Anyone doing Atkins Diet?

[blondie]

Anyone doing Atkins Diet?

Hi Xtexan
I did the Atkins and lost about 20kgs; I had high cholesterol, etc, etc, but after being on this for a short time my doctor was amazed at how healthy everything was (she was one of the ones who said no carbs is bad, but I told her I DO eat carbs!!) Actually, on Atkins I was eating healthier than ever, after cutting out processed foods and sugary foods and because I was full all the time, never craved them. I ate plenty of healthy green vegetables and lots of fish etc. I lost count of the number of people who said to me all that fat and no carbs is unhealthy, but once I explained (and proved!) to them how much better it was than all my other attempts at dieting (I tried them all!) they realised that it was healthier. I still adhere to the Atkins philosophy, almost 4 years on, so it is not a fad diet for me, definately a way of life. I am not a sportsperson, but I did run a bit, swim and cycle and walk anywhere from 30-120 mins/day.

[Paddy]

Anyone doing Atkins Diet?

I have to support Blondie. I'm not a supporter of any particular diet. In fact, I'm too impatient to read through all those philosophies. But, the no-sugar, no red-meats (or just the odd steak a week), makes total sense. I saw it on my last few blood tests and how my cholesterol levels fell (the bad ones) and the glucose (triglycerides) fell. And my tummy just totally shrunk. I'm down from 76 kgs to about 70 kgs, and remain that way, which is fab. Of course not being on booze helps, grin ..

[gabby]

Anyone doing Atkins Diet?

I swear.....I am finally gettin it! You just have to stick to the diet......any diet......pick one......any one. Just stick to it. doink!


Seriously......on the Atkins diet, I lost weight but I also got a good case of gout too. A lot of people dont connect that link.

[xtexan]

Anyone doing Atkins Diet?

Busy, busy, busy...

So I got the South Beach Diet book at the store today, and read quite a bit of it during my lunch breaks, and work breaks. I also have experimented with very low carb meals and snacks yesterday and today. Just getting ready for this thing.

The South Beach induction phase 1 very similar to Atkins induction. I will probably end up somewhere between the two methods. I will adjust daily carbs depending on what sort of cardio or weight lifting I do. More carbs on cardio days, and more protein on weight lifting days. Will definitely cut the junk foods, chips, soda, etc.

So yesterday was lower body weights workout, and I did high protein dinner and snacks. Today was cardio, indoor bike (too hot outside today) at lower aerobic level. Ergometer showed about 210 calories burned in 24 minutes. Lunch today was low carb, and so was my afternoon snack. Not doing it yet, but just dipping in the toe to see how things are. I fully plan to get around 100 grams of good carbs in the evening meal today. Probably a few cookies before bed (last of the last for a while).

So I am targeting Monday next week to go into the ketosis switch of the induction/phase 1. Still doing some figuring, and need to make a major grocery list of new things to stock up on.

Between my base metabolic rate, daily walking at work (I wear a pedometer every day), exercise, and other things, I am bouncing around 3000 +/- 500 calories a day energy consumption. Thats the engineer in me talking. Gotta analyze everything. Just my nature.

We'll see how this goes. Wish me luck. Never tried anything like this before, because I never needed to. Always been a skinny rail for most of my life, if not underweight. Things change as we age, as many of you all know.

Neil

[rottrod]

Anyone doing Atkins Diet?

Neil,
If you take Topamax be careful with the Atkins diet. Their literature specifically mentions not to follow a high fat version of the Atkins diet.

Good Luck

[Determinator]

Anyone doing Atkins Diet?

Neil, since you have the books you already know this but the Atkins diet has to be the most misunderstood and misquoted diet in the history of mankind. My boss has been on Atkins since 1969 (yes it goes back that far) at that time he lost 70 lbs and has kept it off....he's now 77 years old and healthier than I am...extremely good BP and LDL/HDL levels etc.

personally I''m too much of a gourmet food slut to do any diet seriously, however I do try to control my "fluffy" carbs and have noticed the difference.

[happycamper68]

Anyone doing Atkins Diet?

I am all for South Beach. Lean protein, good fats, and whole grains- no refined white anything.

[chrysa]

Anyone doing Atkins Diet?

My daughter found that it works very well the first time around - she lost 50-60 lbs. But second time around which is five yrs later & less weight to lose -- no go! And she was very very strict with it. Purple stick the whole time. She just switched to Weight Watchers. And the common experience is that people from the Atkins to the WW gain water weight the first month. So she is totaqlly depressed!!

Atkins is not something one can maintain as a lifestyle -- too many fats, not enough veggies, fruits, etc.

[Determinator]

Anyone doing Atkins Diet?

no no no no...Atkins is not high fat! it really isn't. and people that follow Atkins often eat more veggies than non Atkins folks that fill up on bread and other starch. Yes the induction phase is strict but it's very limited period of time.
still love you all the same Cardinal Chrysa

[adagirl]

Anyone doing Atkins Diet?

gabby;171936 wrote: They all work if ya dont cheat. Damm.....it just occurred to me......that must be my problem.

LOL This is what I always say! I've been on almost every diet out there. And, really, they all do work if you actually stick to the plan (whatever the plan is).

Personally, I'm not a big fan of Atkins. I did it hard core for about a month, but just started feeing weird. Kinda made me feel like I was on cold medicine after awhile (hyped up and tired all at the same time). As for a low/moderate carb diet, I like The Zone a lot, but it requires a lot of math to get the right ratio of protein/carbs/fat at every meal and snack. You're never hungry on the Zone, though. That is truly the best part about it.

As for long-term 'I gotta lot of weight to lose and want to keep it off' weightloss, I really think Weight Watchers is the way to go. They have two plans now (Core and Flex). I've done both and they are both really good plans. I am currently on Flex (counting points) because its just the easiest to fit w/my lifestyle right now. On WW Flex, you can eat anything, just gotta count the points. And, the weight comes off nice and steady. I think most doctors recommend WW because it is a generally healthy diet and doesn't jump on every new fad way to lose weight that comes out in the recent 'studies'. And, the group support really helps too.

But, I know WW is usually not that appealing to men because it has been so female focused for so long. They are really trying to change that now, though. They have a men-only website now I think and men-only meetings too. My meeting is mixed and I've noticed we've gotten more and more men over the past year and they are participating a lot more too and getting in on the conversation. So, I think the female-centric aspect of WW is changing and that's really good. Its a great plan for everyone.

But, if you are all psyched to do Atkins, I say go for it. If you don't like it, you can always switch.

[adagirl]

Anyone doing Atkins Diet?

I should add that even though Atkins was not for me long term, I would never trade the time I spent on it. It really helped me to learn how negatively simple carbs and sugar were impacting my mood, energy, and hunger level. I was on a serious sugar/carb roller-coaster before trying Atkins. Even though I didn't stay on Atkins, I have never gone back to eating high sugar/carb again. It was a great learning experience for me that changed my eating habits permanently.

[chrysa]

Anyone doing Atkins Diet?

D... Well I was on it also once. If you switch to maintenance and eat your veggies & fruits -- yes I think it is much like the French eat. But..for many women -- they stay on induction or just +1 for too long. And that is really rough and boring. I definitely believe in low low carbs (refined sugar/starches) for sure. I am glad you still love me even though MMA still freaks me out.

[xtexan]

Anyone doing Atkins Diet?

Hee-hee-hee!!!

I just got back from the grocery store, on a pre-induction shopping tour.

I was reading carb levels on all the labels. Special K cereal only 9 g carbs per serving. Lowest cereal carbs I found, and in the basket. Got some Silk soy milk too, to see how that tastes compared to my usual Lactaid milk. Funny thing, the expiration on the Silk is out to October.

Then perusing the snack aisle, I knew most of the chips would be out the window, and they were of course. Then I found it. Pork Rinds. OMG!!
0 carbs, half-protein and half-fat. No trans fat, but 25% saturated, but still.... Yep, pork rinds.

I also got a big head of cauliflower. I read in one of the books, a method for steaming, mashing, and adding a few things to cauliflower, and it tastes just like mashed potatoes it said. Hmmmm. Another experiment for this weekend, before I do induction.

I also stopped at Sears, and bought a chest freezer to put in the utility room. Never had one before, but figured having one would make it easier for me to store quantities of frozen meats and veggies. They said delivery cost alone was $65 to my house, so I said no way! I went over to the freezer I wanted, and lifted it off the floor. Heck, it was only 70 or 80 lbs, which is no problem for me with all the weight lifting I've been doing. I am special ordering a little different model than the one on the floor they had, and it will be in Monday. I'll keep my $65. I'll just manhandle it into the utility room by myself with a hand truck.

I pulled all the super high carb stuff from the pantry, and stuck it all in boxes. I think I will miss the Gatorade big time. Cookies are all gone now, and they are history for the duration.

Also went to a Chinese restaurant today, and carefully selected only the stir fry dishes with no breading or batter. Ate a full plate of only meats and veggies. No rice. Still getting my head into the space, but not actually doing the diet right now. Maybe I will start in earnest this Saturday, to see how things go over the weekend.

I have made some whole wheat bread in my bread machine a few times, and only buy whole wheat flour. I am going to hit a health store tomorrow to see if there is such as thing as whole grain flour with the bran husks still in the flour. Another experiment for after induction phase.

Gotta do upper body weights tonight. Back in later.

Neil

[Determinator]

Anyone doing Atkins Diet?

LOL, yes thank goodness for pork rinds!

Neil..you'd just love it at my place...so many heavy things I need help with

I've used shredded cabbage in place of a base food (like pasta). and I like raw cabbage anyway. I also find myslef eating more chef salads. mixed greens and veggies on the plate with a nice filet of salmon or chicken on top and some home made dressing with (you guessed it) a veritable crapload of garlic.