Has Anyone Done the ATKINS FAT FAST?

[ErinB]

Re: Has Anyone Done the ATKINS FAT FAST?

I did it a few weeks back. I did it for about a week I believe. It did spark a 5 pound loss.

What happened after that, both to your meal plans and any losses/gains?

[Georgiana]

Re: Has Anyone Done the ATKINS FAT FAST?

Please read as much as you can about the Fat Fast or about meat & egg diets, but do not try them. They are nothing more than diets. You know it yourself that diets don't work. Don't allow a stressful life situation to make you embark on the dieting train, because the final destination is not the one written on the ticket. What you need (and I am just repeating what you already know) is a way of eating you can follow for life, one that will teach you how to become fitter and healthier and, more important, how to stay that way.

The last link you posted above is to an excellent post written by Megs (not2late). If you had read it carefully, you have probably seen that you are not a Fat Fast candidate. What you are doing with the Fat Fast is not nourishing your body. The protein intake on the Fat Fast is too low to allow for proper cell growth and repair. Furthermore, on low carbohydrate diets we need more protein, because some of it is used in gluconeogenesis to produce the glucose needed for those body parts lacking mitochondria (e.g. some parts of the brain, retina, red blood cells). In the absence of dietary protein, your body will be forced to use the only protein source available: your muscles. So during the Fat Fast you will not only lose body fat, but also lean mass. Yes, the number on the scale will go down, but is it really worth it? The Atkins Diet, unlike the Fat Fast, is known to conserve lean mass. This is what you should aim for --- losing body fat while preserving muscle mass.

You say you need to keep things simple for now. Fair enough. You can do this and in the same time give your body proper nourishment. Instead of eating 2 ounces of cream cheese or Brie, spread cream cheese on some Revolution Rolls and top them with a slice or two of tomato. Or simply soften the cream cheese and use it as a dip for veggies (e.g. pepper strips, cucumber sticks). Instead of eating 1 ounce of tuna or chicken salad, you can eat more of it. You can keep eating deviled eggs; they are a great snack. All you have to do in order to switch from the Fat Fast to Atkins Induction is eat more meat than you would on the Fat Fast and add some veggies. These changes will not make things more complicated and your appetite will still be suppressed, because you will continue to be in ketosis.

Since you had lost weight on Atkins before and you are not metabolically resistant, the Fat Fast does you no good. What this Fat Fast insanity (in your own words, "My new definition of insanity is: Diet") does more than anything is to keep you busy with researching info on the diet... and counting macadamia nuts. Take up other activity --- go for daily walks, start a new exercise routine, maybe take a new class at the gym, bike, do yoga, read, write a journal, try new low carb recipes... or post in the ADBB forums --- and take care of yourself. Your body needs and deserves more than 7 macadamia nuts, 4 tbsp of kefir and a boiled egg.

Are you back at home for good? How is your grandson feeling?

[_Blue_]

Re: Has Anyone Done the ATKINS FAT FAST?

The '72 version of Atkins was much more restrictive with carbohydrates. Dr. Atkins mentioned that some people's insulin metabolism is so messed up that they need to eat virtually NO carbs to lose weight.

I never said: "(in your own words, "My new definition of insanity is: Diet")"
I think you are confusing me with another.

"Your body needs and deserves more than 7 macadamia nuts, 4 tbsp of kefir and a boiled egg."

My body can suffice quite nicely on it's own fat reserves. And I will be eating two more times before this day is over.

I feel wonderful. Please don't worry yourself over me. My brother is an MD, I have a medical background my mother and one daughter are both R.N.'s


I thank you for your heartfelt concern, but truly it isn't necessary in my case. {{{HUGS}}}

[Georgiana]

Re: Has Anyone Done the ATKINS FAT FAST?

The '72 version of Atkins was much more restrictive with carbohydrates. Dr. Atkins mentioned that some people's insulin metabolism is so messed up that they need to eat virtually NO carbs to lose weight.

Exactly. This is why he changed this only later, after new research was published.

My body can suffice quite nicely on it's own fat reserves. And I will be eating two more times before this day is over.

True, plus you are getting enough fat from your diet. What you are missing is protein, not fat.

[Elsie150]

Re: Has Anyone Done the ATKINS FAT FAST?

Since you replied to my quote from the book I feel compelled to respond.

'Believe' what you want about that statement from the book. But then you should 'believe' the rest of the book that tells you how to be successful at this WOE. Maybe you were overdoing it on the fried stuff. Did you plug your days into fitday and look at your ratios? Approx 5%carb/65%fat/30%protien? What was in the bacon? How much were you eating. While he says you don't have to count calories calories still count. If you are 'pigging out' then you could have been overdoing it. You should be eating a couple hundred over or under BMR..higher if you are exercising. Fitday would have helped. You could have posted your exact menu with amounts for us to see. No where does he say no carbs. OMG haven't you been watching the news...no carbs is bad!!! He supports eating healthy carbs at a level that is right for your body.

When you were doing your 'research' did you just dismiss the negative stuff? Did it factor in at all? Did it give you pause that maybe even though the weight will come off quickly it isn't healthy way to do it and keep it off?

I will try hard not to respond anymore because I 'believe' that trying to convince people like you to follow the plan as written is a waste of my time. I will not be able to convince you..no one will. Your mind is made up and my time can be better used helping those that really need it.

I am sorry if I am sounding harsh but this board is here to help people who follow the book and a lot of people have put a lot of their time and energy into supporting that. I feel like we would be messing with the integrity of the list if we did not try to talk you out of doing things your way. I am sure you will convince some to stop trying to change their lives in a healthy and knowledgeable way and go for the quick unhealthy fix. I hope not and I hope they come back when it fails. Please do not slam Dr. Atkins Diet when you find your new eating plan failing you in some way or another.

I wish you health and good luck on your diet...because it isn't Atkins diet. It isn't even Atkins fat fast diet since you are eating the kefir. Good luck with the Blue Diet!

Getting off my soapbox now...

[_Blue_]

Re: Has Anyone Done the ATKINS FAT FAST?

Oh my goodness you are like a puppy with a new bone.
I'll leave now.

[RitaCeleste]

Re: Has Anyone Done the ATKINS FAT FAST?

She's only been at it a little while. Everyone's body is different. Sometimes experimenting is educational in itself. I had to try it for myself too. Some people need the freedom to experiance different things for better or worse. But I never tried kefir. Thought it was fermented milk and not allowed. Shouldn't it have carbs? I don't think most people want to be limited to the fat fast for long periods of time. I don't think newbies will be too tempted to try it, atleast not long enough to do any real harm. You'd need a serious eating disorder to be completely happy with it for the long haul. And its okay for people who just can't get the strips to turn to try and teach their body to use fat too. Most people who think they are resistant at first, find later they arn't so resistant. I like to point this out. Most bodies can learn to run on what they are given and get better and better at it. At the same time, I wouldn't blame her one bit if she got tired of it and moved on to adding more things quickly. I hope it doesn't end like my first attempt with me polishing off half a cheesecake cause I was feeling so deprived.

[Georgiana]

Re: Has Anyone Done the ATKINS FAT FAST?

She's only been at it a little while. Everyone's body is different. Sometimes experimenting is educational in itself. I had to try it for myself too. Some people need the freedom to experiance different things for better or worse.

Everyone has the freedom to experiment however they want. It's not written in the Constitution that one has to follow Atkins correctly (though y'all know I wish it was ) or even care about their health at all. If you do not believe 100% in Atkins and think you need to "combine" your Atkins way of eating with fad diet interludes, it is your choice and you are responsible for it and its consequences. However, on an Atkins board, where members are working to regain their health, you cannot expect people to endorse a nutritional approach that has the potential to damage your health. Personally I am glad Dr. Atkins tested his diet on tens of thousands of patients, so that I don't have to do dangerous experiments on my body or to experiment with yo-yo dieting.

I don't think most people want to be limited to the fat fast for long periods of time. I don't think newbies will be too tempted to try it, atleast not long enough to do any real harm. You'd need a serious eating disorder to be completely happy with it for the long haul.

The Fat Fast only lasts a few days, so the diet is not meant to be followed long-term even by dieters with a very high metabolic resistance. But this did not make Dr. Atkins consider it less dangerous for the rest of us.

As for newbies being tempted to try the Fat Fast... If I didn't know better, I'd think a high metabolic resistance is transmissible through online interactions.

And its okay for people who just can't get the strips to turn to try and teach their body to use fat too. Most people who think they are resistant at first, find later they arn't so resistant.

Strip mania is a consequence of poor education. People either do not read the book or they don't read it carefully enough, so they forget that their goal is not to turn ketostix pink, but to lose fat. Instead of peeing on stix, they'd do better stripping their clothes off in front of a mirror. Or taking body measurements. Ketostix will only change color if you have excess acetoacetate to spill over into your urine. No excess, no change in color. But one can lose weight just fine without ever turning ketostix pink, and simply wanting pink ketostix is not a valid reason for doing the Fat Fast. Please re-read Chapter 20 in DANDR 2002 to see when and why one should do the Fat Fast.

I like to point this out. Most bodies can learn to run on what they are given and get better and better at it.

This is what Heidi Diaz (Kimmer) also thought and look where she is now. What is sad is that others believed her too, in many cases causing (irreversible) damage to their health.

[not2late]

Re: Has Anyone Done the ATKINS FAT FAST?

we get Fat Fast threads every so often on ADBB. Believe me, people will experiment with the Fat Fast, eventhough they clearly are not Fat Fast candidates. That's why the FAQs include a thread about who qualifies for the Fat Fast and who doesn't. in my time on ADBB, there has only been a handful of people who did qualify for the Fat Fast based on Dr. ATkin's criteria. And yes, that criteria might be "CYA"----just like it's a CYA when pharmacists and doctors tell you not to operate heavy machinery while on certain medications. But people will still operate heavy machinery while on those medications---just to see if it really does make them drowsy. Personally, when I read a sign that says "Do not climb wall" at the zoo's lion exhibit, I don't do it, but that's just me.

If you do a search of the forum, you're bound to find threads about Fat Fast experiences. Here are a couple:

JoanOH's personal experience on Fat Fast. Joan wasn't metabolically resistant, but she wanted to see what would happen to her.

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/73691-post13.html

Here's a thread with multiple Fat Fast experiences from non-metabolically resistant people:

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/main-atkins-diet-forum/33537-okay-here-comes-fat-fast-kekwick-diet-dont-beat-me-up-lol.html

And another thread:

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-extended-induction/6222-how-do-i-do-fat-fast.html

[neutronnorman]

Re: Has Anyone Done the ATKINS FAT FAST?

Why get over the individuals case? If they want to do the fat fast, let them do it!

[neutronnorman]

Re: Has Anyone Done the ATKINS FAT FAST?

"...when I read a sign that says "Do not climb wall" at the zoo's lion exhibit, I don't do it, but that's just me....".

WIMP!

[ErinB]

Re: Has Anyone Done the ATKINS FAT FAST?

Why get over the individuals case? If they want to do the fat fast, let them do it!

I'm not seeing anyone all over anyone's case here. I am seeing people giving good advice with good reasoning behind it.

As for letting anyone do what they want to do, I don't think it occurs to anyone here they have the kind of power it would take to either allow or disallow the actions of others.

For those in this topic taking the time to offer the excellent advice you do, I thank you. I learn from you every day and appreciate the wise counsel and reason.

[mitzimarie]

Re: Has Anyone Done the ATKINS FAT FAST?

Why get over the individuals case? If they want to do the fat fast, let them do it!

Aw, c'mon Norman... you know the drill. We have the responsibilty of making sure that anyone finding their way to this (or any) thread on this board is getting the correct information. We aren't a "general low carb" board - our mission here is support for the rules in 2002 DANDR.

As Erin pointed out, we don't have the superpowers (nor inclination) required to allow or disallow the actions of others... we do, however, have the mission of making sure that members understand the potential ramifications of doing the Fat Fast when they are not a qualified candidate.

[neutronnorman]

Re: Has Anyone Done the ATKINS FAT FAST?

Aw, c'mon Norman... you know the drill. We have the responsibilty of making sure that anyone finding their way to this (or any) thread on this board is getting the correct information. We aren't a "general low carb" board - our mission here is support for the rules in 2002 DANDR.

As Erin pointed out, we don't have the superpowers (nor inclination) required to allow or disallow the actions of others... we do, however, have the mission of making sure that members understand the potential ramifications of doing the Fat Fast when they are not a qualified candidate.

You are right. I was wrong. I read a bit about the Fat fast and it is not a venue the average individual should pursue. I can see why you all are urging people to be very cautious with it. I understand now that the tread is not geared towards an individual. Someone "off the street" seeking rapid weight loss can try the FF.

[imagood1]

Re: Has Anyone Done the ATKINS FAT FAST?

I ask her how she had done in induction and never got an answer.....from her SparkPeople site it looks like she's a serial dieter....going from one to another to another......Atkins isn't that type of weight loss system -- it's a long term way of living. I've never been able to understand why someone would want to do the fat fast...it sounds disgusting to me.