Rant >>>This is what the Atkins plan is TRULY about.....

DianaPowerUp

Seriously???? Not sustainable? I"ve been doing this for 2 mos. now effortlessly. When I make a chunky spaghetti sauce, full of protein and veggies, the kids and my husband get pasta. I eat just the sauce, or I'll make spaghetti squash. I eat turkey without the bread, I eat LOTS of salad, full of nuts, berries, oil, cheese......

It's EASY. I have not yet looked at a cookbook of how to do this or that recipe. It's simple. Get rid of the grains! That's it. I make picadillo, my family has it with rice, I eat just the picadillo.

If you don't think it works, look at my profile pic. I am 46 yrs old. and in better shape than I ever was, and healthier than I've ever been (yes, just had my bloodwork done).

It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's not hard, it doesn't require special cookbooks, and it works. This is a lifestyle change for me, not a diet, btw. When I "indulged" for Easter - let's just say that Monday, I felt the worst that I"ve felt in a loooooong time.

heniko

Back when Atkins first came out, I *switched* to all the low carb breads that were coming on the market, but I didn't actually ever do the diet. I was younger then and not fat. But probably still higher BMI then I should have been. I just went with the fad LOL! Years later, having children and being finally diagnosed with PCOS I started thinking about changing my habits. I stumbled upon Mark's Daily Apple while googling something totally different ... I started reading ... since my doctor did tell me to cut back on bread ... but didn't actually ever say stop eating carbs or even do a low carb diet ... cos well here where I live people mainly live on carbs and fat LOL!

I started changing things around ... applying the Primal ways to my life in Feb 2011. I'm a work in progress but I can honestly i'm about 75/25 now! I've lost 31lbs so far (still more to go!) ... when I intially started I did have the 'carb flu' for about week. Then it went away ... I kept it up until there was a death in my family. I fell of the wagon but did manage to get back on easily without carb flu or cravings! I havn't looked or even thought about bread or pasta which were my weaknesses.

I find it's really doable I think. but as many have mentioned on here you need to start looking at it as not a DIET! But a lifestyle change! If you view it like this then you can mentally except and sustain the change. I mean there are so many ppl out there who delete certains foods even whole food groups due to personal views (vegans, vegatarians) and also due to illness (gluten free, candida, diabetes) so I don't see why people are quick to attack people living the low carb lifestyle ... it being Atkins or Primal/Paleo ...

My parents and grandparents grew up on a high(er) fat diet eating all natural REAL FOOD that was homemade with local ingredients that we knew and could pronounce ... but they did not consume much sugar either. Grains yes I have to say, but sugar no. they don't/ didn't die or have any heart disease ... in fact my grandfather is 98 years old ... he doesn't do any sport or excercise training ... he works only in the garden and walks alot! Yet he is fitter then most 25year olds I know!

For me thou, even as a child I had a natural adversion to fat. I always cut it off the meat and never liked butter, mayo, oil etc. And then in school the idea of fat being BAD was only furthered. In adulthood, I only low fat products ... not once reading labels or questioning what these unprounounable "stuff" was. My weight went up and up ... and BTW I also drank Pepsi by the liter! Then thinking I was being smart switched to DIE-T LOL!

Only when i was diagnosed did I start to question WHAT I was doing and eating ...

Now I say my tests are looking better ... I'm not on any meds, TOM comes naturally (while before since teen yrs it didn't) blood sugar level normal, energy higher and not to mention my mood!

And finally I agree with SilentPost ... REASEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH!!!!

Meganne1982

So many people have made the statement that low-carb is not sustainable. My mother hasn't eaten more than 30 g of carb in a day over the past 15 years, and it's been pretty darn easy to me. It's only sustainable if you decide to sustain it.

CeleryStalker

Couldn't care less if people like Atkins or not. Just popped in to say mmmmm, thanks for posting that pic of the salmon. It looks so tasty. Now I know what to cook for dinner tonight

People have misconceptions about a lot of things. If you think you have a hard time defending Atkins, think about how rough the folks doing HcG have it. LMAO! Personally, I have enough on my plate defending my choice in dog breed (pit bull) and what approach I take in educating and helping my autistic son (LOTS of people think they know what's best for your kid, especially the ones who have never met you or your kid, LOL)

When it comes to weight loss plans, I've learned that, for the most part, it's best to not try to change anyone's mind about one approach or another. It's like politics and religion.

pjharr

And you put me on Atkins and I gain. Why is simple. I have a fat tooth. I could care less about sugar, chocolate or carbs. but you set me off on meat and fat and I'm done for. You really were not planning to eat any of that 5 pounds of pork or beef you bought anyways were you? That was my snack and I had all the bacon in the house for breakfast.

I eat for taste and I will fully admit I am addicted to what Atkins revolves around. One is too many and a thousand is not enough. I'm still mad at Hoss steak house for getting rid of the 18 ounce Filet Mignon. On the other hand I dropped 100 pounds in 6 months on Ornish and didn't even know I lost it. I just knew my pants fell off one day while I was cooking.

It's amazing what works for individuals but they have to know their weaknesses. Mine is the fat off a good steak.

Grokette

Couldn't care less if people like Atkins or not. Just popped in to say mmmmm, thanks for posting that pic of the salmon. It looks so tasty. Now I know what to cook for dinner tonight

People have misconceptions about a lot of things. If you think you have a hard time defending Atkins, think about how rough the folks doing HcG have it. LMAO! Personally, I have enough on my plate defending my choice in dog breed (pit bull) and what approach I take in educating and helping my autistic son (LOTS of people think they know what's best for your kid, especially the ones who have never met you or your kid, LOL)

When it comes to weight loss plans, I've learned that, for the most part, it's best to not try to change anyone's mind about one approach or another. It's like politics and religion.

Well we have quite a few things in common...............

I have done the HCG plan and Yes I will defend it to the hilt also because it helped me in so many ways with the hormonal issues I was having...........

I have a pit bull also (actually, he is half pit, half boxer but looks like a pit) and I almost came to blows with a lady when her little girl laid down on the ground and my Roscoe laid on top of her and was licking her. She kicked my Roscoe (who is still a pup) and made him yelp all because she said he was attacking her daughter, which many people started getting on her for acting the way she did..........

I help my aunt with Autism awareness also as her 11 year old son is Autistic. We (my aunt and I) have my cousin on a low carb, whole foods regime and his symptoms and some of his behavior has greatly improved.

I am not trying to change anyone's mind. I am merely trying to educate people on the the correct way to do Atkins and how it is actually a balanced and healthy lifestyle that many doctors now advocate and recommend.

Grokette

And you put me on Atkins and I gain. Why is simple. I have a fat tooth. I could care less about sugar, chocolate or carbs. but you set me off on meat and fat and I'm done for. You really were not planning to eat any of that 5 pounds of pork or beef you bought anyways were you? That was my snack and I had all the bacon in the house for breakfast.

I eat for taste and I will fully admit I am addicted to what Atkins revolves around. One is too many and a thousand is not enough. I'm still mad at Hoss steak house for getting rid of the 18 ounce Filet Mignon. On the other hand I dropped 100 pounds in 6 months on Ornish and didn't even know I lost it. I just knew my pants fell off one day while I was cooking.

It's amazing what works for individuals but they have to know their weaknesses. Mine is the fat off a good steak.

I don't believe the fat was what was causing the weight gain. More than likely it was the excess protein that was being converted to glucose and was being stored just like carbs.

I no longer eat the Atkins way, I eat even more fat and the weight is falling off me. Just look at my progress picks and that is just under 3 months time frame.............I can't wait to see what 3 more months yields me (which will be right around my birthday).....

CeleryStalker

i hear ya, girl. it's frustrating as hell, ain't it? meh, there's more than one way to lose weight. those who think atkins is the devil, but haven't been able to lose weight on other plans may very well be shooting themselves in the foot by not trying something new.

atkins is decent. its sustainable. it only gets ridiculous when people dont follow the plan the way they should, ie: eating an entire package of bacon and half a dozen eggs, under the guise of 'well, it said i can have as much meat as i want!'

a little common sense goes a long way. LOL!

Aurelina

Presentation at Stanford University by Chris Gardner PhD who has been a vegetarian for 25 years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eREuZEdMAVo

He did a study comprised of four different diets, including Atkins. Atkins did come out on top.

Thank you so much for posting this. Really interesting. At 42 minutes he shows a rather dramatic result that may explain why some do so well with a low carb lifestyle and why it's pretty "meh" for others; it may be that the more insulin resistant we are the more we respond to low carb. He does say that the more overweight we are the more insulin resistant we are.

heniko

So many people have made the statement that low-carb is not sustainable. My mother hasn't eaten more than 30 g of carb in a day over the past 15 years, and it's been pretty darn easy to me. It's only sustainable if you decide to sustain it.

very true!

heniko

Presentation at Stanford University by Chris Gardner PhD who has been a vegetarian for 25 years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eREuZEdMAVo

He did a study comprised of four different diets, including Atkins. Atkins did come out on top.

Thank you so much for posting this. Really interesting. At 42 minutes he shows a rather dramatic result that may explain why some do so well with a low carb lifestyle and why it's pretty "meh" for others; it may be that the more insulin resistant we are the more we respond to low carb. He does say that the more overweight we are the more insulin resistant we are.

watching it now myself

webbed1

I am into bodybuilding, am 5'9" and weigh 200lbs at 11% bodyfat. While I do want to gain about 5-10 lbs more muscle, I also want to lower bodyfat to a sustainable 7-8%. I am a devotee of monitoring calories and macro nutrient distribution--I swing a little between a glycemic based approach and a thermogenic one depending on the cycle of lifting that I am in.

My goals may differ from others, but what we all have to do is the same: Manage calories AND their sources and include exercise. For those of you who frown upon so called calorie counting, substitute ounces, or servings, or portions, etc. --call it what you want. Atkins and the T-factor and many variations all use portion size references in their recipies, so SOMETHING is getting counted. And TRUST me, if you are not counting something, you should. It is scientifically silly to entertain the notion that you can be gaining weight or staying stable at 30% + bodyfat and think that if you simply swap one macro nutrient for more of another AND still eat the same number of calories, you can lose weight. Metabolism just doesn't work that way, although there is some variation attributable to individual genetics.

Use whatever approach you want, but if you think you are overweight, eat LESS. And STICK TO A PLAN. That way, if you are not satisfied with the outcome in reasonable times, you have a great background for tweaking variables.

Grokette

i hear ya, girl. it's frustrating as hell, ain't it? meh, there's more than one way to lose weight. those who think atkins is the devil, but haven't been able to lose weight on other plans may very well be shooting themselves in the foot by not trying something new.

atkins is decent. its sustainable. it only gets ridiculous when people dont follow the plan the way they should, ie: eating an entire package of bacon and half a dozen eggs, under the guise of 'well, it said i can have as much meat as i want!'

a little common sense goes a long way. LOL!

Ha ha, very true. I agree with you whole heartedly. My response to that is usually, That is not Atkins!!!

pjharr

I didn't say the fat made me fat. The fact that the taste sets me off was what I said. I have a fat tooth. MEAT carries fat period in a quality enough that it sets me off.

If I use it rarely and sparingly, except for an eat back meal for my 1200 to 1500 calorie workouts when I allow myself 12 ounces of Filet Mignon as long as I eat everything else I put on my plate, I am fine. But I have to eat enough fiber rich veggies to walk out of Hoss steak house feeling like I ate myself full.

However if I buy meat at the store and bring it home? I'm done for. That 3 pounds of pork is going to be gone by 9 pm.

Don't be so defensive and read carefully please. You have done wonderfully. I just stated why Atkins didn't work for me ok? Not you not anyone else. You don't have a point to prove to me if it is working for you. And I just took off 34 pounds in 3 months [well it would have been more but I had the blanking flu for 2 weeks and couldn't move] on what I do. AND I put on muscle which was my intent. So see what we both do works for both of us to make our goals..

Listen, I am the person that is sadly disappointed they have leaner meat now. If it just had fat around it like it use to have. I would buy the meat with the biggest fat rim and save the fat for a wonderful bite. I love Southern Cooking that requires it be made in pig fat. I love fat. AND at 9 calories compared to the 4 calories of carbs and proteins... It ain't to shabby at slapping on pounds if you ain't careful. That X grams of fat in a dish adds up much faster than X grams protein or even carbs.

waterbabeAD

Really intresting thread. All special diets have critics, advocates and sceptics and Atkins is no exception. I am glad Atkins works for so many people. Personally I could not live without carbs as I exercise for a minimum of 60 minutes per day. The human body was designed to be exercised, and people that exercise need fuel - it is that simple. The only reason i gained weight is that when I moved to a hot country I initially exercised less and ate more. It was that simple.

Exercising joints/muscles/vital organs combined with a balanced diet is what works for most people that are desctibed as "fit and healthy". Any doctor or healthy professional will tell us that. For those that may have health issues and/or can't exercise regularly, then lowering your carbs etc can mitigate weight gain/contribute towards weightloss, but then consideration needs to be given to other potential risks, depending on the eating plan chosen and how the individual body processes the food groups the respective diet comprises.

heniko

Waterbabe I will like to make it clear on lowe(er) carb plans it's not always the carb in a whole but first the simple carbs, then also how the body reacts to the carbs simple or complex. Not everyone is the same, what body needs or can take, maybe totally different from the next person. Low(er) carb lifestyle aren't always about taking out all the carbs, many of us still eat fruits and veg with carbs.

waterbabeAD

Waterbabe I will like to make it clear on lowe(er) carb plans it's not always the carb in a whole but first the simple carbs, then also how the body reacts to the carbs simple or complex. Not everyone is the same, what body needs or can take, maybe totally different from the next person. Low(er) carb lifestyle aren't always about taking out all the carbs, many of us still eat fruits and veg with carbs.

You are absoloutely right and I fully appreciate this. I am not disagreeing with anything that has been said on Atkins.

My main point is that Atkins is not for anyone who has a very active lifestyle. You simply can't be on a low card/no carb diet - I often burn up 2000 calories or more in one training session so therefore need carbs.

Choice of paths to maintaining health via eating and fitness is a very individual thing. I chose to focus more on exercise rather than eating - thats all I am saying. That way I pretty much get to eat whatever I want.

heniko

Yes I know you were not saying it doesn't work ... but just wanted to clarify since many who don't know get that impression

waterbabeAD

Yes I know you were not saying it doesn't work ... but just wanted to clarify since many who don't know get that impression

All good then! My main source of carbs is though fruit, potato, sweet potato, oatmeal, brown rice and occassionally bread and pasta. On my rest day I try to eat very little carbs.

By the way, here is an article that looks at the debate of carbs or fat in relation to exercise - the most interesting extract:

if you need to lose body fat, increase your level of exercise appropriate for your fitness levels and reduce your food intake, especially simple carbohydrate and saturated fats.

Full article

http://ezinearticles.com/?Fuel-For-Exercise---Fat-Or-Carbohydrates&id=3096423

Weightloss isn't rocket science really.... Exercise more, eat less - particiulary food groups that turn to fat if unused

heniko

I *think* mind I'm not a expert people who train more and harder do have different levels of nutrition (carb, protein, fat) but me, since I'm the average person who doesn't train as hard as others/althetes I would have to say for me my body works differently. I went from a high simple carb with little protein or fat of which half was full of sugar (even hidden sugars) and processed foods, so now a clean eating diet of mostly high(er) protein, moderate fat and low(er) carb. It working for me and am managin my PCOS.

But to me I just dislike the cookie cutter information some of the "experts" tell the public since God made us all unique so everyone's needs are different. I see people lowering or carbs/elimating grains altogether no different then vegatarians/vegans eliminating meats.

BTW to the OP I've never followed the Atkins plan but my comments on this thread refer only to low(er) carb lifestyles.

Thanks for the add too!

mideon_696

Its interesting to see how many folk are opposed to these nutrition plans.
most to me, seem afraid because general society has been led to believe that fat is somehow going to kill us...

for weight loss, i've come to the conclusion in my own reseach and experience with mates results with different things, is that high protein/high fat plans work best.

One mate for example. for 3 months, followed a higher fat/low carb/high protein plan that we put together after some research.
eating the higer fat meals 5 days a week, and then went crazy with the carbs on the weekend.
lost 22kg in 3 months. and got much stronger in the process(though he was totally untrained, so this was expcted anyway).
He is never tired. and works out very hard and frequently...,NEVER tired.
his carbs on weekdays are always diligently below 30gms total. his carbs on weekends? usually well above 300gms. and come from a myriad of sources! including Bread!

Works?? I think so.
Safe?? Definately.
His blood results confirm this.

I intend to use this method myself for a month this year to help shift some super stubborn gut fat. All it will take is some dedicated planning. and i'll succeed.

Losingitin2011

I dunno. I figure if it works for some people, fantastic, but it doesn't work for me. It is frustrating to see so many people insisting that their way is the only way, and if you disagree you're wrong.

After having my gall bladder out, I became *much* more sensitive to fats, and that includes good fats. If I have too much, even if it's good, I feel miserable. That being said, I don't think an Atkins or South Beach type diet would work well for me. I would get discouraged and disinterested long before I reaped any benefits from it.

For other people, they don't mind it and it works wonderfully for them. I say fantastic, keep it up.

I just wish people would stop being SO judgmental of other people. We're all here for the same goal , to get healthy, we're just going about it in different ways.

waterbabeAD

I dunno. I figure if it works for some people, fantastic, but it doesn't work for me. It is frustrating to see so many people insisting that their way is the only way, and if you disagree you're wrong.

After having my gall bladder out, I became *much* more sensitive to fats, and that includes good fats. If I have too much, even if it's good, I feel miserable. That being said, I don't think an Atkins or South Beach type diet would work well for me. I would get discouraged and disinterested long before I reaped any benefits from it.

For other people, they don't mind it and it works wonderfully for them. I say fantastic, keep it up.

I just wish people would stop being SO judgmental of other people. We're all here for the same goal , to get healthy, we're just going about it in different ways.

I am sorry about your operation and wish you well in finding your balance in getting healthy.

lady_daraine

For other people, they don't mind it and it works wonderfully for them. I say fantastic, keep it up.

I just wish people would stop being SO judgmental of other people. We're all here for the same goal , to get healthy, we're just going about it in different ways.

AMEN!!!! I wish this attitude was more prevalent on this site!!!

Grokette

bumping back to the top after some of the things I just read.

gcineas

bump

holdthefries

want to read this later. thanks for the post

Grokette

bump

Wileyjoe

bump for later