I had to chime in with my two cents.
This Saturday will make four weeks for me being on the Atkins diet. Tonight I weighed myself and I have lost 26 pounds. The first 19 pounds came off pretty easily in the first two weeks, but the other seven have taken more time. I'm tracking my progress (weight and measurements) every two weeks.
In short, I'm so happy that I found the Atkins diet! It's amazing how going nearly four weeks without bread, sugar and potatoes will benefit your health so much. In addition to the weight I've lost, I've gained more energy (enough to start a 3 times a week exercise regimen, and I never used to exercise), elimated cravings for snacks in the afternoon and evening, and started eating healthier than I ever have.
Sure, at first, some folks think it's all about cheese and bacon, but it's really not. Those decadent foods are allowed, but this diet has encouraged me to eat very healthy things, like sliced turkey with a salad or broiled fish and some broccoli -- as opposed to fast food, pasta, bread, french fries. And after you get past the first two week induction period, the diet becomes a habit and you learn to enjoy the natural savoryness of vegetables and the sublime sweetness of berries instead of cake for desert.
Dr. Akins has done a lot of good for many people.
3 egg omlette
2 tbsp cream
1 oz velveeta
2 tbsp salsa
16 oz water
2 cups spring greens
1 can tuna
1 tbsp mayo
1 tbsp lemon juice
16 oz water
2 cups green beans
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp parmesan cheese
1 quarter chicken (dark)
16 oz water
1 string cheese
32 oz water
4 oz ground turkey
1/4 cup summer squash
2 tbsp cream
16 oz water
2 servings sugar free jello
2 tbsp cool whip
Lots of good veggies, no junk food, plenty of water, low fat meats. Oh, yeah, and 26.2 grams of carbs.
Did I mention I'm on Atkins? ;-)
Congratulations. My experience with it has been similar. I decided to try it 4 months ago -- mainly because I thought I could stick with it since I have no sweet-tooth. My initial goal was just to lose 20lbs but that happened in the first 3-4 weeks so I have reassessed my goals. I seemed to plateau at 30 for about a month and am now moving again rapidly. By anyone's standards I am eating better.
Sure, at first, some folks think it's all about cheese and bacon, but it's really not. Those decadent foods are allowed, but this diet has encouraged me to eat very healthy things...
Of course, when I saw the report on CNN about Dr. Atkins' illness they (CNN) naturally had to show a clip of a big pan of frying bacon. Is it any wonder why people believe these things. I do eat bacon (although no more than I ever did) but I am also eating alot more brocolli, cauli, spinach, salads etc...