POLL: Gonna have my cholesterol tested, and I've been on Atkins for 15 weeks now... **THE RESULTS ARE IN (post #39)**

[Wingznut]

I've lost 35 lbs (my weight chart), and I'm feeling great! Got another ~15 lbs to go (I'm 5'9" tall.)

I told myself when I started that I'd get a full physical and bloodwork after 4 months. Next week, is that time and I have an appt scheduled.

** Before you vote, take note that my cholesterol was pretty low the last time I had it tested (about 2 years ago)... ~160, if I recall correctly. **

 

[Crazymofo]

If its been 2 years since you last had it tested then I wouldnt use that as a comparison... should have had it checked before you started the diet. I still say it'll be lower.

 

[Wingznut]

Good point, Crazymofo... But I doubt it changed at all in the last two years, since my diet has pretty much been the same until I started Atkins.

 

[StageLeft]

Similar or a bit lower, but then losing weight may do that regardless. So really the best way to check this would be to get it checked...then gain your weight back, and then lose it the old fashioned way and compare the weight-loss numbers with one another

 

[Spac3d]

From what I heard, you wouldn't see a noticeable difference in such a short time - but I am no doctor.

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Similar or a bit lower, but then losing weight may do that regardless. So really the best way to check this would be to get it checked...then gain your weight back, and then lose it the old fashioned way and compare the weight-loss numbers with one another

Ha!

Yeah, I don't think so. Losing weight has been one of the toughest things I've ever done in my life. I will NOT be doing this again! (Read: I won't be gaining it back!)

 

[Howard]

Seeing that negative slope makes me warm and fuzzy at heart.

 

[bunker]

Have you been exercising at all or just doing the diet?

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: bunker
Have you been exercising at all or just doing the diet?

Probably exercising in addition to being on Atkins.

Being 5'9" and 215 was not good man! Unless you were ripped............

Glad you lost weight

Koing

 

[esun]

I did a similar thing but over a much longer period and without any specific diet (except eat less and healthier). I started at about 210 and am at 185 now, but then again I'm 5'11". Congrats on losing the weight, I know it's tough.

 

[Wingznut]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone.

Originally posted by: Koing

Originally posted by: bunker
Have you been exercising at all or just doing the diet?

Probably exercising in addition to being on Atkins.

Being 5'9" and 215 was not good man! Unless you were ripped............

Ripped? Ummm... Not hardly!

But yes, mostly running and a little biking. Not a whole lot, about 1.5 miles every other day. When I started I could (literally) only run for about 90-120 seconds before being out of breath. But then again, I've never been a good runner, even when I was a kid. Still, running 1.5 miles is a pretty decent accomplishment.

My original goal was to run a 5k in Sept, but I don't think I'm going to make it.

Also, I recently started hitting the weights, although I wish I started weeks ago.

 

[mtbiac]

hey i'm just wondering, you lost 14lbs in the 1st 2 weeks. I know you arent supposed to lose more than 2lbs a week of fat, so WTF happened here? did you not drink water or loose alot of muscle along with fat or??

i'm currently on a diet of just basically eating healthy (40% carb, 40% protein, 20% fat) and I do cardio + weight lifting 5-6 days a week. Its going good so far but i'm only loosing around 203lbs a week, which i heard was normal, but 14lbs per 2 weeks sounds GREAT

btw i'm now 6ft and 253, down from 270.

Thanks!

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: mtbiac
hey i'm just wondering, you lost 14lbs in the 1st 2 weeks. I know you arent supposed to lose more than 2lbs a week of fat, so WTF happened here? did you not drink water or loose alot of muscle along with fat or??

i'm currently on a diet of just basically eating healthy (40% carb, 40% protein, 20% fat) and I do cardio + weight lifting 5-6 days a week. Its going good so far but i'm only loosing around 203lbs a week, which i heard was normal, but 14lbs per 2 weeks sounds GREAT

btw i'm now 6ft and 253, down from 270.

Thanks!

"203lbs a week"??? HOLY CRAP!!!

The first two weeks hardly count, as most of it is water weight. And what is actual fat is accellerated because your metabolism hasn't compensated for the change in diet. Also, the first three weeks (or so) I was very strict with a 20g carb/day limit. But I've been about 30g-40g/day. If I were very rigid in my carb intake, I could lose weight faster than my current rate, but I chose a path with more food choices.

I believe there's less of a chance of me getting burned out, and a greater chance of me keeping the weight off, by going at a slower pace.

 

[RossMAN]

Where do you hit the weights, home or gym?

 

[Broohaha]

where's the "i dont give a shi!" option... hehe jk. i admire your conviction. i gave up on atkins after two weeks because i wanted a freakin hamburger (with bun) so bad.

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Where do you hit the weights, home or gym?

We have a gym at work.

I do need to get some for home, too. Being as though I play Mr. Mom three days a week, it would be much more convenient.

Originally posted by: Broohaha
where's the "i dont give a shi!" option... hehe jk. i admire your conviction. i gave up on atkins after two weeks because i wanted a freakin hamburger (with bun) so bad.

Yeah, most of the Atkins naysayers preach that the only reason people choose that plan is because of how easy it is. (Obviously those people have never tried limiting their carbs. )

 

[Lager]

What is the latest time you eat?

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: coldcut
What is the latest time you eat?

I don't get off work until 7:30pm, so I usually have dinner right around 8:00. It's not unusual for me to have some sort of snack (nuts, olives, etc) around 10:00.

 

[digitalsm]

I'm 6'2, 235, with a large frame.

I was 270-275 at the begining of the year. I just stopped over eating, I normally eat anywhere from 1700-2500 calories no diet, just healthy eating, and some light exercise. 90% of the time I dont eat after 6pm, only water, skim milk, or maybe a glass or two of oj. Before I stopped over eating, I was eating/drinking 3500-4500 calories a day, with practically no exercise.

However, Im starting a serious exercise plan, with a trainer, so i can get down to 190-200. Its heavy on the cardio, light on lifting. Soon as I get in shape cardio wise, Im going to start lifting alot more so I can bulk up on muscle.

Im not trying to do anything overnight, Im giving myself another 12 to 18 months to get into really good shape.

 

[Wingznut]

Way to go, digitalsm!

I've always heard (and believe) that the faster you lose weight, the easier it is to gain back. Give your body the chance to adjust gradually.

Besides, this isn't a quick fix.... It's a lifestyle change. Even after losing the weight (via whichever means suit you best), if you go back to your old eating/active habits, you'll gain the weight back.

 

[mtbiac]

are there any disadvantages to an atkins style diet besides not being able to eat carbs?? I could easily limit my amount of carbs as long as i could eat alot of other foods high in protein, etc. And is this the most effective way to lose the weight? seems like it is...?

thanks,
mike-

 

[Wingznut]

I could easily limit my amount of carbs...

I know it may sound easy... But it's really not. No cereal, no bread, no breading, no potatos, very limited fruits, no sugar... You have to be very careful of what kinds of veggies and condiments. The list goes on and on.

And I don't know about Atkins being the "most effective." The New England Journal of Medicine recently released a study showing that people on Atkins lost more weight after six months, than people on a more typical low calorie/low fat diet. But after 12 months, they were pretty much even.

There are dozens of nutritional plans that work. It's just a matter of choosing one that you can stick with. And of course, that's going to vary from person to person.

 

[Kadarin]

Since May I went from 183lbs to 168lbs (I'm 5'7"), not by Atkins, but by limiting fat/calorie intake and exercising at home with an extension of the routine I learned in the Army.. Also, I did some little things like substituting Pepsi One for Coke (can of Coke is 130 calories, and it adds up), and drink water or gatorade instead of soda. My body fat percentage dropped noticeably, as well, and I have a more pronounced muscular build.

 

[tcsenter]

I dropped my serum cholesterol 20 points just abstaining from fast food for about two months (from 220 to 200). No exercise, just stopped eating fast food.

 

[Mltsao]

I dont understand why people go on diets such as Atkins. As people have said on this thread the only way to lose weight and live a healthier life is to improve your diet, improve your mental health and exercise on a regular basis.

I feel that these diets have harmful long term effects due to the imbalance in nutritional intake.
The important thing is how much effect you are going to put into losing weight.

Any, congrats WingNutz