Atkins Diet
 

Okay GCers,

This past Monday I started the Atkins Diet and let's just say that today I almost went crazy! No fruit/fruit juice, no sugar, no bread, no potatoes, no rice, etc. I CAN'T TAKE IT!!!

Have any of you all tried Atkins? If so, how did it work for you? I've met people who have lost a lot of weight by doing this, but I think this might not be the route for me. Your thoughts?

My friend was on the Atkins Diet last semester and she lost ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL kinds of weight. I mean homegirl looked good her body was bangin', I thought she looked good before she lost the weight. She also exercised too so it goes hand in hand, she also said that she found sugar free food that taste just the same as if it had sugar. If you want to lose weight you have to be motivated, just give it a try and see how it turns out. Good luck and keep us posted;)

My husband is on Atkins and has lost 27 lbs. in 3 mos.
I tried but it drove me nuts! I NEEDS my carbs:D :rolleyes:

stick with it
 

I have been on the diet for 4 wks and 3 days (still in induction). I have lost 18 lbs and some inches. If you are really craving sugar try the Atkins shakes, they are good and only 2 carbs. By the way they are on sale at Wal-Mart this week. For desert have a Jolly Rancher jello cup it's 3 carbs and made with Splenda. Watch out for asparteme. The Atkins bars which you can find at some grocery storeS, GNC and Vitaminworld are good as well. Oh yeah make sure you take a supplament. I take a multivitamin now. Come tomorrow I'm gonna start One a Day Weight Watch ( I think that's what it's called) it's in a green box. Make sure you get a check up and blood work done to see if you can do the diet. Ask for blood test on you colesterol (sp?) so you can see how far you came. Don't weigh yourself everyday!!! You are not gonna lose weight everyday, sometimes it can go up and down. Read all lables and remember all carbs are not the same. Subtract your fiber from your carbs and that's the total. Spike from GNC is a good seasoning and chicken seasoning don't have sugar. Stay motivated, cause girl after the first two days you are gonna get an energy boost. After your induction you are gonna see results. If you don't see them you'll feel them. Keep me informed on ya progress. Keep ya head up!!!! :D

Thanks for all of the support! I think I just wasn't prepared for this. You know sometimes you have to mentally prepare yourself for a diet such as this, and I wasn't mentally prepared AT ALL! However, after hearing these great results, I'm going to stick with it. I do work out, so that's not a problem. I have three weddings to look good for in the next year, and I want to lose a LOT of weight. I will keep you all posted.

Any more advice? results? sucess stories?

Atkins can be a good way to lose weight but from what I have read you have to be prepared to make this a permanent lifestyle change.

Induction (extreme carb reduction) only lasts for two weeks, and after that you can have a small amount of carbs and make healthy veg/fruit choices, but it is still rough.

Just make sure you are getting enough fiber! One supplement that is used regularly by Atkins folk is Benefiber. You can get it at any drugstore, it's not gritty and you can mix it with anything (except juice).

I've been doing low carbing for 3 years now and have kept off the weight. Someone said it is a lifestyle change and they are completely correct. If you go back to eating foods in high carbs on a daily basis, you will regain the weight you lost.

Please read the Atkins book (it's probably available at the library)to get information about the diet. Alot of people don't understand the induction period and the diet.

I use my own version of Atkins. For instance, I would eat unlimited amount of fruits and vegetables and the reason is that I will not gain weight just by eating fruits and vegetables. Now my big thing was bread. I love bread and chocolate. I only eat bread and chocolate on special occasions and do not make it an everyday thing. I also exercise 5 times a week.

Also, when I slip up, I just go back to the induction phase to lose the weight I gained.

Remember to eat a variety of foods and drink plenty of water.

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I've done the Atkins diet and lost a good amount of weight. I got my wedding dress pre-Atkins, and by the time I went for my alterations I was swimming in it :)

It is normal around day 3-4 of induction to start really craving the carbs. Your body keeps 2 days' worth of glucose around, and you've burned through that. Just stick to your guns, and you'll end up in ketosis and burning fat.

During induction, stay away from anything processed (this includes Atkins shakes, bars, etc). Stick to meats, eggs, cheese, and salad veggies. Save the treats for after induction.

The Atkins plan has the effect of suppressing hunger. It's important that you eat at mealtimes even if you're not hungry - even if it's just a small amount.

Also during induction, drink only water if you can; if you can't, then at least stay away from caffeine, alcohol, and anything with sugar or aspartame. After induction, you may find that you can drink caffeine and/or alcohol without affecting your weight loss, but if you stop losing - stop drinking. Whatever phase of Atkins you're in, though, try to drink at least 64oz of water per day.

EXERCISE - or your body will burn muscle along with the fat.

Good luck! :)

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I did Atkins a while back and it was hard as helllll. I would eat about six or seven times a day because meat and vegetables never made me feel full. I also really enjoy fruit and fruit juices, so that was very hard for me.

Atkins really is a lifestyle change and it is one that I am not prepared to make right now. As soon as I ate carbs agains, the few little pounds I lost came right back. I am contemplating trying it again though. We'll see . . . .

Fashionista diet
 

I'm also not prepared to make that drastic a lifestyle change. I've heard that the Atkins diet is something that's favored among the fashionista set, who actually sort of cheat because they still drink alcoholic beverages.

3rd Day Update...
 

Again, thanks for all of the information, support, etc. regarding the Atkins Diet.

Today was the best day for me. I scrambled FOUR eggs and had two slices bacon.

Later I had some turnip/mustard greens! They were the BOMB!

Then I had some tuna.

I've dranked nothing but water! I feel better about it...after MUCH PERSUASION!

Re: 3rd Day Update...
 

Is this all you ate? You might think about supplementing your diet with protein shakes. Not eating enough calories can stall weight loss.

Re: Re: 3rd Day Update...
 

Okay, I'm not eating enough? At times, I feel like I have a bottomless stomach, but after eating those greens and tuna, I was totally full! What should I do? Help a sista out! ;) :D

Re: 3rd Day Update...
 

You should try adding a salad with chicken. Also, I use spinach leaves instead of lettuce. Lettuce has little nutritional value. Spinach is full of vitamins.

Also, make sure that you are eating enough calories. Eating too few calories will make your body assume that it is starving itself and will conserve fat.

Re: Re: Re: 3rd Day Update...
 

The first and best thing you can do is keep a food diary. Keep track of what you eat on a daily basis for a few days (and I mean EVERYTHING- not an approximation, but a precise record of everything you put in your mouth and what time you put it there). AT the end of the day try to tally your calories.

There are a number of web sites that list your BMR (Base Metabolic Rate) which is the number of calories your body needs at minimum to perform basic functions (breathing, temperature control). Go to one and have it calculated. Set your minimum number of cals per day a bit above that number and make sure you stick to it (many dieters find that number higher than what they were initially eating, but if you are exercising it's really important to eat enough).

Thanks LovelyIvy!

I must admit, I haven't been eating three meals a day this entire week. So that's a NEGATIVE! I think that's one of the biggest things working against me...the fact that I don't eat but about once a twice a day. I'm trying to change that completely. This diet is going to help in that area. Monday will be week 2...I'll keep you all posted.

Update...
 

Just wanted to give an update on how I'm doing on the Atkins Diet...well...I'm not doing it any more! It's too hard! I love my fruit, I love my vegetables (only three cups/day), I just can't eat meat like that! I need something to go with it! So...I flunked at the Atkins Diet. I need to just focus on eating healthier and continue to work out! That's all I have to say about that...;)

Lift weights
 

:D :cool:

I don't have the will power to do any missing carbs, I might kill somebody. I recently lost 28 lbs in three months. I have done this once before about 3 years ago. Both times I did the low fat, excercise 3-5 days a week thing and it worked and quickly. This time however my husband told me to lift weights... I was like no way! I started lifted weights with him on March 31, I weighed 192 lbs (I am 5'9" thank god) today I weigh 164 lbs I have NEVER been this toned. I have definition in my arms and legs, I 'm like whoa! Light weight lifting help me take the weight off quick and the resukts are great I went from a size 14 back down to an 8, and that a real 8 not a Lerner's 8 (some of yall know what I mean)!;)

Re: Update...
 

I was on Atkins also and it is hard. I followed it religiously for the first few weeks of this year. After I lost most of the weight I wanted, I ate sensibly and slowly took off the last few pounds. Working out and eating well including fruit is a great way to take off weight. Good luck to you! :)

Re: Update...
 

That's ok Del...at least you tried. I agree with Wonderful1908...I would KILL somebody if I didn't eat carbs. I lasted about a week on Atkins. Why don't you try a sort of modified version? Watch your fats, work out but be mindful of your carb intake especially at night. My friend lost a lot by not eating carbs after 4:00pm. Even weight watchers tells you to watch your carb intake.

Thanks for the support all! I am actually going to do that toocute! I think not eating carbs after a certain time would be very beneficial for me. My biggest problem is eating three meals a day. I am sooooo busy...I usually only eat ONE time/day! I know that's bad, but that's what I've gotten use to. I'm going to actually try to change that. Another problem is that I don't cook often enough. I'll keep everyone posted though.

You may think you eat one meal a day BUT are you snacking on stuff all day long? Instead of three meals try 5 or 6 mini meals

I'm starting the induction phase today. I'm really not trying to drop much weight...just tone my stomach up, but the reason I decided to start the induction is because I have a bad carbohydrate problem. I can eat bread all day long. I just love me some bread.:(

I've started a regular exercise program, but I just thought that id I can make it through the induction phase, then afterwards I may be able to train myself to only take small portions of carbohydrates. I want to control my problem now before it gets out of hand.

Toocute, actually, I may eat some fruit or something mid day, and after work or class, I'll eat dinner and that's all I'll have for the day. That's usually how it works for me. I know I need to do MUCH better than that though. Like today for example, I had a breakfast bar for breakfast then around 3:30, I had dinner...but I'm still full so I'm not eating anything else. I have had a lot of water though, so I feel full still.

1913CrimsonQT...keep us posted with your induction phase.

That may be the problem. Your body needs fuel and your not giving it any. Your metabolism is probably low.

I know that's the problem. I'm going to start working on that though.

I caught myself trying to eat bread yesterday.:( I had to pray on it.

LOL! I'm sorry sweetie but that just struck me as funny.

"Lord please give me the strength to not butter up this roll and eat it" :D

Hang in there!

it is soooo hard to give up ALL OF THAT STUFF! But stay strong, and focused. It will pay off. Look at me, I'm an Atkins Drop Out trying to encourage you.

I'm on day 5 without any carbs!!:D

I've also started excerising regularly. I just walked a mile on the treadmill. Here is my exercise routine:

Treadmill
Exercise Bike
Sit Ups
Crunches
Reverse Crunches
Side Bends
Leg Lifts
Calf Raises
Butt Kicks
Squats
Lunges

I bought an ab roller cause it was on sale at Rite Aid, but I haven't used it yet.

A lot people ask me what a butt kick is...so...

Butt kickers
As the name suggest this exercise works one muscle and one muscle only. The butt. It firms up you rear end. I hate a jiggly booty.

1. Position yourself on all four - hands and knees in contact with the floor. Gently lift one foot off the ground.

2. With the lifted leg maintaining a bend in the knee, raise the foot high above your bottom. Hold and squeeze for 2 seconds. Slowly lower and repeat 15 times.

I also tried the atkins diet. It was not for me! I love bread and fruit too much. Now I am on slim fast and I have lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks. That might not be much but I feel much better about myself. I am also walking an hour each night and doing ab crunches to get rid of the belly. Slim fast has a great web page that helps you keep track of your weight, food you eat and your exercise program. It helps to keep track of what you eat. You don't realize how many calories you eat until you try to stay under 1200 a day.
Good luck with finding the right diet for you!
Anne Marie

I, too, like bread and fruit too much to do Atkins. I highly recommend Weight Watchers. It is very balanced and healthy. You can have a big variety of foods; you just have to count the points for what you eat. It's easy. I have lost 26 pounds since the first of the year. That sounds slow, but it is a plan that I can live with and not suffer. Getting a little more exercise helps as well. I feel a lot better and I can wear clothes that I couldn't wear this time last year.

You just have to find a program that you can live with. Sometimes it takes trying several before you find "the one."

OMG !!! I have No Idea how you could swallow those shakes. I was all excited about starting that diet once and one sip made me change my mind. I've seen lots of people get great results though.

I've also seen alot of folks do REALLY well on weight watchers point system, dropping dress sizes and inches in no time. I plan to start right AFTER the holidays. In Louisiana Holiday food is NO joke!!:o :D

I thought I would share my Adkins story with you. I have done a no carb diet before which is much more difficult than Adkins. But in April my father who is 50 found out he had some serious health issues. His Dr suggested Adkins. I took summer classes and didn't see him at all. I came home this week and my dad has lost 90 pounds, yes 90 pounds! It really is amazing and I know if my dad can do it, anyone can. I'm planning on starting Adkins once my cupboards are bare of carbs.

Don't get me wrong, any exercise is better than none, but working with weights is far more efficient.

Contrary to popular mythology, you will not turn into a She-Hulk if you touch a weight over five pounds. You would have to be a genetic mutant on steroids to even BEGIN to look like that.

Use some weights! The basic moves, squats, dead lifts, rows, curls are EASY to do and have great effect. There are numerous books on the subject for those just starting. Joyce Vedral has a couple hundred, lol.

FYI- situps and crunches will not tone up your stomach. We all start out with a six pack, it is just covered by body fat. A tight stomach is a result of losing body fat, i.e. cardio and careful diet (not necessarily caloric restriction, for a LOT of six-packers it involves eating protein, protein and more protein!). You will lose the tummy when you lose weight overall, point blank.

When you lose 10 pounds in two weeks most of that is water. You would gain it back the minute you went off the diet.

Also, the Slim Fast diet is really a waste of your money and can end up being unhealthy. If you want to lose weight and keep it off you have to modify your diet in ways that you can maintain. You have to be willing to change the way you eat permanently, not just have shakes for a month or two. It doesn't have to be Atkins, it can just be about eating healthy. The Slim Fast shakes are really low in protein and incredibly high in sugar. I know plenty of people who started the SLim Fast diet but none who kept weight off on it and most of them had digestive problems while they were on it! A better website that can be of use to those losing weight is www.fitday.com - they aren't trying to sell you any nasty, sugar-filled shakes, they just help you keep track of what you eat, your goals, and how you are doing in general.

Instead of wasting your money on a 2.00 shake, eat more whole-grain foods (less white rice and processed junk, more brown rice, whole grain wheat bread), healthier forms of protein (white meat chicken and fish) and fruits and vegetables. That's the only way to really go about losing weight in a healthy way and KEEP IT OFF.

The BEST way to lose weight in my experience (and I lost a good deal of weight two years ago and have kept it off) is to exercise. Walking is a good place to start, but you really want to concentrate on building muscle (which will cause your metabolism to increase since it burns faaaaaar more calories than fat and since most conventional diets result in a LOSS of muscle, which is why people who go off diets gain all the weight back- they lowered the amount of muscle they have and the amount of calories they burned on a daily basis).

I am NOT trying to pretend that it is easy. Losing weight can be anything but! Unfortunately, there are no quick answers. The only way it can be done healthfully and PERMANENTLY is NOT a quick one nor is it an easy one.

It DOES happen to be a cheap one though!

I know that people will end up doing what they want to do regardless of how many times you tell them what a good/healthy way is, but I just wanted to share.

good luck!

I'm currently reading Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution book, which is the updated version. I don't know if you have any of his books, but if you don't you must purchase and read this one. It explains the whole process in great detail and even comes with a lot of recipes and a carbohydrate gram counter that you can take with you to the supermarket. You can find more recipes on his website, www.atkinscenter.com.

Now that you are almost halfway through the Induction phase, how do you feel? Have you started to notice any changes in your body??

I lost 10 more lbs since the last time I posted on this thread. That makes me 28lbs lighter. I bought some pants that is my goal to get in. I coulnd't pull them on my butt whem i bought them, but I can get them up now. If only I could fasten them. My only problem is that I have a closet full of new clothes and I can't find reciepts to any of them. What should I do with them? Maybe once I know the weight is definantly off for good I will sell them on ebay and donate the rest to Goodwill or Salvation Army. :D

I've been out the loop for a while, but I see there's been a lot of action going on here. 1913CrimsonQT...girl you're workin' it out!!! Good job!

Lovelyivy, are you a personal trainer or something? You're giving GREAT tips!

I think I'm going to start Atkins one more time next week. I've been really working out and I need something to keep me in check. I love CARBS! I didn't know I was such an addict. But my booty is too big, y'all. I'll keep you posted and 1913Crimson, do the same for us please. Keep up the great work!

Good luck! I know I couldn't do Atkins, but I am over here rooting for you.

When I lost my weight I did it by doing hella research! I grew up with too many anorexics at school and even my Mom and her friends have tried just about every fad diet in the book! I didn't want that for myself so I did excessive research on how to do it right.

I should get certified in this or something, lol.