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i pretty much agree with what you say. however, it does work for some people. i have had a couple friends who lost substantial amounts of weight using low carb so it is effective. i myself don't like it though.
[b:a810802716][color=darkblue:a810802716]I myself have found success with portion control, watching the fat grams, calories, and the carbs. It takes a combination for me, but it works. I can't abide by any one diet - I've tried too many over the last 4 years. I joined this site/forum the day I started my diet, and so far I've lost 18 pounds...and have gone from a size 18 to a 14. And I feel better than I have in months! I think it's "different strokes for different folks" - everyone is different, and the same thing won't always work for everyone. Sometimes it's try - try again. The key is to NOT give up! And drink that water!!!!!!!! :!: [/color:a810802716][/b:a810802716]
I do agree BigBoy, that yes, the Low-Carb thing does work, but for how long?? I mean, yeah, one might keep off the weight for a little while or so, but will they stick to this Atkins thing forever? I very highly doubt it! But oh well, its a fad diet, just like tons of others, and I'm sure it will fade.
The Atkins diet has been around since the 70's, when Dr. Atkins first proposed it. So it's far more than just a fad. That said, with 61% of U.S. adults overweight, this diet seems to have reached new heights of popularity as seemingly everyone is trying to shed weight. Only time will tell if this diet really works - both in the short and long terms. However, I agree that this diet is not for me either. When I eat too much fat, everything "hurts". I actually have gallbladder pain!! I feel bloated and full constantly. I'd eat a high fat meal for dinner and wake up the next day still feeling full. And there was no weight loss at all - only weight gain!! 8O In contrast, if I drop the fat considerably, not only do I lose weight, I feel more energetic, have less pains and no longer feel bloated. I think it's important to have SOME fat in one's diet, so I keep it around 20% (give or take on certain days). But a low-fat diet, filled with lots of veggies and fruits, works very well for me. The big thing is that I have plenty of carbs in my diet. I try to avoid getting the carbs from pure sugar sources. I'm not perfect here, just like I'm not perfect at avoiding some of the less healthy fatty foods. But I figure a occasional treat in both areas is fine (maybe even a good thing - as it'll keep me on this diet), as long as I don't make it a daily habit. By having carbs (and plenty of them) in my diet, I don't have to worry about this weight coming back if I ever start eating carbs again. A "diet" should only be used in the noun sense of the word, not the verb. I wanted a diet that I could have for years (maybe the rest of my life), not just during my weight loss period. And Atkins just wasn't the diet for me in any form. But others have had success on it. Good for them. If you aren't having success with it, know that you are not alone. To those who aren't succeeding on Atkins - here is my advice: eat it all - carbs, fat and protein. Limit your carb intake to mostly whole grains, fruits, veggies. Try to watch your pure sugar intake. Skip as many sodas, cakes, candies, etc. as you can. Treats here and there are fine (for example, if you MUST have a daily piece of chocolate, go for it - but just keep it to that ONE piece :D ). In terms of fats, avoid all trans fats (in many margarines) as they are "foreign" to our body. Try to eat monounsaturated fats, like those in nuts and olive oil. Eat saturated fats, like those in butter, sparingly - but don't feel bad if you use some butter on your bread in a restaurant. That small amount is just fine and your body can turn that fat into healthy mononunsaturated fat anyway (it's just when we bombard our body with whole milk, mayonnaise, cheeses, fatty meats, etc. that it becomes too much). Also, incorporte some Omega fats (especially 3 and then 9 - chances are you get plenty of Omega 6, which is in many oils, in your diet already). Albacore tuna (easily found in a can or prepackaged container) is a great source of Omega 3 fats. And try to get protein from healthy sources, like lean meats, skim milk and nuts. That same albacore tuna is also a great source of lean protein. Then the biggest trick is to watch portion size. Eat a Lean Cuisine meal to figure out what a REAL portion size is - then adjust your portions accordingly. If you eat 1000-1500 calories a day, you'll start slimming down fast. Increase your calories to about 2000 a day to maintain your weight (which is fine during the holiday season where food is everywhere). But again, don't worry if you overeat one day. Weight loss is designed to be done over a period of months and years, not days and weeks. One day of eating a lot at a party is not the "end of the world". And it might even be good for you to indulge here and there - as it'll keep you on your diet longer (that is, you won't feel like you are sacrificing a lot). Lastly, and always most importantly, exercise. Try to do aerobics and weight-training of some sort at least 3x a week for 20 minutes each time. The more you do, the better, but don't overdo it. Your muscles need to relax and grow as well. Go for walks. Go swimming (or even wading in a pool). Ride a stationary (or real) bike. Use a treadmill. Do "real" weight lifting with machines. But if that's not an option (due to time or financial constraints) get some 5 to 10 pound weights and do some aerobic-based exercises with them. Wrap some weights around your ankles as you clean house. My point is, you don't have to do a lot to get some sort of exercise - nor do you have to spend a ton of $$. After a while, you'll find that eating and exercising become part of your life. You might notice that you haven't worked-out for a few days, so you just put time into your schedule to do it. When you go out to eat, you'll automatically scan the menu for healthy items. You'll skip that unnecessary appetizer. You'll skip items loaded with cheese and fried foods. Instead of fries, you'll automatically get a vegetable. I know because this is what I do now. But 3 months ago, I wouldn't. ;) The best news is that by following this diet, I really don't feel like I'm sacrificing anything. I honestly don't look at a plate of fries and go "gee, I wish I can have some". Instead, the fries almost repulse me - I know they are part of the reason I have this big fat belly. I choose what I want to eat. If I desperately want a french fry, I'll have one. But I often choose not to have any. It's my choise what I want to eat - and that is very powerful. The Atkins diet limits our choices and we always want what we can't have. So I offer myself everything - I just choose carefully what foods I put into my body. I ask myself if this is going to really help me lose weight and be healthy. Sometimes I give myself that treat, but more often, I choose wisely. And as I'm now slowly crawling towards a 50 pound weight loss (!! 8O :D ), clearly this is working for me. So good luck to you! And remember to drink lots of cold water and get exercise!
Good points by everyone. Anndoodle makes an excellent point on the way I approach most subjects: I tend to synthesize different methods into one plan that works for me. Atkin's has some valid points in it, but there are also some gaping holes in the logic. The way many people "feel" on it is a key issue. On a lower calorie, lower fat diet, I tend to feel much better. I feel lighter and overally springier. If attempting the low carb type diet I feel "heavier" and overall just worse. How you feel is definitely going to be a factor. If you don't feel good about your attempt, or you feel poorly during it, you are much less likely to succeed. But for sure the concept of "diet" as it is talked about today is insane. According to m-w.com it means: "Etymology: Middle English diete, from Old French, from Latin diaeta, from Greek diaita, literally, manner of living, from diaitasthai to lead one's life" So diet means lifestyle! That's the way it has to be approached.
I think the low-carb diets are great for people who need to just lose a few pounds and feel better in their pants. However, I need to lose a *lot* more than just a few pounds and I don't think low-carb is the way to go. I have a problem with compulsive eating, eating for enjoyment, eating associated with emotion...the whole deal. I need to learn how to eat properly and then keep the weight off after I lose it. This isn't a quick-fix. But if you don't have a problem with eating in general and just need to get rid of a little extra stomach, I don't see anything wrong with the low-card diets. It just depends on how you act after you are done "dieting." And if you need to learn new eating habits, then that may not be the way to go. I know I couldn't give up carbs for the rest of my life.
lambchop.. have you ever kept a journal to help you with the compulsions to eat? this may be a good tool to help you sort out and identify your trigger points? not to mention that it would keep your hands busy and out of the cookie jar :) maybe keep a list of things to do when you have the urge to eat. remmeber that whatever we do it is ultimately "our choice" and/ or "decision" to eat, and we have the power to make the right call!
[quote:8fa453f6ef="StarryEyed"]I do agree BigBoy, that yes, the Low-Carb thing does work, but for how long?? I mean, yeah, one might keep off the weight for a little while or so, but will they stick to this Atkins thing forever? I very highly doubt it! But oh well, its a fad diet, just like tons of others, and I'm sure it will fade.[/quote:8fa453f6ef] no idea. i guess time will tell. but i do agree it would be nearly impossible to stay on the atkins diet for your whole life. with as many people on it as there are now, we might start getting some data on how effective it is over time. i think the food restrictions are probably a key reason that people wouldn't be able to stay on it forever.
In my opinion the flaw with it is that as soon as you resume eating normally after starving yourself of the carbs, the weight seems to come back with twice the vengeance. Developing a healthy relationship with food and being able to identify [b:ef1b0c317c]Actual hunger [/b:ef1b0c317c]vs. cravings/ tastes/ desires (whatever you want to call it) is a bigger issue. I don't think of food as being "good" or "bad", granted some foods are better than others. In a balanced diet there is room for a normal chocolate bar once in a while, and I don't think it will hurt you.
Anndoodle.. that is wonderful news! Keep up the good work! One day you will have to show those amazing Before and after pics!!
[b:1b8192e3fe]PixieChic[/b:1b8192e3fe] Yes, I have tried just about everything to keep the urges to eat under control. I have been in therapy for about a year now trying to deal will all my food-related issues, and I have come a long way. I started a couple of new hobbies so I can turn to something when I'm bored. I don't keep a journal because my therapist strongly urges me to not do anything I won't be able to keep up with for my entire life...which includes journaling. I no longer keep food in the house that I tend to snack on in between meals. In fact, I'm allowed one snack at night while I'm watching TV, but other than that, I have stopped eating between meals completely. Water, water, water! I'm like Doc, it's all about choice for me. If I know I *could* have something if I wanted it, then it's not half as bad. I'm just choosing to be nice to my body. Thanks for the suggestion though! Sooner or later I will lick this problem!
I'm just choosing to be nice to my body. That is a great way to think! Being nice to your body. You aren't alone in this, either.. :) Like the Beatles sang ** I get by with a little help from friends **