South of Seattle in Federal Way.

thats why this diet was mainly used by bodybuilders before they used drugs to lose weight. but they used to carb load. 5 days with low carbs and then 2 days of pigging out on carbs. not suppose to be a good long term diet.

Yeah, it does sound like I've eaten too many carbs especially in the beginning stages.

And you are SO right about shitting bricks! :1orglaugh

Well, the one really good thing to come out of this is my blood glucose levels have returned back to normal!:thumbsup

And my cholesterol levels have gone down into the normal range also!:thumbsup :thumbsup

So, can't call the diet bad based on these two accomplishments..that's for sure!

It can cause ketosis and can screw up your hormone balance.

I like the sounds of that!!:thumbsup
Thanks for the encouragement.

Out of curiosity..why did you forgo diet sodas? Their diet outline says diet sodas are aok. The carbonation?

Wondering the same thing...I"ve got the Atkins book here but haven't started it yet and the only thing keeping me from downing no less than a 12 pack of coke a day is diet vanilla coke.

We should get together sometime. I'm in Seattle.
And YOU have been a legendary icon ever since I first got on the net back in 1996.:)

The aspartame is the problem. It can stall the weight loss and might give you cravings for sugar, wich is not good. But everyone does not have the same metabolism. I still drink diet pepsi (in moderation) it's extremely low in carb (close to 0)

You want to drink Diet Rite (with splenda and caffeine free), I'd drink that, but it's not available in Canada.

Diet Rite is the only perfectly okay diet soda that Atkin's lovers can drink, it's made with Splenda instead of aspartame. (Aspartame increases your blood sugar levels where Splenda does not). Lots of flavors, but I like the good old-fashioned cola best. :)

I happened to have a diet lemon coke in the fridge, it says it has 0 carbs. Dunno if that's the only thing what you should be looking at.. is it?

Aww crap...man I can tell I'm going to fail now.

I can't stand diet sodas, the only one that ever tasted halfway decent is this Diet vanilla coke...I just can't see something called "diet rite" tasting all that good.

Interesting..I forgot about aspertame. I use splenda in the tea I have. But I must admit..I DO drink a lot of diet coke & diet pepsi.
MIGHT be the key to the slow down in weight loss. However, my blood sugars have improved dramatically! I'm always in double digits reading instead of triple numbers as I was before. My endocrinologist (sp?) said that if this continues and the weight comes off, that I could go off the meds I'm on for that.

I have to agree with ya. Diet RC cola..YUCK! And frankly..it's hard to find anymore..even here in Seattle.:eek7

Soo... even though this asparteme (artificial sweetener?) hasn't got carbs, you're not supposed to consume it? wtf? Any more 'hidden' rules? :)

So if I was on the diet, I couldn't drink coke light, even though it has 0 carbs?

Still.. not thinking on trying this, I just like to educate myself. lol. Props to those who have the strength to keep on something like this.
:thumbsup

Like I said in my earlier post, I am drinking diet pepsi and it's working.

Appreciate the props.

http://www.atkinscenter.com

That'll give you MUCH info on this, and then I would suggest the two books: Atkins New Diet Revolution and Atkins for Life. Good recipes and stuff, good info.

From what I've gleened from my readings on the Zone Diet (modified Atkins), caffeinated diet colas are treated as carbs because they have the same effect on the body. I took to drinking diet non-caffeinated. It's not just the sweetener involved but the caffeine. Some people can be successful on Atkins even though they don't follow the no caffeine and cola rule, others can't. Aspartame can make you crave carbs.

With Atkins, he outlines that you are one of 3 types...A (metabolically resistant), B (glucose intolerant) and C (carbohydrate addict).

Also.. I've seen talk here about Atkins and kidneys. It's not the lack of carbs that can hurt the kidneys it's large amounts of protein. What's been found is that high protein intake can accelerate the loss of kidney function in people who already suffer some kidney problems. Also remember, a true Atkins diet doesn't push high protein but rather high fat intake.

Keep on drinkin' on!

Like it's been said a couple of times earlier in this thread too: Everyone is DIFFERENT and have different metabolisms and different needs/results.

The ONLY way you will find out if it works for you is to TRY IT!

And just like a new suit..you may have to alter it a bit to make it fit you/work for you.

I did Atkins a while ago, lost 15 lbs in three weeks...I have been TRYING to get back on it, but soda pop is KILLING me!

Is there anyone out there who will be my "Atkins Partner"...I kind of need someone to kick me in the ass once in a while...:helpme

Sure thing Kayla!!

If you move in with me.

YEAH!
I added you to my AOL buddy list, I will IM you as SOON as I see you online there! I have a photo shoot for a magazine April 11th, think you can help kick my butt in to shape by then?

:helpme

Use msblaze2you for the AIM, hon. :)

One of the things I found while on Zone was that I was very used to having a 1 liter bottle of diet pepsi with me. I would fill it 2/3rd full from a 2 liter bottle and add ice then drink off of it for the better part of half a day sometimes having to re-ice it. Heck the dang bottle would even go with me in the car.

Well I found that I could just as easily fill that bottle with water (remember you need 64 oz a day) or with decaf iced tea with splenda. I still had my 'bottle', but it was better for me. It wasn't so much that I needed the diet pepsi as it was I was so accustomed to having something to drink at hand all the time.

True, that. I fill mine either with the Diet Rite or with water. I also like getting plain seltzer water or club soda and dropping a few drops of the Atkins syrups (strawberry rocks) in it and suddenly I have Atkins soda!

One of the best tips for loosing weight: Eat carbs in the morning, cut down at lunch, and totally eliminate at night! Carbs turn to ATP, and ATP creates energy. When your body has carbs to burn during the day you have more energy, then at night after you have eliminated the carbs, your body goes into the fat cells to burn energy. You loose weight while sleeping and you don't loose needed energy during the day.

Also eat atleast 5-6 small meals per day, rather than three big meals, your stomach will love this!

I highly recommend that you increase your cadio. 30 minutes brisk walk in the AM.

The other thing is with this diet. the key is too slowly increase your carb intake.

after week 3 you should think about having a cheat day. That means have your choc M&M. but in moderation.

Also increase carbs slowly. but be very careful what type.

Pasta - bread poison. your better off just having a small pack of M&Ms

when you increase your carbs that means have vegis. moderate amount of fruit. something like an avacado lots of nutrition and not too high on carbs. eat vegi's that are low in carbs. its going to make the diet a lot easier.

When you get to your desired weight - no chips - pasta once a week. And lower the fat in take watch the saturated fats.

another important thing is drink a lot of water. it'll make it easier on you.

ICQ me if you wnat to talk about it more. 163884884

Good point there. That's sorta how I was finally able to quit smoking. Tried the patch, the gum, and then finally, tried the inhaler. THAT combined with my "Now I WANT to quit" instead of "I really SHOULD quit" attitude helped me stop smoking over 3 years ago. I found I needed something in my mouth! So, I just carried the holder (new age FDR!) in my mouth wherever I went. Even if it didn't have a nicotene cartridge with me. I was stunned at how "oral" I was..and to this day, THANKFUL that I found the inhaler!

(I won't mention that it was THEN I really started putting on the weight! :Graucho )

Dang good idea! I bought the raspberry liquid and said to myself..now what am I going to do with it? Thanks for the idea of using club soda. Truly hadn't thought about this. These are some great ideas ya'll are comming up with!:thumbsup

Guys the truth about the origins of the Atkins diet was not to lose weight. The weight loss was a side effects for patience that where looking for a mental health non-medication solutions. The studies started in the early 60?s to find a cost-effective way in the mental health hospitals to save money on medicines. This is the theory on the atkins diet. Your receptors get blocked when there is too much sugar and other fats in your blood that goes to your brain. Due to these fats the Neurotransmitters in your brain lose their charge and the receptor cells do not function correctly. If the neurotransmitters or receptor cells are impeded you go into a depression. They abandon this theory due to discovering large doses of Vitamin A, B, B6, B12 showed much better results then the Atkins theory. This is also why they tell you to double your vitamin intake when you are on the Atkins diet.

The Atkins diet is great if you want to lose fat quickly. To keep the weight off you have to exercise and change your diet life style forever. If you keep gaining weight after dieting guess what? You have not changed your life style or just can?t admit you like being fat.

I'm mad. Does that mean Atkins would be good for me, even though I enjoy being fat (I get attention which I need). :):glugglug

If you're looking for WONDERFUL Spenda flavored syrups, try DaVinci :)

Also, the diet V8 Splash drinks have Spenda in them.

"Net Carbs"

To those in the know:Is this thing with "Net Carbs" or "Impact Carbs" a scam..or are they really telling the truth.

I've read a lot of recipes and look at a lot of ingredients in the products Atkins and other sell. They keep telling the NET CARBS are only 2 grams for example in the Atkins Advantage candy bar. Yet, when you read the ingredients listing, it shows 22 grams of carbs per bar. It shows 11 grams of that is "fiber" or dietary. And in some places, I see they list "sugar alcohols" like malitol and they tell you to subtract THAT amount of carbs from the total also to get the "real" number.

But I still wonder when I see the ads for the candy bars. 2 "net carbs"..but 22 grams of carbs and 11 grams of fiber. Take the fiber out of it..and it still leaves you with *11 grams of carbs*
Anyone want to explain this one?

Taken from the site:

"The Atkins Net Carbs Seal

We have created the Atkins Net Carbs Seal to list the number of carbs controlled carbers need to count. We?ve subtracted all carbohydrates such as fiber, glycerine and sugar alcohols, which either are not digested or are digested but do not impact blood sugar more than negligibly. While we list the percentage and number of grams of total carbohydrates on the Nutritional Facts Panel on the back of the label, the number of grams after subtracting fiber and sugar alcohols with a negligible impact on blood sugar appears in the circle, the Atkins Net Carbs Seal, on the front of the package.

Let?s take an Atkins Cookies ?n Creme Advantage Bar as an example. Along with the ingredients, the Net Carbs Seal, shown above, states that individuals following Atkins or otherwise limiting consumption of carbs need count only 2 grams of carbs per bar.

Now take a look at the Nutritional Facts Panel below. You will see the following:


http://atkinscenter.com/img/assets/6...s2_500x143.jpg


This is how the Net Carb figure is calculated:

Total Carbohydrate
22 grams

Non-Caloric and/or Non-blood Sugar Impacting Carbs
20 grams

Polydextrose/Fiber 11 grams


Glycerine 9 grams


Net Carbohydrates
2 grams

(Mainly from the soy nuggets, cocoa and residual carbs
found in the sources for the protein blend)

This is how the Net Carb figure is calculated:

Total Carbohydrate
22 grams

Non-Caloric and/or Non-blood Sugar Impacting Carbs
20 grams

Polydextrose/Fiber 11 grams


Glycerine 9 grams


Net Carbohydrates
2 grams

(Mainly from the soy nuggets, cocoa and residual carbs
found in the sources for the protein blend)


((From the Atkins website))

Whoops. Well, now it's there in stereo. :)

Ya'll really know your Atkins..hats off to ya!
So when it says dietary..that's why I'm so "regular" these days?:1orglaugh

You were 4 mins too late ;)

substracting fibers from total carbs?
ehh? Any fibers?

damn this shit is complicated. Good thing I'm not gonna do it. My GF might, but I don't think she'll have the discipline to calculate everything etc. But what's the fiber thingy?

It looks complicated but it's really easy. All you have to do is to look at the carbs count, and you substract the fiber amount (if any) and that's the approx net carbs..

Trust me, this is much easier than counting calories.

Carb counter for everything :

http://atkinscenter.com/img/assets/6...ramcounter.pdf

I did the induction and lost 15 pounds in 3 weeks then one day I went out with some friends and drank way to many beers, next day I had a huge hangover so I drank some coffee to wake my ass up, 3 days later and the weight I lost is back.

this diet is for the hardcore, you can't cheat at all, and you have to be prepared to give up beer, sugar, etc for life....

Just my :2 cents:

Ok, the 1st 2 weeks you put your body into (not sure how to spell this) keytosis, this will allow the body to burn off the carbs in your system.

You should see a big difference in your weight if you do it right in the 1st 2 weeks. My wife lost 15 lbs her first week.

Stay BELOW 20 grams of carbs! the 1st two weeks.

Also remember, no pasta, bread, and shit, there are a lot more.

Also, be careful with this diet. It is a diet for life. Once you start putting carbs back into your diet.... you will gain the weight back and then some!.

Be careful and good luck!
:thumbsup

The fuck it won't, I'm a Type 2 diabetic and I haven't had to take oral diabetes meds (Glucophage) since Day 6 of Induction. I lost 16 lbs. on Induction, 55 lbs. so far (7 months). My fasting blood glucose is 93, down from 444 when I was diagnosed, and down from 110 while on oral meds.

If you are really interested in Atkins, READ THE BOOK. You have to understand why and how it works, and you have to do it right. You DON'T have to use any of the Atkins packaged products, I am on whole foods, no packaged crap.

For anyone that says "be careful of that diet", that you'll get sick from it, or that Atkins is a quack, my primary care physician, my Endocrinologist, and my Diabetes Educator would disagree, and they know a hell more about it than what others learned from Google.

Not precisely, but that's essentially correct. Once your body has been through the 2 weeks of induction, you slowly add five grams/carbs a week. Instead of 20, you have 25 for a week, then the next week it's 30, next week 35, etc.

When you get toa point where you're not losing weight any longer, drop back five grams. Example: You've made it to 55 grams of carbs a day and stop losing weight. Cut back to 50. that amount is the amount of carbs that your body can handle and still lose weight.

Once you've reached your goal weight, add fivve more, then another five the next week, etc. until you notice a pound of weight gain or so. Cut back five again. that amount is the amount of carbs that your body can comfortably handle without gaining weight, and is the "magic number" for life. anything over that is going to cause weight gain.

It's all there on the Atkins site. :)

Again, my team of doctors disagree. I am diabetic, and my kidneys are succeptible to damage for that reason alone, and Atkins poses absolutely no increased risk for kidney damage.

It also doesn't cause gallstones or gallbladder disease.

There are no "hidden rules", read the book, or if you don't want to spend the $7, read it at the Atkins site: www.atkinscenter.com.

Centurion, you are doing great. Good luck in getting off your meds. You might also check out www.fitday.com, for tracking your daily food intake and carb/fat counts and ratios. www.atkinsfriends.com, as Tony404 suggested, has some good LC recipes.