Is atkins for life?

[JaxMama]

Re: Is atkins for life?

We've all got to do what works for us. And for some of us it took years to finally figure out that Atkins was best.

Although I have had my fair share of run ins with Atkinsgal. Maybe she is one that had tried everything under the sun and Atkins finally worked for her. Yes the tone over the computer comes out wrong and yes she does appear to be perfect. I know that isn't the case because no one is.

I still agree Atkins can work for everyone, except those who don't stick with it. I have a co-worker that is on WW. We both lost 15 lbs in the same amount of time since we started our diets together. But I think I will have more success in the long run. I could be wrong, I hope not for my co-worker's sake.

[pstansel]

Re: Is atkins for life?

Agreed. Your food choices in Basic Training are really limited. And beyond that, if you go in as what they consider overweight, they put you on a restricted calorie diet even in basic and you have NO choice. Trust me I lost 28 pounds in basic training (210 down to 182 ) and that was putting on a ton of muscle. So I would not expect to maintain Atkins while in Basic. You just don't have the choice.

Oh, and I didn't even mention all the days you will be eating MREs. Trust me... and MRE is about as far from Atkins as you could ever get!

[Browneyedmelly]

Re: Is atkins for life?

Poosbear.. I find that kids bounce back quicker than we do...I hope yours does...I want to go on vacation with you!!!!..and I think that Atkinsgal is to the point and really right on... but as I said that's just my opinion...I guess in the end we all have to do what's best for us, diet wise...

[Farley]

Re: Is atkins for life?

Agreed. Your food choices in Basic Training are really limited. And beyond that, if you go in as what they consider overweight, they put you on a restricted calorie diet even in basic and you have NO choice. Trust me I lost 28 pounds in basic training (210 down to 182 ) and that was putting on a ton of muscle. So I would not expect to maintain Atkins while in Basic. You just don't have the choice.

Oh, and I didn't even mention all the days you will be eating MREs. Trust me... and MRE is about as far from Atkins as you could ever get!

We used to call them IMP's (Individual Meal Packet)
Imagine a pouch containing the following: Wiki link

[pstansel]

Re: Is atkins for life?

Yep, 1200 calories or so a pouch. Ours were so old in Basic Training the M&Ms were weird melted colors. You learn VERY quickly which ones you like and don't like, and then when you go through the line you hope you have a buddy who can snag you a good one (Beef Stew) as opposed to a bad one (Spaghetti).

[forbey]

Re: Is atkins for life?

Agreed. Your food choices in Basic Training are really limited. And beyond that, if you go in as what they consider overweight, they put you on a restricted calorie diet even in basic and you have NO choice. Trust me I lost 28 pounds in basic training (210 down to 182 ) and that was putting on a ton of muscle. So I would not expect to maintain Atkins while in Basic. You just don't have the choice.

Oh, and I didn't even mention all the days you will be eating MREs. Trust me... and MRE is about as far from Atkins as you could ever get!

I went into the Army in 1975, in basic training I was a "half ration private", got out in 78, took a year off and ballooned nicely. Went into the Marines in 1979 (in boot camp I was a "half ration private.)

From what I have been told recently the half ration prive scenario has changed dramatically, but I couldn't guarantee that.

However, if we didn't want bread, if we chose veggies over mashed potatoes, we were able to make that choice.

Problem was, not only were they cutting our calories, thay also cut the building blocks needed for maintaining muscle and bone. I went into the Corps weighing 250 and I ame out 195. Looked like a scarecrow and after 10 days on leave, I came back even stronger, just from the time I was able to relax, eat somewhat normally and recouperate.

All that being said, at no time did they teach me anything about how to eat right after boot camp.

Jay

[Farley]

Re: Is atkins for life?

What an interesting, and diverse thread...

[forbey]

Re: Is atkins for life?

All the sidenotes set aside, the fact is, if we started early, fed our children on an Atkins maintenance diet with all the other refined garbage out there used as an occassional treat (or maybe for feeding cattle), the vast majority of humans would survive nicely without ever knowing that Atkins was a low carb solution to problems associated with poor eating.

forbey

The best way to eat corn-on-the-cob...

feed it to a cow and then eat the cow!

[ziggy]

Re: Is atkins for life?

When I was in Basic Training in the Reserves (National Guard in the U.S.) they DID make you eat everything on your plate. In fact, they piled the baked beans right on top of the pancakes, on top of the scrambled eggs, and fried potatoes. Every meal you got a portioned serving, and you were expected and often forced to eat it in a certain time period, and your plate had to be cleaned. The diet that they serve is engineered by "nutritionists" to give you the energy and nutrients you need to survive the physical requirements of Basic. I loved Basic, and I didn't gain an ounce of fat. I gained all muscle. A lot of it. I am working my way back to that muscled physique I had when I was 18.

Basic is a blast. I hope you really enjoy it.

the starches in baked beans damage my stomach and give me IBS
the pancakes would amplify that
the potatos starch would damage my stomach and give me IBS

now with that food scaring and damageing my stomach to the point id have diarrea everyday and horrible foul gas 24/7 i don't think i could absorb the scambled eggs good enough to survive for very long

anyways for people in a position like that make sure your stomach has the ability to process starches or els its not going to work even though my stomach is healed right now if i ate 1 meal of lots of beans and potatos my stomach would be sore all night and slightly damaged for the next 4 days and if i ate another meal of beans and potatos before my stomach was able to recover then it would get even more damaged than before

Everyone here has good advice. And everybody has their own body and reacts differently to things. But the bottom line is, a singular theme in all the advice, make wise choices in what you eat.

You already know healthy foods from unhealthy foods. Eat healthy foods, stay healthy. Eat unhealthy, like you did when you got fat, you'll get fat again, and unhealthy again. It's not just calories. That's an old way of thinking that has caused a lot of people a lot of unnecessary grief. While calories do count, don't get me wrong, it's more important the kinds of calories you eat. Eating 2000 calories a day in Doritos and Ding Dongs is not the same as eating 2000 calories of veggies, fruits, whole grains and healthy meats (processed isn't all that healthy) which are all allowed in Ongoing Maintenance.

Atkins is not a life of meat and cheese like so many misguided and misinformed believe. As you move up the rungs, you get to put almost everything you ever ate back into your diet, as long as it's REAL food. Junk food is junk food no matter what diet you're on. And while the occassional Twinkie won't kill you, I don't suggest giving in to the craving. At least I know I can't. Some people might have the will (or won't) power, but I don't and I don't tempt fate without consequences.

this is a really good post! sept for one part ''And while the occassional Twinkie won't kill you'' check this video out and see if you still feel the same way xD

YouTube - TWINKIE vs. TORCH Why Hydrogenated Oils and Trans Fats Cause Disease

[forbey]

Re: Is atkins for life?

We used to call them IMP's (Individual Meal Packet)
Imagine a pouch containing the following: Wiki link

We used to call the C-Rats! But that was a long time ago. The secret with these, there are enough calories in one to last a whole day (and more). If you eat one whole meal per meal, you will more than likely gain weight. We would take one for a whole days maneuvers.

(Don't trash the TP, by the end of a weak in the field, you'll be selling it to those who didn't keep there's!)

[bykerdruid]

Re: Is atkins for life?

Again, for those of us who love Atkins that is fine, but it was not enough for her...which is equally ok. I did WW for quite some time (I was not successful at it obviously) but I did not mind the points just like I don't mind counting carbs on Atkins and the price, though I would rather not pay for a diet, eating this way is not cheap either. To each their own.

You know, I really hate it when you have put a lot of thought in a post and taken a good half hour to make it perfect then somehow hit a key and it all goes bye bye.

Suffice to say, I was not in any way condemning you or your SIL. I was merely stating that Atkins allows all kinds of freedoms, just not junk food. That I agree with Atkinsgal is only in her statement that "Atkins offers freedoms" (not an exact quote) and I can't understand how one can believe Atkins does not allow variety. And you CAN have ice cream on Atkins.

It would seem you've encountered some negativity here and I'm sorry to hear that. I've had some of the same demeaning attitude thrown my way. The bad thing about BBs is you aren't face to face and you can only hope smileys take the sting out or words that aren't meant to. And I'm sorry that you think that because I agree with Atkinsgal's meaning, I endorse her manner. Some interpret it as tough love, others as being an . On this board, I try my best not to be demeaning, ridiculing or belittling. I'm here for support, both to give and receive. Tough love is not my specialty.

[cleochatra]

Re: Is atkins for life?

I have to say, yes. Based on my experience, if Atkins works for you, you want Atkins--or lower carb (whether it's low glycemic load, paleo, Atkins, whatever)-- for life.

I lost to goal in 1984 (from about 140ish to 116ish) and maintained my weight for three years using Atkins. I was happy, healthy, felt wonderful and looked amazing.

Unfortunately, I eventually broke down and listened to the the low-fat/high carb weight loss plans/diet plans/maintenance plans of the 80's and 90's and I maintained all right: all the way up to 350 pounds.

Now remember: I had managed to stay at a goal weight for three years with Atkins and then dieted my way UP due to a higher carbohydrate lifestyle, all while battling feelings of incredible hunger, cravings and lack of control--none of which were issues when I was enjoying a life with Atkins.

My problem? I never made that correlation until nearly 20 years later. How unfortunate! And it makes me so upset!

So I have to say, based on my experience of a former goalie Atkins girl who switched over and had everything go to **** in a Healthy Choice Handbasket, if low carb works for you, stick with what you know works for you, and don't deviate, regardless what 'convention' might have you believe.

It's the hardest lesson I have ever had to learn.

[Carne!]

Re: Is atkins for life?

All the sidenotes set aside, the fact is, if we started early, fed our children on an Atkins maintenance diet with all the other refined garbage out there used as an occassional treat (or maybe for feeding cattle), the vast majority of humans would survive nicely without ever knowing that Atkins was a low carb solution to problems associated with poor eating.

forbey

Couldn't agree more!! This is my plan for life....Atkins isn't just great for weight loss, but it is the RIGHT way to eat. We ate low carb and higher fat for a very long time without encountering the diseases of civilization. Nothing wrong feeding the family whole foods and meats, dairy, nuts and fruit while saving the LC treats for the weekends.

[poobears1972]

Re: Is atkins for life?

I'm betting though no one truely dieted their way fat. They may have said they were on this diet or that or tried one thing and bounced around but they binged on crap. If they stuck to an actual legit plan they wouldn't have gotten fat again. So you really can't blame other diets for gaining. Just like people that come onto Atkins and start tweaking it to suit their needs then complain that it isn't working and they are gaining. If you ask them they will say they are doing Atkins. But in reality they are not following the plan as written. Most diets get a bad rap that way. Because people follow the plan half azzed and then blame their failure on the diet.

[cleochatra]

Re: Is atkins for life?

I disagree there, poohbear. I think of it this way: If you are truly insulin resistant and you go from faring well on 25 carbs per day to suddenly ingesting 300 or more per day, there are going to be some very real repercussions there.

Maybe not for everyone, but for those who have issues with carbohydrates.

It's not a matter of willpower or self control. It really can be about body chemistry and how the body reacts to a very huge shift in diet.

I hope everyone finds what works best for them--the point is, if it's low carb, stick with it! If it's not, do what works.