Atkins Diet Book Question Please....

[Beauty]

Do I need the book or can I just follow the websight? My doctor recommended this diet. I read a little on the websight and got confused (which isn't hard for me to do ). Do I need to go buy the book?? What do yall suggest?

 

[kdibattista]

You should read the book but here is a great website:

www.atkinsfriends.com

If you don't read the book, this is the next best thing.

Good Luck!!!

 

[Beauty]

Wow that is a super sight! I bookmarked it. My main thing is getting started. I need directions...LOL!

 

[troubled]

Don't really know about the diet, but I sent you a pm on another matter you might be interested in. Please check your messages!

 

[glo]

Beauty, it is a great diet, and do not let people who have no clue tell you otherwise. I have lost 60 pounds and have kept it off for almost 2 years in July. I went back on full hog again to loose my last 20 pounds. My cholestarol and everything else is awesome. I am off my BP meds for the first time in 8 years.

It works and it is safe....I would suggest the book. The website given to you is awesome, I am there, but the book really is important.


Good luck, and yell if you need any help

 

[Lesley]

Personally I don't find the book necessary...I found all the info I needed on the website.

Start by clicking on "How to do Atkins" then "Stage One: Induction" and read through the articles...
The most important ones about what to do are:
Get Ready to do Atkins
The Rules of Induction
Acceptable Foods

I printed these and they served as my "book". I also printed and filled out the "Blood sugar symptoms questionaire"

After my 2 weeks on induction were up ( I decided at this point that I was more likely to stick with it if I had a bit more variety in my diet) I went to Phase 2 and printed out:
Moving Into Ongoing Weight Loss
How to Follow Phase 2: Part 1 and 2
and I copied the Carbohydrate Ladder onto one of the pages.

That's where I am now, and I have a long way to go before looking into pre-mainentance.

The only book I've purchased is the Atkins Carb Counter...and I didn't do this until I was in OWL. On induction you don't need it.

My doctor recommended a low carb diet...suggested Atkins as a resource while say "I don't know how smart it is to eat all the eggs, meat and butter you want......" but I'll adapt it if necessary after I have my bloodwork done again. I doubt that I'll have to, from all the success stories I've read...including Glo's above. My triglycerides were very high and my good cholesterol low before doing low carbs. My bad cholesterol was fine and I have low blood pressure.

Best of luck....this is the only diet I've found that really allows you to work towards knowing what you personally should be eating, and deals workably with sugar addiction. Last time I lost this much weight, it took me much longer and I had to work much harder....only to gain it back very quickly (well, I was pregnant...but I just kept getting bigger afterward!)

 

[nativetxn]

I vote for you to buy the book, Beauty. Only because it is a really motivational book to read.

I find myself going back to read some part of it again every evening before I go to bed. It just makes me feel more motivated and if I have any doubts or anything it helps me feel better. I think I paid $7.99 for the paperback.

My husband started Atkins on 1/9/03. In 3 weeks his triglycerides dropped 98 points his total cholesterol decreased, his good cholesterol increased, his bad cholesterol decreased and his blood sugars are now normal for the first time since he was diagnosed with type II diabetes in 1988.

Besides that he just <b>feels better</b> than he has in years.

I haven't lost as much weight as he has but I lost 18 pounds the first three weeks on Atkins.

I like the food you are allowed to have. I am never hungry. It works for our family, very well.

Good luck with this way of eating, Beth. I think it's worth a try.

Katholyn

 

[wovenwonder]

Plan on feeling VERY ILL the first couple days -- even up to a week. I actually felt flu like with terrible headaches as I was coming off of the sugar withdrawal. It is worth it -- so don't give up during this time. After this passes you will likely feel better than ever!

Check out A Beginners Guide to Low Carb website -- I believe you'll find it very helpful!

 

[DixieDreamer]

I strongly encourage you to read the book... then reread the phase you are currently in (i.e. induction as you start out). I learn something new each time I read it. The websites are great... but there is much more in the book - including a much lengthier discussion on supplementation and the mechanics of WHY this works. It is important to understand the basics ... so when something comes up that is not covered black and white in the book or websites... you can apply judgement because you understand the principles of how this works.

I have lost 30 pounds on this woe ... improved my cholesterol numbers significantly... and I feel wonderful. It is a way of life for me... not a diet. Wishing you success Beauty.

 

[John In Illinois]

I think the book has been invaluable in my success so far on Atkins. Today marks the end of my first month on the plan, and tonite will be my official weigh-in for the month. I am amazed at how easilly (for me) this plan has helped me shed pounds, and I experienced none of the ill-effects that some do (no withdrawals or headaches). I like the plan because at no time does it make me feel hungry or deprived, if I am hungry, I can eat. It just has to be the "right" foods.



Good luck beauty, and if you want, you can share my copy of the book (it is dog-eared from constant use)

 

[mickeyfan1]

We will start on next Sunday, planning is essential, we need to have the right food in the house. I have lost 5 lbs on WW over the last 2 weeks, but with out him doing the same, it's hard. So we are both going to do Adkins. I would love to loose 65 to 70 lbs, but will be thrilled at 50.

Good luck to all of us!

 

[nativetxn]

Good luck, Marsha. I think you are going to like this way of eating once you get past the carbohydrate withdrawal.

Beth, I didn't experience any withdrawal symptoms at all, but my husband and sister-in-law both did.

 

[glo]

no withdrawl here either, but it was hard giving up the diet coke no headaches or anything, but I miss it with my dinner and in the morning

 

[disneychrista]

Originally posted by glo
it was hard giving up the diet coke

I know very little about "low carb" plans because I am not sure how practicle it is for a vegetarian (fruits and veggies are a big part of my meals) but why do you have to give up the diet coke? Is it just because it is not a "natural" whole food?

 

[Tiggerkeeper]

DH and I started Atkins Saturday and I must say I have had headaches but hubbie didn't. Glad to hear you all talk about the withdrawl. This too shall pass!! Can it be possible to feel so much better in just two days??

I recommend the book too! We were going to try the web-instructions only but I decided to go ahead and get the book. Both of us read it and the information was invaluable.

Good luck everybody!!

 

[Beauty]

I actually just found that my thread had been moved here! My pms weren't popping up! I have decided to buy the book and start Atkins. It is the only diet I have ever heard my doctor suggest. WE are going out of town tomorrow until Thursday so I will buy the groceries this weekend and start Monday.

I have to give up my Diet Cokes completly?? I'm a Diet Coke addict. Is water the only thing you can drink?

 

[nativetxn]

My husband never gave up his diet drinks and he's lost 23 pounds so far.

The point about the diet drinks is that if they contain aspartame they <i>might</i> slow your weight loss.

 

[Tiggerkeeper]

Diet Rite sodas are okay! And Fruit2O flavored water is okay!

ASPARTAME is a baaaaad word!!!

Melissa

 

[Lesley]

Aspartame causes problems for many people, aside from those with PKU and possibly stalling weight loss. My dh has a Diet Coke if we're out to eat...but at home we have Diet Rite. It's hard to get around here though....the stores are always sold out of it!

Once again, I want to assert that its perfectly possible to do Atkins just using the web pages. I have yet to see any information "from the book" that is anything I haven't read on the website. But I can imagine for many its easier to have everything in one place in an organized fashion. I like small bits of info that I can assemble into a big picture. The fact that you can do this without the book is what prompted me to try it.....it was refreshing to find a website that didn't at every step say "for more information, buy this book...." instead of just telling you what you want to know. I just have a thing about free sharing of information.....especially information that can help many people. Or perhaps I've been to too many websites that talked me into buying pricey books, only to find out that they were a waste of money...LOL. The Atkins book really isn't very expensive.

I am considering buying the new Atkins for Life book...as this woe seems to work very well for me. No cravings, no difficulties....and I'm free from my sugar addiction.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I lost a 100 pounds drinking a 6 pack of diet coke a day (or more!) so you can certainly try it without giving that up. If you are stuck that might be something to try.
You can do the diet without buying the book BUT I think it's better if you have it.