Bob,
Congratulate yourself for being one of the New Americans who actually cares about what they look like and how their bodies perform regardless of age. I went to my local Target store the other day and it was gross! Fat butts were everywhere! and this is in health-consious California, This is not the politically correct view, so what. The truth is that these fat people will most likely cause serious health problems for themselves, their families and the health care system that they have. This is real. Make no mistake, I don't believe in discrimination. I believe that everyone has the ability to be healthy AND be as thin as they want to be. It doesn't have to be the way it is! I say rise up against the tyrany of obesity and brake the shackles of dietary bondage!
I used to follow the carbo-loading diets that are promoted here and elsewhere. Well, thanks to this diet I maintained a weight of 198 lbs., but not lose any fat after training for and completing two marathons and Wildflower Olympic tri in 70 weeks. I had it! I was healthy (or so I thought until I had my blood lipid profile done), but getting fatter if I didn't train hard all year long. This is today's health paradox when a dietary calorie deficit is not maintained. I strongly feel that most people can't maintain this calorie-deficit on a high carbohydrate diet because of the insulin reactions people have. The insulin-sugar roller coaster makes them hungrier and the mind is powerless to stop it. Yes, here's an excuse as to why people are fat and getting fatter - the sugar is making them mindless glucose junkies.
I'm 37, 6'1", 176 lbs., 14.2% body fat and still losing. I'm loving myself, my health and how I look. This is not a fluke. I'm actively participating in The Atkins Diet,
http://atkins.com/. I had my hesitations, but it's awesome. I've taught my body to burn fat as fuel and have not gotten any slower, in fact, I'm faster now that I'm 20 lbs. lighter. I've also improved my blood lipid profile to healthy levels. My triglycerides used to be 236, now there 98! These triglycerides are a nasty chemical derived from fats eaten in foods or made in the body from other energy sources like carbohydrates. Calories ingested in a meal and not used immediately by tissues are converted to triglycerides and transported to fat cells to be stored. Hormones regulate the release of triglycerides from fat tissue so they meet the body's needs for energy between meals. This is what makes people on high carbohydrate diets fat. It's no mystery. Fat doesn't make people fat, carbohydrates do if they're not completely utilized. This isn't a problem for LA and other TdF riders. They have, what, 5% body fat? They burn what they consume, no problem. Us mortals need to be careful or we'll get fat.
As for booze, no problem. Tequila and Vodka have no carbs. It's the mixers that are the problem. Stick to Sucralose sweetened diet drinks. Sugar free Red Bull and Vodka is good. Tequila and Tropical Sobe Lean is good, too. And beer? Michelob Ultra, 2.6 carbs per 12oz. It's watery, but hey, you look good!
Pizza? Nope, sorry, the crust will make you fat, unless you make it lo-carb yourself. Have a steak and a salad. You look good!
Sean (stepping off my soapbox now)