Atkins diet question

[BD231]

Don't do the straight Atkins Diet, his idea is good but it's a bit extreme. Meat, Lettuce, Vegtables, cheeze, apples(apples+cheeze is bomb) and other fruits plus an hour of exercise a day will get you loosing weight FAST. You wont go through the possible headaches and low energy bullsh*t the Atkins diet leads to.

With that in mind, anything processed is the enemy while loosing weight. Stop eating ANYTHING with wheat in it, don't drink ANY drinks with sugar in them and your pretty much on your way to slim-town.

Once you start eating healthy you can have the sh*tty foods every once in a while as long as you make sure your main diet stays healthy.

 

[Brutuskend]

I'm fairly close to goal weight,am just having real trouble getting the last bit off.

You just need some good Brutuskend LOV'IN, that would..... OH hell, who am I kidding.... never mind :Q

 

[Pennstate]

If you are serious about losing weight, try the atkins diet and follow the "Body for Life" exercise regiment.

Sam's club is the Atkins dieter's friend. THey have 5lb bags of cooked buffallo wings, Tequila lime wings, 3lb bags of string cheese, 2 pound bags of SAlami, 4lb bags of various flavors of cooked chicken breasts. And they have large bags of pre-washed salads. Also pick up some low-card proteins bars while you are there.

In case you are wondering, I lost > 55 pounds of fat and gained >15 pounds of muscle while doing the about regiment in about 5 months.

I plan on running a marathon this fall, something that I've never would've dream of before.

Having said all that. Atkins is at its best a transition diet. It teaches you to quit eating junk food (chips, soda, candy etc.) and other simple carbs that have a low satiety (sp?) value. Weight lifters use it to lower body fat %. WHen you hit your target weight, the Atkins "maintenance" stage is pretty much a healthy diet without all the junk food. Sure you may eat more meat than the "conventional healthy diet" but in reality, the conventional diet is very deficient in protein intake. You should eat about 0.8x of your weight in pounds in the number of grams of protein a day. (i.e. a 150lb person should eat about 120grams of protein a day). And keep on exercising. Atkins alone will not give you miracles, Atkins + execises will.

 

[Deeko]

You can't just do Atkins for a few weeks, lose some pounds, and then go back to normal. To be most effective, its essentially a lifestyle change. My exgirlfrien was on it last fall, and sure she lost about 10 pounds, but then decided that was enough and went back to eating like normal, and quickly gained back like 13.

 

[vash]

I wish a few people (in this thread or commentors on the Atkins diet in general), would read past the first few chapters of the book. If they did, they would learn the following:

1. The BEGINNING of the diet strips you of eating NO CARBS because its trying to remove your dependance on them (hormonally and emotionally).

2. The MAJORITY of the diet is focused on eating meat and veggies.

Sure, the beginning part of the diet sounds unhealthy, but so would eating Coke and chips for only two weeks straight (the general beginning of the diet). The majority of the diet is a lifestyle change -- getting all nutrients from good meats and veggies.

Really, does anyone see a problem with this? Getting a lot of the daily nutrients from meats and proteins is the base idea for the diet, all non veggie carbs are limited, since they are a "man made" food.

vash

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

For the simple people . . .

1) Sit down and drink a litre of water. Collect your urine at 30min, 60min, and 90min. A healthy set of beans (kidney that is) will eliminate the entire volume in 90min or less . . . with the exception of cycling females. If you have any degree of excess water, water consumption and subsequent void actually DECREASE total body water. Hence outside of hormonal manipulation (steroids) you can lose weight just by drinking water.

2) The excess protein consumption advocated by Atkins requires copious water consumption to facilitate healthy renal function in the elimination of nitrogen wastes. It's one of the few contraindications to Atkins diet (renal impairment).

3) Your body never mobilizes all of its glycogen stores during a given exertional challenge. What changes over the duration of exercise is the relative proportion of fuels. Your calculation of total body glycogen is grossly inaccurate . . . try the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition if you want a decent estimate of total body glycogen.

4) The induction phase of Atkins is very much calorie limited b/c most people are quite challenged to replace the 40-60% of daily caloric intake previously provided by carbs. I was highlighting the differential between early Atkins and the typical ADA/AHA diet. The latter diets slowly deplete muscle glycogen but calorie totals typically exceed the recommended Atkins induction. Therefore they will not cause rapid short term weight loss.

 

[Red Dawn]

If you were to restrict your caloric intake to say about 1500 a day would your metabolism slow down to compensate for the lower intake?

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

I'm not a fan of Atkins b/c the details of the original Atkins were quack. But there's absolutely no doubt that some people have made dramatic changes in their health status secondary to his diet plan. I have no criticism of that whatsoever. The New Atkins is clinically sound and actually has the potential to be a reasonable alternative to people who don't want to follow ADA or AHA. Atkins (god rest his soul) became a millionaire selling quack which bordered on sound science. Through multiple revisions Atkins has become more credible and some of his principles have been redeemed if not exalted.

But the Atkins hype is unhealthy. It is not the diet that changes people's lives. It is the decision that people make to change their lives.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

If you were to restrict your caloric intake to say about 1500 a day would your metabolism slow down to compensate for the lower intake?

Yes it is a primal survival mechanism . . .

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

(completion of the thought)

. . . that's why most diets fail b/c people resume previous eating patterns and quickly regain lost weight. When you exercise you stoke the metabolic fire. Your body can adjust only so much downwards (metabolic thermostat) but it will always respond to increased demand (exercise).

I try to avoid using starvation data b/c the best data came from concentration camps . . . you cannot ethically justify starving people to find inflection points.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: BaliBabyDoc

If you were to restrict your caloric intake to say about 1500 a day would your metabolism slow down to compensate for the lower intake?

Yes it is a primal survival mechanism . . .

So doing an hour of Cardio a Day would keep your Metabolism normal and work towards your Caloric deficit in your goal to lose wieght? What happens when you hit your goal up your Caloric intake and cut back on your Cardio (not cut it out but maybe in half)?

 

[Marshallj]

Originally posted by: SnapIT

Consumed calories - expended calories, that is what it's all about, eat less than you expend and you will loose weight... And give it some time, don't rush too much, you will just get tired of it and eventually fail...

It's not quite as simple as that. To be more accurate, I'd say "absorbed calories- expended calories, that's what it's all about".

I took in many more calories when I was on the Atkins diet, yet I quickly lost weight. That's because out of everything you eat, sugar and other simple carbs are absorbed the easist and most quickly. You can eat many more calories from fat, and still lose weight. That's what I did, and lost 50+ lbs (and kept it off).

 

[Marshallj]

Originally posted by: FeathersMcGraw
Atkins is going to slow it down. Weight loss from Atkins derives from lowering caloric intake, not accelerating caloric burn.

You obviously have not read and understood the book. Weight loss from Atkins does not derive from lowering caloric intake, my caloric intake was higher on the Atkins diet than it ever was (since I consumed more fat, and fat contains the most calories).

Read the book first, then comment.

 

[tontod]

Originally posted by: flamingelephant
The atkins diet is a starvation diet in discuise! IF you want to loose weight, cut out the pop and chips, and do some exercise for 1/2 hour five times a week.

Incorrect, atkins is NOT a starvation diet. It does not place restrictions on portions or number of calories you can eat, just count carbs. The initial part of atkins (induction, should last approx. 2 weeks) limits you to 20 grams of carbs a day, most of which should come from green veggies. After that you can start increasing carbs by 5 grams a week. If you read his atkins for life book and look at the recommended meals, they are quite healthy.

Edit: though he does say that just because there isnt a restriction on portions or calories, you shouldn't stuff/gorge yourself, just eat till you feel full. Common sense basically.

 

[Pennstate]

The induction phase of Atkins is very much calorie limited b/c most people are quite challenged to replace the 40-60% of daily caloric intake previously provided by carbs. I was highlighting the differential between early Atkins and the typical ADA/AHA diet. The latter diets slowly deplete muscle glycogen but calorie totals typically exceed the recommended Atkins induction. Therefore they will not cause rapid short term weight loss.

Let me repeat one last time. The Atkins diet, even its induction phase is NOT calorie-restricted. I ate tons of cheese, wings and salami during induction phase. That's a lot of fat, which has a LOT higher calorie/wt ratio than carbohydrates. Get you your facts straight! Atkins dieters do not count calories.

1) Sit down and drink a litre of water. Collect your urine at 30min, 60min, and 90min. A healthy set of beans (kidney that is) will eliminate the entire volume in 90min or less . . . with the exception of cycling females. If you have any degree of excess water, water consumption and subsequent void actually DECREASE total body water. Hence outside of hormonal manipulation (steroids) you can lose weight just by drinking water.

That is false when you KEEP drinking water. You are not going to dehydrate yourself by drinking water!!!

2) The excess protein consumption advocated by Atkins requires copious water consumption to facilitate healthy renal function in the elimination of nitrogen wastes. It's one of the few contraindications to Atkins diet (renal impairment).

Yes, water is required because of the higher amount of protein consumed. But it's not proven that eating more protein is bad. Hell, even oxygen is toxic to your cells and DNA because it's a powerfull oxidant, but your body deals with it.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

It's really hard to talk to you b/c you don't understand much physiology.

Let me repeat one last time. The Atkins diet, even its induction phase is NOT calorie-restricted. I ate tons of cheese, wings and salami during induction phase. That's a lot of fat, which has a LOT higher calorie/wt ratio than carbohydrates. Get you your facts straight! Atkins dieters do not count calories.

The failed Atkins dieters are identical to dieters who fail other plans. They consume more calories than they think while expending less. It's great that you like cheese, wings, and salami . . . that's not a lifestyle . . . it's a keg of beer short of a Super Bowl party. The interplay between nutrient absorption and utilization certainly makes it possible to consume more fat/identical calories to someone else and lose weight. I salute your personal achievements using a version of the Atkins diet. But if you actually read what Atkins said in his latest book . . . he is not proposing replacing carbs with sat'd fat (cheese, salami) in the typical American diet. His recommendations are identical to ADA/AHA which is to replace simple carbs with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Big difference . . .

That is false when you KEEP drinking water. You are not going to dehydrate yourself by drinking water!!!

I know it may be a stretch for you but do you really think my statement implies dehydration? It is possible to become dehydrated from a high protein diet b/c your body has an absolute water requirement to appropriately void nitrogen wastes. Any normal person that is euvolemic (appropriately hydrated) will void ALL of a water load. Why? B/C you were euvolemic and your kidneys (plus hypothalamic/pituitary/adrenal axis) work. If you are hypovolemic (low volume) you will void based on your degree of dehydration. If you are physiologically hypervolemic but otherwise normal you will void all of the water load plus some.

Yes, water is required because of the higher amount of protein consumed. But it's not proven that eating more protein is bad. Hell, even oxygen is toxic to your cells and DNA because it's a powerfull oxidant, but your body deals with it.

Eating more protein is only bad if your body cannot handle it. Hence, people with renal impairment should not follow Atkins . . . which is unfortunate b/c many people with renal disease could stand to lose some weight. Your body deals with oxygen through antioxidants . . . other than selenium (required for glutathione) where do you think most people get their Vit A, C, and E not to mention co-factors found in fruits and vegetables but NOT in supplements? (oops gave away the answer)

In the case of vit E, which can be found in fish/organ meat, if it is not protected from oxidation by Vit C, it becomes a pro-oxidant and destroys membranes.

You are quite right that oxygen can be toxic. Water also has a toxicity. But that's a non sequitur. Simple carbs can be part of a good diet . . . they are harmful in excess. The same is true for every macronutrient and micronutrient. The old Atkins was reactionary and wrong. The new (and improved) Atkins is generally sound but not a revolution. The truth remains that a healthy lifestyle comes from a sustainable balanced diet and exercise. If most Americans exercised more, ate less saturated fat, ate less simple carbs, consumed more complex carbs, consumed more fiber, and more essential fatty acids they would be healthier. The ADA/AHA and a myriad of research agrees . . . Atkins agrees with most of that as well.

 

[Aceshigh]

Ive been on Atkins for about two weeks now. I am going to stay in the induction phase for a bit longer. So far it has worked great for me. I have lost 14 pounds and I feel healthier. Haven't been hungry at all, my energy level has been good and I haven't had any cravings. Been eating mostly steak, chicken, eggs, and salad. Cut out the coke I used to drink and have been drinking nothing but water.

Atkins is a wonderful lifestyle.

 

[EvilScooby]

I have been on Atkins since Feb 1st. and have lost 38 pounds.

I feel great, cholestrol is downand I don't get the urge for junk foods like I used to.

I used to eat all kinds of cookies, cake and other assorted crap. Having kids who eat all that crap was making me fat.

Now when I first started out I was eating all kinds of meats. bacon. eggs etc..... and really started losing weight.

But now I kind of mellowed out and eat alot of salads for lunch and mostly chicken for dinner.
I eat lots of sugar free jello, nuts and other non sugar items and its not really that bad.
I have slowed down on my weight loss about a pound every 5 days or so, but I still feel great.

I had to actually change my life and eating habits. But its not that bad. I still enjoy good food

 

[JoPh]

it works really well. as long you follow it. you will loose the weight



Diet Soda has no carbs.....

is that still ok to drink? I keep reading everyone cuts out the soda, but since diet soda doesnt have any carbs, i assume it is fine to use.

 

[AzNmAnJLH]

If you are apart of 24 hour fitness they have pamplets and programs you could go on... plus if you gave up on the atkins diet you will gain weight back in double time.

 

[Pennstate]

I drink tons of diet rite (uses sucralose instead of aspartame), it doesn't affect me. Diet sodas are fine for most people. But cutting down sodas of any kind is a good eating habit. And for the weekends, I drink Amstel Light.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Pennstate
I drink tons of diet rite (uses sucralose instead of aspartame), it doesn't affect me. Diet sodas are fine for most people. But cutting down sodas of any kind is a good eating habit. And for the weekends, I drink Amstel Light.

Have you reached your target weight or are you still somewhat overweight?

 

[Looney]

My problem with going on the Atkin's diet is that after a few weeks, i don't get as hungry any more. I typically eat 5 small/medium meals a day, and on the Atkin's diet, i'll be eating 3 meals a day, and if i want to eat more, i literally need to force it. More often than not, i just forget to eat.

It's a good diet though... i actually had to have my cholesterol check for a 4 month period for another medical condition, and during that time, my blood cholesterol level actually dropped. Only the first week or two is hard, mainly from the carb cravings... but after that, it was easy. If i want a snack, i'll eat some cheese or beef jerky. If you crave chips, get some pork rinds.

Read the Atkin's site for how to do the diet... and follow a low carb forum or two for support. You really can lose a lot and fast from the diet.

 

[Pennstate]

Red. I started at 200, I am now at 155. I am 5' 10" so I am at my target weight. I am trying to decrease my BF% further using the ketogenic diet. BTW, recent clinical studies strongly suggest that atkins diet, in short term, is good for your heart, as measured by typical heart indicators (LDL, HDL, triglycerides, etc)


I had my cholesterol checked recently. It was 163 total (good is <200), 97 LDL (good is < 130), 58 HDL (good is > 40), 42 triglycerides (good is <200). Total chol/HDL is 2.8 (good is < 4). This is after all those shrimps, wings, string cheese, meatballs, etc. My doctor was amazed. I tend to think BF% and genetics regulates cholesterol levels more than dietary cholesterol intake.

BTW, I don't eat much string cheese, shrimp, or meatballs anymore. You do get tired of them after a while. But by that time, you've probably lost quite a bit of weight.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: Pennstate
Red. I started at 200, I am now at 155. I am 5' 10" so I am at my target weight. I am trying to decrease my BF% further using the ketogenic diet. BTW, recent clinical studies strongly suggest that atkins diet, in short term, is good for your heart, as measured by typical heart indicators (LDL, HDL, triglycerides, etc)


I had my cholesterol checked recently. It was 163 total (good is <200), 97 LDL (good is < 130), 58 HDL (good is > 40), 42 triglycerides (good is <200). Total chol/HDL is 2.8 (good is < 4). This is after all those shrimps, wings, string cheese, meatballs, etc. My doctor was amazed. I tend to think BF% and genetics regulates cholesterol levels more than dietary cholesterol intake.

BTW, I don't eat much string cheese, shrimp, or meatballs anymore. You do get tired of them after a while. But by that time, you've probably lost quite a bit of weight.

Your going to have to exercise to get lower that bf%. What is it now? Also remember the less of you there is the higher the bf% will be unless you train heavy with weights to put on muscle mass. More weight the less fat you need to have a lower bf%. Much harder to weigh less and get a low bf%.

Remember now that you when you start to exercise more you don't have the carbs that will provide you with energy.

For the people that lose 30lbs+ of weight how much did you guys weigh before and how did you get to that stage? Good you lost it and are still losing but one guy was eating lots of cakes, sweets, sodas and beers. Now it stands to reason that if you cut that out you would lose weight.


GeekBabe you can lose the extra bit. Remember the last few lbs is always the hardest. I wouldn't do the Atkins for you as you would have to make it a *life style* change to make it work. The moment you start eating lots of carbs again then its going to be put back on. Just do some interval training at home.

Whats with everyone wanting to lose weight? If your big but solid with muscle wouldn't you prefer that?