Why Atkins??

[Brook]

Re: Why Atkins??

I learned there is no one-size-fits-all for eating plans. Each plan out there addresses different issues and the trick is to figure out what your particular issues with food are and find a way to bring it down to the basics and work your way back up.

For me? Atkins was the best suited to address my issues with food. I *was* constantly hungry. I *did* feel deprived. I *was* constantly sabotaging myself for both of the previously listed reasons. I'm a carb addict from jump and I really was powerless over those things. I had gone on other weight loss programs and the truth is that they left me feeling more miserable than before, which brings me back to being hungry and feeling deprived.

Atkins allowed me the foods that let me eat in a way that didn't make me feel deprived. I could eat ranch dressing and mayo. I could eat real cheese! I could eat bacon on occasion and not feel guilty. I didn't have to count calories. For me, it was doable. It put my cravings in check, retaught me to use food, and I got the added benefit of not only weight loss but AWESOME health.

That's why Atkins

~Brook

[Elizellen]

Re: Why Atkins??

Just like most of the posters in this thread I say - because it works for me!

And without any feelings of deprivation or sacrifice

I feel it is a way of eating that I can easily stick with and can't imagine stopping in the future so I will never have to DIET again (the word 'diet' is used here in the 'reducing diet' meaning).

Almost at the top of the OWL ladder now and I honestly dont feel I am 'on a diet' at all!!

[SugarFreeSheila]

Re: Why Atkins??

I never lost a single ounce through fat/calorie restriction and daily cardio - so, low-carbing/Atkins was my only option for weight loss. Fortunately, it's actually a very satisfying way to eat if you're creative!

[Reveal]

Re: Why Atkins??

So many folks here have stories that mirror mine. Like others, I tried low-calorie or low-fat diets for years, and I thought I was doing everything right, and yet miraculously I gained weight over time. I thought I was wildly undisciplined, and I blamed myself and thought horrible things about myself because I just couldn't seem to stick to a low-cal and low-fat diet for long. I could get a week or so in, and then one day something would snap and I would binge. I've always had a problem with that, and a few years ago my doctor recommended that I base my meals around protein and vegetables in order to stay satisfied, and not binge. She was the first person to tell me not to shy away from good fats, and her idea of good fat wasn't what I'd heard for so long - butter! steak! etc - I thought she was crazy! But I also remembered a time in my life when I 'd been a poor student who could only afford chicken and vegetables, and I remember how during that time I had (miraculously, I thought!) lost 20 pounds. Anyway, my doc recommended Atkins and I tried it and was amazed at how my body responded. Gone were my insane spikes in blood sugar, gone were my cravings, and mostly, gone was my mistrust of my own self-discipline. I can't say what that did for me emotionally. For the first time I realized that maybe I wasn't just a lazy cow, maybe my body needed something from me that I wasn't giving it, and when I did it responded like ... well ... like A REAL BODY. *g*

I don't think every diet works for every person. My sister is naturally lean and athletic and honestly she does wonderfully on a low-cal diet. But amazingly our blood work comes back looking remarkably similar, and that says to me that I've found what works for MY BODY and she has for hers.

I'm quite satisfied with the way I'm living and eating, and for the first time I don't plan to "eat normally again after I diet" rather, this is my lifelong diet in that this is just what I think of as normal eating now.

I hope that helps.

[k5commando]

Re: Why Atkins??

Why Atkins? Well for starters nothing else ever worked for me and I've done it all. Blood pressure is optimal WITHOUT medication as opposed to low hypertention ON MEDICATION, my cholesterol is good, i'm in the best shape of my life, I never crave sugar or junk food anymore, I'm always full, I eat more vegies than ever. The best reason for me living Atkins....check my sig photos.

[Labarum]

Re: Why Atkins??

My Doctor said to me

Do Atkins: It works.

It did, and I ain't going back to my old ways.

The pictures say it all.

[dreamof145]

Re: Why Atkins??

Mine is almost the same story. I had tried every diet in the universe and although I would lose 5-10 pounds, I always gave up due to hunger and frustration. One of my daughter's girlfriends lost a lot of weight on low-carb -- so I decided to try it. I was lucky and found ADBB within the month and I attribute this site as helping me stick to it and not give up.

I'm never ever hungry and I have learned about exercise and water. Using Dr. Atkin's book as a reference, getting info and support here and meeting so many wonderful people have kept me on track. It works so well for me because I never feel alone and deprived like I did when I'd followed the other diets to try to lose weight.

[MotherOfGizmo]

Re: Why Atkins??

Because I can eat cheese and cream sauces!

yummm cheeese!

[Phillybrwn]

Re: Why Atkins??

I've had more success with Atkins than with any other program. I would rather count carbs than fat grams.