when he started lifting weights. That's what drove him to learn more about low-carb nutrition, led him to my blog, and put him on a learning path that has him doing what he is doing today.

Click on the "LISTEN NOW" link below or download it to your iPod to hear Episode 162:

"The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" Episode 162 [31:10m]: LISTEN NOW | Download

There's one thing about Charles Washington that you cannot deny--he backs up everything he says with the facts from researchers, authors, and people who survived and thrived on basically a zero-carb diet. For someone who has not been trained in medicine or nutrition, he articulates his point of view clearly and logically. That can be difficult to pull off when you are suggesting something like eating only meat for your diet, but Charles does it.

He's been sharing his views on the zero-carb path at my forum with quite a response--it's the #1 most-read thread at "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Discussion!" Today's podcast is the first time many people will hear Charles talking about eating this way, why he chose zero-carb over low-carb, how Gary Taubes' book Good Calories, Bad Calories changed his life, what he does to prepare for a half-marathon eating no carbs, his response to Dr. Mike Eades' recent blog post stating that calories count on a low-carb diet, and so much more! I've been dying to share this interview with you and now it's here.

Hear all kinds of perspectives on low-carb living 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!

What's your impression of Charles Washington and his zero-carb diet? Were you persuaded that perhaps eating no carbohydrates is possibly a healthy way not just to live, but also a preferred method for runners and athletes looking for maximum performance? Tell us about what you think in the show notes section of Episode 162. Read more from Charles Washington by visiting LivinLowCarbDiscussion.com.

Coming up on Thursday's podcast--another one of my moderators at my forum named Christin Sherburne. This former cover girl in Woman's World magazine last year is one of the central characters in the continuing Kimkins diet scam saga and she wanted to provide an update about what is happening with the continuing lawsuit against Kimkins founder Heidi Diaz. You'll enjoy hearing from Christin pouring out her heart and soul about how this entire experience has changed her life.

Altena Sheds 200 Pounds On Atkins Diet, Does Half Marathon In Under Two Hours

Altena finished his first half marathon since losing weight on Atkins

When your life is completely transformed following a 200-pound weight loss experience, you really do start to feel like you can accomplish anything you want. The freedom that comes from knowing you have achieved permanent control over your weight is indescribable. Sometimes I have to pinch myself just to be reminded that this change in my life really did happen thanks to livin' la vida low-carb.

My blogging friend Kent Altena knows about this as well. Ever since he first wrote to me about his similar Atkins weight loss success last year, he has had his mind set on one goal: TO RUN IN A HALF MARATHON!

While I have not made that a goal in my life yet (perhaps someday, but not right now), it has been the driving force for Kent as he has vigorously trained for his opportunity to run with the athletes in the Des Moines, Iowa area. His weight loss story was featured in the local newspaper there back in April and they published a picture of Kent running in preparation for his half marathon.

Since June, Kent has been getting ready for the Des Moines Marathon and he knew it was going to be a challenge when he did it on Sunday. But he was ready and admits that he was "anxious to actually get out there." He wanted to run the race in under two hours, which would be 9 minutes per mile, and would have been thrilled to finish in less than 1:45, or 8 minutes per mile. With 1700 participants in the half marathon, how did Kent do?

He shares the exciting news about his first half marathon today in this blog post. I will reveal to you that he beat that two-hour mark and set for himself a solid performance to improve upon for next year. Kent has already signed up to do some shorter races to help him prepare even better for the half marathon experience.

CONGRATULATIONS, Kent! You have shown people that NOTHING is impossible when you are livin' la vida low-carb. Too bad People magazine passed on your incredible weight loss success story because what you have done is nothing short of remarkable.

Oh, by the way, Kent said he decided to "carb load" before the race.

"I ate 30 carbs instead of 25," he quipped.

HA! That's pretty funny, Kent! Keep them legs moving, my friend. Perhaps I'll get out there and join you in a race someday. I'm so proud of what you have accomplished and wish you continued success as you keep aiming higher and higher with your fitness goals. One thing's for sure, you probably had the best time for someone who once weighed over 400 pounds! :D

10-18-06 UPDATE: Kent decided to videoblog about his half marathon experience today:



Be sure to check out the pictures at the end of the video which show Kent crossing the finish line and get a load of this T-shirt he designed to share with his fellow competitors why it was okay for him to be walking during the race. All of us here at the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog are so very proud of you, Kent! WAY TO GO!