Does anyone do Atkins?

[gerri-e]

I have had luck with it b4 and was thinking of trying it again since I've seen ads recently the reflect changes in the program that allow more variety in the diet while still low carb.

[Proudpatriot]

Most vegetarians avoid consuming animal flesh.  Eggs are not animal flesh and most of the people I know who are vegetarian (not vegan) eat eggs but not meat.  I'm sorry for the confusion.

[AmandaL]

I have done Atkins extremely successfully... the first time (before it was popular and gave you the option of bars, shakes, etc.) I lost just over 100 lbs in 8 months and kept it off for more than 5 years.  Following Atkins does not necessarily mean you're spending any extra money by partaking in the Atkins branded products. I simply eat proteins (mostly eggs and lean proteins, but pretty much anything is ok here, but you have to be careful with things like bacon because a lot of them have added sugar), most cheeses, and lots of leafy greens.  With Atkins it has nothing to do with buying their products and has everything to do with staying with a low net carb count.  I'm about to start Atkins again and this time around, because I get bored eating eggs for breakfast everyday, I'm trying Nature's Best Protein Powder (0 net carbs, not added sweetner, artificial or otherwise) mixed with 1 cup of coffee, but have never before tried a processed item to get me through the diet.

[Jessica21]

i did atkins a few years ago and lost 50 pounds in 4 months! It is literally the only way you can lose weight quickly. I'm back on it - started last week and already lost 16 pounds. Its a MIRACLE DIET.

[hoofadoo]

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@gerri-e wrote:

That's the key, u can't eat  a 16oz steak dripping with butter every day and expect to lose weight and be healthy. Good healthy carbs are part of the plan.

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Statements like this drive me crazy! Yes you can! And I do! 70% of my calories come from fat - Animal fats, and good fats like avocado, olive oil, butter, and coconut oil. I eat 6 eggs and bacon every morning and veg and a meat in the evening (even a juicy, buttery steak). I've lost over 100 lbs and I feel great! 

Anyone looking to low carb, try it and see for yourself. Don't buy into the hype of the low-fatters and vegans against this type of diet with their un-scientific claims. Eating fat is healthy. Eating meat is healthy. The only thing unhealthy is the barrage of processed low-fat, high-carb snacks flooding the diet world, and the supermarkets today. 

[Proudpatriot]

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@gerri-e wrote:

That's the key, u can't eat  a 16oz steak dripping with butter every day and expect to lose weight and be healthy. Good healthy carbs are part of the plan.

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Why not? 

[SunsetRunner]

I'm looking into it ... just purchased the shakes and organizing a grocery list and of course "pyching myself up" for it.

Anyone suggestions?

thanks!

[Proudpatriot]

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

I'm looking into it ... just purchased the shakes and organizing a grocery list and of course "pyching myself up" for it.

Anyone suggestions?

thanks!

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My suggestions are:

1.  Allow yourself 3 weeks to adapt.  Do not quit because  you experience the typical symptoms of adapting to a keto diet.

2.  Eat real food.  I would return the shakes if you can.

3.  If you are not into a regular fitness routine do not start one at the same time you make drastic changes to your diet.  You can (and should) add exercise after a few weeks.

4.  If you are into a fitness routine expect a temporary period where you cannot sustain your regular workouts.  This will not be permanent (see number 1).

5.  Make sure you get most of your carbs from vegetables and not from processed low carb foods.  Processed low carb foods should be eaten infrequently (maybe a few times a month).

6. Don't worry about calories at first.  Once you are used to eating low carb you can lower your calories if you need to do that.  Just get adapted first (see number 1).

7. Drink water.

8.  Don't be afraid to eat fats.

Good luck.

[Raviv]

I have to agree with @Proudpatriot.

Atkins is one form of low carb eating, and it's fine.  After several years, the folks at Atkins decided that vegetables really were a great thing, but they still sell the shakes and bars because people buy them by the truckload.

You can still watch the carbs and net carbs eating real food, and Fitbit or MyFitnessPal are great about helping with that.  If you're on the Fitbit site, you can see "Oh, I ate 25 grams of carbs and 5 grams of fiber, so I ate 20 grams of net fiber."  It's not hard math.

But eating real vegetables and fish and eggs and nuts will ALWAYS be better than eating a shake out of a can or a meal replacement bar.

In the interest of full disclosure, I will add that I use a low carb whey isolate protein powder 2-3 times a week.  But the remainder of the day/week, I'm doing my best to eat real food.  Lunch today is a salad with artichoke hearts and flakes of parmesan cheese.  I'm adding a hardboiled egg or two along with that and a nice cold glass of water.  I might even have a handful of nuts.  So... doesn't that sound better than a shake that might have you running for the bathroom ?

[gogo1]

Research the Whole30 plan. I love it, and will never eat the same again.  I feel wonderful for the first time in ages!!

[Atomicjoe]

Two of the authers of the New Atkins, wrote The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living a keto book. The new approach is very much eat real foods and get the "Atkins effect", ketosis going. Low carb work well and is if you go very low carb, under 50g at day ,it's a keto diet.

Keto support community
http://www.reddit.com/r/keto
http://www.reddit.com/r/keto/wiki/faq

Keto/Diet Websites
http://www.ketogenic-diet-resource.com
http://www.dietdoctor.com/how-to-lose-weight

Low Carb Diet: Fat or Fiction?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GUIBNKnT1M

Dr Eric Westman - Duke University New Atkins Ketogenic Diet for Weight Loss and Health
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSLf4bzAyOM

[Atomicjoe]

I use whey protein as well. It's the only way to get my protein numbers up without adding lots of calaries. Once I'm in a mantance mode I was to get the protein from real food.

[SunsetRunner]

Thanks! I've not heard of it and I believe I'll take a look-see.

[awood08]

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@Raviv wrote:

I have to agree with @Proudpatriot.

Atkins is one form of low carb eating, and it's fine.  After several years, the folks at Atkins decided that vegetables really were a great thing, but they still sell the shakes and bars because people buy them by the truckload.

You can still watch the carbs and net carbs eating real food, and Fitbit or MyFitnessPal are great about helping with that.  If you're on the Fitbit site, you can see "Oh, I ate 25 grams of carbs and 5 grams of fiber, so I ate 20 grams of net fiber."  It's not hard math.

But eating real vegetables and fish and eggs and nuts will ALWAYS be better than eating a shake out of a can or a meal replacement bar.

In the interest of full disclosure, I will add that I use a low carb whey isolate protein powder 2-3 times a week.  But the remainder of the day/week, I'm doing my best to eat real food.  Lunch today is a salad with artichoke hearts and flakes of parmesan cheese.  I'm adding a hardboiled egg or two along with that and a nice cold glass of water.  I might even have a handful of nuts.  So... doesn't that sound better than a shake that might have you running for the bathroom ?

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I did Atkins the first time after I had my son (6 years ago). It worked wonders for me, after my daughter (3 years ago) I wanted to try it again, I found I was STARVING throughout the day. Plus as you said, running for the bathroom daily from the shakes and meal bars. Now I opt for low carb breads and stock up on veggies and fruits. Much better results!