High-Protein Could Be Key To Your Short Term Weight Maintenance

As I discussed in an earlier post, us athletes should periodize our eating to match our training. Of particular concern, during those times of reduced volume training (like now, as we enter autumn and what is a Transition period for most of us), we need to be mindful that we don't pack on some extra pounds. They could be doubly difficult to lose when we get back to training (again, see the earlier post).

A Low-Carb Strategy For Weight Management

Now, I've read about a study by the Rowett Research Institute in Britain that compared the results of a "low-carbohydrate" diet with a "moderate-carbohydrate" diet. Both diets had 30% of calories coming from protein; each diet was really a so-called "high-protein" diet. The difference for each, then, was the blend of carbohydrates and fats making up the remaining 70% of calories. In the low-carb diet, 4% of calories came from carbohydrates. In the moderate-carb diet, 35% came from carbohydrate.

The four-week study showed participants on the low-carb diet had lower hunger levels, less binge eating, and ultimately more weight loss.

Focus Your Diet On Quality Proteins

I think even if your aim is simply short-term weight maintenance (say, over the course of 1 week during a recovery period, or up to a 1 month period of transition from one training season to the next), pay attention to eating more proteins and much fewer carbohydrates in your diet. Aiming for the 4% level of carbohydrates may not be entirely feasible for us athletes, but don't be afraid to go that low for short periods.

You can manage your hunger cravings, and get by on fewer total calories by focusing on eating quality proteins. What kinds of proteins are these? Look to fresh and preferably wild fish, free-range chicken and eggs, and finally grass-fed meats - in that order too. Minimize the use of processed deli meats - though they are convenient, they usually contain high levels of nitrates. I also use whey protein shakes mixed in water (not as tasty as using milk for the base, but basically no-carb as a result).

Athletes Do Need Carbs

Ultimately, we need body stores of carbohydrate to fuel our quality workouts. Eat high-carb while you're actively training. But when you're not stacking up those workouts, don't get caught stacking up the pounds. High-protein will help short-term weight maintenance.

Happy Eating!

2 Reasons To Put Park Tools In Your Bicycling Toolbox

In any cycling discipline, tire pressure is a critical component to a fast bike set up. Generally, the rougher the surface, the lower the pressure. The smoother, the higher.

Now I've had many floor pumps over the years. An accurate pressure gauge is an important feature. Thankfully they're pretty much standard on models from all companies these days. What isn't standard is pump longevity.

I've found many of the cheaper (no-name?) models don't last. The O-rings in the air chamber fail after a year or two of use. And usually the rubber seals on the valve stem attachment start leaking within the first year.

So last year, I had it with the cheapies. I decided to splurge on my next floor pump. I bought a Park Tool PFP-4. Everything was great, until...

Even Fine Tools Can Fail

This year, the key component to the pump failed. The pressure gauge no longer returned to zero when not in use. It sat at about 40lbs. It meant I had to subtract 40lbs from any pressure I tried to pump my tires to. I wanted 120lbs? I had to pump to 160lbs on the gauge. The pump became virtually useless, or at least inconvenient for a gear geek like me.

That's when I discovered 2 key features to my Park Tool PFP-4 pump.

First, I found that the pump can be easily broken down into a number of replaceable components. Go look at the exploded view on their website: Park Tool PFP-4. They even have detailed instructions for replacing the key components, including the pressure gauge.

Okay, so now the engineer in me was getting excited. Replaceable components. Detailed instructions. But how easy would it be to get the components, and in my case the gauge? Like any decent company, I found Park Tool extends a limited lifetime warranty on their products. But were they all talk and no action? This led me to the second key feature about the Park Tool Co. and the main reason why you should be putting Park Tools in your bicycling toolbox: they indeed stand completely behind their products.

Let me explain what happened next.

Simple, Efficient Customer Service

I fired off a brief e-mail to the company. I explained the problem, and asked how I could get a replacement gauge. Within hours, I received a short, but pleasant reply: "Sorry about the problem, we will send a new gauge." In just over a week, the replacement gauge arrived in my mailbox. No charge to me.

It was a simple solution to the problem. It cost Park Tool Co. $2.50 in postage, and maybe $2.00 for the gauge itself. A small investment from their company bought them a lifetime customer in me, and this invaluable, unsolicited, word-of-mouth promotion.

Start Putting Park Tools In Your Bicycling Toolbox

If they don't indeed last a lifetime, know that Park will stand behind their products and you should be able to get any replacement component you might need. Begin filling your toolbox right now, with:

Great Deals On Cycle Clothing & Gear At Probikekit.Com

At Probikekit.com you will find a convenient section dedicated to Park Tools.


Do you have a Park Tool story to share? Post it in the comments.