atkins question---never tried it, need convinced and resources

[firecracker]

OK...I'm usually not a "full-throttle" kind of person--well, OK, maybe I am. But NO carbs? I'm addicted to carbs! How can I do that? We're going to see Pirates of the Carribean tonight--does that mean no popcorn??? I'm interested in losing weight, but I don't want to be miserable!

Also, what book should I read of Dr. Atkins if any to understand his approach? There are 57 of them to choose from on half.com....could you give me some direction?

I'm not into counting grams of this and grams of that. Tell me what to eat and what not to eat and I'll give it a shot. Is there a list somewhere?

Those of you who are getting results...convince me to do Atkins!

Thanks for any help...hope my ramblings are understandable!

Carmen

 

[mum4jenn]

Dr. Atkins asks that you devote two weeks to his program to see if it is for you. After that time you decide if you can do it or not.

I was totally addicted to carbs also!! The first two days I was suffering from a severe headache from caffeine and carb withdrawal. When I woke up on day three the headache was gone.

The first week I lost 13 pounds!! THAT is what motivated me to stick with it. I have lost 20 pounds so far and I feel better than I have in years. My dh just started this past Monday so that will make the cooking easier for me since we will be eating the nsame!!! However he will probably end up doing better than me because he eats such a big variety of veggies. I do not like very many veggies that are not starchy !!

If you truly commit yourself you can do this. Go to www.atkins.com and read all the info before you start. Or go to your library and check it out.

If you go to the movies take snacks that you can eat. I have stayed away from the movies so I do not have to smell the popcorn!!!

 

[BethR]

Hi Carmen!

You are talking to the carbo-queen - right HERE! My very favorite food in the whole world is (and I hope someday to say "WAS") buttered pasta.

I started Atkins this past Monday. My DD encouraged me to give it a try since "you like to eat meat" (which I do) and since her boss has been doing it for a month and is very happy with her results. So I figured - I wanted to lose some weight before our Disney trip. I know that Atkins has great results and has been approved by the medical community so I figured I'd give it a try for the 2 weeks and then move into Weight Watchers.

I have not read any of the books, I have gotten all of my information off of the web site.
But if you don't want to count any kind of grams it might be kind of hard for you. You COULD just eat any kind of meat (unprocessed) and THAT'S ALL and you wouldn't have to count a thing. But I think that you will want some kind of vegetables, cheese, dressings, etc - so you need to count the carb grams. It is not all that hard. I get all of my info off of the Nutrition Facts on the labels and off of the web site.

Basically what you eat is meat and some veggies and fats (butter, olive oil, etc.) You must absolutely not eat any starches or sugars.

But saying all that - I have had NO trouble so far following this program! I am not hungry. I eat as much as I want (you can eat as much meat as you want) and I think that the protien must "stay with you" longer. They say that once you have purged yourself of the carbohydrates that you lose the cravings for them. I hope that is true. I have not had any cravings, but I have not been in any "dangerous" situations yet.

Now that I have been on the program for 6 days, I definately can see myself continuing Atkins past the 2 weeks. My doctor was very enthused about this when I told her yesterday.

OK - let me see if this convinces you at all. I have had quiche for breakfast. I have had steak for dinner, snacks, and a lunch. I had a fried pork chop! I went to BINGO on Tuesday and ate wings! I played cards last night and ate cheese and pepperoni - and NOT just a piece or two! I am having shrimp scampi for dinner - as much as I want until I am comfortably full. Can't get much better than that, can it?

Oh, and I did not get any headaches (thank God!). I have felt fine.

I say "Give it a try." Give it a couple of days and see if it works for you. Just be sure to give yourself VARIETY - or you could tire of hard boiled eggs very easily!

 

[perfectmatch300]

I also just started Atkins on Monday. So far I'm very pleased with it. I thought it would be hard keeping track of the carbs, I was really nervous about it at first, but it has been no problem for me so far this week. I've lost 3.5 lbs so far after being stuck for about 2 mo of trying to do it my way. I bought the book, "Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution" & read it before I started. I think that helped to get me going. I've seen Atkins work so well for so many people, I figured I'd give it a try & if I didn't like it I could quit any time I wanted to. Well, so far I don't want to quit! I really like the results I'm getting! I really want to be healthy & so far this plan seems to work the best for me. I thought it would be really hard to stay away from carbs, but so far it's pretty easy. Give it a try!

 

[dizneegirl]

It's NOT a NO carb program.

It's a low-carb program.

What to eat? Meats, low-glycemic veggies and fruits, and whole grains (after the first few stages).

What to avoid? Sugar (in any form), refined flour, starches... the easy rule of thumb is "white is bad" (except cauliflower and eggs!)

If you're looking specifically at Atkins, you'd want to read Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution. That's the basis of the whole program. If you don't want to buy the book (which I HIGHLY recommend you do buy it both for in-depth info, quick reference, a carb counter and some recipes), you could read through www.atkins.com.

The list of acceptable foods on induction is here: Accpetable Foods

And here's the basis of induction: Atkins 101

 

[kdibattista]

Not sure if you have seen this website... www.lowcarbfriends.com.