Endurance 70: Low Carb Marathon

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word Endurance as follows:

1: the ability to withstand hardship or adversity; especially : the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity

2: the act or an instance of enduring or suffering


Dr. Robert Atkins

Dr. Robert Atkins began promoting his low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet in 1963. And from day one, he was forced to endure criticism that his diet plan was bogus, that it would not work for the long term and/or would lead to health problems in the future. Dr. Atkins stood his ground and never wavered in his belief that there are many healthful benefits of adopting a low-carb lifestyle. This is an example of the definition of endurance. And Dr. Atkins’ persistence paid off. Over 50 years later, Atkins Nutritionals Inc., is still a leading player in the weight-loss industry, and offers a powerful lifetime approach to weight loss and weight management. The Atkins Nutritional Approach™ focuses on a healthy diet with reduced levels of refined carbohydrates and sugars and encourages the consumption of lean protein, high fiber, vegetables, fruits and good fats.

I, Troy Ray Grimes, was born the same year (1963) that Dr. Atkins introduced his low-carb diet lifestyle. And literally from day one I was forced to endure my own struggles, to face my own form of “endurance”.

It can be considered poetic justice that my and Dr. Atkins paths would one day cross. Throughout my life, I have struggled to find happiness, to find my purpose in life. My lucky number is now 70…and for good reason. 70 is my proof that you can take control of your life, that you can feel good about yourself, that you can endure anything that is thrown at you. And 70 is also my personal proof that the Atkins Nutritional Approach™ does work, not only for losing weight but also for successfully preparing for endurance events.

Life is all about endurance. Finding your goal and then finding a way to endure all of the roadblocks and obstacles that attempt to keep you from reaching that goal….that is what life is all about. Life is the longest endurance event of them all. My goals and my motivation for reaching my goals have changed countless times over the course of my life. This, of course, is typical for almost everyone.

And also as is typical for most everyone, there are times that we feel like we are losing the battle, that life’s obstacles are winning. When it seemed like my life had spun completely out of control, when it seemed like I had hit rock bottom, I finally found a way to start controlling the things in my life that I could control, and letting go of all the rest. And the Atkins Nutritional Approach™ helped me achieve this…it helped me gain control of my life.

My short story is: First, I discovered that the Atkins Nutritional Approach™ is the best approach available to permanently lose weight. And second, I discovered that is also the best way to prepare for endurance events. And just to prove myself on both these points…I ran 70 miles at the USATF 24-Hour Run National Championship in Cleveland, Ohio on September 17, 2011 to match my total weight loss of 70 pounds. 70 pounds, 70 miles and a big thank you to Dr. Atkins for not giving up on what he knew worked…..that’s my short story.

Now, here is my long story…….