Anyone tried the Atkins diet?

[Blackened]

I'll just add one thing: I applaud atkins for introducing some new concepts to dieting- namely, that sugar and insulin elevation is the enemy, and dietary fat is not always bad. Even though I don't agree with his implementation of low carb dieting, I very much appreciate his contribution.

I'm a big fan of CKD (cyclic ketogenic diets)...its a low carb diet that allows for a weekly carbup, which is great for preventing muscle wasting.

 

[Marshallj]

The problem I have now is that I'm trying to build more muscle without gaining fat. This isn't really related to a poor diet since I mostly eat greens and whole grains for carbs.

I can keep the fat off if I want to, but then I'm not able to build muscle. The fitness mags state that this is common, and you can't build muscle without gaining some fat along with it. I just hated being fat and I don't want to gain any fat back. But I guess if I want to build muscle I have no choice. I don't think my testosterone is high enough to pack on much muscle. It's not real low, but I can be as big as I want to be.

I think my diet is pretty healthy now, but maybe I just need to eat more small meals instead of a few bigger ones, I don't know.

 

[Blackened]

Yeah, thats a problem for many people. You just have to toy around with the amount of calories you eat and time spent doing cardio daily until you come up with a combination that lets you gain strength without getting a gut. But I do recommend eating 6 small meals a day every 2-3 hours - this will increase your body temp and metabolic rate so that what you do eat is less likely to turn to fat.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Thank you for your replies. especially from those who have tried it.

 

[y2kc]

Anyone tried the Atkins diet?

yup, darn near killed me... but I was a total wreck at the time anyways. note: not taking a dump for 3 days is very bad.

 

[conjur]

How does that South Beach diet compare?

 

[TheeeChosenOne]

"Panza" in Italian means belly, but also bread (Pan).

The Italians know this apparently. Breads and pastas go straight to the gut.

If you eliminate breads, you'll lose tons of weight.

A sedentary friend of ours lost 30 lbs in two months on the Atkins diet. True to form of the Atkins methodology, after 10 days, the body activated itself to eat the fat since he had no breads of any sort.

The body will eat thru your fat FAST after 10 days.

He doesn't work out as he sits in a cube all day, yet like magic, *poof* 30 lbs off. Not even exercise can do such fast miracles, unless you become a gym rat.

 

[Dedpuhl]

I've been on the Atkin's Diet for 3 weeks now. I have lost 20 pounds without exercising, and I don't care if it's water or fat. I follow a very strict carb-intake plan. I am staying in the "induction" zone until I feel I have lost enough weight.

I am 25 years old, 5'8" and weighed around 230 lbs. I am now below 210 lbs. Here are some of the things i've noticed:


1. I have more energy than ever. I used to fall asleep or feel tired at work. That doesn't happen anymore.

2. I have an economy size bottle of exederin migrane, ibuprofin, and tums in my medicine cabinet. I have not touched any of them since I started the diet. I would get an upset stomache from eating fritos or drinking coke. I would have daily headaches. Now I get minor irritations that do no require medicine.

3. My complexion has changed drastically. I used to have severly oily skin. My face was always breaking out. I thought it was genetics. After a week on Atkins, my skin was noticeably less oily and covered with acne.

4. My face doesn't look fat anymore. My jeans are really loose and I need to get 2 sizes smaller now. The only place where I'm going to have to work at losing is my stomache.

5. I noticed that I urinate about 3 more times a day than usual (my water intake is large) and I do the other less.

This diet is not for everyone. If you have zero willpower, then you will not succeed. This diet has also taught me that caffeine and sugar addiction is a crock of shyte. I used to drink about 5 cokes a day. I only drink water (and 1 low carb drink a day). I never had any type of sugar cravings. I just decided one day that I was too fat and I was serious about losing the pounds.

I miss eating, but don't crave, things like tortilla chips and salsa, but it's worth it.



Here is my typical day of eating:

Morning

generally, I skip breakfast. Sometimes I will eat eggs/bacon. Most of the time I have a low carb shake for breakfast.

Lunch

I eat leftovers from the previous night. I usually have pork chops, hamburger, or chicken. I also eat turnip/mustard greens, mushrooms, or onions. If I don't bring my lunch to work, then I order a double whopper with cheese w/ no ketchup and pickles....throw the bun and have fun

Dinner

I haven't gotten into cooking the meals from the book yet, so I just stick to grilling steaks, chicken, pork chops, and hamburgers. I usually do not eat a side item.

Beverages

I drink almost a gallon of water a day. I also drink a low-carb shake per day.

Snacks

If I get hungry, I grab a handful of peanuts, macadamia nuts, or almonds. I also get the zero carb candy bars (they are actually pretty good). Other snacks include pork rinds, string cheese, or even a can of tuna with a little mayo.

Supplements

The only supplements I take right now are a men's one-a-day vitamin and a fish oil pill per day. I will eventually start taking a calcium supplement.



That's it. It works. I am happy that I started the diet. If anyone has questions about the diet, then send me PM or talk to someone that's been on the diet or is well-informed about the plan.