Atkins Diet

[Guest]

If you know your strong points work on them...soon the weak ones will fade!....

OH yes. I wish my mother had known more when I was a young teen and never believed my pediatrician (yes, my pediatrician!) when he prescribed amphetamines for weight loss. I was on those for almost 4 years from age 11 to age 15. Let's say there were side effects and leave it there.

Ahhh, southern food. Everything is white, brown, tan, yellow or dark, dark green. Of course, that's what I consider "home cooking". At least now I've stopped GAINING weight, which is a positive step

Something interesting I picked up and ABG confirmed for me (he's very consious of this sort of stuff because of his physical trainer credentials) is that PAIN can cause you to gain weight. It causes stress, and apparently some people's bodies react to stress by storing fat. I don't think of myself as a stressed person -- my life is fairly easy by most measures -- but pain I am familiar with for some time now. It puts a bit of a new light on everything, since not only am I a "comfort food" person, but I tend to eat when I hurt (the one thing about me that works most of the time is my stomach!)

 

[Honey123]

OH yes. I wish my mother had known more when I was a young teen and never believed my pediatrician (yes, my pediatrician!) when he prescribed amphetamines for weight loss. I was on those for almost 4 years from age 11 to age 15. Let's say there were side effects and leave it there.

Ahhh, southern food. Everything is white, brown, tan, yellow or dark, dark green. Of course, that's what I consider "home cooking". At least now I've stopped GAINING weight, which is a positive step

Oh my absolutely!!!

And that's what you focus on...the not gaining weight. Everyone reaches plateaus too..beware of them...but also embrace it as a chance to do something different..whether it is exercising differently..or trying a food, say like tofu....you might like it.

As we know, plateaus are when our body becomes used to whatever it is you are doing...eating, exercising. So, when that happens (which might be happening to you since you aren't losing) you might want to add an extra 15 mins a day to your daily exercise....don't lessen the food. Not yet. I tend to despise the thought of lessening food intake. Change it's preparation, perhaps...less butter...no butter, less oil, no oil....

 

[Honey123]

Something interesting I picked up and ABG confirmed for me (he's very consious of this sort of stuff because of his physical trainer credentials) is that PAIN can cause you to gain weight. It causes stress, and apparently some people's bodies react to stress by storing fat. I don't think of myself as a stressed person -- my life is fairly easy by most measures -- but pain I am familiar with for some time now. It puts a bit of a new light on everything, since not only am I a "comfort food" person, but I tend to eat when I hurt (the one thing about me that works most of the time is my stomach!)

well, stress will make you gain weight. And women will gain it in the hip area.

when you hurt (if this is an emotional hurt we are talking about) sing...exercise....read a book.

So easy to say, huh? but I have done it. And for 6 years of my life I have kept off unwanting fat and weight...

 

[impressive]

Some numbers (for the naysayers).

It's coming up on four years since I changed my eating habits to a low-carb lifestyle. (I only followed the Atkins diet "religiously" for the first year of the journey. Now, I simply don't eat high carb foods. I don't limit myself, otherwise. I don't count carb grams or any of that jazz.)

Before I started, I had baseline bloodwork ... and my doctor insisted on testing at regular intervals ('cause she was unconvinced that I could improve my health profile by eating steak, eggs, butter, cream, cheese, bacon, etc.). I just got the results of my latest bloodwork. For grins, I pulled out the first one.

While my overall cholesterol hasn't changed all that much, the components of it certainly have ...

Triglycerides: Dropped from 200 to 39
HDL (the "good cholesterol"): Rose from 51 to 85
HDL/LDL ratio: 1.55 (the lower, the better ... under 4.4 is considered "low risk" ... under 3.3 isn't even on the charts)

For the past 3 years, I've been a part of a formal research study. I just completed the final evaluation and look forward to the published results. It's the longest-term study (to date) on the effects of a low-carb lifestyle on health.

 

[SensualCealy]

Indeed. That's why I'm not a Big Mac fan. Or White Castle, for that matter. Too much bread, not enough beef.

But I doubt I could pull off the Atkins diet. I love pizza too much.

Imp gave me a cool idea to curb the Pizza cravings.
Not that I was having them but, I did feel left out when it came to having 'exciting' meals.

Take a handfull of pepperoni, some shredded cheese, I happen to like greek style pizza so I tossed in a few black olives and a scant handfull of crumbled Feta. Add a couple tbsp of tomato sauce, watch this one, most have sugar, I looked at the labels and found a great one without any form of sugar. Only problem is it didnt have seasonings, tossed in a good tsp of Italian seasoning and some garlic powder. Pop it into the microwave until the cheese melts and eat!

Absolutely delicious!
I almost came on and PM'ed her to thank her, but instead ...

THANK YOU IMP!!!

Made my day!
C

 

[impressive]

THANK YOU IMP!!!

Made my day!
C

You're welcome.

 

[she_is_my_addiction]

*quick hijack*

Another wonderful diet is the Ornish diet, especially if you're worried about heart healthy risks and such. If heart disease runs in your family this is for you also.

 

[SensualCealy]

Honestly, no, I'm not a "large" person by any means, and yes, I'm doing it mainly for vanity reasons, but I can control it and I'm not going to starve myself or anything and I am doing it so I can feel better about myself. So I can look at myself completely naked in the mirror (or on the internet. Heh) and say "Hey, I look hot."

By the way, I totally flaked and had some hot chocolate but I'm good now.

Good luck with it, I am so glad to hear it's going so well for you.

I wasnt saying in any words that your struggle wasnt going to be hard, I know its just as hard to lose 20 as it is to lose 120! Honestly I do!!

Its not just vanity, its feeling comfortable with yourself in your own skin. If you personally dont feel you are at your best, you should be allowed to do what you feel it takes to be you again. Without the critisizm.
One thing, you guys in the states are lucky, Atkin products are all around you, up here in the great white north, good luck in finding them anywhere, well maybe in the bigger cities but not around here.

Anytime you want to chat buzz me!
C

 

[SensualCealy]

I'm on day 11 of Atkins right now. I've lost 11 pounds total thus far but find the loss slowing just as it did the last time I used this diet. I think the first week serves to diurese you so that no real fat is lost, it's just the water weight coming off.

Cealy, I haven't had your experience with the water retention. I'm just the opposite. That first week I was in the bathroom so much it drove me crazy.

The leg cramps are always the worst for me, more so than the headaches. I have to remember to take my vitamins and extra calcium so I can rest well at night.

I'm not looking at a long-term thing either, Ari. I just needed to jump-start my weight loss again after months of the weight creeping back on me. (I had lost about 50 pounds on Weight Watchers.) I don't think I can do Atkins for the duration. It's just good to get you going with quick results.

My advice: don't forget your vitamins and exercise!

The only reason for the water retention is because of the heat we are having. Im not letting it get me down or Ill go absolutely crazy!
As for the leg cramps, thats a sign of dehydration I think, Id ask Vella or Lucky or any of the other nurses around.

Mine goal with Atkins isnt long term either, I have so much weight to lose that the Doctor figured it would be a good way to kick start my body into the weight loss process. I am so tired and achy all the time that by doing this I just may have the energy to get to the gym and use the membership we carry. I have found a difference in my energy level, but by 2pm I almost crash. I try to take my lunch close to that time so that if I happen to drift off after eating, so be it.

Any weight loss program shouldnt be looked at as a diet, its a change of life, just like menopause! Its got to be done even if we dont like it! lol
You know where I am if you want to chat about it!
Cealy

 

[SensualCealy]

Great post - I've highlighted the bit I think is important, the rest is up's and down's to some degree. We don't choose who we are, and we shouldn't choose to be someone we are not. Ok a little bit, but not to excess.

For the record, I have three sets (sizes) of trousers because my stomach increases and decreases by four inches every month. I weigh about 150 lbs. No medical explanation other than my digestive system seems to shut down and my stomach bloats. No amount of exercise seems to make any difference and I've tried just about every combination of food intake possible. It doesn't really bother me other than the occassion when I just cannot get into that pair of trousers I'd really like to wear. I have a modicum of vanity - like everyone else, but it seems I'm stuck with who I am.

The SO on the other hand is 55 this year and is routinely mistaken for someone in her thirties - she does nothing special, eats sensibly, but she is who she was born to be. Luck of the draw - I'm totally and utterly enamoured by by her, for who she is despite her giving me hell today because I'm away and she's had to deal with household paperwork

Hubby loves women that are thicker, not a problem, but we both need to lose the weight to be heathy to see our kids mature and grow into adults and bring me home kids in law and grandkids.
I am not doing this for vanity sake, ( a tiny bit) I cant walk and shop all day like I use to. My hip gives out while I walk, it hurts like a bitch.
After sex the next day I feel like Ive been doing deep knee bends too damn long- sex is suppose to feel great!

Im happy you feel women shouldnt accept the idea of the 'perfect' body shape, there isnt one!
Now if we can convince more than just DOVE that women come in all shapes and sizes life would be much easier on all of us!
C

 

[SensualCealy]

*shrug* indeed. I'm just repeating what I've been told, that with some diets it's easier to keep a weight afterwards and with others, often the more effective ones for fast weightloss, it's harder.

Fast weightloss, with over 120lbs to lose, it wont happen fast!
However I do believe you and I have seen proof of it. I dont think so much that its the fast weightloss thats the issue, so much as the fact your brain hasnt got use to the idea that now you are a skinny person, you CANT go back and eat a 12 oz steak, baked potato loaded, and onion rings once you are to your goal weight.
Thats why most GOOD plans have a maintenance program.

C

 

[Flyin_Free]

I tried Atkins once and I shook so badly while I was on it. I'm not sure if it was the withdrawel from carbs or what but I fealt like my hands (and arms) were constantly shaking. I don't think if anybody looked at me they'd see me skaking but that's what it fealt like. Does anybody else find that they shake??Also, at the time I was nursing my youngest and milk supply dropped badly--I finally quit after about two weeks.

My friend from Hawaii just called me the other day to tell me about his latest "diet"--He refers to it as a lifestyle change though--not diet. He is a big man(in his mid 50's)--has lots of health problems too. He said for the last month he has eaten nothing but fruit. Kind of like a clense. I was really surprised because of all people I really didn't think that he could go a whole month with nothing else to eat but he says he feels Amazing. He is no longer tired in the day, he says he sleeps his 7 or so hours at night and gets up and feels awake and he has energy again and is starting to surf, walk, workout, just go out and DO stuff again. He was really excited when I talked to him because after a month of just fruit he was going to start adding veggies back into his diet as well. He talks so highly of how he feels that I really think I might try this sometime--course it's probably pretty expensive since you'd eat a LOT of fruit.

 

[SensualCealy]

yesterday I made crustless quiche for breakfast, had a second slice today cold, since its hot out, Absolutely delicious!

Kids each had a slice too, my son at this point doesnt have to worry about his weight, and my daughter is reducing her carbs alot. She is built like her Momma!

Hubby has had his carbs drastically reduced, but since he is his own person, he tends to come home and inhales what he can.
The first week was the worst, shakes, headache, cravings, even feeling disoriented, but its all gone now and Im feeling better, thats what counts!
C