The stomach pains are over...I think my body was in shcok because I was a huge carbo eater and then one day I just stopped. Since I'm in Korea right now, the Atkins diet seems weird. Rice is like the main staple in food here. I get weird looks from people when we go out to eat because I won't eat rice.

It's really hard to stay away from the sweets, but I have managed for 5 days now. I told my parents to go ahead and buy snacks for themselves, I can control my urges and I don't want them to suffer because of me. Sweets were my downfall, but now I can control myself!

All I've been eating is chicken breasts, tuna, spinach salads, veggies, steak, eggs with bacon, and other high protein meals. I think I miss chocolate the most though... Snickers Ice Cream bars to be exact.

I think I have lost about 3 pounds so far. Hopefully, I can keep it up. I just want to lost like 10 more pounds anyway.

I didn't read through the entire thread but I am interested (slightly) in the diet. Is there a generalized tell-all book to go by?? A website?? I'm interested.

Dr. Atkins has written several editions of his book, I'm not sure when the most recent one came out. It is HIGHLY recommended that you read the book before you start the diet. If you don't want to buy it you can at least check it out from the library. Looking around at websites will help, but any websites with information are generally written by people who have already done the diet and it's not the best idea just to take some stranger's advice. The Atkins website obviously doesn't have all the info you need to do the diet, because they want you to buy the book.

You have to buy the book. Trying to do low-carb without a very well thought out plan can be disastrous for your health. Both Amazon.com and Barnes and Nobles carry the latest edition.

They ususally have GREAT deals on used books too. :)

I have 5 days to go. Can't wait. I was about to give up because living on meat and cheese is getting to be a little rough. I cheated a little today. I had a veggie burger for lunch. I put cheese on it ,but I ate the bun and the chips that came with it. To me that's like going to McDonald's and ordering a Big Mac,Supersize fries, an apple pie, with a diet coke.:D

I weight in Thursday. Crossing fingers and toes

OK....many of you will obviously disagree with me...

But I personally think the Atkins diet is the most unhealthy thing I have ever heard of!!

I lost weight about 2 years ago. I did it by following a modified version of the diabetic diet, which is just a basic balanced diet that cuts out sugar, and limits refined carbs. I lost 50 pounds and have kept it off.

On Atkins, you tend to lose quite a bit of weight, but it is unhealthy to lose more than 2 pounds per week because if you lose more than that, you're burning MUSCLE, not fat.

Besides, who wants to cut out carbs? I certainly don't. Good carbs (wheat/whole grain breads, crackers, brown rice, etc) are good for you! You need them for energy.

IMO, it's better to simply learn to make better food choices, reduce how much you eat, and work out at least 3 times a week. I did this and lost 1-2 pounds per week until I reached my goal weight.

I agree, but whatever works for anybody that dosen't drive them crazy or put their overall health at risk, hey go for it.

I agree. My friend's doctor has put her on the South Beach diet which is Atkins but low fat. She did low carbs/ low fat for two weeks and could then begin adding back in more good carbs. The high fat nature of Atkins is why her doc does not recommend it, especially for a sustained way of eating.

Just thought I'd mention....I went to fat camp when I was 16 (oy vey!!!) and they made it very clear that the people that lose upwards of 6 lbs per week (there were a lot of us) aren't doing too much harm SO LONG AS WE HAVE THAT MUCH TO LOSE. Comparitvely speaking, a person that is 100 lbs overweight can handle losing 8 lbs in a week moreso than someone that is only packing 20 extra lbs. So, depending on how big you are, losing more than 2 lbs per week woudln't be that big a deal, for a while.

ttt

OK well I've been on it for 2 weeks...and as I expected alcohol has been a problem. When I went out last weekend I drank mostly rum and diet cokes which is better than beer, but alcohol is forbidden when you're on induction. I had a few beers while watching basketball a few days ago. So it's pretty safe to assume I'm not in ketosis. I need to get some of those strips so I can tell. I've been doing well with the food though. I just need to get some self control and not drink if I go out.

Atkins and restaraunts
 

Have you noticed the popularity of Atkins is causing restaurant to add new items on their menus. I am sure you have seen/heard the subway commercials. Fridays now has an Atkins friendly menu and burger king announced today they will be selling a bunless whopper soon to be combined with a side salad instead of fires and bottled water instead of a soda.

Re: Atkins and restaraunts
 

I noticed that as well. Hardee's has an Atkins meal now, and Ruby Tuesday also features regular menu items that are Atkins friendly. I had one of the Subway wraps...it was pretty good, but a bit small. The woman in front of me got one too, but then she got a bag of Baked Lays to go with it. Totally missing the point...

But to me, losing muscle IS putting your health at risk. You need muscle.

Patience is the real key to weight loss. And the more quickly you lose weight, the more quickly you will be likely to gain it back.