Atkins...

[LadyJane]

I know there have been lots of threads about this, and I'm reading them now. I am curious, though, how many of you are doing Atkins now? How much have you lost and how long did it take you?

[Fred]

Originally posted by LadyJane
I know there have been lots of threads about this, and I'm reading them now. I am curious, though, how many of you are doing Atkins now? How much have you lost and how long did it take you?

don't forget to ask: and how long did you keep it off after you quit the diet? ;)

[LadyJane]

Thank you Fred :)

[Savio]

Don't do it.

The easiest way is to eat right and eat healthy and exercise. I know you hear it all the time but it's the real deal. I'm pretty much a health freak and have been going consistently to the gym for the past 5 years. My work out regiment consist of about 40 mins of weight training then around 20-30 mins of cardio I have about 10 percent body fat and blood pressure is great.


It's ok to splurge but just work harder in the gym.

[DaveW]

I Lost 10-15 in two or 3 weeks. dont remember exactly. We dont eat many carbs except on the weekends. atkins is easy

[Fred]

Originally posted by LadyJane
Thank you Fred :) No problem.

The diet works great, but keeping the weight off is about impossible unless you live on the maintainence diet forever and not many people can stay away from carbs forever.

My brother lost 99 pounds in less than a year- gained that plus about 20 pounds back within the next year.

[LadyJane]

Originally posted by Savio
Don't do it.

The easiest way is to eat right and eat healthy and exercise. I know you hear it all the time but it's the real deal. I'm pretty much a health freak and have been going consistently to the gym for the past 5 years. My work out regiment consist of about 40 mins of weight training then around 20-30 mins of cardio I have about 10 percent body fat and blood pressure is great.


It's ok to splurge but just work harder in the gym.

I'm not sure if I'm going to do it or not. That's why I'm doing the 'research'. I've always been against doing it because it's not the best way to lose weight (which you mention above). BUT...it just seems like whatever I do isn't good enough, and I yo yo back and forth. I'm tired of being overweight, and the diet and exercise just aren't cutting it.

I've only had problems with my weight since having kids, and because I was always UNDERweight before having them, I'm having a really hard time accepting being overweight :(

My father-in-law did Atkins and lost a ton of weight, but he has since gained it all back. When he was doing it, I was thinking, how the hell can that be healthy?

Desperate times call for desperate measures....

[LadyJane]

Originally posted by DaveW
I Lost 10-15 in two or 3 weeks. dont remember exactly. We dont eat many carbs except on the weekends. atkins is easy

I think it would be near impossible for me as I am a carb addict :worried:

I really don't think it's for me because of this (and other reasons), but I was just curious what others have experienced.

[Fred]

Jane- you are NOT overweight and you may need your kidneys one of these days. You body is not made to burn ketones for energy.

[LadyJane]

Originally posted by Fred
Jane- you are NOT overweight and you may need your kidneys one of these days. You body is not made to burn ketones for energy.

I appreciate the thought fred :smooch: but I really am overweight. I've gained 15 lbs since I was in NC :(

[slydevl]

Originally posted by Fred


don't forget to ask: and how long did you keep it off after you quit the diet? ;)

I lost 20 more after quitting the diet due to the habits I formed while on the diet. Haven't put a pound back on.

[Fred]

Originally posted by slydevl


I lost 20 more after quitting the diet due to the habits I formed while on the diet. Haven't put a pound back on.
If so, you are the exception to the rule. Kidney enzymes still at a normal level?

[Fred]

Originally posted by LadyJane


I appreciate the thought fred :smooch: but I really am overweight. I've gained 15 lbs since I was in NC :(
ok, so that brings you up to 115. No big deal.


I hit 230 this week! I about had a stroke. But I'm still not gonna try Atkin's. I agree with Savio. Once summer is here, I will work it off in the yard.

[Boo]

if you've read the other threads then I'll spare you my history.

Recent research done by credible institutions have said that it is safe...which is what atkins said all along. turns out fat isn't nearly as bad as it was once thought to be, some types of fat are now considered essential, such as omega 3s. Anybody who says otherwise is using 1980's data and research....which unfortunatley includes professional dieticians and MDs.

The most recent school of thought isn't atkins per se but the "type" of carb. Researchers now beleive the real culprit to excess stored body fat is certain types of carbs, like sugar, white flour, white rice, etc (rule of thumb is any "white" carb source) -- these carbs are easily and willfully turned into fat. Carbs from wheat, grains, most vegatables, etc are the "slow" burning kind that the body doesn't as willfully store as fat. When you are reading the label of food, look at how many grams of carbs come from sugar...then scan the ingredients and basically look for anything that ends in "ose" -- that'll be some sort of sugar.

Personally, I've have been doing something called "carb cycling" which is more of a diet/fitness program vs just a diet. monday, tuesday, wednesday I'll go low carb with all carbs coming from the "slow" burning kind..maybe 50-80 per day. Thursday and Friday I'll increase to 150-175 carbs per day. Protein intake is relatively the same all days, at least 250 grams. I don't even pay attention to fat grams. Weekends are anything goes, but I still limit sugar. Monday - Wednesday are cardio days, thur, friday, and saturday are weight training days, and sundays are off/rest days. This program allows you to add muscle and reduce fat.

The reason all diets fail, not just atkins, is because a change of lifestyle is needed. People will change for a while but within 6 months 90% will have gone back to the way they were. For instance, the "resolutioners" (people who buy memberships in January) at the Y and Bally's I go to have pretty much all quit by now, they didn't even make it for 3 months.

[Fred]

The fact of the matter: You body was not meant to burn ketones for fuel. It goes against the natural process. It's a signal to your body that you are in 'starvation mode.' In about 20 years, there is gonna be an overwhelming amount of people on dialysis and I am sure the reason why will come out. But-- to each his own.

[slydevl]

Originally posted by Fred

If so, you are the exception to the rule. Kidney enzymes still at a normal level?

Yep got checked for that and for uraic(sp?) acid levels in the blood after I had been on the diet for about 2 months. Everything normal. As far as being the exception to the rule, study after study has shown Atkins to be the most successful diet as far as keeping the weight off. You cannot return to the habits that made you fat in the first place of course. Every diet would fail if everyone did that. Atkins is a spring board for modifying your lifestyle. Treat it as that. Give it 2 or 3 months then drop it. During those 3 months you will actually begin to crave exercise (or at least I did) and will develop eating habits (smaller portions, avoiding junk) that you can maintain even when you have quit the diet.

[slydevl]

Let me see:

One one hand we have Dr. Atkins. A trained dietician and medical doctor. And he is backed up by studies which have recently become too numerous to cite.

On the other hand we have Fred. A nurse.

Any questions?

[Boo]

Originally posted by Fred
The fact of the matter: You body was not meant to burn ketones for fuel. It goes against the natural process. It's a signal to your body that you are in 'starvation mode.' In about 20 years, there is gonna be an overwhelming amount of people on dialysis and I am sure the reason why will come out. But-- to each his own.

think about it, in any diet where the goal is to lose weight from stored body fat, at some point you are going to have to burn fat for energy, right? Atkins basically extends this time period to 24/7 whereas other diets do it for a few hours a day.

What most people who criticize atkins do is based on the "20 carbs per day" they've heard. That's only for 2 weeks. After the weight is off, the person experiments with different levels of carbs (sometime over 200 per day) that they can consume and their current weight.

anyways, if you read the book lady, it clearly says that the diet isn't for people who only need to lose 10 or 15 pounds.

[SandMan]

Originally posted by LadyJane
I know there have been lots of threads about this, and I'm reading them now. I am curious, though, how many of you are doing Atkins now? How much have you lost and how long did it take you?

The easiest diet I have done and still do from time to time is pretty simple.

1. Drop all softdrink consumption (Diet is the worst)
2. Drink plenty of water (6-10 bottles a day)
3. Black Coffee (no cream or sugar)
4. Eat what you normally eat (meal wise) only reduce portions / no seconds. If you must get fast food, cut out the fries or get grilled chickin. (The idea is to eat stuff you like, but make sacrafices along the way)
5. At least 3 nights a week, skip the evening meal and substitute with a "meal replacement" bar of some kind.
6. 4 days a week of 45 minutes excersice.
7. For me cut back to 6 beers a week, no more than 3 in a day.

The biggest success I had with this diet was 2 years ago when I went from like 218 to 189 in about 4 months. Usually when I start it up I drop 10 lbs in 3 weeks.

[Fred]

Originally posted by slydevl
Let me see:

One one hand we have Dr. Atkins. A trained dietician and medical doctor. And he is backed up by studies which have recently become too numerous to cite.

On the other hand we have Fred. A nurse.

Any questions?

Sly, I said if your kidney enzynes are normal that you are the exception to the rule. But please allow me to say "I told you so" when, in 20 years, all the people that went on Atkin's begin to have renal failure.

[Fred]

Oh, and by the way- you've had mood swings since you dropped your weight that makes PMS look like a day in the park.

Just thought you'd like to know. :bird1:

[lj4three]

i agree with savio here, i havent worked out for the last 2 and a half months but had for 4 years straight prior to that. im actually losing weight and eating more food now, then when i was working out.

[DaveW]

Originally posted by Fred


Sly, I said if your kidney enzynes are normal that you are the exception to the rule. But please allow me to say "I told you so" when, in 20 years, all the people that went on Atkin's begin to have renal failure.


remember, it's better to look good than to feel good!

[Fred]

Originally posted by DaveW



remember, it's better to look good than to feel good!

I'm scared to lose weight. The first place I lose is my ass and that's where I wanna keep it!

[Savio]

Originally posted by Fred


I'm scared to lose weight. The first place I lose is my ass and that's where I wanna keep it!

then you should get some silicon implants in your ass :D

[Fred]

Originally posted by Savio


then you should get some silicon implants in your ass :D
Don't need em'! Baby got back!

[Boo]

Originally posted by lj4three
i agree with savio here, i havent worked out for the last 2 and a half months but had for 4 years straight prior to that. im actually losing weight and eating more food now, then when i was working out.

You are losing muscle mass and replacing it with fat. Muscle is much much more dense than fat so you might not even notice....for now. You might not even notice the increase of fat because muscle actually has more water in it than fat. It's really the combination of a lower amount of water in your body offset by a little increase in fat that is causing what you described. Weight is a terrible measure of fat because of the water factor, get yourself some fat callipers

When you lose muscle mass, your metabolism actually slows. Every pound of muscle takes 50 calories per day just to maintain normal body temp. When it goes away and you keep your calories level the same or increase it, you gain fat. someone like ronnie coleman (champion body builder) will burn more energy sitting in a chair than someone like drew carey walking

[lj4three]

damn, that sucks. my pant size has also decreased by 1-2 sizes. once i heal up, im hitting the gym. :)

[LadyJane]

Originally posted by Fred

ok, so that brings you up to 115. No big deal.



:saywhat: Good God Fred...I'd kill to be at 125, let alone 115. You are sweet to guess lower than you really believe though. You men can never win at this weight issue when it comes to women, but you've given it a pretty good shot! :)

[LadyJane]

Originally posted by lj4three
i agree with savio here, i havent worked out for the last 2 and a half months but had for 4 years straight prior to that. im actually losing weight and eating more food now, then when i was working out.

You and Savio are in your 20's, right? I had no weight issues then...you'll see it becomes harder and harder to keep looking good as you get older. :(

[plutosgirl]

Originally posted by LadyJane


You and Savio are in your 20's, right? I had no weight issues then...you'll see it becomes harder and harder to keep looking good as you get older. :(

yeah by your 29th birthday for the 5th time, you'll see what she is talking about.

[LadyJane]

Originally posted by plutosgirl


yeah by your 29th birthday for the 5th time, you'll see what she is talking about.

:rofl: oh so true pluto.....

[Patti]

Originally posted by LadyJane


You and Savio are in your 20's, right? I had no weight issues then...you'll see it becomes harder and harder to keep looking good as you get older. :(


Plus the fact they are male. It's true, it's always been true. I remember Mom going on a diet and Dad would lose more weight faster than she would and he wouldn't even be dieting. She would just be trying to fix a little less fattening stuff for supper! That use to really piss her off.

They can lose the weight faster and easier than us, but it's more acceptable for them to be overweight than us? WTF???

[plutosgirl]

Originally posted by LadyJane


:rofl: oh so true pluto.....

I can remember my sisters saying to me, you make me sick, not one spot of cellulite on you, solid as a rock...just wait til you turn 30. I was like:handjob: Now I'm like:mad:

[DaveW]

it's all Eve's fault

[Patti]

Originally posted by DaveW
it's all Eve's fault


Yeah I know. She left a shit load of baggage for us. I hope she enjoyed that damn apple!! :mad:

[Boo]

that's because we lose muscle mass as we age, the process is faster for women. That's why weight training is just as important as cardio training.

[DaveW]

Originally posted by Patti



Yeah I know. She left a shit load of baggage for us. I hope she enjoyed that damn apple!!


yep that and the fact that God never did get that smell off the fish was probably the last straw.

[plutosgirl]

Originally posted by Boo
that's because we lose muscle mass as we age, the process is faster for women. That's why weight training is just as important as cardio training.

Oh I know what to do about it boo:( I just think it's unfair what I used to could do with beer and burgers I know have to do with salad and the gym..... ( not that I have mind you ):)

[Patti]

Originally posted by Boo
that's because we lose muscle mass as we age, the process is faster for women. That's why weight training is just as important as cardio training.

Boo, I know men have more muscle mass than women and that's why they can lose weight faster and all. And I know we all lose muscle mass as we age, but why do women lose muscle faster than men?

[DaveW]

Originally posted by Patti


Boo, I know men have more muscle mass than women and that's why they can lose weight faster and all. And I know we all lose muscle mass as we age, but why do women lose muscle faster than men?


bon bon's

[slydevl]

Ladies....ladies....sex burns 400 calories. Now get out there and get thin.

[plutosgirl]

Originally posted by slydevl
Ladies....ladies....sex burns 400 calories. Now get out there and get thin.

yeah but the fun kind builds muscle too:D

[slydevl]

Originally posted by plutosgirl


yeah but the fun kind builds muscle too:D

Hey, swing from the monkey bars for all I care

[Boo]

Originally posted by Patti


Boo, I know men have more muscle mass than women and that's why they can lose weight faster and all. And I know we all lose muscle mass as we age, but why do women lose muscle faster than men?

Women naturally have a higher body fat and less muscle mass then men. Lack of testosterone is the main reason. remember those east german olympic athletes from years ago that were taking steroids? I often hear women say they don't want to lift because it will turn them into one of those she-males...that won't happen unless you are juicing.

if you ever go to a gym, even just to check it out, do a little unscientific experiment. Look at the cardio section and see how many of the people look like they are in shape...then look at the weight lifting section, you'll see that by far the people who look like they are in shape are in the weight lifting section, even the women.

All you have to do is a simple weight lifting workout once per week to stop losing muscle and adding it.

[wossa]

Originally posted by Patti



Plus the fact they are male. It's true, it's always been true. I remember Mom going on a diet and Dad would lose more weight faster than she would and he wouldn't even be dieting. She would just be trying to fix a little less fattening stuff for supper! That use to really piss her off.

They can lose the weight faster and easier than us, but it's more acceptable for them to be overweight than us? WTF???

yup thats the way it was around my house - I never dieted but would just eat whatever diet meals the wife fixed and did whatever the rest of the time. Always lost more weight - and it did always piss her off.

[Patti]

Originally posted by Boo


Women naturally have a higher body fat and less muscle mass then men. Lack of testosterone is the main reason. remember those east german olympic athletes from years ago that were taking steroids? I often hear women say they don't want to lift because it will turn them into one of those she-males...that won't happen unless you are juicing.

if you ever go to a gym, even just to check it out, do a little unscientific experiment. Look at the cardio section and see how many of the people look like they are in shape...then look at the weight lifting section, you'll see that by far the people who look like they are in shape are in the weight lifting section, even the women.

All you have to do is a simple weight lifting workout once per week to stop losing muscle and adding it.


So the testosterone is what keeps men from LOSING the muscle as quickly also..... Ahhh OK.

Yeah, I know all that other stuff. I have never been a gym junkie. I have worked out on and off ( ok mostly off ) all my adult life. I am like one of those people you will never catch without a gym membership, but you may never catch them at the gym either!!! :D

Until the last few years I bought into that whole "Oh I don't want to bulk up" thing. I don't like muscular women but I love muscle definition on a woman. The thing now is I enjoy the weights more than I do the cardio and I need the cardio more than I do the weights. I know I need both, but if I could just retain the muscle I have and just lose fat I would be a happy camper.

[Puttingood]

:banana: