Atkins is not for me

[Lydiapurple]

I would never do Atkins. I watched both my parents try it and all they ate was fatty bacon & cheese and stuff like that. How can that be healthy? It sounds like a heat attack waiting to happen. I think my dad may have lost a couple pounds but my mom gained pounds. I don't think anyone can sustain that type of diet for very long either.

[KStraka73]

I would never do Atkins. I watched both my parents try it and all they ate was fatty bacon & cheese and stuff like that. How can that be healthy? It sounds like a heat attack waiting to happen. I think my dad may have lost a couple pounds but my mom gained pounds. I don't think anyone can sustain that type of diet for very long either.

Wrong, wrong, wrong! Atkins (low carb) is a very good program for a large cross section of our society who do not metabolize carbohydrates well. There are some who will turn carbs into stored fat even if the carbs come from fruits and vegetables. Those people have to cut out carbs. They have no other choice (except maybe starvation). It is the only way their body will use stored fat for fuel and thus lose weight.

So if you choose not to understand the science behind low carb, don't put it down as if it isn't good for anyone.

Also, it's near impossible to gain weight on an Atkins diet. It is common to gain a few pounds the first few days because the dieter is eating quantity. But once the exothermic fat burning process starts you realy can't gain weight if you stay in ketosis.

[Lydiapurple]

don't put it down as if it isn't good for anyone.

you're right, I don't really understand the science I guess because I have not taken the time to research it. Probably because I don't want to. If you read my post fully, you will see I titled it "Atkins is not for me" not "Atkins is not for everyone." I like simple, common sense approaches to eating where there are no big scientific explanations behind it. Just simpicity. I find that's what works best for me.

Also didn't Atkins have a heart attack, congestive heart failure as well as hypertension? Food for thought...

[suzie]

I'm not saying that the Atkins diet is bad, but it wasn't for me either. I think the failing belonged to me, not the diet, but I just found myself having strong cravings for the carbs I missed so badly. At the start, when I was really motivated, I stuck to it and lost a few pounds, but then I started cheating more and more and it just flopped. Now I'm just trying to eat small, healthy, portion controlled meals throughout the day and it seems to be working. I guess every lifestyle and every body type has something that is right. It's all a matter of finding it.

[tankini]

I guess every lifestyle and every body type has something that is right. It's all a matter of finding it.

Exactly. It's all about finding something that works for you, and more importantly something that you can stick to long term. It's more about lifestyle then diet.

[steve_ross]

I don't really understand the science I guess because I have not taken the time to research it. Probably because I don't want to.

That's a bit ignorant don't you think?