atkins question

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2005
atkins question
8
Thu, 06-09-2005 - 2:25am
I was thinking about starting Atkins, and I was wondering if anyone one the board was currently following it? If so, what kind of results are you seeing, like what is your average weight loss per week? My older sister and a friend of mine did Atkins a couple of years ago and steadily lost five or so pounds until they were under 200 pounds. Is that really possible? Do you think they were working out a lot, for hours and hours? I don't think I could do more than 30 minutes of cardio a day! I know quick weight loss isn't the answer, but it would be really nice if I could drop 45-50 pounds this summer, then take it slow in the Fall when my classes start up again.
-kristin!
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-01-2005
Thu, 06-09-2005 - 2:50am

Please don't go on Atkins!!! It shows lots of results in the short term, but is VERY VERY unhealthy for the longrun!!!!!! Not only does it raise the bad cholesterol in your heart, your blood pressure also goes way up, you become very malnourished b/c you have no carbs (you at least need the RIGHT carbs and fats). Some people start losing clumps of hair because of it, and it takes months and months to begin to grow it back. And when you do decide to let yourself have a few carbs again, the weight will come back. If I were you, do some research and find out about real diets that other people are doing. Look at the pros and cons; find out what real health risks are involved; don't just look at short term results!!!!

~Maureen

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2003
Thu, 06-09-2005 - 9:04am

There is an Atkins board on iVillage....they can probably help you w/a lot of your questions.

I know a few girls here did Atkins and were happy w/the results. I know if done properly, you can lose weight w/o bad side effects. There are a lot of people who "do Atkins", but have never read the book and learned the correct way to do low carb.

I think trying to lose 45-50 lbs in a few months is unhealthy, no matter what diet you choose. I also think its unrealistic. Just my opinion, of course......

Focus on the long term goals of losing weight and being healthy and learning the right way to eat....for the rest of your life.

Good luck.

Dawn

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-25-2004
Thu, 06-09-2005 - 9:29am

I myself have never done Atkins, nor would I ever, simply because I don't necessarily agree with their principals. I also know that it is not something I could stick with in the long run. I don't currently follow a named plan, just one that I made up myself, and with as much weight as I have to lose, I tend to lose about 3-4 lbs a week, IF I follow my plan strictly. From all that I've read, the South Beach Diet does seem to be a much more healthful approach. They strictly limit their processed/refined carbs and sugar intake, so it's similar to Atkins in that way, but they do allow very limited servings of fruits/starchy veggies/whole grain products and unlimited protein and low starch veggies. They also limit their intake of saturated and trans fats while making sure to eat plenty of healthy fats. And, with over 100 lbs to lose, the South Beach Diet allows for you to stay on "Phase 1" for up to four weeks. This phase is the phase most similar to Atkins, as you are not allowed fruits or starches, and I've read where people have lost from 10-20 lbs in this phase, so you very well could lose about 4-5 lbs a week the first month, even if it slows down after that. If I were going to recommend a diet to a friend, it would definitely be the South Beach Diet. In the end though, it's going to be a personal decision. If you think that you can follow the Atkins plan, then go ahead and try it, but I would urge you to make sure you are choosing lean proteins and dairy products over the full fat kind, and also make sure you are using healthy oils in your cooking, such as olive oil. An idea you might try, though, is doing the SBD phase 1 for a month, and then deciding if you want to move on to Phase 2 or move on to Atkins. You would need to make sure you are getting enough calories with the SBD though, because of the limitations in Phase 1, you could get low on calories and stall your weight loss.

Good luck, and keep us updated on what you are going to do!

Staci


 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Thu, 06-09-2005 - 9:56am

While I've never been on the Atkins diet,I know a few people here have and have lost weight.I can't go on it because I have had kidney stones,and the atkins diet can reek havoc on certain organs,one being your kidneys.Also,my Dr.doesn't recommend it at all for anyone who is trying to make a lifestyle change.

You need to ask yourself if when your done on the atkins....sounds like you just want to do it short term to lose some weight quickly? What plan do you have for afterwards to keep the weight off and eventually lose the rest of the weight? I don't see Atkins as a healthy lifestyle change,or at least one that you can be on for the rest of your life,but you may want to check with others.

Check with your Doctor before trying atkins as well.He/She may have better information on the diet itself and what it involves to keep you healthy,or even alternatives that you might enjoy better.

Good luck :o)
Bren

Avatar for gypsy51
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-31-1998
Thu, 06-09-2005 - 10:28am

One of my best friends went from about 350 pounds to around 275 on Atkins. He worked full time & didn't exercise at all. For the first time in many years he could buy clothes off the rack. I tried Atkins for 10 days and dropped 12 pounds a couple of years ago but financially couldn't stick with it.

Susanne

Avatar for gypsy51
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-31-1998
Thu, 06-09-2005 - 10:38am

If you are thinking about Atkins, buy the book and read it first!!!! Atkins is NOT no-carb and a lot of people doing Atkins say they now eat more veggies than they've ever eaten before. You have to have either 3 cups of greens or 2 cups of greens and a cup of low-carb veggies every day.

A lot of people start on Atkins to get the weight loss moving then go on to some other low-carb plan. Research has shown that the best diet is the one you'll stick to for the rest of your life. It has also shown that long-term you'll lose on any diet whether it's low-cal, low-carb or low-fat. It seems over a long period of time the weight loss evens out and is comparable for any program.

My doctor has told me that Atkins is fine for me since I don't have any kidney problems. She also told me that right now any program I can stick to is safer than the weight I carry.

Susanne

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2005
Thu, 06-09-2005 - 11:56am

I bought the book (DANDR) sometime last year, while I was living in the dorms at my college but I wasn't very successful at following the plan. I think I'm going to try it out this week though and see how it goes, like how I feel about it and how it makes me feel.
-kristin!

p.s. my sister and friend didn't have any negative side effects, and their blood pressure and cholesterol lowered significantly.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-25-2005
Thu, 06-09-2005 - 12:25pm

I would agree with those saying read the book and visit the Atkins board.

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