People . . . do you read the posts in the thread and think about them?

People keep stating that the diet is dangerous without giving data on it.

This is despite the fact that there doesn't seem to be published studies showing that keto-diets cause life threatening illness.

And with the flack Atkins gets, people would be waving corpses like banners.

Also, there is a whole population that has been followed for decades on this type of diet . . . epileptic children.

And they are not dying.

The model you are using to say it causes damage applies only to diabetics in a unique situation.

Could we please argue facts, instead of beliefs? Before we give really bad advice to people or scare them through our ignorance?

I tried Atkin's Diet for a week. For me, it was a quick fix to lose seven pounds before I went to the Bahamas. It worked, but I only tried it for a week. Personally, I found it too restrictive. On the other hand, now I don't inhale an entire basket of bread when I go to a restaurant. Moderation is the key as is the case with everything.

Any diet can cause health problems if you have diabetes or other pre existing conditions. That's why one should consult a doctor and have a complete physical before beginning any diet and exercise routine.

Congrats! That is great!

I too have cut out little by little white flour, sodas....

I don't eat carbs at dinner anymore, unless I want a cheat day. My pitfalls are going out nights and having drinks.

Getting active is the key. For me, I like to work up to all these changes instead of setting a date and doing it all on Monday and saying that I will change my lifestyle. I have been making these habits for 24 years, I will not change them in a day!

Congrats again!

Hmm...this sounds intriguing. Before I run right out and try it, did you lose weight all over, lose it particularly in your problem areas, or only where you didn't want to lose weight (i.e. boobs)? :)

I'm not sure where I lost it. I went down a dress size so I guess I lost the weight everywhere.

For the Atkins naysayers..... :)

The Atkins diet will only contribute to renal problems if you have renal problems to start with. Your kidneys have to process the extra ketones - they can overload already-weakened kidneys, but if your kidneys are healthy you'll be fine.

Dr. Atkins did not have a heart attack - he had a cardiac arrest that was attributed to an infection. He's a cardiologist. If the diet gave you a heart attack, I doubt he'd be recommending it - Hippocratic Oath and all that.

The Atkins diet has several components that anyone who wants to lose weight and get fit should follow...

- No simple sugars (this includes white flour)
- Lots of water
- Regular exercise

Beyond that, whether you choose to follow a low-carb plan, eat only carbs with a low glycemic index, or follow a low-fat plan, you're bound to lose weight if you stick with it.

I know several people who have managed to control type II diabetes by following the Atkins diet. And a close friend of mine, who was diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and told that she was unlikely to ever carry a baby to term, recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl after she spent 2 years following the Atkins plan.

Now tell me the Atkins diet is unhealthy. :)