Hello

[cram]

Hi,
I joined a few weeks back. Been busy with Christmas and all. My wife and I are thinking about doing the Atkins diet together. She went on it back in 1996 and lost a ton of weight. Unfortunately she has since gained it all back. I have been steadily gaining weight also for the past ten years, and now we're both old enough to where we're starting to experience other health related issues due in large part to being overweight.
We do have some reservations. Our goal is to get healthy, not just lose weight. Obviously losing weight is a primary factor in getting healthy. We're concerned that Atkins isn't exactly what one would call a "healthy and balanced" diet.
So one of the reasons I haven't been back since December 8th is that we haven't completely decided on Atkins. The low fiber aspect is a huge concern.

[Chef Kevin]

Re: Hello

Fiber shouldn't be a concern. You will be eating way more veg than most people. Plenty of fiber. This isn't a bacon and eggs diet, forget what the idiots in the media say.

This extremely healthy. What is wrong with eating meat, fish, fowl, salads, fresh vegetables?
better than eating chips, chicken tenders, burgers and fries, poptarts, etc.

This is about eating real food. Not processed crud. Forget any notion that this is an unhealthy way of eating, because that is all lies and rumors spread by people who have no idea what they are talking about. Articles and websites that run this down speak about things that Dr. Atkins NEVER said and NEVER wanted people to do.

Read the book, learn about this way of eating, and then you wll be convinced.

[blueberrylady]

Re: Hello

Please don't let the low fiber aspect of the diet keep you from trying it because it is a very healthy way of life. After 2 weeks you can start moving up the rungs and that will add more fiber and variety to your meals.

You said that your wife lost on it before so you know it works so give it a chance before you decide against it. We are here to help.

[Chef Kevin]

Re: Hello

don't forget, you could add psyllium fiber to your diet.

And also, your "balanced diet" has made you fat, remember that.
your "balanced diet" has aided in your other health concerns you are talking about.
Seems to me a more "unbalanced diet" may be your answer. Our caveman bodies are not designed to burn refined carbs, sugar, flour, corn syrup, etc.

We need real food.

[cram]

Re: Hello

Thanks Chef Kevin and Blueberrylady. My wife read the book and was all for it. Yesterday she called me from the grocery store to look up online a good fiber supplement. Once I started reading about I realized that you almost need to have a masters degree in nutrition to understand it. Fiber's good, fiber's bad, soluble, insoluble, stay away from this, if you have a calcium deficiency don't do that, if you have high blood pressure don't do this, etc, etc, etc.
In all the reading I did, the recurring theme seemed to be "healthy diet" as opposed to "fad diet." Since she read the book and was looking for a fiber supplement, I put two and two together.
Today, Monday, December 29th was supposed to be our start day and she came home with all kinds of fiber rich cereals and oatmeals, so I can only assume she is not intending to start on the Atkins diet.

[Chef Kevin]

Re: Hello

well, best of luck.
Seems odd that she lost on it before and is not willing to do it again.

she gained eating carbs, and now she is going to lose by eating them. Seems illogical.

It's like an alcoholic saying they are going to stop drinking by using vodka.

[clogger]

Re: Hello

cram, you're right...it doesn't sound like your wife is intending to start Induction. When you and/or your wife are ready to start we'll be here to answer questions for you.

Most people think of Atkins as a meat and cheese diet ~ like Chef Kevin said. Unfortunately they are misinformed. It is true that carbohydrates are very restricted during the Induction phase of Atkins. That's so you can get a jump start on weight loss and switch from burning glucose for energy to burning fat for energy. You slowly add good carbs back in as you climb the rungs of OWL (ongoing weight loss). The long term, lifetime plan allows for such a wide variety of foods...lots of vegetables (including starchy ones that are not allowed initially), nuts and seeds, berries and melons (and later other higher glycemic fruits), and legumes and whole grains (in moderation depending on how they affect you.

Good luck to you and your wife!

[Desihue]

Re: Hello


My hubby and I initially began Atkins together and had great success. He stopped and gained, I kept on going. Now he's back on track for good. I highly encourage you and your wife to do this as a team and follow Induction to the letter to have the very best weight loss and better health success.

[cram]

Re: Hello

Thank you all for your responses and encouragement. I didn't mean to take up so much space in the "Introduction" forum. My wife and I carpool to and from work and it is a 3 hour round trip drive, so after discussing it further yesterday we have both decided to try Atkins.

But just to clarify, (the knight in shining armor running to my wife's defense mode kicking in):

well, best of luck.
Seems odd that she lost on it before and is not willing to do it again.

As I originally stated, our primary concern is health - not weight loss. We are taking the approach that eating healthy will obviously lead to weight loss. In February 2007 two sisters, (both models), died within six months of each other due to self-starvation. Therefore I don't think the sectarian preoccupation with weightloss is the right approach. And I never said she "is not willing to do it again."

she gained eating carbs, and now she is going to lose by eating them. Seems illogical.

I'm not sure how she gained the weight back over the last 12 years, neither is she. And unless her doctor, (who actually knows her), had a chart of everything she has eaten for 12 years, I doubt if he would throw out an arbitrary, uninformed guess as to how she gained weight. But thanks for the critique.

It's like an alcoholic saying they are going to stop drinking by using vodka.

I'm sure this was meant merely as a sycophantical inside joke for fellow Atkins devotees, so truthfulness or accuracy was not a concern.

Thanks again everyone

[Lisa]

Re: Hello

I'm so glad you found us and decided to join our community...welcome home!

Best wishes to you and your wife! May you both find support in one another and an exercise you both enjoy doing together as you make these awesome changes in your lives.

[liv]

Re: Hello

Welcome both to Atkins. I agree with Kevin in that this is a very healthy diet. We cut down carbs but we do not cut them out. We leave some of the healthiest to eat on the menu and we are supposed to eat a lot of them (Veggies have a lot of fiber) Over the next few weeks we add more healthy carbs gradually so that we learn which ones we tolerate. We cut out all bad trans fats and we watch our protein portions. We eat healthy whole foods so we know what we are actially eating and stay away from chemicals as best we can. And Atkins insist that we exercise. It is non negotiable he says in his book. So we exercise and get healthy heart and bones. Join some of the January challenges and get going on healthy.
Good luck to the both of you. Hope to hear more about your journey.

[Chef Kevin]

Re: Hello

Dang Cram, lighten up. I try to bring some humor to the discussion. Why always be serious?

Jeesh, I think you need to chill. Trying to have a conversation.
As far as health goes, I have regained mine eating on this plan, and so have thousands of others.
So, before you get all defensive about this stuff, go read the book. It will answer your questions.

I eat this way because it works. I am healthy now, losing weight, and feeling better and better. I eat healthy foods, without nearly the chemicals and preservitives found in processed foods that are common in most western diets.

I eat vegetables, and have broken my addiction to caffeine, overcome blood sugar problems (I am a diabetic thanks to my previous way of eating), drink plenty of water, and am thriving overall.

So, if you want to make a change for better health, great.

If you want to follow another plan, great.

We, here, have found a plan that works for us. It has worked for thousands, and we encourage others to read the book, get the answers, and join us.

I also understand the carpooling thing, I have commuted over an hour each way for more than a year. It can be done with planning and packing a snack.