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I am 51 and 5'9". I was on a low fat diet for about 3.5 years. I lost about 70 lbs. From 250 to 180. After I reached 180 lbs I started to increase my carbs. I ate what I thought was healthy. Most of the carbs were whole grain stuff. I don't think I have had a piece of white bread for 3 yrs. Anyway I was and still running 25 miles per week and doing about 4hrs per week of strength training. But over time I gained back to 205. I am now back to around 187 as of this morning. I started on the Atkins Diet about 6 to 7 weeks ago and lost almost 20 lbs. Now for your question. The first couple of days I was on the Diet I seemed to not have the endurance I had before I started the diet. But after that I guess my body adjusted and I was back to normal if not better. I am able to run faster longer now. But that could be because of the weight loss.
I have also notice I am able to lift heavier than I was before I started the Atkins Diet. Which means I haven't lost any muscle mass and have most likely gain muscle mass.

I lost 70lbs about 3.5 years ago from 250 to 180 eating a low calorie diet and exercise. I held that weight for a while and slowly creep back up to around 205 over the past 2.5 to 3 yrs. I was running 25 miles a week and spending 4 hrs a week pushing weights around and still gaining fat. I was also hungry most of the time. So I started doing the Atkins Diet about 6 weeks ago. I now back down to 188 as of today after a six mile run. This is were I want to stay. I don't know if the Atkins Diet is good for you but it works. And I'm not hungry anymore. I still have been able to eat some whole gains, nuts, and fruits with the Atkins Diet and loose weight at the same time. I have also in the past six week seem to be able to push heaver weight around in the GYM. The only problem I have had is at first I didn't seem to have the endurance I had before I started the diet. But after a couple of days I was back to normal.