Atkins Question?

Question

I did atkins before, lost about 45 lbs then gained it all back. i know its unhealthy but could i do atkins till i lost the weight iw anted, then just switch to more veggies and lean meats instead of all the fat? it would still be low carb but low it fat also would that work??

Answer 1

Why go back to a poorly thought-out fad diet? Atkins made himself rich on this little ditty while he was still alive, and that's the only part of this diet that actually "worked." The truth is that by consuming most of your calories from meats and fats, you only serve to raise the nitrogen levels in your blood to dangerous levels (leading to kidney stones for some). The ammonia in your urine becomes extremely concentrated, opening you up to first irritate the lining of the bladder, then possibly develope urinary tract infections. Sure, you'll lose weight--at first; the process of turning protein to glucose, then into Adenosine Triphosphate, is a long and difficult road; hard for the body to get used to. But it does eventually get the hang of it, and will convert the energy source faster--eventually catching up to the body's energy demands. That's where the weight loss stops, and possibly reverses itself.

The entire idea that carbohydrates are "bad" is as ridiculas as it is illogical. The primary fuel source of your heart, brains, and lungs is glucose. Glucose is a form of simple sugar not far removed from Sucrose--which we all know of as table sugar. While eating foods high in simple sugars will lead to insulin spikes, it's of no value to attempt to completely elliminate all sources from your diet. Remember the low-fat craze just a couple of years ago? The advice at the time was to elliminate all fats from your diet: "Fat makes you fat," the experts would say. But these experts failed to realize that dietary fats help to promote healthy joints (the fluid that lubricates joints is made largely of fatty oils), not to mention provide a carrier for the vitamins A,D,E, and K. Is it a coincidence that there have been so many fad diets over the years, yet Americans remain just as frustrated and obese as ever?

We all want that magic bullet that will bring us sucess yesterday... but I'm afraid it just doesn't work that way. One's body nearly always reflects their lifestyle. This means that it'll take a lifestyle change to alter the body's appearance. For my clients, I've always recommended the following:

1) Begin a moderate-intensity weight resistance program. Stick with it for at least two weeks before trying to add weight and take each set to failure. But the idea is to start building muscle tissue, which will raise your metabolism even at rest. Don't worry: You don't need to become a bodybuilder to progress in a weight loss goal!

2) Examine your existing diet and make one change--not two! Do you drink soda? Stop, and instead drink tea, diet sodas, water, and low-calorie drinks such as Crystal Light. Are you using whole milk? Try reduced-fat or skim. (You aren't trying to elliminate all fat from your diet for doing this, by the way... you're reducing calories.) Broil meats instead of fry them. Bake french fries instead of using a deep fryer. Once you've noticed that your weight-loss has slowed, make another change. This way, once you've reached your goal, you've also made lifestyle changes that will ensure that you keep what you've worked for.

Answer 2

Try "The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet" by Drs. Rachel & Richard Heller.

I too did Atkins and lost over 50 pounds. I was unconfortable with the diet and went to a low calorie diet instead. I gained all the weight back, plus some. It felt like I was out of control and no matter what I did, I kept gaining weight, (I was getting up at 5am to exercise).

I finally went on Herbalife, and even though that more or less got me under control, (I think their nutritional punch was a huge part of it.), I knew I couldn't spend the rest of my life drinking my meals. So now I use them only occassionally when I feel like I need that extra boost.

I knew that low carb worked well for me, but I wanted it to be healthier and still keep the appetite suppression of Atkins. The Carb addict's diet is great. I don't feel like I have to obsess about food all day and I'm never hungry. And best of all, I can still have cake and icecream.

Pick up the book at any book store. It's a wonderful alternative to the drasticness of Atkins.

Answer 3

Sure, you can do the Atkins as many times as you want. It's just that, as you have just learned, if you don't change your prior eating habits you will not be able to keep the weight loss off. That is true of any diet. It must include, in addition to weight loss, behavior modification and a change in habits or it will not work long term.

Answer 4

You will always gain the weight back on Atkins no matter what you do.
Atkins is one of the most unhealthy, unrealistic diets ever created. The guy was nuts... it is never long-term weight loss yoou acheive. Try another diet.

Answer 5

Atkins is NOT unhealthy, if you are doing it right. Re-read the book. Atkins is intended to be for life.

Answer 6

Yes. you didn't stick to the maintenanc part. Shame on you. Now go and sin no more. Cut your servings of veggies in half.
Veggies and lean meat are good. Bread, potatoes, cerial, rice. cookies. BAD!
The quicker you start the better. Once you grow fat cells they are always there waiting to be filled back up.
The longer the fat cells are there the less blood supply and the harder to get them to shrink.

Answer 7

Stop all the fads immediately!!!! Start by eating smart... 3 squares a day (1 portion only) 8 full glasses of water, no eating in between meals and don't forget to walk before you gop to bed.

Answer 8

That's kind of South Beach, which is another low-carb but also much more reasonable diet - it is much easier to do all the time!