Like I had stated earlier, my body has been "redesigned" so I don't absorb fat and protein into my body. So, I don't have cholesterol or blood pressure issues! WOOHOO for fatty cuts of meat!!LOL

James is right to some extent. Listen there are problems with all diets - the low carb diets do have their problems as well. Generally a lot of people that do the Atkins diet progress through phases where they increase their carb intake with carbs that ae better for you I think.

I've done so many different versions of the low carb diet and almost all have worked well for me. The reason I like it is that when combined with certain supplements I don't lose a lot of muscle mass - which is pretty important to me.

-Rudey

For those of you who have done low carb seriously---

I've done it for about 3 years now. I've noticed that when I do it, the weight goes away really quickly. Then, I can eat whatever I want (I'm a total McDonald's junkie, I'll admit it) and don't gain anything back. (1-2 lbs, not the 10 I lost, if anything).

Anyone else experiencing this??? One more reason I love this diet. I feel like I can do it gradually- the weight loss isn't gradual but whenever I feel like picking it up again I can.

I don't think anybody can dispute the fact that low-carb diets work in the short term. And studies are mixed as to whether it harms your heart significantly in the long run. But something I would be concerned about: if you're cutting out too many fruits and veggies because of their carb content, you're substantially increasing your risk for about a thousand kinds of cancer.

I don't know much about ketones and whatever else the Atkins diet claims makes you lose weight, but the main reason (not necessarily the only one) that people on low-carb diets lose weight is because they're eating fewer calories than before, and they just don't realize it. If you normally eat 2500 calories a day, and you cut back to 1500 a day, you're going to lose weight -- regardless of whether those 1500 calories come from chocolate, hamburgers, apples or bread. People like low-carb diets because the rules are pretty simple as to what you can and can't eat.

Some of the weight loss in the primary stages of the Atkins diet is water weight, as well -- you cut back on fruits and vegetables, you're not going to get as much water as you normally do and you're going to think you've lost weight when really you're just dehydrated.

There's nothing wrong with cutting back on simple sugars and stuff like that, but I think the possible side effects of the Atkins diet are just not worth it . . . I find it's a lot easier (and it'll probably be a lot healthier in the long run) just to eat healthy and go running a couple days a week.

I have been on and off the Atkins diet. I've found that the Atkins diet works for me in terms of weight loss, when I follow it strictly. After a while, though, I found that I desperately missed my bread and rice (not so much the soda and ice cream, interestingly).

So I'm currently following a "lowish-carb" diet. I eat complex carbs but not simple sugars, and I eat far less than the 300g/day the US government recommends, but not as little as the 20g/day the Atkins diet calls for. This allows me to maintain my weight, and that's fine with me :)

I'm currently learning more about the Atkins program, because my father was recently placed on it by his doctor when he found out he was diabetic.

I have done a NO carb diet. Basicly 8 g of carbs or less a day with glycogen depletion workouts, and a re-feed (carb up) period that usually is 24-48 hours.

This lasted 2 weeks, because I had a scare with a panic attack. But let me tell you in those two weeks I lost 15 pounds. Just getting through the first day was rough with all that added fat.

I'm going to do the Atkins program with my dad when I'm at home so he has a "buddy" persay and because it wouldn't hurt mr to lose a few pounds ;) I do have a pagent in June.

From the Atkins website. http://atkinscenter.com/howto/index.html

Phase 1: Induction limits carb intake to 20 grams per day which can be eaten as either 3 cups of salad or 2 cups of salad and one cup of approved vegetables. You must eliminate all bread, rice, potatoes, sugars, and fruit so it is quite restrictive. You follow this phase for at least two weeks until you are within 10 to 15 pounds of your goal weight.

Phase 2: Ongoing Weight Loss (OWL) Slowly increase your carb intake 5 grams each week. First week on OWL eat 25 grams, second week 30 grams. You can add a cup of vegetables, salad, and berries. You still lose weight on this phase of the diet, just at a slower pace.

Check out the website for phases 3 and 4. I need to eat dinner now. :)

(James waves)

Can we forget a little about what we "believe" to be true and look at some data lol?

As far as heart problems . . . well basically what critics say is this: The atkins diet works in the short term and doesn't have any health conflicts. And we haven't seen any health conflicts to date but . . . we full expect them to deveolop later . . . sometime! :D lol

James, I agree with you. The recent data seems to support a low carb diet. There is a lot of speculation with very little evidence that Atkins Diet can lead to heart and kidney disease.

Personally, I found phase one of ATKINS very difficult since there is no fruit. Phase two was much better. I am now on maintenance which is phase four. I just limit my carbs to well under 100 grams usually under 60. I am off soda and candy and junk. Once or twice a week I will have a snack. The next day I eat less carbs. I still have not had white bread this year. My carbs come from fruit, salad, and vegetables at this phase.

I'd like to try low carb, but I'd probably murder someone.

I'm a carb junkie. A slice of bread (even whole wheat bread) can send me from bitch to angel in no time.

Carbs are my crack.

LMAO!

ME TOO!

I completely feel ya! I just started an Atkins-like "diet" plan and I feel the same way. I am the pickiest eater, I hate veggies, and most of the foods I like are carbs, so this is killin' me!

What I wouldn't give for a pizza right now! :o

Eventually you will be able to eat the pizza toppings only. :D

I had a lot of crack today. I mean carbs. lol! :p

No "crack" for me...

My dad brought home fresh bagels this morning and I stared at them with longing :(