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.

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.

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

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

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

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!

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.

YES!

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

Rustpot

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

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

Re: Rustpot's post

Too funny

Bebe