Calories still matter, even on a low-carb plan

[2big4mysize]

Re: Calories still matter, even on a low-carb plan

thank you Bren

[atkinsagain]

Re: Calories still matter, even on a low-carb plan

" It is not a fight to the intellectual death. "

Well, with all due respect, after 21 pages of posts it's beginning to seem that way.

I'm not a big calorie counter, but I'm aware of my caloric intake simply because I plug my foods in to fitday and it produces that result.

To me, this diet means changing the way I think about food and if you are successful in that, your caloric intake will automatically be lowered and thus, you don't have to think about calories as much. So, to me when 2big says if you're counting calories, or obsessesd with cutting back on calories, you're not doing the plan, she is saying you haven't mastered the Atkins way of eating, ie, you're either not making the right food choices if your hunger isn't being satisfied, or you're eating for the wrong reasons. At least that is the way I interpret it. Mastering any eating plan is the toughest part, imo. I do agree we're all working at our own pace though, and it may take some longer to get there than others and let's face it, if we didn't have to be re-trained on how we think about food (eating simply for the sake of eating in many cases) we probably wouldn't have been overweight to begin with. I don't think that means people don't belong here, or aren't doing the plan right. It just means that they are at a different stage in the process.

[cleochatra]

Re: Calories still matter, even on a low-carb plan

Quoting Rick just one last time...

2big,
I think you're taking my statements out of context, completely. I think that if you read what I've written, that you'll see that we really agree on this whole thing. I've stated that I think that we need to eat until satisfied, not overdoing it. I've been all about doing it strictly by the book, and yes, I've read DANDR, several times. All I'm saying that I can see you're having a problem with is that I think that looking at calories, not letting them control you, is just possibly a tool that can be used. I never, EVER, said that it should be THE rule for this WOL.

I don't think that there's one thing that works for every person. Atkins doesn't work for everyone, though it's been good... no, Great, for me up to this point. Some people can get by just by their genes, and never have to worry about what they put in their mouths (lucky few). Then, there are some of us (I assume most of us here) that are metabolically challenged, who have grown up watching everything that passed our gums.

I guess I just don't get the point that you're trying to make saying that all of us who think that calories are important is wrong.

Do you mean to say that calories don't count? That's not what Dr. A. said... He just said not to count them. I agree with that when talking about breaking addictions and cravings, but I guess I have a problem with it in long term, overall health and stability.

Here's what I truly think:

1. Living the Atkins lifestyle is a natural appetite suppressant. Eating foods that are properly proportioned in fat/protein/carb ratios will satisfy your hunger.

2. Given time, and effort, adhering to rule #1 will naturally lower your caloric intake because as you lose weight/inches you will require less and less to satisfy your hunger.

3. Rules #1, and #2, taken together will lead to a successful and healthy lifestyle, which will (if you really look at it) be the result of a lower caloric intake and more physical exertion. Do you honestly eat as many calories today as you did when you began this WOL on a daily basis?

It's all a matter of semantics. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? (ok, I like eggs now that I'm doing Atkins, maybe not a good choice of verbage) It really doesn't matter how we get there, it's just important that we do. Counting calories, portion control, eating until satisfied... they all do the same exact thing, they teach us how much we should need for nourishment of our bodies. When we learn that food is just a fuel to keep us going (took me up until just weeks ago to realize this), then we'll keep abusing it as we have in the past, and we'll have the same day to day struggles. It's what got us here in the first place.

So, please, let's just try to see every side of this thing.... if it were truly easy there would be no need for this website, no need for Atkins friends and support, and we would not be having this discussion. There is no right or wrong to this thread, just thoughts and opinions.... evidently a zillion of them!!!

[Richt]

Re: Calories still matter, even on a low-carb plan

I just want to add my 2 pence worth also.

I agree 100% with Bren on this. We are ADBB. Atkins Diet Bulletin Board. Whilst I can see both sides of the discussion, the book does say that Atkins is not about counting calories.

I think that Brian (Labarum) has it summed up beautifully in his sig.

[Heidi3]

Re: Calories still matter, even on a low-carb plan

Bumping and walking my amazing ATKINS ASSS ..that was achieved with hard work, changes in behavior...it is an asss well accepted and maintained by moderation..not numbers....
and by appreciation for book well written

outta this loop ......

WOW.........this thread.

I have tried to read it and feel that it is a vicious circle.

I will chime in here with one thing.

WELCOME TO ATKINS DIET BULLETIN BOARD!!!!!!!!!!!!

Read your book!

In other low carb diets they do teach calories. NOT HERE! We are an Atkins, by the book bulletin board where we follow the Atkins approach to eating.

The science behind Atkins has been explained by 2big and Megs.

In the book (page 30) Dr. Atkins states........ATKINS IS NOT ABOUT COUNTING CALORIES.

Atkins fallacy #2 ........The Atkins Nutritional Approach is only effective for weight loss because calories are restricted. (page 96)

"I am used to counting calories. How many am I allowed during induction?" THERE IS NO NEED TO COUNT CALORIES. THE ATKINS NUTRITIONAL APPROACH COUNTS GRAMS OF CARBOHYDRATES INSTEAD OF CALORIES. page 143. Where if you read he goes on to explain that a low carb diet burns more calories then a low calorie/fat high carb diet.

I think the most important thing to realize here that we are an ATKINS board. Where we help others doing the Atkins approach.

and as Megs pointed out I think Brian's signature says it best.

[2big4mysize]

Re: Calories still matter, even on a low-carb plan

again that appetite suppression isn't going to last forever as Rick in Pms said he didn't know so start on day one of your Atkins to learn it and practice it. That is what Atkins phases are all about learning your hunger and practicing eating only enough for that event to occur and avoiding all foods that your metabolism can't handle as you learned from your experience in OWL.
I never said you would have it down pat the first day you did Atkins as some of you seem to be reading into my posts. practice it every meal every snack every day and you will get it. don't be afraid to have the 4 slices of bacon if you need that many as you can see they are a great Atkins food and all you need to add is some veggie for a complete Atkins meal.

[atkinsagain]

Re: Calories still matter, even on a low-carb plan

Thanks for posting that, Bren. I don't have my book handy and I was getting very confused by this thread.

[Desertthorn]

Re: Calories still matter, even on a low-carb plan

Darn, I can't keep up with this post. It reminds me of the Christian Bible, a million folks read it and there are a million interpretations of it, and of course my interpretation is RIGHT and yours is WRONG, period.
I think we all need to follow Atkins the way it works for us, and if it doesn't work suddenly, we need to figure out why. Too many calories - possiblity, to much fat, maybe, we tweak it and suddenly its working again, and we think, wow that worked for me so it must be.
But not necessarily, our bodies, our eating habits, our stress level, our sleeping habits, our amount of exercise, our use of supplements, our use of medications, all contributes to what we do and how we react to this diet.
So, your all wrong, and I am all right. just doesn't work with Atkins.

[atkinsagain]

Re: Calories still matter, even on a low-carb plan

I agree with you 2big, it is a daily re-learning process for me and this woe just makes it that much easier. It's interesting to me that when I was doing low fat/low calorie/high carb diets, I actually was hungry all the time, so I was feeding my hunger when eating, not just eating for the sake of it. As a result, I didn't change my eating habits (eating all the time), I just changed what went in my mouth. When I couldn't keep doing those diets because I was miserable, that bad over eating habit was still there. I don't have that as much with this diet which to me means I'm more likely to succeed in the long run.

[Bren]

Re: Calories still matter, even on a low-carb plan

Thanks for posting that, Bren. I don't have my book handy and I was getting very confused by this thread.

That is the reason I find this thread very upsetting. Confusing people and mainly the newbies!

I think it would be wise for those wishing to discuss this topic further to take it over to our sister board.


I would stress to all who have read this thread (especially those just starting their Atkins WOE). Go to the induction forum, read and read some more. There are wonderful mods over there to help you on your Atkins journey.
Read your book and listen to those who have succeeded following the Atkins plan as it is written.

At this point I am going to lock this thread as it is IMHO done.