Does this diet work???

[christys]

I'm in my first week of this diet and I've so good things & bad things about it. Does it actually work? Has anyone lost any weight on this?? I need some encouragement.

[tofi]

Hello and welcome. The first thing to do is go to the journals/boot camp section and pick out a section, then choose a journal near the top of the page to dip into. Each post has the stats on the left under the person's name. they might look like mine:
244/215/<170 which means I used to weigh 244 pounds and since Atkins, I now weigh 215 and am on my way to around 170. Look at the top of the main page where it says "we've now lost over 89,000 pounds." that is compiled from what the members report in their stats. So YES, it works. How well it works depends on YOU - keeping to a plan and really getting to know the rules of the basic plan. And then on how your body responds to the plan. But FIRST, do the plan exactly.

As for bad things about Atkins, there are lots of reports out there about 'kidney & liver damage', 'fad diet', you only lose water, bad for you and lots more. The trouble is, all of those bad reports are completely false. Atkins helps blood pressure to come into normal range, also cholesterol and triglyceride levels, drops high insulin levels and stabilizes blood sugar levels so that many Type 2 diabetics can gradually come off medication. A person with kidney disease shouldn't go on Atkins without seeing a doctor. And if you're on BP meds, then you need to be monitored because the BP will fall and the meds may need to be changed. Dr. Eades of Protein Power plan even includes a "letter to your doctor" in the book for BP patients.

So be patient, read the book, do EXACTLY what it says and you'll KNOW how much better you feel and how much weight you are losing. Expect to lose 10% of your goal during Induction. (if you need to lose 50, then 5 pounds is perfect and any more is a bonus) But after that, the rate slows down. THis is NOT a quick fix, it is a way of eating for life.

Good luck.

[DWRolfe]

Um, yeah...

I'm down 76lbs sinxce January 5th, 2002.

It works.

But when making any major lifestyle change, you want to be sure that you don't set yourself up for failure from the start. Read the book. Re-read the book. Do exactly what it says. Do not try to manipulate it into some version of it that you think sounds better/ easier. Learn how to LC cook and read labels. Ask questions.

Good luck to you.

Donald

:wave:

[rtjdk2]

Down 32.5 lbs since jan 28th 2002... Yes it works.. Not only is weightloss a bonus.. The healthy feeling you get from eating this way is just great..

Tammy

[Karen]

That depends on what you mean by "work".

It works in theory.

Deciding to change your way of eating through low-carbing does not result in an automatic and instantaneous loss of fat. It depends on if you've yo-yo dieted or not, if you're on certain medications, how you interpret and use your chosen plan, your frame of mind, willingness to change and an understanding of maintaining fat loss.

You have the basic working theory in Atkins, but how you decide to make it work depends upon you.

Karen

[wbahn]

Does it work for everyone? No. Even Atkins admits that.

Does it work for nearly everyone? Probably - provided you actually commit to it. LOT'S of people try it for a while (usually measured in days, not weeks) and give up at the first sign that they haven't lost weight in the last 24 hours. You HAVE to be patient and persistent and give your body time to respond - sometimes a LOT of time to respond.

I just recently went for four weeks where I not only didn't lose any weight but I actually gained three pounds. Was it frustrating? Yes. But I just stuck with it because all of the other benefits of low carbing make it worthwhile. For me that means no migraines, no cravings for sweets and generally more alert with a bit more energy. The persistence paid off and I am now moving down scale again. I have been at this for four months and have plateaued four times. Even so, I am down 46 pounds in that same four months.

Keep the Faith!

[DeeOGeefan]

Oh yea. I am down approx 45 lbs since the end of Jan 2002. It's not always easy, but the benefits beside weight loss are awsome. I have more energy now then when I was in my early 20's and feel great.

[Talon]

YES!

I'm down 37.5 pounds since January 20th, and I feel better than I have in years!

[zoom]

I started January 8 and I've lost 58 pounds so far. I also notice my mood is more mellow since low carbing.

[rustpot]

Absolutely Not. This is the worst possible way to lose weight. It is all a complete hoax developed by deranged scientists at area 51.

Do not believe anyone on this site. The posts are all written by a thirteen year old hacker in Punxatawney who was mentally abused by reading about Humpty Dumpty.

This is not me writting this I am being forced my a man who has kidnapped my wife and family and will not release them unless I submit. I am being force fed Steak and eggs and strawberries and cream. I don't know if I will survive the week.

Please do not start this diet it is a dreaded addiction and once in the clutches of this mind bending group you are doomed to a life of doing without sugar. Stop now while you still have a chance. Once started your appetite will decrease. Do not let that happen.

This diet is designed to kill innocent fat cells. It is a crime.

Do not believe all those who say you will lose fat anyway. This is a proved myth. I have been doing Low carb for six months and have lost 42 pounds of water. What is worse is that I now have uncontrollable urges to run up stairs. I think I am going mad.

I am glad you posted and I have got to you in time. Please tell no-one about this site it is full of very odd people who have absolutely no idea what they are talking about.

Sorry I have got to go it is time for my medicine.

[ezandreth]

All I want to know, Rusty, is how you managed to type all that while firmly strapped into your straightjacket?

[Marion13]

If you stick to anything, eventually it will work. But this is not a diet, it is a way of life. I have lost over 60 pounds since Jan 2002 and feel absolutely unashamedly fantastic.

You can too, you just have to want to...

Maz

[agonycat]

:lol: Rustpot! Bad man!

Christys, does the diet work? Yes and no.

It really depends on the person following the diet. How dedicated you are going to be in following it. Some people start this diet thinking it is a "quick" weight loss and get mad or discouraged because they didn't lose 30 pounds in the first 2 weeks. Others get discouraged because they lost 15 pounds the first two weeks and went a month without losing again. Then again others get angry because they aren't losing weight however they aren't exactly being honest about what they are consuming and think it's the diets fault. Then there are the rest of us that have embraced this diet as a WAY OF LIFE and are quite happy plugging along at a snails pace losing weight and enjoying the added health benefits.

Which will you be?

I think the KEY is not to set yourself up for unreasonable results. Yes if followed correctly you will more than likely start losing the body fat it has taken years to put on. Everyone is different, therefore we all will lose at different rates. Do not compare yourself to what others are losing, your metobolism isn't the same as theirs.

It will not work if you do it half hearted. YOU need to make the commitment to make it work and to stick with it. It's hard at first. I will tell you this much, after a year on this plan, I have never felt better, or healthier in my life. To date I have lost 47 pounds of the 60 pounds I gained.

[Soinwi]

Rustpot

you crack me up!!! Just reading your post I'm sure I burn a few cal's from laugh so much!! :p

Since March 25th I have lost 29lbs and I have gone down 3 sizes and feel awesome. Remember that this is not a diet but rather a way of life and I love being in control of my life and my destiny(as far as my weight is concerned!) This plan only works if you are in it for the rest of your life. It's not a quick fix--because like most of those you WILL gain in all back and more!!!

I have not found any placee that I can't eat at. If I am forced to eat fast food I opt for chicken salad, If I am forced into italian I love anitpasta salad and sopme chix marsala( the sauce has some carbs but I can adjust my day to overcome those) Anyway I have not thought oh I wish I could have this or that...thats negative thinking. Instead I am trying new foods and loving it. Everyday isn't perfect but non of us are perfect.

Good Luck and remember positive attitude goes a long way to help you in every aspect of your life

Sonja :D

[disneybebe]

Re: Rustpot's post

Too funny :daze: :spin: :roll: :D :cool: :p ;) :) ;) :spin: :roll: :daze:

Bebe :wave:

[LastHope]

Can I have some?

[KarenB]

I began LCing as a WOL on April Fool's Day 2001. I figured that way, no one would expect 1) that it was for real, 2) that it would work, 3) that I would "stick with it," and 4) that after a year I'd have lost nearly 47lbs and be wearing size 12 jeans and size 14 dresses/tops. (I was in a size 18/20 when I began.) They'd also never think that I'd be able to maintain any kind of loss (there have been ups and down, yes, but that's absolutely normal and to be expected), or that I'd become one of those Body For Life (BFL) weirdos who work out six days a week and be able to boast of myself that I dropped over 12 inches in 8 weeks.

And y'know what? I have stuck with it. I have maintained the loss (save for the expected ups and downs). I have gone from an 18/20 to a 12/14. I have turned into a BFLer. I have lost over 12 inches in the first 8 weeks of the BFL program, eating on the Protein Power Lifeplan program. I have learned to drink at least 2-3 liters of water a day or I begin to retain water (which I was reminded of this morning--yesterday was our first day here in NYC on vacation, and I didn't get my quota--and this morning my rings were *tight*). I have learned to eat LOTS of protein, LOTS of *good* veggies (green and leafy, not white and mealy or yellow and sweet), SOME good fruits (and have learned to LOVE blueberries!), and PLENTY of good fats like real butter and good olive oils.

I'm not who I was on 4/1/2001. I'm four dress/pant sizes smaller, I have more energy than I recall having since I was about 6, and I'm no longer afraid that people are looking at me with pity. They're not seeing Cindy Crawford, but they're not seeing Mama Cass either. :D

That's my long answer to "Does this diet work?" Yes--if you are willing to take the time to learn *how* to make it work *best* for yourself. Pick a plan, do it "by the book," see what changes (if any) you need to make for your own metabolism, and stick with it. Don't be a slave to the scale. (I haven't weighed in weeks now, but my clothing still fits, so I know I'm not blowing up like a balloon despite having been more lax than I should have allowed myself to be--and with being on vacation, I'm allowing myself more leeway than I would normally do at home. This is five days I'll never be able to repeat in my lifetime; compared to the rest of my LC life, it's a drop in the bucket. As long as I'm willing to accept the consequences of having a killer pastry from the little shop up the street--a headache, some water retention--I'm able to enjoy what non-LC things I choose, because I know that in the long run they will *not* destroy me. Not as long as I'm committed to doing this WOL for the rest of my life.)

You will lose weight. You will not sacrifice muscle mass in the process. You will stall/plateau, and that stall will break sooner or later--perhaps with some help from you in terms of changing what you eat, perhaps all by itself. This WOL will work. You will decide how well it will work. Best of luck to you!

[Banana]

Hey Rustpotty! :D

Were you born this way or dropped on your head when you were a baby boy? :roll:
:D

I've been LCing since end February. I lost 8lbs in the first 10 days of induction, then it slowed down and it seemed I didn't loose for ages, but infact it has averaged out to 1lb a week which is fine by me as I don't have much to loose. At the moment, for the last week it's speeded up a little to about 1-2lbs per week, so that's even better for me. Total of 22lbs in just under 3 months, can't be bad, I've NEVER lost that much before so quickly and easily eating extremely well!!

The great thing is that I don't feel deprived AT ALL, I can eat all the food that I LOVE, meats, fish, eggs, cheese, mountains of veggies with butter, salads with real mayonnaise, and, best of all strawberries, raspberries etc with real fresh double cream, yummy, yummy in my tummy. On the odd occasion if I sniff a freshly baked danish or loaf of bread, then I might drool a little, but it wears off, you just need to make sure you're not hungry when you go shopping. But you need to think about it as a WOE not a diet. As already mentioned, it may not work for absolutely everyone, but you'll never know if that's you until you try.

Not so good probably if you are a vegetarian, I think!!!!!!!

All the best
Ivana :wave:

[Lisa N]

Absolutely.

[mmoranmic]

This is a simple program that works! It requires dedication and a willingness to learn. The good news is that we have all of the wisdom and experience here on this site! Not to mention a dose of incredible humor (Rustpot, you slay me!).

I've been following Atkins, then Schwarzbein since March 23rd and I've lost a total of nine pounds. I've also starting weight training and exercising (sit ups, push ups, etc) for the first time in a long time. I have never felt better and I have this forum to thank. I remain teachable and I strive for progress not perfection.

Good luck to you in your efforts.
Maureen

[SlimShAdY]

Originally posted by christys
I'm in my first week of this diet and I've so good things & bad things about it. Does it actually work? Has anyone lost any weight on this?? I need some encouragement.

I think thats an impossible to answer question since what works for some people won't neccesarily work for others. Nobody can tell you if it works or not for you. They can however tell you if it works for them

If you're a carb addict, I'd say pretty much any low carb plan would deffinetly work for you. Might not lose as much as you want right away, but it will work for you.

I'd say give it about 2-3 weeks. Whether you lose weight or not, go by how you feel. If you notice that you're not feeling sluggish and bloated all the time and you have more energy.. You might have just found whats gonna work for you. ;)

[SlimShAdY]

I think I just figured out what the POT in rustys name means.. http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/smokin.gif
LOL http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/laugh.gif http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/rotfl.gif

[christys]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their responses!! I'm in my 2nd week now, I actually did good over the holiday weekend. :D I'm proud of myself. I haven't weighed, I don't want to be discouraged. I'll just wait to see how my clothes fit and determine if anything has changed from that. [/FONT]

[disneybebe]

Hey SlimShady- That was wicked & hilarious :thup: :D :daze: :spin:

Hi Christys- WTG :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

Bebe :wave:

[committed]

I get frustrated with LCing all the time but it works. When I see no movement on the scale, I am now fully confident the weight loss will continue if I stay on the plan. And stay on the plan I do. I question carefully in restaurants and I am absolutely not going to deviate from the diet unless someone lies to me. Just today I persuaded a woman who makes jams for a living to try and make a batch with splenda. She agreed. She says people ask her for sugar free all the time but she never knew what to do. We'll see how splenda works.

The real struggle I have is not losing faster. It is absurd, I know. I have lost eighty pounds from my all time high. I've never lost more than forty before and I lost those forty when I was fifteen years younger and I did it (true confession) on a liquid diet. MY POINT is that I have no experience with staying the course for eighty pounds. It is unfamiliar territory for me.

I have decided, with a kind of fanaticism, to maintain complete, pure faith in LCing and it works. Just not fast enough.

But most things in life don't come to me as fast as I think they should.

[mary nappi]

christy...yes you can lose weight on the low carb plan. i have loss 105 lbs. so far. this november will be two years since i started low carbing. it has been a rough road and you have to stay committed but you will lose the weight. i started out at 305 lbs. and now 200 lbs. i still have more to lose for my goal of 140-150 but i know i will lose it. this plan helps you learn a whole new way of eating, not temporary, but for a life time....its healthy and you will find you also will be alot more healthy to, my sugar levels and blood pressure are down to normal again and i have been feeling so good i exercise daily now and do all sorts of things i couldn't do when i was so big.
so go for the low carbing. i am on the dr. atkins plan....
i also stay with the low carb support group and that helps alot to.
we all here in low carb support are here for you.

good luck

:wave: http:// :wave:

[SooCee]

It definately works! I have already lost a lot of lbs, and I continue to do so. It helps you get less appetite, and in the end the cravings might go away. I love this way of living, and I think you will to ;)

[jlee949]

I'm now in my 8th week of induction and have lost 4 lbs. I exercise and do not cheat. (white wine at 3 parties was the only lapse.) I feel great and remain committed, but does anyone think that I should perhaps switch from Atkins to PPL?

[Yan]

:lol: Rustpot, your post made me laugh so hard, it just made my day! You've provided many of us with just too many lines when people ask us "does it work?".

I think I'll use some of them today on a couple of friends who have been pleading with me to share information on low-carbing. It's not as if this information is not available through an array of sources!

I really believe the key to successful low carbing is: desire, EDUCATION :read2: , persistence and understanding that none of us are perfect and that we learn through our mistakes.