I Could Use Some Truth/Advice!

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Re: I Could Use Some Truth/Advice!

Hi Everyone!

I am new to the boards here and was taking a look around. I haven't started the atkins diet yet as I am a little nervous about it. I wanted to ask some of you what you really think of the diet and how its been working for you. I've been trying to lose weight for what seems like forever and keep trying different weight loss methods but none of them seem to really work, I know part of it is that I keep stopping or cheating and sometimes don't give them a full chance. I really need to lose about 70lbs for a lot of different reasons and am very serious this time but want to make sure I choose the right program. I don't want to delay this any further. Can some of you let me know what the good/bad things are about the atkins program? Do you exercise? How much have you lost, has it been pretty quickly? Thank you all so much.

here is my exp
iv been on atkins for 6 years about now
iv lost 150 pounds of fat total and gained 60 pounds of muscle total
my first 100 pounds of fat loss were easy with in first year of atkins all i did was walk alot during that time

in order to get the another 50 pounds of fat loss and 50-60 pounds of muscle gain i had to start going to the gym it took a few years to lose that other 50 pounds of fat and gain 50-60 pounds of muscle

so make sure you exercise every muscle on your body along with doing the Atkins diet and read these forums they have great info and tips on things most people dont know

[Suzanne_H]

Re: I Could Use Some Truth/Advice!

What an awesome thread... thank you for posting it and welcome to

I have been overweight all my life. In the last 20 years, however, I have become obese to morbidly obese and no weight loss plans seem to work. I always seem to start with "only one bite" or cheat "just this once" and not only regain all the weight I lost but also gain even more. You all know the story...

I went on Atkins and lost 40 lbs from Sept to Dec 2005. Again I started having a bite here and a bite there. It didn't take long for me to regain all of it back.

I'm doing things considerably different this time. I had a good induction for two weeks then went ahead into OWL. My goal this time is not to lose it all ASAP but to form new life-long habits. I basically want to eliminate empty calories from my life permanently. I'm pretty sure my health won't suffer from eliminating sugar and white flour from my diet LOL.

I'm losing around 2 to 3 lbs a month now. It's slow, but steady and healthy. I don't want to be on a diet that makes me feel deprived. I'm also working my way up to an exercise plan that will fit me. Anyhow... I do love this WOE. I've been sick for the last couple days and thought I was going to have a huge cheat and have my old potato soup and toast and so forth... I did have some crackers, but put them away and later had a low carb soup and some scrambled eggs. It's working for me so far.

[IrishIrish]

Re: I Could Use Some Truth/Advice!

When I began Atkins, I was desperate. I'd done all the commercial diet programs, on the trendy programs. I tried pills, drinks, bars. caramel candies, cookie diets. I paid membership fees. I paid fees to nutritionists and dieticians. I went to OA and TOPS. And for a lifetime of efforts, I reached my highest weight ever.

During a low time in my life, diabetes, mobility issues, hypertension, CHF, arthritis, out of control thyroid issues and with no place to turn, I found . I spend weeks just reading. I bought the book and read it cover to cover (DANDR 2002). I talked to my husband and gave him the book to read ... he knew how desperate I felt.

After careful education on Atkins, extensive planning, cleaning out my carby pantry, I began Atkins. I can honestly say, I haven't looked back. It is the best thing I've done for my health and the best thing I've done for my life.

The downside is you still have to do some work. Your thinking about food needs to change. And with many who have been successful on this plan have made those changes. Food is my fuel and it isn't an emotional crutch anymore. That was the hardest part of what I needed to grasp on this journey.

I remained a "stealth" Atkins follower for nearly a year. I would only say that I was eating healthy and avoiding starchy foods as I lost weight. Too many people were too quick to judge and I wasn't in the mood to fight that battle with people who continued to eat junk and wonder why they weren't losing but were quick to criticize what worked for me.

So, it changed my life. I work out 4-5 days a week. I follow maintenance now. I am no longer diabetic or hypertensive. No heart ailments. My mobility has improved dramatically. My thyroid issues are resolved.

Truth and advice? I have no horrible truths about Atkins. The only truth is that it was key to restoration of my health and I am very grateful.

[thefemalegreenday]

Re: I Could Use Some Truth/Advice!

To be honest, its a huge decision to make to move to Atkins, because its not a diet like weightwatchers its a lifestyle.
You've got to decide for yourself, whether your strong enough to make this kind of commitment, don't get me wrong though, this diets great and it makes me feel 100% better than I did before, its the only one thats worked for me and I can tell you ever since i've started I haven't cheated once.
Its not like your always forcing yourself with eating meat either, Im a vegetarian and I can easily bend it to my diet.

[Every1LuvzAngie]

Re: I Could Use Some Truth/Advice!

To be honest, its a huge decision to make to move to Atkins, because its not a diet like weightwatchers its a lifestyle.

its not something with a start and a finish...this has to be a way of life for you or when you stop doin Atkin's you will just end up gaining it all back, and maybe more!