Diets...
 

Question about diets: Has anyone done (and kept doing until successful ;) ) the Atkins Diet? Or something similar that works and not that hard?? My aunt did not do the exact Atkins but she simply stopped eating carbs. (and no sweets at all) and lost a lot of wieght. She first did it religiously for about 3 months then she still did it but every once in a while she would treat herself to some fruit, a baked potatoe, you know lil things. She has lost 85lbs in the course of 2ys. But really she lost it fast and just has kept it off. Does anyone know if that is good for you?? I heard both sides...so just wondering what works. Thanks! :D

ronnie

I am a veteran of the Atkins diet. I lost about 25 lbs in the space of about six months. This was right before I got married - my wedding dress needed major alterations :)

You will have to watch your carbs for the rest of your life, though. You can never again have simple sugars or white flour (which is a good idea anyway). Also, once you've lost whatever weight you want to lose, you go into the maintenance phase, where you eat just enough carbs to maintain your weight. I'm not sure how healthy that can be... (I didn't stay in maintenance like I should have, and to make a long story short, will be starting induction as soon as I'm over this horrible cold I caught.)

Good luck! :)

I'm of the opinion that any diet that is too strict or stringent can't be healthy. I know people on the no-carb diet and they don't allow themselves fruit. FRUIT. Come on! Fruit is not going to make you fat. It seems to me like it really encouraged yo-yo dieting, since I don' t know anyone who can keep it up for that long. I think the key is moderation and exercise, alongside education about what you're putting in your mouth!

That's not Atkins. That's not healthy.

Atkins allows healthy carbohydrates in moderation. I know people who've maintained on Atkins when doing it properly for years.

Not to judge Atkins or any other type of diet, but I agree with Jaggergirl that moderation and exercise is the best combination to stay healthy. Most people know what foods they should be eating-lean protein, veggies, fruit and whole grains-but people just don't! I'm guilty of it too!!!
I have a friend that tried Atkins for a few months and it was very difficult for her to stay on it. If you go out, you can't have a drink unless it's low carb beer (blech) and even then that's a good percentage of the carb allowance. She also had a hard time eating out. Atkins may work for some people but maybe try a reasonable low fat, low calorie diet and exercising 3 times a week and see what happens! Good luck!

I was on Atkins induction phase for about four weeks at the beginning of this year. I lost twelve pounds during that time. I slowly incorporated carbohydrates including fruit in a limited way back into my diet. For example, I ate strawberries with cream every other day for the first week after induction. Now I eat whole wheat bread and brown rice in small amounts instead of the white alternative. I continued to lose weight until I reached my goal.

I am not as strict about Atkins now as I was earlier this year, but I have made many lifestyle changes about nutrition. I have mantained a healthy weight. It worked for me.

For very complicated, biological reasons, I have to follow Atkins...

But, the basic formula for weight loss is calories in < calories out.

Take in less, exercise more, you'll lose...

I know it sounds simple, but it can be the hardest thing in the world for some....I completely understand:(

Atkins works at first, but is EXTREMELY hard to maintain. I fall off the wagon DAILY!

The induction phase of Atkins doesn't allow fruit - too much sugar. Once induction is over, you're allowed to add little bits of fruit in - especially berries, because they don't have as much sugar.

You can drink alcohol while on Atkins, but you have to be careful. No alcohol during induction. Afterwards, you can have low-carb beer (Guinness is right out :(), dry wine (red or white), or hard liquor. The beer and wine have a few carbs that you have to count, but most hard liquor has no carbs, so you could have (say) a martini, or scotch on the rocks. No mixers with sugar.

I take a mix of the theories behind Atkins and South Beach Diet. I have come up with a Low-Carb solution that is comfortable for me. I don't eat the foods that it takes to be strict South Beach. But I can't completely deny myself or I will fail. Since June when I began I have lost 20lbs. I visit my doctor once a month, and that is according to his scale. (Plus my blood pressure returned to normal :) )
If you are denying yourself completely of something I think it is too easy to fail. And once you jump off the carb diet, it is really hard to get back on it. So pay attention to the information regarding glycemic index. And which carbs, and foods, make the cravings worse. It has been great. But this will be my life from now on. It has to be a lifestyle change, or it is only temporary.

Good Luck!!

to really lose weight and keep it off requires a lifestyle change. i know this firsthand because i witnessed it when my sister did it. she was overweight and tried almost everything, slimfast, weight watchers you name it and nothing worked. that is until she simply stopped eating when she was full (which for her is a big deal) and started regular exercise. she started to notice some results and liked how she felt so she started eating different and exercsing everyday. she lost something like 45lbs and she is so much more confident now. she still eats everything she did before she lost the weight, just a lot less of it.

starvation is the best form of dieting

I'm currently doing the South Beach Diet and so far, I've had a lot of success. It's a bit healthier than the Atkins Diet - it stresses cutting out the "bad" carbs and fats. So it's nice to still be able to eat some fruits, whole grain bread, whole wheat pasta, etc. I've lost 15 lbs. on it since August and I still have pretty decent energy.

Last time I'll say it then I stop defending a WOE that I dont even follow:

Atkins does not cut out all carbs. It does indeed focus on "bad" carbs and starches. There are many extremists who follow their own form of Atkins that's not particularly healthy but that doesn't make the actual Atkins diet, when properly followed, bad.

all these diets are too complicated to follow and from what im hearing sounds like they cut down on your energy. people, eat healthy and get to the gym. its a good natural way to lose weight. also, that way you won't feel all guilty if you have a cheeseburger and it screws up your carb intake. :D

I agree that while Atkins might help you lose weight initially, it is incredibly difficult to maintain and doesn't seem like a very healthy diet. In my opinion, it is a much better option to have a balanced diet and a regular exercise routine. By being disciplined about exercising and getting lots of veggies in my diet, I don't feel at all bad when I drink soda or beer or indulge in ice cream.