MAJORLY Frustrated

Hi Blossy! I posted the other day...but just a follow up. You said you're going to stick to Atkins for a while. My suggestion is to do the induction phase for 2 weeks to get your sugar cravings under control (if you have a sweet tooth, not having sugar for a few days will usually make the cravings go away)....and maybe you'll quickly lose those few 'water weight' pounds. However, I would seriously consider after the 2 weeks to do a more balanced approach. You mentioned you've been on 'every diet known to man' in your first post. That's because we've all tried them and fad diets do not work....the weight comes back. I did Atkins for a whole year + but as soon as I stopped the 15 lbs came back quickly. I think the simple concept here on MFP --- Healthy Calories in - calories burned (good work outs) = True weight loss.....for Long Lasting Results.

PS - You can restrict your carbs a little more than what MFP recommends (I lowered mine a few grams because I thought MFP suggestion was a little high.... I still limit and monitor my bread and pasta 'bad' carbs). Atkins is not easy to stay on. I read the book several times and was hooked on the theory for a while but it gets boring and the more I read it's not really healthy for you. I think eating healthy salads, fruits, veggies plus (in moderation) all the other foods I enjoy... rather than a whole bunch of protein (meat, eggs) and little veggies/fruit is a much healthier approach...and will become a way of life -- for long lasting results. Plus, of course, a good work-out schedule. Good luck!

Atkins IS NOT a fad diet, it is a lifestyle change...................The 2 week induction you are supposed to be eating 12-15 grams of carbs in the form of veggies and then after 2 weeks, you are adding in more veggies, fruits, etc....................

If you go through all 4 phases, in the end you are eating a VERY balanced meal plan..............

Atkins is good for those that need the control of adding back in the carbs in a SLOW, controlled manner.

People need to stop bashing Atkins because you did induction for 2 weeks, lost a few pounds and then gained it back when you returned to the Standard American Diet....................Well duh, that is what happens when you don't make lifestyle changes.

I believe where we need to be careful here when saying eat 'fat' and you will be fine. Now, eat GOOD fat, and that is great.

I worked at a Buffalo Chicken Wing place in the height of the Adkins Craze. There was a man who was over 300 pounds and his wife who were on Adkins 100%. He would come in 2-3 nights a week and eat 50 chicken wings loaded in sauce. Hold the fries, please.

Did he lose weight? Yes he did. Was he healthy, I highly doubt it. He sure did not look healthy 50 pounds later.

I have no problem with the Adkins way of thinking, as I am a carboholic and know if I cut out all carbs for 2 weeks, and followed the book to a T I would drop fat around my tummy. I just think we need to be responsible when giving advise.

Lean protien and healthy fats are great for the body (avacado, Olive oil, nuts) Saturated fats are not good for the body.

:flowerforyou: Keep up the good work LL your stats are undisputed!

Hi LL & Blossy. I didn't want to sound like I was bashing Atkins. I totally bought into the concept of Atkins and the lifestyle change, read the books and stuck with the plan for a year + (not just the 2 weeks). Personally I got bored with the limited foods (i'm kind of a picky eater) and I also heard some bad health reports .... but, then again, those reports could be about the people who eat 50 chicken wings a day because they're allowed lots of protein. They're obvioulsy not following Atkins properly. No surprise there. LL - it looks like you're doing fabulous following Atkins! Congrats on that! I saw Blossy was just starting out so I thought I could sway her to do the MFP plan - instead of Atkins. She only wants to lose a few pounds. All in all, we are all here to make "lifestyle changes" and help each other.
I do think we all have to do what works best for us individually ... and limiting the bad carbs is definitely a really good thing!! I still do watch my bread intake as well as processed foods -- good lessons learned while on Atkins. Totally true -- if you go through the phases you are eating more of a balanced diet and I'm sure it takes each person a different amount of time to get to that point... the point where you find out how many carbs you can eat each day (maintenance phase). I think I'm going to enjoy MFP's plan better than Atkins ...and be able to stay on it for life. It was too hard to cook 2 dinners every night (my husband loves pasta).
Just be careful!!! And remember to take your vitamins!!!