Confused and freaking out a bit...

[evil_genius81]

OK - so there was me all proud of my weight loss and successful induction.... then my friend comes over looking like she's shed about a stone!! I was shocked and asked her what she's been doing... I only saw her about a month ago when she was heavier!

She told me she has been doing slimming world... I told her I was doing Atkins.

She went into this huge long rant about how Atkins is bad for you, theres too much fat involved, it gives you heart disease and high blood pressure, cholestorol problems etc.

She's trying to get me to go on slimming world with her, which means I can have carbs and protein. but just not together...

I'm a bit scared after all the horror stories she told me about Atkins (including a few peopple dying from it )

Any thoughts!? I'm tempted to try slimming worls, but am scared the weight will pile back on if I do...

Aaargh! Confused...

And freaking out...

[higgies]

Re: Confused and freaking out a bit...

That is the common retort of most people who don't understand Atkins. If they spent the time educating themselves, they wouldn't spout out such nonsense. Yes, it might be high fat, but that balances out over time as you start adding food back in. Also, the fats we eat are the good natural fats for the most part.

People haven't died from doing Atkins and typically your health can improve. Since I started this WOL my weight is down, my cholesterol is down over 30 points, I exercise more than ever before, I eat more vegetables, and I hardly eat any processed or frankenfoods. HOw can this be bad??

If you read your DANDR, you'd know all about this...

[evil_genius81]

Re: Confused and freaking out a bit...

Nope, not finished reading it yet actually...

Well since hearing what my friend had to say I checked out BBC news...

There have been a couple of deaths in relation to this WOE reported in the news here in Britain ...here's one, a sixteen year old - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programme...st/3162549.stm

And also....

Conception http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3845791.stm
Heart Op http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3753581.stm

Really not sure what I'm gonna do now... will have a think about it. My weight loss seems to have stuck at 4lbs since last Friday now anyway... Maybe it doesn't work for everyone?

[SouLThinKing]

Re: Confused and freaking out a bit...

Well, you really have to make the choice yourself. All in all any diet can be bad for you if you do it the wrong way. The people that do atkins by eating a package of bacon each morning and no good carbs at all are bound to get sick or fail. I mean common sense has to factor in here at some point. If you do read the book and look carefully at the meal plans Dr. Atkins talked about they are very healthy and they also talk about portion management when it comes to meat and fat. I mean this is a very healthy way to eat and actually is very similar to the Diabetics diet. People hear Atkins and they rant. But if you say low carb or South beach they go ok. ...its the name they are afraid of..
Good Luck and if you have questions talk to your Dr. But don't say Atkins..say low carb and explain whats aloud on the plan..My Dr was all for it.
I know quiet a few ppl that this woe saved their life. I am one of them
God Bless

[evil_genius81]

Re: Confused and freaking out a bit...

Thanks Soul,

I'll probably have a chat with my doc as you suggested, I was already thinking about that as I have an appointment coming up. I think it will reassure me! I've seen so many people on here with amazing results that I know the diet actualyl works when it comes to shedding excess weight... its just long term health factors I worry about now!

Thanks again

[sadie147]

Re: Confused and freaking out a bit...

I'm in maintainece, I eat meats , lots of vegetables, fruits, grains (just finished a bowl of oatmeal as a matter of fact) , high fibre breads, soy, healthy nuts (walnuts and almonds).

I would like to know what it is your friend is eating on her plan that is so much more healthier than what you see above?

I looked at those articles you posted above, I particulariliy like that the guy suing atkins for clogging his arteries is backed by a well known VEGAN group .

All of those articles point to Atkins as a high protein diet, above 30% protein. If you read the book you will see that atkins is NOT a high protein diet.

Go into the before and after pictures on this site, read some of the success stories, do a search on 'cholesterol' and see what types of REAL LIFE information and stories you get back.

[evil_genius81]

Re: Confused and freaking out a bit...

OK, I seem to be receiving a bit of bad attitude here just for asking questions. I'm not going to follow any diet blindly until I've looked into it first! Sorry!!

I've already told you the diet my friend is on Slimming world, which as I understand it is basically, low fat, 0 sugar, lots of fresh fruit and veg every day but you have RED days abd GREEN days.

On RED you can eat all the meat and fish you like with all veg and fruit too, very limited carbs, 0 added fat and sugar.

On GREEN you can have all the carbs you like (except too much bread but you can have anything in moderation if you factor it into your allowed points per day), all veg and fruit, limited fat and 0 sugar.

She has just told me (was just on phone to her about this) that she has dropped 13lbs in three weeks and found Atkins too hard as she enjoys carbs. Her first two weeks were GREEN days! All the pasta and potatoes, fruit and veg she wanted.

Seems healthy to me?

[Richt]

Re: Confused and freaking out a bit...

Different diets suit different people Sammy. A lot of people don't understand the science behind Atkins which is why it gets such a bad press.

I guess what I am trying to say is don't believe all of the hype that you read. Pick up a copy of DANDR and make your own decision.

[sadie147]

Re: Confused and freaking out a bit...

I'm sorry if you took my post wrong, I did not at all mean it to sound harsh.

[higgies]

Re: Confused and freaking out a bit...

This is your decision. Like any decision, educate yourself and find the right plan for you. Some people don't want to do Atkins or some other low carb diet as they like their carbs too much. Some people don't like low fat, because they like their fats too much. For me, this diet is perfect as it allows me to continue eating things I like to eat and requires me to exercise. Following the plan gives me the motivation and makes me feel responsible in adhering to something.

Talk to your doc, read up on different plans, and find the one that's right for you. Don't let someone bully you away from Atkins when they're not fully educated on it. Perhaps this isn't for you. It's ok...

[abstractillusions]

Re: Confused and freaking out a bit...

i think what you perceive as "attitude" is more of frustration because of all the negative, misinformed information people like your friend spout without knowing what Atkins really is and it seems you want to believe your friend and her misinformation and disregard what many experienced atkinzers who have done, investigated, and found success on atkins. If everyone who has reached success on this site had listened to friends, relatives, even some misinformed doctors etc about "how bad" atkins was for them, they would more than likely still be overweight and unhappy, instead they are healthy and in shape.

Peer pressure is very hard to get past for some people, being able to stand up to misinformed people and ignore their comments is part of atkins in my opinion. Most people think atkins is the first 2 weeks of induction and that is what they comment on. The say its unhealthly because of the lack of fruits, lack of carbs etc etc. However, this is a prime example of how misinformed and ignorant they are of what atkins really is. If they understood the full concept of Atkins they would see that what is mostly seemed as "unhealthy" is only for 2 weeks. Then you begin to add back in the foods that have been eliminated for 2 weeks.

I know you are impressed with your friends weight loss, however, i can probably guarantee you she has been hungry, she has not felt satisfied, she doesn't have the ability to have the "taste" of something she is craving because there isn't a slimming world way of recreating legal say "fries," taste as there is on atkins. There is structure to every new way of eating people try. i have yet to meet someone Atkins didn't work for or harmed who did atkins correctly. If you talk to people on Atkins doing it correctly, they dispell the myths your friend is relying on to discredit atkins.

It will all work out, yo will make your decision on whether to stay on Atkins or join your friend, but in the end i would remember this -- this is your life, YOU have to be able to maintain and do what is required to accomplish your goals and more importantly maintain them, just because your friend is able to do it for her right now, you also don't know the long term results of being able to join the world once you have reached your goals because your friend is still following the program. On atkins, once you reach mainenance after learning to eat good carbs and incorporate carbs correctly, everything is based on good carbs and moderation, which is what normal, regular weight people do. Most healthy eating nowadays consists of no refined sugar, and processed foods being limited, as well as partaking in good carbs, healthy meats and fats and sugar in the form of natural sugar such as fruits and such. If you agree with this, then you shoud know, once you have reached maintenence on Atkins, THAT is exactly how you will be eating. What Dr. A has done is basically taken you back to a beginning where you can learn through steps and processes how to eat like you should have been eating all along.

If you like what you have been doing, hang in there. Read the book!!! and continue to ask questions of what you don't understand. I hope you choose to continue to explore Atkins way of eating. I think if you put your mind to it, you can give your friend a run for her money and in the end find yourself more prepared for world eating as well as less deprived than your friend in the long run, and losing weight will benefit your health. Winks, perhaps when she sees your results and the food you get to partake in, and the tastes you get to experience that are completely legal, you may actually convert HER to your healthy plan.

Good luck and hang in there.

[squiff]

Re: Confused and freaking out a bit...

you are totally right to ask questions! It's your body and you should be aware of what you do to it!
Personally, i think that the maintenace phase of atkins is basically what most people would consider a healthy diet - veg, whole grains, not much sugar, no processed rubbish..etc etc. The panic seems to be caused by most people thinking that the induction phase is all there is. The long term consequences of purely living in induction have not been studied and so no-one knows if this is healthy or not long term. Short term (6 months or so) if the diet is adhered to properly, there are reductions in weight. There are also many stories (on this board) about people who have reduced their wieght and improved their health whilst on atkins..

I've been on induction now for 8 days and while i've lost a fewpounds, i feel terrible and i'm not sure i'll continue.

What really struck me about the BBC article is that the expression of the H19 gene was affected. This means that increased protein levels are mucking around with genetic imprinting in one form or another. That i find a teeny tiny bit worrying.. I'm going to look into this further and read the primary literature...

..Different ways of eating work for different people. I'm on the atkins plan because i'm injured and unable to do any excercise at all (am going mad with boredom) Before i ate healthily and excercised loads and was lucky enough never to have problems with my weight.

At the end of the day, people's opinions are just that; opinions. I can't tell someone they should or should not follow this WOE - for some people it onviously works brilliantly, for others it may not (i think i may be one of them,) but i would not like to detract from other poeple's successes.

[cmcole]

Re: Confused and freaking out a bit...

Nothing about one diet or the other, but I find that I am adverse to the following:

- if I am told NOT to have something, I will probably obsess over it until I have it

- if I have to pay someone to tell me what to eat, I wonder how I will afford it in addition to whatever particular foods they tell me I must have

This is part of the reason I prefer Atkins or Low Carb in General

- I have a list of allowed items that I can choose from and make my own menu. Yes, there are items I cannot have, but I do my best to focus on the positive, instead.

- The cost of the book does not equal the cost of "membership" in some diet club

I realize that some people need the companionship and accountability of someone up close and personal, but I find my life busy and full enough without having to go visit some meeting to be told I am overweight or that I've made wrong choices

[Jace]

Re: Confused and freaking out a bit...

All I can suggest is that you finish the book before you make a final decision. Not completely understanding Atkins or any healthy eating plan, really, is the perfect way to fail.

After my first week of induction I was already thoroughly bored with induction foods so I found myself purposely looking for a reason to quit. I looked all the negative (and decidedly false) press associated with Atkins as well as began listening to all the naysayers around me in an attempt to justify quitting. However, I didn't quit and am so happy I didn't. (Perhaps you're doing the same on a subconscious level?) I think all of the people here enjoying weight loss success and dramatic health improvements are proof positive that it works, it's safe (when done correctly), and all it requires is a little patience, effort and willpower. No such thing as a quick fix, no matter what eating plan you're on.

You've already seen success with your weightloss, so I encourage you to think hard before quitting. At least make yourself informed about the facts by finishing the book rather than listening to the uninformed press before giving up.

Best of luck!

~Far la bella figura!

[theredhead]

Re: Confused and freaking out a bit...

There is SO much misinformation out there in the world regarding nutrition. You must become a discriminating consumer of this information and make sure you have the facts. Don't let what someone else says make up your mind for you.

I have immense respect for Dr. Michael Eades (co-author of Protein Power). He has a wonderful blog that presents scientific information in a very clear (and sometimes entertaining) way. He avidly reads all the studies about nutrition and dissiminates information about them. If you have time, browse through, especially some of the archived blog entries and you'll find a wealth of information. Here's the link: http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/?cat=1. Also, check out Regina Wilshire's blog, especially going back in the archives: http://weightoftheevidence.blogspot.com/. These folks routinely look at the studies and help make sense of them.

Knowledge is power!