YAAT: Atkins has me flippin' tired as heck!

[amnesiac]

I started the South Beach diet instead of the Atkins, and it made a few things clear that Atkins didn't.

Eliminating carbs stabilizes your blood sugar, which is not only good for obese people and diabetics, it drastically stabilizes food cravings too. What I like about the South Beach diet is that you are allowed more carbs -- GOOD carbs (basically, you can have grain and cereals and stuff as long as it's whole grain / high fiber). Also, it allowsyou to eat whatever you want. Wanna slip up and have some white bread? Eat some, but douse it in olive oil to reduce the impact on blood sugar. Want ice cream after dessert? Go ahead.

It's certainly less restrictive and easier to live with than Atkins, and makes you feel less horrible for eating the things you really like.

Oh, and Jeff7181, fruit juice is one of the worst things you can drink, because it's almost all sugar, and it gets processed in your body extremely quickly. The SB diet recommends that if you have fruit, eat fresh fruit like whole oranges and apples. That's because the fiber/skin of fruit has all the binders and fiber and nutrients, and you ingest it more slowly. It ends up being a lot better for you that way.

 

[Dedpuhl]

Originally posted by: Jadow
hmm, you shouldn't get tired from Atkins, actually the opposite is more likely. After a few days of Atkins, you should feel better, and have more energy. You'll have Hoover dam like constipation though.

If that happens, it means you need more fiber in the diet

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: yellowperil
Like Amused said just cut out the junk carbs like refined sugar/wheat. You don't need to eliminate carbs completely (probably not healthy in the long run anyway).

I hope you aren't inferring that the Atkins plan calls for you to "eliminate carbs completely"... Because it doesn't.

I'm intaking ~40g/day, and doing just fine.

Originally posted by: amnesiac
I started the South Beach diet instead of the Atkins, and it made a few things clear that Atkins didn't.

Eliminating carbs stabilizes your blood sugar, which is not only good for obese people and diabetics, it drastically stabilizes food cravings too.

Actually, that is all explained in the Atkins book.

As for the SB diet, I've heard good things about it. Keep us updated on how it works out for you.

Btw... A relative of mine was recently diagnosed w/diabetes... The Dr. put her on an Atkins diet both to lose weight and control the diabetes.

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: amnesiac
I started the South Beach diet instead of the Atkins, and it made a few things clear that Atkins didn't.

Eliminating carbs stabilizes your blood sugar, which is not only good for obese people and diabetics, it drastically stabilizes food cravings too. What I like about the South Beach diet is that you are allowed more carbs -- GOOD carbs (basically, you can have grain and cereals and stuff as long as it's whole grain / high fiber). Also, it allowsyou to eat whatever you want. Wanna slip up and have some white bread? Eat some, but douse it in olive oil to reduce the impact on blood sugar. Want ice cream after dessert? Go ahead.

It's certainly less restrictive and easier to live with than Atkins, and makes you feel less horrible for eating the things you really like.

Oh, and Jeff7181, fruit juice is one of the worst things you can drink, because it's almost all sugar, and it gets processed in your body extremely quickly. The SB diet recommends that if you have fruit, eat fresh fruit like whole oranges and apples. That's because the fiber/skin of fruit has all the binders and fiber and nutrients, and you ingest it more slowly. It ends up being a lot better for you that way.

You know what the big difference is between south beach and atkins? The book is dumbed down immensely, treating the reader like a child. Atkins talks extensively about the blood chemistry involved and the insulin cycle and trying to stabilize it. He discusses it in a professional and scientific manner. The south beach author discusses the same material without backup evidence and written in a horribly dumbed down manner. Atkins does not eliminate grains, whole grains are encouraged but carb content should be watched. South beach did not appear to have an induction, thus eliminating the step to curb carb cravings. Induction in Atkins is all about breaking insulin dependence and curbing your cravings so you can be successful with the rest of the diet. I saw nothing in south beach that does the same thus in my opinion setting more people up for failure.

 

[Stark]

Originally posted by: rahvin

Originally posted by: amnesiac
I started the South Beach diet instead of the Atkins, and it made a few things clear that Atkins didn't.

Eliminating carbs stabilizes your blood sugar, which is not only good for obese people and diabetics, it drastically stabilizes food cravings too. What I like about the South Beach diet is that you are allowed more carbs -- GOOD carbs (basically, you can have grain and cereals and stuff as long as it's whole grain / high fiber). Also, it allowsyou to eat whatever you want. Wanna slip up and have some white bread? Eat some, but douse it in olive oil to reduce the impact on blood sugar. Want ice cream after dessert? Go ahead.

It's certainly less restrictive and easier to live with than Atkins, and makes you feel less horrible for eating the things you really like.

Oh, and Jeff7181, fruit juice is one of the worst things you can drink, because it's almost all sugar, and it gets processed in your body extremely quickly. The SB diet recommends that if you have fruit, eat fresh fruit like whole oranges and apples. That's because the fiber/skin of fruit has all the binders and fiber and nutrients, and you ingest it more slowly. It ends up being a lot better for you that way.

You know what the big difference is between south beach and atkins? The book is dumbed down immensely, treating the reader like a child. Atkins talks extensively about the blood chemistry involved and the insulin cycle and trying to stabilize it. He discusses it in a professional and scientific manner. The south beach author discusses the same material without backup evidence and written in a horribly dumbed down manner. Atkins does not eliminate grains, whole grains are encouraged but carb content should be watched. South beach did not appear to have an induction, thus eliminating the step to curb carb cravings. Induction in Atkins is all about breaking insulin dependence and curbing your cravings so you can be successful with the rest of the diet. I saw nothing in south beach that does the same thus in my opinion setting more people up for failure.

I must have been the intended audience for SB. My wife got the new Atkins book and I had no interest in it. I heard about SB, read the book in a week while on my afternoon crapper break and have lost 10 lbs so far. It's not a hard diet, you just have to understand what will make you fat and what won't. Basically all the things you thought were good aren't (big glass of OJ, "wheat" bread, never ending pasta bowl) and the stuff you used to eat only a few bites of are good (eggs for breakfast, veggies for sides, nuts for snacks).

SB explains it all very well.

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: Stark
I must have been the intended audience for SB. My wife got the new Atkins book and I had no interest in it. I heard about SB, read the book in a week while on my afternoon crapper break and have lost 10 lbs so far. It's not a hard diet, you just have to understand what will make you fat and what won't. Basically all the things you thought were good aren't (big glass of OJ, "wheat" bread, never ending pasta bowl) and the stuff you used to eat only a few bites of are good (eggs for breakfast, veggies for sides, nuts for snacks).

SB explains it all very well.

I'll be the first to admit I haven't read the SB book, I read about half a chapter while browsing books and skimmed the rest of the book. Everything in that book is nearly identical to Atkins, but I felt the book was talking to me like I was an ignorant child. Maybe it's because I'm an engineer and I expect things to be proved logically (which atkins does) but I just couldn't stand the childlike nature of that book. It completely glosses over the chemistry involved in the gluclose cycle and takes the approach of just providing an answer instead of including the explanation of WHY the changes work and are important.

I'm not completely loyal to the atkins method, I can't take the supplements required and I haven't been excersizing but I understand why they are important and using the information provided I'm able to make informed decisions about the conditions I'm violating. I don't feel the SB diet gives those trying it the information necessary to make informed choices about their diet.

 

[Stark]

Originally posted by: rahvin

Originally posted by: Stark
I must have been the intended audience for SB. My wife got the new Atkins book and I had no interest in it. I heard about SB, read the book in a week while on my afternoon crapper break and have lost 10 lbs so far. It's not a hard diet, you just have to understand what will make you fat and what won't. Basically all the things you thought were good aren't (big glass of OJ, "wheat" bread, never ending pasta bowl) and the stuff you used to eat only a few bites of are good (eggs for breakfast, veggies for sides, nuts for snacks).

SB explains it all very well.

I'll be the first to admit I haven't read the SB book, I read about half a chapter while browsing books and skimmed the rest of the book. Everything in that book is nearly identical to Atkins, but I felt the book was talking to me like I was an ignorant child. Maybe it's because I'm an engineer and I expect things to be proved logically (which atkins does) but I just couldn't stand the childlike nature of that book. It completely glosses over the chemistry involved in the gluclose cycle and takes the approach of just providing an answer instead of including the explanation of WHY the changes work and are important.

I'm not completely loyal to the atkins method, I can't take the supplements required and I haven't been excersizing but I understand why they are important and using the information provided I'm able to make informed decisions about the conditions I'm violating. I don't feel the SB diet gives those trying it the information necessary to make informed choices about their diet.

They seem to be nearly identical diets, just packaged differently. Same concepts, same results. The great thing about them both is that they're helping so many people lose weight and get healthier overall.

It is written in a "dieting for dummies" style, but really techincal writing about food just doesn't do it for me. Sort of like how I never got into programming languages. Some people love that stuff, but it just makes my brain hurt.

 

[AAman]

hmm, I'm on day 3 , and really , really tired above normal. Slept through class on day 1,
and was late today (class starts at 6pm, took a nap in the afternoon)

 

[TuxDave]

Thousand Islands = no no for Atkins.

Ranch, Italian, Miso (it exists) are fine.

 

[opticalmace]

I've explained this to my friend many times.

"You can watch your diet at every street corner and every waking moment of the day, or you can be like me, and eat whatever the hell you want, but also exercise to counteract it."

I just don't trust it. It seems like a "fad diet," as someone mentioned previously.

 

[StageLeft]

Here's an idea, and it's gonna shock you: Perhaps Atkins isn't for you? Excercise plus caloric restriction WORKS. NO PAIN NO GAIN. Whether it's from caloric restriction or cutting back on carbs if you want to lose weight it's gonna HURT, and anybody who claims Atkins is easy is wrong, as indicated by the huge majority of people on it who fall of the wagon (as with any diet).

So, choose your pain. Will it be caloric restriction or daydreaming about bread?

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Here's an idea, and it's gonna shock you: Perhaps Atkins isn't for you? Excercise plus caloric restriction WORKS. NO PAIN NO GAIN. Whether it's from caloric restriction or cutting back on carbs if you want to lose weight it's gonna HURT, and anybody who claims Atkins is easy is wrong, as indicated by the huge majority of people on it who fall of the wagon (as with any diet).

So, choose your pain. Will it be caloric restriction or daydreaming about bread?

WORD!

 

[GermyBoy]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Here's an idea, and it's gonna shock you: Perhaps Atkins isn't for you? Excercise plus caloric restriction WORKS. NO PAIN NO GAIN. Whether it's from caloric restriction or cutting back on carbs if you want to lose weight it's gonna HURT, and anybody who claims Atkins is easy is wrong, as indicated by the huge majority of people on it who fall of the wagon (as with any diet). So, choose your pain. Will it be caloric restriction or daydreaming about bread?

WTF. Why are you so mean? Atkins is E-A-S-Y when you CONTROL the foods available to you. However, it is hard if you have to live in a college residence hall, etc., and instead of meat, they put bread crumbs in their hamburgers to save costs.

Losing over 40 pounds for me didn't hurt one bit. Nothing tastes as good as thin feels. It is a huge relief to not have all the extra weight on the body, so give the kid a break and stop being one of those bitter people who can't lose weight on Atkins. BTW, try chapter 20 Skoorb, maybe it'll tell you why your metabolism sucks.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: GermyBoy


WTF. Why are you so mean? Atkins is E-A-S-Y when you CONTROL the foods available to you. However, it is hard if you have to live in a college residence hall, etc., and instead of meat, they put bread crumbs in their hamburgers to save costs.

Losing over 40 pounds for me didn't hurt one bit. Nothing tastes as good as thin feels. It is a huge relief to not have all the extra weight on the body, so give the kid a break and stop being one of those bitter people who can't lose weight on Atkins. BTW, try chapter 20 Skoorb, maybe it'll tell you why your metabolism sucks.

I'm not being mean. I'm being realistic. The vast majority of people clearly find atkins hard because they stop doing it.

Nothing tastes as good as thin feels.

For you maybe - but what about the 90% of people who quit atkins? The same percentage quit any diet. I think you're deceiving people if you pretend that Atkins is easy. And if you think I'm bitter I'm not. Get back to me in a year when you've put your weight back on and I'm still looking better with my shirt off than most other guys because I excercise and eat less. Can't lose weight with atkins? I don't need to.

Lots of people have lost weight with atkins, and most of them have given up on it. Why, if it's so easy to maintain?

And I'm not hating on Atkins. I'm just saying that it's really no better than the conventional approach of eating less and increasing caloric output - the latter approach, BTW, being the preferred method of weight control by most people who have successfully lost and kept off weight for long periods of time.

Losing weight is not easy, and anybody who thinks it is is in for a surprise.

 

[skace]

There could be a dozen reasons why you are tired on day 3. Perhaps you were relying on sugars, maybe caffiene, maybe you don't get enough sleep, maybe you don't excercise, maybe you arn't eating right.

Skoorb stated to choose your pain, which I somewhat agree with. But I also think you are doing something wrong. Atkins is hard for most people, but not because they lose all their energy and collapse. It is hard because everytime they see bread, something deep fried, french fries, cake, cookies, soda, popcorn, chips, they lose it. Most of these items are major vices for people. Anyone who has succeeded on the Atkins diet should have more energy and be less hungry overall.

Edit: Also, the first few days are the hardest. Because these are the most drastic changes to your habbits. If you were eating incorrectly these days also consist of detox.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: GermyBoy

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Here's an idea, and it's gonna shock you: Perhaps Atkins isn't for you? Excercise plus caloric restriction WORKS. NO PAIN NO GAIN. Whether it's from caloric restriction or cutting back on carbs if you want to lose weight it's gonna HURT, and anybody who claims Atkins is easy is wrong, as indicated by the huge majority of people on it who fall of the wagon (as with any diet). So, choose your pain. Will it be caloric restriction or daydreaming about bread?

WTF. Why are you so mean? Atkins is E-A-S-Y when you CONTROL the foods available to you. However, it is hard if you have to live in a college residence hall, etc., and instead of meat, they put bread crumbs in their hamburgers to save costs.

Losing over 40 pounds for me didn't hurt one bit. Nothing tastes as good as thin feels. It is a huge relief to not have all the extra weight on the body, so give the kid a break and stop being one of those bitter people who can't lose weight on Atkins. BTW, try chapter 20 Skoorb, maybe it'll tell you why your metabolism sucks.

its a short term solution for many, esp since many do it without exercise. the second you start on carbs again..boom! and its not at no cost to your body to be on ketosis. i eat plenty of carbs and maintain my weight, i lost some too since i started working out again. more muscle = more calories burned. eating healthy is filling to boot, fiber/veggies.

 

[skace]

fiber/veggies is part of atkins.

 

[0roo0roo]

but not carbs i've bought plenty of large frys cuz of best buy bucks this week.

 

[AAman]

well, I've cut out almost all carbs, and all sugar. I don't eat fries, or any of the other things you
mention, my only vice is chocolate, and I haven't had any. Before starting this, I had
restricted caloric intake the last 2 weeks and lost 4 lbs., so compared to that my intake is up
quite a lot.

This is day 4, had bacon for breakfast 2 hours ago- but energy level has not gone up
on this diet, I've noticed no effect whatsoever. Maybe I'm just someone it doesn't work for, just
my luck.