unless you plan to eat only meat and cheese for the rest of your life then good for you! enjoy the unhealthy balance it brings. once you begin to eat other foods youll put weight on again . it makes you constipated and it makes your breath smell. been there done that. its all easy fixes that will never last. yes you will lose weight. but it wont be in a healthy way people seem to lose weight just being concerned about how they look. whats more important is how your body is on the inside. Atkns does not forfill any of the needs for healthy organs etc if anything you just eat away at them .
I'm doing Atkins [Phase 1]
- Thread starter thicky
- Start date
mbelle
New member
Well Dan Dan the man! I have to agree with you - at least some of what you say, not sure about internal organs!
I just put on weight over the last 2 weeks and so am going back to counting calories and keeping the carbs to under 100g - something I won't be telling my low carb coach - yeah real sick of meat and cheese, lol!!!!
Yay, for fruit and veges!
I just put on weight over the last 2 weeks and so am going back to counting calories and keeping the carbs to under 100g - something I won't be telling my low carb coach - yeah real sick of meat and cheese, lol!!!!
Yay, for fruit and veges!
Holly88
New member
As I had posted on another atkins/low carb thread - right now there is plenty of credible evidence that atkins works over the short term to reduce weight as well as improve triglyceride levels more effectively than low cal low fat diets.
So, you can't dismiss only on the grounds of health. I also think you can't go around with the idea it's just meat and cheese. It's not. Some people actually end up eating more salad and low carb veggies (which is a lot of the good dark leafy greens we're always hearing about) than before they started the diet.
Don't start trashing something you've clearly not researched enough. I used to be vehemently against atkins myself but I took the time to research it and was very surprised by what I found.
Of course the current findings don't completely vindicate the diet but there aren't many diets out there that are 100% proven to be perfect for health anyway.
Bottom line as far as I'm concerned: if it helps you lose weight - it isn't harming your health, it's improving it.
So, you can't dismiss only on the grounds of health. I also think you can't go around with the idea it's just meat and cheese. It's not. Some people actually end up eating more salad and low carb veggies (which is a lot of the good dark leafy greens we're always hearing about) than before they started the diet.
Don't start trashing something you've clearly not researched enough. I used to be vehemently against atkins myself but I took the time to research it and was very surprised by what I found.
Of course the current findings don't completely vindicate the diet but there aren't many diets out there that are 100% proven to be perfect for health anyway.
Bottom line as far as I'm concerned: if it helps you lose weight - it isn't harming your health, it's improving it.
ur last comment regards "if it helps u lose weight its good" well. not eating at all helps u lose weight . doesnt mean its healthy. when i was on atkins . i got ill. looked ill my digestive functions where shot and i had elevated liver enzymes. now this might not be the same for most. but the atkins is definetly just a quick fix long term its no good.
Thistime25
New member
I recently started the induction phase on Thusrsday. Unfortunately, I have not beeen able to work out as much as I would have liked to. I have only worked out two times since Thursday - spinning/clycling classes. I have not lost any weight. But I feel great and have not expereinced any hunger pains or anything. I have had some sweet cravings but nothing too extreme. I messed up last night and drank a diet coke. 
I was wondering if anyone knows if its ok to drink Crystal Light? Also, what are some good sweet snacks for the induction phase.
Thanks!!!
I was wondering if anyone knows if its ok to drink Crystal Light? Also, what are some good sweet snacks for the induction phase.Thanks!!!
I once not long ago tried Atkins. I bought the bars, read the notes, decided that no more fruit, no more veg, it must be making me fat (even when I calorie count the green veg I eat which I do eat alot of, I eat 1900kcals and spend 8-10 hours a week doing cardio where my heart rate averages at 155BPM, 2 hours doing weights and stretching). In the past 2 years I have gained several stone and gone up 3 dress sizes. I am continuing to get bigger.
My problem I thought was that I love freshly steamed green veg (no oil, no sauce just cider vinegar (2tsp) and freshly cut melon. I thought if I just ate all meat, atkins bars and drank water I'd be fine.
I lasted 5 days, gained more weight and missed the vegetables too much so went back to it. I guess this diet plan does not work for everyone! Good luck to those that manage it well.
My problem I thought was that I love freshly steamed green veg (no oil, no sauce just cider vinegar (2tsp) and freshly cut melon. I thought if I just ate all meat, atkins bars and drank water I'd be fine.
I lasted 5 days, gained more weight and missed the vegetables too much so went back to it. I guess this diet plan does not work for everyone! Good luck to those that manage it well.
phoenixliberty
New member
RhondaC
New member
Why are you even here Jericho? You seem to think there is only one way to lose weight and that is YOUR way. Isn't that a little narcissistic?
It doesn't work that way. If a person finds a way to lose weight that works for them... then it is a good way.
I combined Atkins with the R&D Diet Cookie 2 yrs ago and I've kept 50 lbs off. It worked for me.
Jericho
New member
Ah hello again. You seem to be trying to track my posts down or something. 3 posts in and 2 are about me.
If you notice, my last post in this thread is a link to the Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic is considered one of the gold standards of medical information. Weight loss is science and the science is calories in vs calories out. You lost weight cause you reduced your calorie intake (if you was doing that 'cookie' stuff then you cut it by a lot).
Oh and the answer to your question is I'm here cause I'm one of the site moderators.
If you notice, my last post in this thread is a link to the Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic is considered one of the gold standards of medical information. Weight loss is science and the science is calories in vs calories out. You lost weight cause you reduced your calorie intake (if you was doing that 'cookie' stuff then you cut it by a lot).
Oh and the answer to your question is I'm here cause I'm one of the site moderators.
becky90
New member
I did try atkins a while back for a month or so. I thought it was great at the time and no one could tell me otherwise. I lost some weight in my induction phase. I never really liked how much food you couldn't eat. Vegetables and fruits that i couldnt eat. You get taught while growing that fruit and veg is very healthy. I think i can remember that i moved to phase 2 and then i could eat berries or so? And i dont like berries, i want to eat apples and bananas! But anyway. Not trying to diss it for those who really believe in it, and why wouldnt you if it works? But im just eating low calories now. And i prefer this when i can eat potatos and apples etc
Jericho
New member
Becky,
btw, welcome to the forum.
You have it exactly right. You can eat ANYTHING you want and still lose weight. It comes down to moderation, education and wisdom. Moderation in how much you eat. Education in what you eat and wisdom to make the right choices in what you eat. You don't have to cut an entire food group out of your diet to lose weight. Sure it will work cause you are eating less calories but are you going to do that the rest of your life? Doubtful. Nope, you are on the right track.
btw, welcome to the forum.
You have it exactly right. You can eat ANYTHING you want and still lose weight. It comes down to moderation, education and wisdom. Moderation in how much you eat. Education in what you eat and wisdom to make the right choices in what you eat. You don't have to cut an entire food group out of your diet to lose weight. Sure it will work cause you are eating less calories but are you going to do that the rest of your life? Doubtful. Nope, you are on the right track.
A
artfirms
Guest
Hi Jericho,
I'm a lurker on this site, I have learned a lot from hanging around and reading.
I just wanted to say that what you said is absolutely golden. I am actually eating chocolate at night, staying within my 1300 cal. intake. The entire day is balanced out, protein, carb, fat, fiber... etc. I track my food and I calculate my recipes, knowing that I (roughly) meet my body's basic needs. The science you mentioned, calories in vs. calories out, is truly the way it works. By the way, I don't even exercise (for now). I've still managed to lose around 6lbs since I started, which was 3 weeks ago.
I guess the point I'm trying to make to my fellow dieters is, Atkins, low carb, shakes..whatever, you really don't have to go through all that. Healthy food: whole grains, fruits, veggies and regular meats will do the trick, including dessert. (which is my weakness)
The ONLY thing you might need to do, is weigh your food for portion control and calorie tracking. (estimates didn't work for me, had to buy a scale)
Good luck with Atkins guys,
Farah
I'm a lurker on this site, I have learned a lot from hanging around and reading.
I just wanted to say that what you said is absolutely golden. I am actually eating chocolate at night, staying within my 1300 cal. intake. The entire day is balanced out, protein, carb, fat, fiber... etc. I track my food and I calculate my recipes, knowing that I (roughly) meet my body's basic needs. The science you mentioned, calories in vs. calories out, is truly the way it works. By the way, I don't even exercise (for now). I've still managed to lose around 6lbs since I started, which was 3 weeks ago.
I guess the point I'm trying to make to my fellow dieters is, Atkins, low carb, shakes..whatever, you really don't have to go through all that. Healthy food: whole grains, fruits, veggies and regular meats will do the trick, including dessert. (which is my weakness)
The ONLY thing you might need to do, is weigh your food for portion control and calorie tracking. (estimates didn't work for me, had to buy a scale)
Good luck with Atkins guys,
Farah
Jeanette401
New member
I'll throw out that from my perspective, unless it's an actual health risk, I'd rather not try and talk people out of making a diet change just because it's not necessary or the best.
7 years ago I felt like I'd tried all the diets, nothing worked, etc. etc. Of course, I didn't have a food scale, didn't really 'track' calories and there was a lot I didn't understand. In short, I was like the majority of people who are overweight to begin with.
I went on the Atkins diet. I lost 70 pounds, and kept 60 of them off for 5 years. For the last 2 years I've been on more of a 'watch the calories, get plenty of protein & fiber, cut back processed foods' diet and it's definitely improved my cholesterol. It's not really any easier to maintain on - whether I want to eat 'Non-Atkins friendly food' or just eat more, I still have to work at maintaining.
But Atkins gave me hope before I really had the tools and skills to watch what I ate more effectively, and I honestly don't know that I'd be at this weight today if someone had convinced me it was a stupid idea, and I should go back to counting calories (which I sucked at) instead.
I'm definitely better off now that I'm on a more balanced nutritional plan, but Atkins was part of the journey, and it was a better stretch of it than I was on before.
7 years ago I felt like I'd tried all the diets, nothing worked, etc. etc. Of course, I didn't have a food scale, didn't really 'track' calories and there was a lot I didn't understand. In short, I was like the majority of people who are overweight to begin with.
I went on the Atkins diet. I lost 70 pounds, and kept 60 of them off for 5 years. For the last 2 years I've been on more of a 'watch the calories, get plenty of protein & fiber, cut back processed foods' diet and it's definitely improved my cholesterol. It's not really any easier to maintain on - whether I want to eat 'Non-Atkins friendly food' or just eat more, I still have to work at maintaining.
But Atkins gave me hope before I really had the tools and skills to watch what I ate more effectively, and I honestly don't know that I'd be at this weight today if someone had convinced me it was a stupid idea, and I should go back to counting calories (which I sucked at) instead.
I'm definitely better off now that I'm on a more balanced nutritional plan, but Atkins was part of the journey, and it was a better stretch of it than I was on before.
RhondaC
New member
R&D Diet Cookie
I love Atkins too! After you've done all the intro (inductions) phases you should get the R&D Diet Cookie. I still stay in ketosis and it complements the low-carb atkins diet really well. By having the combo of cookies with low-carb I never feel deprived. Good Luck!
I love Atkins too! After you've done all the intro (inductions) phases you should get the R&D Diet Cookie. I still stay in ketosis and it complements the low-carb atkins diet really well. By having the combo of cookies with low-carb I never feel deprived. Good Luck!
bongobongo
New member
There is little debate that being on a strict Atkins diet will destroy your fat and make you lose LOTS of weight in a short amount of time. But, there is however debate about the potentially harmful effects of the Atkins diet.
I personally am willing to risk it because I know FOR SURE being as fat as I am now has DEFINITE health risks.
I personally am willing to risk it because I know FOR SURE being as fat as I am now has DEFINITE health risks.
The ignorance in this thread is mind blowing, to be honest. Anyone here that genuinely believes a low carb diet (or, to be frank, a ZERO carb diet) is in ANY way bad for your health, needs to do some genuine research. Read Taubes' book, look into actual scientific research done on nutrition.
An important thing to realize is that VERY LITTLE quality scientific studies have been done on nutrition. The entire hypothesis that was used as the basis of what we, the "general population," now believes to be a healthy diet - this low fat, high carb garbage - is completely bogus science.
Calories in vs calories out is also a very inaccurate idea. INSULIN is what people need to be concerned with - as your insulin levels rise, those calories you put IN will be stored as fat, and you will start gaining weight. If you ate 1500 calories a day of nothing but Coca Cola for a year, and the exact same person ate 1500 calories a day of nothing but beef, the person drinking Coke will absolutely without a doubt gain an enormously larger amount of weight.
This isn't to say that eating a diet with carbohydrate means you must be consuming enormous amounts of coke - it is merely to point out that "calories in < calories out!" is a very flawed idea. The actual calories you are putting IN greatly affects the number that will come out.
Does this mean Atkins is a great diet? I don't believe so, eating those terrible bars and cookies is awful for you anyway. But if a person were to spend their lives eating nothing but meat and a large amount of vegetables, fruits, nuts, etc - they would absolutely be of extremely top, optimum health.
And since we all like posting our own anecdotal things, years ago I started eating low carb (essentially a Paleo diet, not Atkins) and my daily food intake generally consisted of a lot of eggs, bacon, beef, and fruits/vegetables. A decent amount of seafood during the week too.
Years later, my cholesterol is EXTREMELY amazing. About as good as it gets, really. I used to weigh 315 lbs - I now weigh 180. I lost the first 100 lbs in about 6 months, and I ate any time I was hungry. No one here has to believe me, but the reality is that the majority of things that people in this thread actually believe in are completely bogus and lack any scientific evidence to back them up.
Stop eating refined carbohydrates, COMPLETELY - all sugar, all white bread, all white rice/pasta/etc, and you WILL be healthier. Is whole grain etc OK? Sure, I think that's really acceptable as long as it isn't the majority of the diet, but excluding whole grains definitely doesn't harm you in any way.
Better yet, go read Taubes book. It isn't a book composed of him stating his ideas or his research or his theories - it is merely a compilation of essentially every research study ever done that has been used as a basis for what we believe, and an analysis of these studies and why they are so extremely flawed.
An important thing to realize is that VERY LITTLE quality scientific studies have been done on nutrition. The entire hypothesis that was used as the basis of what we, the "general population," now believes to be a healthy diet - this low fat, high carb garbage - is completely bogus science.
Calories in vs calories out is also a very inaccurate idea. INSULIN is what people need to be concerned with - as your insulin levels rise, those calories you put IN will be stored as fat, and you will start gaining weight. If you ate 1500 calories a day of nothing but Coca Cola for a year, and the exact same person ate 1500 calories a day of nothing but beef, the person drinking Coke will absolutely without a doubt gain an enormously larger amount of weight.
This isn't to say that eating a diet with carbohydrate means you must be consuming enormous amounts of coke - it is merely to point out that "calories in < calories out!" is a very flawed idea. The actual calories you are putting IN greatly affects the number that will come out.
Does this mean Atkins is a great diet? I don't believe so, eating those terrible bars and cookies is awful for you anyway. But if a person were to spend their lives eating nothing but meat and a large amount of vegetables, fruits, nuts, etc - they would absolutely be of extremely top, optimum health.
And since we all like posting our own anecdotal things, years ago I started eating low carb (essentially a Paleo diet, not Atkins) and my daily food intake generally consisted of a lot of eggs, bacon, beef, and fruits/vegetables. A decent amount of seafood during the week too.
Years later, my cholesterol is EXTREMELY amazing. About as good as it gets, really. I used to weigh 315 lbs - I now weigh 180. I lost the first 100 lbs in about 6 months, and I ate any time I was hungry. No one here has to believe me, but the reality is that the majority of things that people in this thread actually believe in are completely bogus and lack any scientific evidence to back them up.
Stop eating refined carbohydrates, COMPLETELY - all sugar, all white bread, all white rice/pasta/etc, and you WILL be healthier. Is whole grain etc OK? Sure, I think that's really acceptable as long as it isn't the majority of the diet, but excluding whole grains definitely doesn't harm you in any way.
Better yet, go read Taubes book. It isn't a book composed of him stating his ideas or his research or his theories - it is merely a compilation of essentially every research study ever done that has been used as a basis for what we believe, and an analysis of these studies and why they are so extremely flawed.
Jeanette401
New member
I did this. For me, Atkins for 5 years, and losing the weight was DEFINITELY better for my health. I'm not doing Atkins now. But... you don't have to do it for the rest of your life! If you ever want tips on transitioning off of Atkins once you're at your goal, feel free to look me up
(Also, I highly recommend that after you've lost a couple dozen pounds you look into some sort of resistance training. Losing muscle sucks, and it's been a pain in the butt to get it back)As for Karrmer's comments... I don't really think that villainizing insulin makes any more sense than the previous low fat craze. Paleo makes more sense in that at least it focuses on unprocessed foods, even if some of the rules are completely arbitrary and vary by author.
Really, it's insulin RESISTANCE people should be concerned about. Insulin itself is kind of necessary for life. Heck, protein spikes your insulin as much as your fat+carb snacks.
Also, as the twinkie diet showed, controlling calories does matter. The guy ate 1500 calories of Little Debbie and Hostess snack cakes with a protein shake and some canned vegetables every day and lost weight, and all of his stats (cholesterol, triglycerides, BF% etc) improved.
My anecdotal "evidence", I did Atkins for 5 years and my cholesterol was abysmal. Losing 70 lbs helped, but my LDL alone was still in the 170s. It improved greatly when I started adding back in some carbs and focusing on getting good amounts of fiber, and eating more unprocessed foods. But my diet also includes oatmeal, whole wheat bread, potato, sweet potato, and the occasional donut or other unhealthy food. And on my birthday I'm having brownie cake with caramel drizzle and raspberries ala mode
That's not to say you shouldn't do Atkins, but we still do not have good science on the long term effects of being in a ketogenic state (the Innuits not withstanding) so we don't really know if it's harmful or not long term.
Personally, I think that when you look at some of the 'healthiest' cultures and their diets, you see a broad range. Most of them tend to eat less processed food and not tons of it. The Innuit ate lots of blubber (and raw caribou brains, mmm!) The Okinawans eat rice and sweet potato. The whole Mediterranean diet has their olive oil and their potatoes and legumes... and yet all have statistically better health.
To me that suggests that it's more about eating too much, and too much processed crap rather than any one macro-nutrient or food group.
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