atkins research

**Brook** · November 29, 2005, 11:53 AM

Re: atkins research

Hi Andrea

I think you'll find plenty of people game here. I know I am.

I'll just add my responses here. Any further questions, feel free to PM me.
~Brook

Originally posted by drea

1.) in your own words, briefly explain the atkins diet.

The Atkins "diet" (way of eating) is a corrective way of eating designed to bring the dieter back to the very basics of eating while giving them the added benefit of insulin/blood sugar regulation, cravings control, and appetite satisfaction.

It starts out by giving the dieter essentially unlimited quantities of fat and protein, and severely restricting carbohydrate intake. All carbohdyrates during the initial two week induction period are to come from a very specific list of low-glycemic vegetables. I think it's important to note that even the most restrictive phase of the Atkins diet meets the USRDA in daily vegetable servings

After the initial two week Induction phase, the "dieter" (can you tell I hate that word?) is to add 5 grams of carbohydrate back into their diet, going from 20 net grams of carb to 25 grams of carb per day (net carbs= total carbs-fiber). Those 5 grams are supposed to come in the form of more *veggies*. Ongoing Weight Loss is the 2nd, and the most lengthy phase of the Atkins way of eating so far as weight loss goes. During this time the "dieter" is to steadily increase their carbohydrate intake following what we call the "carbohydrate ladder", until they reach a point where they stop losing weight steadily, and then they're to back down to the previous losing level (i.e. - don't lose at 45 grams per day, drop back down to 40 grams per day). This is a period of real self discovery for most people. It's a time to learn what foods trigger cravings, what foods trigger various allergy responses/sensitivities, etc. The OWL phase is followed by Pre-Maintenance. This is a period where the "dieter" transitions from a weight loss phase to finding a maintenance level for themselves while dropping those last 5-10lbs. Pre-Maintenance is obviously followed by Maintenance. By this time the "dieter" should have learned how to eat whole, natural foods in normal amounts and be able to occasionally indulge in most anything - while keeping the basics in check and maintaining their newly healthy and svelte body.

It's also important to note that exercise is a required part of the Atkins program

2.)Overall, how would you rate the atkins diet in helping you lose weight?
poor(1) fair(2) good(3) very good(4) excellent(5)

5. Excellent.

I've gone from 48% body fat to 19% body fat - from a size 22 to a current size 8 - from 229lbs to 149-153lbs. yeah. Excellent sums it up for me!

3.) Overall, how would you rate the atkins diet in terms of keeping the weight off? poor(1) fair(2) good(3) very good(4) excellent(5)

5. Excellent.
As with any "diet" out there -keeping the weight off is up to the individual. The program works IF you continue to work the program. Regardless of what plan you follow, if you go back to eating the way that got you fat in the first place, you're going to get fat again. There's no magic to it.

4.)How easy was it to stick to the diet?
very difficult(1) difficult(2) somewhat easy(3) considerably easy(4) very easy(5)

5. Very easy.

We all falter now and again, but overall, I'd say that for me and the way that I eat and my personal issues with food - Atkins is/was the easiest program out there for me to follow.

5.)Did you experience any weight gain after completing the diet?
not at all(1) a little(2) some(3) considerable(4) exteme(5)

This isn't a fair question. Refer to my answer on question #3. You NEVER complete a "diet". "Diets" are the food we eat and as long as we're eating, we're dieting

As for regaining weight - well considering that weight loss, regardless of what plan you follow is an endeavor with a 95% failure rate in a period of 5 years - I'd say the common bit of "finishing a diet" doesn't really work, wouldn't you?

That said..when I stopped working the program and being conscientious of it, I regained 20 of the 90lbs of fat I lost to begin with. I don't know if you'd consider that "some" or "considerable". I considered it completely unacceptable - and once I started working my program like I never should have stopped - the weight is gone. Lesson learned. I will not be a statistic.

6.) How healthy do you think the atkins diet is?
not at all(1) a little(2) fairly(3) considerably(4) extremely(5)

Thanks!

5. Extremely. I have yet to figure out how a diet that is based primarily on fresh, lean cuts of meat, a plethora of fresh vegetables, nuts, dairy, legumes, low glycemic fruits/berries, and whole grains with occasional higher glycemic fruits/veggies/junk-food dejour in later phases once the weight issues are dealt with (the key word being OCCASIONAL) can be unhealthy.

We do not drink bacon grease from teacups. We do not eat greasy cheeseburgers 3x a day. We do not feed solely off red meat. We do not eat "unlimited amounts of bacon and cheese". None of these things are true.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Interpretations of the Atkins diet tend to come from what your sister's boyfriend's aunt's half brother's girlfriend's cousin's mechanic had to say or something that came off Hard Copy. People who haven't read the book have not educated yourself on the Atkins program. The end. 99% of what we hear about in magazines/on TV/from other people is the Weight Watchers equivalent of someone who spends their entire point allotment on Skinny Cow ice cream and Fat Free potato chips. Technically, you *can* do that within the framework of the program, but it's a blatant abuse of the structure and intention of the program and you'll find that true Atkineers will treat it as such.

Look at me. I'm physically healthier than 99% of the people I know - and I can out run them too

HTHS
~Brook

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