HOLD THE LARD!: The Atkins Diet still doesn't work

Reason.com ^ | Dec. 5 2002 | Michael Fumento

[Mr. Mulliner]

You haven't actually read the Atkins book, have you?

[Jael]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/801586/posts?page=61#61

That was a great post.

[Nataku X]

It's not for everyone. I used to be an active runner before years of running 6 miles a day started doing longterm damage to my joints and ankles. Since my only reason for running was to keep my weight down while still maintaining a healthy appetite, I did the Atkins thing, figuring I could eat all the foods I wanted without burning it off through exercise.

It was good for about a month when I cheated, gained 10 pounds overnight. I've heard Internet accounts of people who feel "trapped" by the Atkins diet becuase the instant they go off it, they gain 10 lbs or more.

Now, walking's my thing and I've just learned to get by on salads with a special treat once or twice a week like donuts or omelets! If you like flexibility in your diet, Atkins ain't for you, try old fashioned calorie cutting. Atkins is a PERMANENT decision, no exceptions!

[LurkerNoMore!]

Claiming that exercise is the only healthful, long-term way to lose weight is forbidden at this site.

Don't tell me you've already used your verboten quota for 2002.

[patton]

;)

[Crispy]

"SSSHHHH!!! Claiming that exercise is the only healthful, long-term way to lose weight is forbidden at this site."

Actually, Dr. A recommends you exercise on a regular basis.

[LurkerNoMore!]

Run 20 miles a week, and you can eat all the carbs you want....

[Crispy]

"Reading the article one might easily think that the idea is to eat 'fat' instead of carbs. "

The article is correct. Atkins is high fat, not high protein. It just happens that most fat comes with protein. Fat is what your body will burn instead of carbs.

[Marie Antoinette]

Here's the only thing I've found so far:

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/living/health/conditions_diseases/heart/4548787.htm

~After six months, the people on the Atkins diet had lost an average of 31 pounds, compared with 20 pounds on the AHA diet, and more people stuck with the Atkins regimen.~

[SBprone]

I heard Jack in a radio interview a few months ago. He said that on his last birthday he did 10 benchrest reps with 140lb dumbells. You don't suppose he meant 2 140s at the same time? Maybe it was 2 70s for a 140lb total. I couldn't do 10X140 with a barbell and I'm 49.

Still I remember he said clear as anything "140 pound dumbells."

What a guy!

[Mr. Mojo]

FR Atkins Cult) has already issued a fatwah against me

I have no dog in this fight, but I must admit it's amusing to see just how angry some Atkins advocates get when their dogma is challenged. I hope you survive your fatwa, and that the diet Jihadists find another outlet for their energies.

[Howlin]

[Mr. Mojo]

Jack L. truly is amazing. I remember reading about him pulling some big ship with his teeth and swimming a few miles with it in Santa Monica Bay.

[RaceBannon]

LOL!!!

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

I have no dog in this fight, but I must admit it's amusing to see just how angry some Atkins advocates get when their dogma is challenged

If that's the case, then your initial statement can't be true.

I would say this, these threads come down to 2 sides, real life experience vs internet know-it-alls and other assorted folks who mean well but never had a weight problem in their life (ie, don't know what in the 9 hells they are talking about), and I don't know about you but most internet know-it-alls I've encountered couldn't find their d!ck with 2 hands and a map. The amusement works both ways.

[RaceBannon]

Well, Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, I did it on the Atkins Diet...and some plain old exercise, too! LOTS of it, however, as I lost weight more and more due to the diet, I was able to exercise mroe.

I have stress fractures in my feet now, been running too much, I have to back off onthe aerobic running, but otherwise, i feelgreat, and am down to 21% body fat, I was up and over 35%...as the picture shows!

[Crispy]

"Run 20 miles a week, and you can eat all the carbs you want...."

You may be right, but I hate running and weight lifting. My exercise comes from Raquetteball, Tennis, Skiing, Golfing, Hiking, etc. Which is good if I could always find a partner to exercise with me. All of my activities are really boring or impossible by yourself. This time of year is bad for everything I listed except Raquetteball and Skiing. Unfortunately, the Ski resorts on Mt. Hood have not opened yet.

[185JHP]

Probably a 70lb. dumbell in each hand. He could probably do it, since he kept fit all his life. The good thing about dumbbells is each arm has to work equally hard. Also they're safer if your arms give out. We lose 1 heartbeat a year, that's why they say 220 - your age is your safe max heartbeat. Jack has credibility - a clean life, no scandals, and no scamming for bucks - work out and eat right!

[jlogajan]

He said that on his last birthday he did 10 benchrest reps with 140lb dumbells. You don't suppose he meant 2 140s at the same time? Maybe it was 2 70s for a 140lb total.

I wouldn't be surprised if he could bench a 280lbs barbell. That's not out of line for a bodybuilder by any means.

[Mr. Mojo]

LOL ...you prove my point brilliantly!