Thinking of starting Atkins

ManyARamblings

It's gonna be and my sister both sorta working together and low-carb seems to be the way to lose weight fast so can anyone tell me their experiences with it or tips to stick with it? Pros and Cons? I want to know everything I can Thanks in advance!

CashierCantin

Best advice ever: READ THE BOOK.

If you're going to do it right, do it the way it's written. Any other way and it's not Atkins.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!!!

maremare312

Atkins or other low carb has worked really well for me short term in the past. When I get out of control sugar binging eating low carb for a few days kinda resets me and makes me feel like a normal person without the sugar crazies! I know in later stages of Atkins you add more carbs back in, but I never made it that far, maybe a month is all I can do, but it's helpful to transition back to a higher carb plan I think.

ManyARamblings

Thanks! And will do. A couple years back my mom tried it and so she gave me all the books so I can do it right

tlowden1

I did Atkins, and it works to lose weight fast, but if you aren't planning on doing the diet forever, or the way it's written in the book, then be prepared to gain the weight back just as fast, plus some.

mlou16

I did South Beach it is also a low carb plan. Different levels, Weight watchers has the Core plan which is the Same as South beaches level 2. I have a friend who swears by the Jorge Cruise Belly fat plan. I think what ever works for you but lowering your carb intake sounds like the way to go. I lost 15 lbs. and my nieghbor lost 25 lbs in 4 months. It's a commitment and you need to follow it even after you lose the weight. Keeping in mind balance so you don't drop to much weight.

CAHRD

It's not healthy. You need carbohydrates, but you need healthy ones. The weight you lose is a lot of water and is unhealthy Why not just balancing everything? Getting adequate healthy carbohydrates (fruits, veggies, whole grains) along with adequate protein and fat. ANY diet that cuts out a nutrient like that is NOT healthy. I recommend never doing a "diet" that you can't stick with for life.

SnowWhite824

Low carb.... You'll be thin, but you'll also have a heart attack... Wouldn't you rather have a lifestyle change that works for the long haul? Counting calories allows you to eat WHATEVER you want, in moderation. Atkins allows you meat, meat, and more meat.... with a side of MEAT.

inlander

The last two posters obviously have never read the book. Atkins is also like the Paleo diet - all you're really doing is cutting out whole grains for the long haul, and they're not even necessary to remain healthy. I'm not on atkins but a really good online resource for you is a website called sugarfreesheila.com. But yeah - you MUST read and follow the book.

scubagirl319

So many uninformed people giving advice. There is nothing wrong with a low carb diet if you do it right. With a proper low carb diet you do eat fruits, veggies and whole grains. You get rid of all the processed junk from your diet. You will not die from a heart attack, the majority of people who go on a low carb diet improve their blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar problems.

Just like anything else, it cannot be a diet to just lose weight. it has to be a lifestyle change that is permanent. You cannot go back to your old ways of eating processed carbs like potatoes, white bread, white rice, pasta and sugar. You will gain the weight back.

Read the books and make an informed decision if this is for you.

SnowWhite824

So many uninformed people giving advice. There is nothing wrong with a low carb diet if you do it right. With a proper low carb diet you do eat fruits, veggies and whole grains. You get rid of all the processed junk from your diet. You will not die from a heart attack, the majority of people who go on a low carb diet improve their blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar problems.

Just like anything else, it cannot be a diet to just lose weight. it has to be a lifestyle change that is permanent. You cannot go back to your old ways of eating processed carbs like potatoes, white bread, white rice, pasta and sugar. You will gain the weight back.

Read the books and make an informed decision if this is for you.

Exactly - You have to make it a lifestyle change for the rest of your life. Personally, I know I would rather eat anything I want, in moderation, than be on a low carb, where you mostly eat meat. If I had to restrict myself from not eating a potato for the rest of my life... For me, it wouldn't be the way I'd want to live. I couldn't imagine going out with friends, and (while eating my salad), not snagging a few of their fries. Low Carb does work for people, I lost weight on it, but after 6 months, I just couldn't take it anymore more. It was more like torture for me. Of course, I'm not everyone, some people do it, and say they enjoy it, for the long haul.... I just have yet to meet any of these people, and I've been on boards like this for many, many years now.


ETA - The OP said that she wants to do Low Carb because "it seems to be the way to lose weight fast". Thats how people look at low carb - Not as a lifestyle change, but a way to get rid of a few pounds quickly, and then go back to doing what got them to the weight they started at in the first place. And after going from a Low Carb lifestyle to a regular eating lifestyle, the pounds come back on very quickly.

Mommyofseven

I did Atkins, and it works to lose weight fast, but if you aren't planning on doing the diet forever, or the way it's written in the book, then be prepared to gain the weight back just as fast, plus some.

Actually, if you do Atkins the correct way, you can have long lasting success. You just need to bring your carbs back in slowly, a bit at a time until your weight rises. You keep track of how many grams of carbs causes that reacti0on and you have found your carb limit. Not all that difficult really. It really is a long term nutrition plan.

Mommyofseven

So many uninformed people giving advice. There is nothing wrong with a low carb diet if you do it right. With a proper low carb diet you do eat fruits, veggies and whole grains. You get rid of all the processed junk from your diet. You will not die from a heart attack, the majority of people who go on a low carb diet improve their blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar problems.

Just like anything else, it cannot be a diet to just lose weight. it has to be a lifestyle change that is permanent. You cannot go back to your old ways of eating processed carbs like potatoes, white bread, white rice, pasta and sugar. You will gain the weight back.

Read the books and make an informed decision if this is for you.

Exactly - You have to make it a lifestyle change for the rest of your life. Personally, I know I would rather eat anything I want, in moderation, than be on a low carb, where you mostly eat meat. If I had to restrict myself from not eating a potato for the rest of my life... For me, it wouldn't be the way I'd want to live. I couldn't imagine going out with friends, and (while eating my salad), not snagging a few of their fries. Low Carb does work for people, I lost weight on it, but after 6 months, I just couldn't take it anymore more. It was more like torture for me. Of course, I'm not everyone, some people do it, and say they enjoy it, for the long haul.... I just have yet to meet any of these people, and I've been on boards like this for many, many years now.


ETA - The OP said that she wants to do Low Carb because "it seems to be the way to lose weight fast". Thats how people look at low carb - Not as a lifestyle change, but a way to get rid of a few pounds quickly, and then go back to doing what got them to the weight they started at in the first place. And after going from a Low Carb lifestyle to a regular eating lifestyle, the pounds come back on very quickly.

I must say, I am one of those people who enjoy Atkins for long term. I lost all of the weight and was able to stop all diabetes meds and insulins. I looked forward to being on it forever as it made me feel energetic, no bloating and of course, no medicine. I became pregnant and, for a fetus to be healthy, the mother must consume 40% carbs for each meal. No brainer, baby comes first. But then diabetes came back with a vengence! Loads of weight and three insulins. Now I am back on track, have lost almost ten pounds this week and NO INSULIN required. Yes. I think I can keep my fingers off the fries. LOL.

Mommyofseven

It's not healthy. You need carbohydrates, but you need healthy ones. The weight you lose is a lot of water and is unhealthy Why not just balancing everything? Getting adequate healthy carbohydrates (fruits, veggies, whole grains) along with adequate protein and fat. ANY diet that cuts out a nutrient like that is NOT healthy. I recommend never doing a "diet" that you can't stick with for life.

You do realize that Atkins does allow vegetables...right?