The Atkins Diet ...Any Freeper experience? (Vanity!)

Me

[Partisan Hack]

Okay... I did it. I read the New Diet Revolution and I've bought into the whole notion of a 0 - 20 gram per day, low carbohydrate diet. I'm in the "induction phase," and the Doctor assures rapid weight loss during this initial two-week run. Supposedly, as success is achieved, the dieter can begin to gradually increase the amount of carbs that they consume. The trick is to remain in ketosis while attempting to shed weight.

My most important question is if any freepers out there have had any success with this diet and what tips might they be able to pass on.

Also, are "free" foods truly "free?" Does nutrasweet negatively impact this diet?

I'm a week into it, (and have confirmed that I am indeed in ketosis) but I'm not yet loosing any weight. I'm hoping to loose 40 lbs!

Sitting in front of this computer, glued to Free Republic has caused me to gain this weight btw!!!

[bluefish]

I see nothing in the article about Atkins and Atkins isn't an MLM thing. Perhaps this hack was simply peddling some supplements and a low carb diet of some sort at the same time? I don't know of any connection between the two.

[Bill Rice]

It worked for my girlfriend, who becomes a "Diet Nazi", and does everything by the book. She lost 18 Lbs in 2 weeks.

I lost 15lbs in about a week or so, (EATING LOTS OF BACON FOR BREAKFAST!), but then I got a kidney stone, and went off it. BTW - I don't think the stone had anything to do with the diet.

It works it you don't cheat! Depending on your age, you don't want to stay on it for more than about a month or 2 at a time. Take vitamins, too!

[B.Bumbleberry]

Try "The Zone" diet instead. This reduces carbohydrates substantially from our carbohydrate-drenched way of life, but is a more balanced diet that becomes a permanent change in eating habits. Buy the book and follow it to the letter. It's not really a weight loss diet, but an insulin control diet that usually results in weight loss. I lost 30 lbs. of fat (while actually eating more food), and increased my lean body mass 10 lbs., for a net loss of 20 lbs. Have had no trouble maintaining an ideal weight. Completely changed the way I look at food. I never get hungry, and have a lot more energy. The Adkins-type diets, I am told, promote ketosis and are not a permanent solution. Hope this helps.

[Fabozz]

I lost 40 lbs. in three months on a low-carb diet. I then went almost completely off the diet, and have not gained back a single pound—in fact I've lost a few more. I plan on going back to low-carb within a few weeks to lose another 40 lbs.

Over the course of the diet, I've read just about everything I could get my hands on regarding low-carb dieting. At this point, I actually don't recommend the Atkins diet to people—it's out of date. A better choice is the "Protein Power" diet developed by Doctors Michael and Mary Eades. Atkins' diet is based on his experience and observation; the Eades' diet is based on scientific research.

Here are the most important things for you to remember:

• Supplements. Almost nobody gets enough vitamins and minerals, no matter what their diet. Start with what Atkins recommends, and then do your own research.
• Water. If you've been in ketosis for a week without losing weight, you almost certainly haven't been drinking enough water. You need 8-10 glasses of water every day. (Your ketostix should be just barely tinged with color; if they're dark, drink more water.)
  Also, while no one has every demonstrated any health risks associated with low-carb dieting, whatever risks might exist are minimized by drinking lots and lots of water.
• Exercise. You don't need to exercise much, but you do need to exercise. Do some form of weight training in addition to something aerobic (such as walking). This will step up your metabolic rate and replace fat with muscle.
  The reason why people yo-yo diet—losing then gaining repeatedly—is because, while dieting, they lose muscle mass. Musclew burn calories; fat cells don't. So when they stop dieting and go back to eating the way they were, their bodies need less calories and thus they gain weight. Lifting weights will preserve your muscle mass.
• Fat. Ketosis just means you're breaking down fat; it doesn't say anything about where that fat is coming from. Eat less fat and you'll burn more.
• Protein. Without carbohydrates, your body is going to be using protein for some of its needs. If you don't eat enough protein, your body will scavenge what it needs from your muscles, which will set you up for the yo-yo problem mentioned above. Make sure you eat plenty of protein.
• Research. Take responsibility for your own health. Read books (beyond just the Atkins book) and browse websites on these topics.

Hope this helps!

[CIApilot]

Works great. It's the beginning of a life-time adjustment in planning what food works for you. Get the books (paperback) and read for pep talks and menus when you feel like backsliding. Aerobic exercise 5-6 times a week, too.

Lots of people poo-poo this diet. Forget about them. Do what works for you.

[stlnative]

Bookmarking to check on later!

Interesting post as I need to lose some weight also.

[Hotline]

Oh gawd, seeing that our other myriad threads on Atkins are no longer available, I suppose I must go through this *again*...but that's OK, I think it's in the Atkin's literature that we have to defend this Way of Life/Way of Eating if it works for us. :-)

Lost 40 pounds and three sizes during the last year on Atkins. Blood pressure is lower, triglycerides are lower, cholesterol cut by 1/3, hypoglycemia under control, no cravings for sweets OR chips, lots of energy. No more debilitating menstrual cramps, no more Irritable Bowel Syndrome, no more after-lunch sleepies. I am not hungry all the time, I eat when I feel hunger and stop when I'm full, no problem. Doctor is thrilled.

Typical menu for my post-induction day: Three egg omelette in REAL butter with cream cheese and meat, topped with salsa and NOT fat free sour cream. Lunch: either left-over dinner meat and veggies or a LARGE salad with tuna, three heaping spoonfuls of REAL mayo, cheese and seasonings. Dinner: usually a large steak or chicken, green beens/brocolli/cabbage/summer squash/other low-carb veggie. Snack on peanuts or sunflower seeds. Dessert: usually Killer Chocolate Mousse (ask around, my recipe is in big demand) made with REAL cream, artificial sweetener, cocoa and vanilla.

Multi-vitamins, calcium, garlic pills, and glucosamine chondroitin, plus TONS AND TONS of water. Also, if you don't drink enough water your body will retain what you are losing. Flush it out.

YMMV. Caveat: if you aren't losing soon, you may have a staller. Cream or caffeine are biggies. If you eliminate either one of those, you may drop weight fast.

Good luck! Remember, it's not a diet, it's a Way of Life (WOL).

[usconservative]

I lost 45lbs on it ... worked great. Stay away from the Nutrasweet, it "tricks" your system.

Nitrates are VERY bad. Store bought lunch-meat is loaded with it as is most brands of pepperoni.

Of the 45lbs I lost, I put 10 back on once I started eating Carb's again. Carbs (pasta, potatoes and bread) are my weaknesses.

I also found that the Atkins diet cured my heartburn, at least as long as I stayed on it, and my energy level went through the roof.

Drink at least 64oz of water daily, 96 preferable. Add a little exercize, and you'll be surprised how fast the weight comes off. It was particularly effective for me as I'm a Type II diabetic.

Good luck, and stick to it!

[farmfriend]

I'm not going to read the whole thread. I tried it kind of. I feel better when I stick to the protien. I was less hungry and able to turn down foods I would normally pig on. I have found that I cannot do the total removal of carbs as is required in the first two weeks. It makes me sick. Go for it and good luck.

[mlmr]

Used Atkins used Protien Power diets. Both worked but I liked Protien Power better. Weight came back quickly with both. Now I am on a no sugars, salad and protien diet suplimented with Slimfast. Lost 50 and am realizing that this is what food is going to be about for the rest of my life.

[Hotline]

Almost forgot. If you are eating TOO FEW CARBS, it can keep you from losing weight too. Keep it as close to 20 as you can the first two weeks. If you still don't lose, increase it by 5 a day until you see a lose.

[usconservative]

Calories are calories whether they come from protein, carbohydrates or fat. Don't waste your time with the Atkins scheme. Besides not being good for your health, it doesn't make any sense.

Wrong. If you're a Type II diabetic, 3,000 calories from CARBOHYDRATES will kill you on a daily basis. It helps to know one's body type before going on the Atkins diet.

Some people can't eat fat. Some people can't eat carb's. If you can't eat fat because you store it, then Atkins isn't for you. If carb's are causing your problems, then Atkins *is* for you. Even Dr. Atkins says openly that his diet isn't for everyone. You *must* know your body type.

[habs4ever]

I am curious as to what distinction your body makes between the simple sugar and a complex carb? Where would a pizza crust fit in here, or how does the sugar in an orange mitigate the carbs it provides to one's diet?

[PLK]

I think you can see several trends in the responses thus far. First, the importance of exercise is stressed

One of the most distressing things about aging is the fact that once you are in good physical condition, exercise no longer helps you to lose weight. I run 3-4 miles 3 to 4 times per week and never shed an ounce. However, if I overeat just one single day (like a holiday), I instantly gain 2-3 pounds! It's maddening. My point is, I guess, is that for many people diet changes are the ONLY way to lose weight.

I have tried all diets and hate them all. Weight Watchers is the most effective diet I have been on - but it is time consuming to plan all the menus, it's not something you can do spontaneously.

I have also done the high protein thing, it works, but I begin to crave carbs and usually blow it after a couple days.

Good luck, Partisan Hack. See what works for you.

[Slyfox]

Don't use nutrasweet. Get Splenda. It tastes just like sugar but has the calorie capacity of nutrasweet. And Splenda won't give you a headache if you are nutrasweet-headache-prone. I have had more success with Adkins than any other diet. When I added more carbs into my diet I got to the point where I was having the equivelent of two slices of bread a day. And, two fruits. Works for me.

[Mid-MI Student]

Calories are calories whether they come from protein, carbohydrates or fat. Don't waste your time with the Atkins scheme. Besides not being good for your health, it doesn't make any sense.

There was a study years ago with rats in three different groups.
Rats with Vitamins, water and sugar.
Rats with water and sugar
Rats with only water.

The rats that could eat any amount of sugar they wanted to died in days, the rats with only water lived longer then the other groups.
So there is a different in where the calories come from.

[SoDak]

This just seems like a very bad idea. I know some people like it and use it but it just can't be good for you. My parents were set to try it, but I talked my mom into talking with her doc first. Thankfully he talked her out of it.

[PianoMan]

Here's a link to another discussion.

Note the similar pattern. A lot of knee-jerk attacks on the diet at first, then the people who are actually doing it get to the thread, and defend it very eloquently. (Disclosure, I was a defender!) :) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/558634/posts