Hi!

I'm thinking about switching from Atkins to Protein Power, I think Atkins stopped working for me. I've been very strict all this time to the point of obsession. And for some reason gained everything I lost in a first month on Atkins. I think my problem was that I had too many calories, which came mainly through fat. I understood that there's no restriction on fat in Atkins diet. So, at times I went over the top. I guess when you haven't got much to loose you should watch your calories too.

Another problem I found was my rush which kept coming back every month since I went on this diet. I'd never had any skin problems before, in fact I always used to get compliments on how clear my skin was. I always thought that's mainly because I ate lot of apples and I mean at least 1 kg a day. And apparently they help get toxins out of the body. So a week ago I just got so upsat about it all, and decided to give myself a treat, so had 10 of them. The results were I felt bloated, put on a couple of pounds, but my rush cleared! I guess my body needs apples, but not as many perhaps.

So thinking about switching to PP, where I can have an apple a day without any guilt. Now my question is: Do I need to read Protein Power LifePlan? I've already read Protein Power and found it more interesting and more informative than Atkins New Diet Revolution. The only thing that I found a bit confusing in PP was this ALA busines, they say that you should avoid them, while everyone on this site seems to enjoy flaxseeds. Perhaps in the latest book they changed their view on that and other issues.

I really want to keep on, but having no results at all can be a bit discouraging.

Ella, the reason I've stuck with Protein Power and not Atkins is...apples! I found I felt better eating one a day. I've found some very small organic ones -- only 2 inches in diameter -- that actually have some taste, and they're my treat, often with peanut butter.

I can't give you a line by line comparison of the two books. I think the PPLP gives more information on the chemistry, on supplements, that kind of thing. It also gives you a few more carbs 40 rather than 30 a day.

One thing I don't understand is that it also requires much more protein. There are charts that make it very easy for you to look up your height and weight (divided by gender) and under these charts, I need 40 grams a meal (!!!) whereas in the PP book, doing those complicated calculations (and doing them many times, so I know it's not my math) it was 30 grams a meal.

I can understand your feeling discouraged. I think it may take a bit longer with people who don't have quite so much to lose. I'm sure that your 20 pounds feels like my 120, but your body might be quite happy with your current weight and need some persuasion to shed it. I'm sure you've read this before, but: take your measurements! You may well be shrinking. Exercise, especially with free weights, may make a difference, too, by converting fat into muscle.

Good luck!

I forgot something in the above post and, since it's so long, thought I'd put the info in a new one.

I think PPLP closes a few of the "loopholes" that people had found in PP. Like many doctor-writers, the Eades have real patients and could see how the program was working for those patients. They are more calorie conscious than Atkins, say, and PPLP have some examples of PP patients who consumed too many calories and did not lose weight.

Another reason to check out the PPLP book. There has been some fine tuning.

I switched to PP from Atkins and have not read PPLP, looks like I should check it out. It sounds more informative than just PP. Thanks for the posts!

Hi Ella,

I'm in the same boat, stats are very similar to yours too. I'm loosing really slowly on Atkins and that's with keeping my carbs under 25g. I'd like more fruit as I can't seem to eat enough carbs from veggies! Plus I miss fruit, although I do eat strawberries.

The question is still, do I need to buy PP as well as PPLP, or can I do without PP, does it have info in it that PPLP doesn't?

What do you think?

THe library doesn't have PPLP so I would have to buy that, but I may be able to get PP from the Library.

Thanks
Banana

Alto,

Thank you very much for your reply! I really needed to get a boost from someone to stick to low-carb... and i just got it reading your post.

Some people might find it strange, but my main problem on Atkins wasn't sweets, bread or pasta, it was apples. I had to cut them out completely, which was a shock even to my friends (they used to call me an apple-head ). I don't see how apples can affect my moods, but they do... I also noticed that they kept me away from cravings for chocolates.

I'm definitely going to read PPLP book. I think the fact that I read Protein Power helped me to stick to this way of eating more than anything else rather than giving up seeing no results weightwise. Atkins book was good, but it didn't give much of an insight into how it works. I think I'll reread the PP book.

I also found the fat measurements in PP not exactly precise. I guess that because people accumulate fat in different parts of bodies. The results I got from my gym (they did it with body clippers) were quite different from what I've got following the Eades measurement guide. I hope PPLP will shed more light on this subject.

Thank you again for your useful post!


Ella

Hi, Banana,

I definitely recommend reading Protein Power. The Eades explain the workings of proteins, carbs, fats in a human body. They explain why eating good fat given you are on a low-carb diet does not increase cholesterol. The most interesting and eye-opening part was in the chapters where they bring parallels between the modern balanced diet and Egyptian civilisation comparing it to the diet of hunter-gatherers, who apparently were much healthier than Egyptians.

I'm going to read PPLP as well, as a lot of people said that it brings more up-to-date information. But the basics are in PP. I guess it's like in music you have to learn the notes and techniques, so you could easily update your repertoire later on.

I bought my PP book in WHSmith for £5.99 and think it's a good book to have, as it contains a lot of info, recipes and useful charts with carb counts.

Good luck!


PS: glad my apple cravings are not as freaky as I thought

Hi, Applehead I'm sure this is just folk wisdom, but I'm one who believes that if someone craves a natural food -- nothing doctored, no hidden chemicals -- then there's a reason! I also found that when I had "permission" (from a book!) to eat an apple, I found that "I need fruit!" translated into only one apple a day. I didn't start adding a dozen fruits.

I think one of the hardest adjustments chronic dieters need to make is a move towards moderation -- no extremes, something we can live with.

Have you started a journal, Ella? I forgot to check before I started this post. That can be a good motivator for starting or restarting. Good luck!

Hi, Alto,

Totally agree with you about healthy cravings. I'm still trying to deal with moderation bit... My solution is not to have more than 1 apple in a fridge at a time and to buy nuts in bags not bigger than 100g. Been working for me so far.

I was thinking about starting a journal, but I'm afraid I won't have enough time to maintain it, no PC at home makes it a bit complicated too. But I really like browsing through other people's journals . There's so much information and inspiration there.

No luck finding PPLP in London book stores so far... I guess I'll have to order it on-line.

Ella,

When I went into my local library to order PPLP they didn't even have it on their system.

When I told them it was relatively new and US, they said it couldn't be out in UK yet otherwise they would have it. So yes, I think the only way is ordering online, Amazon was £6.20ish.

Bye
Banana

Thank you for advice, Banana. I'l check out the old amazon then.