newbie

[shug]

Hi,
I am new to this site and to forums in general. I am five days in to the induction on my first attempt EVER at Atkins and following the less than 20 carbs a day rule quite well actually. I have already lost 5 lbs. so I am thrilled! I was wondering if someone would help me to understand all the stuff that I have found online about the original Atkins diet ...developed by Dr. Atkins...vs. this newer diet formed after his passing. I don't know if I am doing it the right way or what is going on. Should I use the atkins.com site to guide me through the phases? What is the difference between phases and rungs and how do they work? Also, I started feeling really sick today. I read up on these feelings and learned that I am probably not getting enough potassium. I increased my intake on cucumbers and spinach, as these contain the highest amount of potassium for veggies that I found. I know I am asking a lot...thanks to anyone who has time to respond!

[FwL]

Re: newbie

Hi shug... welcome to the forum.

This site is based around following the 2002 version of Dr Atkin's New Diet Revolution. (White cover.. blue lettering... referred to as DANDR on this site.)

I don't know many specific differences between the book and the current website, but one thing I noticed is a push toward lean meat. One of the things Dr Atkins stood up for during his life is the mistaken programing that saturated fat is BAD FOR YOU.

To me it seems that giving lip service to lean meat is just an attempt to market to the fear-of-fat crowd and avoid the controversy that Dr A faced head on.

Others here will probably chime in with more details as to the differences.


As to phases and rungs, Dr A laid out the diet in four phases

1 induction

2 Ongoing Weight Loss (OWL)

3 Pre-Maintenance

4 Lifetime Maintenance


During phases 2 and 3, you make use of what he called the "Carbohydrate Ladder". This is a list of nine different categories of carbohydrate foods in graduating order based on the glycemic index of each. As you progress through OWL, you add small amounts of each category in turn. This is reffered to as the "rungs" of the ladder. If a person says they are on rung 2, it means that they are currently adding foods from category 2 to their diet in a careful and controlled fashion.


Now... Feeling really sick a few days into this diet is not uncommon. Around here, they call it "induction flu". It's your body going through the final stages of carb withdrawal. It usually gets better in a day or two and you come out on the other side feeling great. If it gets really bad or doesn't go away, then you might have something to worry about.


So... don't be afraid to ask lots of questions. There are a lot of folks here who are all trying to help each other out.

But definitely get your hands on DANDR 2002 and read it.

[chinadoll]

Re: newbie

We use DANDR here as Forrest said. The Atkins site is more about selling their processed "diet foods" than learning to eat healthy. The 2002 DANDR was an updated and healthier version of Dr A's original diet from the 70s. You will see a lot of conflicting information between the two sites, but we prefer the Dr's advice over the corporation's sales pitch.

[blueberrylady]

Re: newbie

Welcome to the board and to Atkins, shug! And congrats on your loss so far! Keep it up!

Yes, the diet can be a little confusing at first so you need to read the DANDR and the Atkins Diet Phases forum here. The book is the best motivator I know of because it fully explains how and why the diet works.

Let us know how you make out!

[shug]

Re: newbie

FwL, Chinadoll, and blueberrylady...
Thank you all for your sharing some insight! It is most helpful at this time, and I have ordered the book. Is the red paperback version w/ the same title, (2002) acceptable? Thank you again and keep up the good work!
shug