Thinking of trying Atkins and would love some advice

[minnieandmickey]

I bought the Atkins book today, and I am seriously thinking of trying it. Could you give the good and bad about it?

 

[nativetxn]

Hi <b>minnieandmickey</b> Welcome to WISH.

I follow Atkins. So far, for me personally, there has been no down side to the plan.

My husband suffered the withdrawal symptoms the first few days, feeling queasy and headachy, but when those symptoms went away he felt better than he had felt in 15 years.

He had some medical problems that were brought in line by giving up refined carbohydrates. Out of control blood sugar is now normal, cholesterol is low and triglycerides are low. He's doing well.

If you are a carbohydrate addict you may experience withdrawal symptoms for a few days. If you simply cannot live without bread, sugar or pasta this may not be the plan for you. Neither my husband nor I want those things anymore, it is the strangest thing, really.

Once you get into ketosis you will not have much appetitie, which is just wonderful. Until that happens, though, you will likely be very hungry, so eat protein and fat when you feel hungry.

Atkins is not the plan for everyone, it just happens to be the perfect plan for me.

Will you be taking the WISH challenge? I sure hope so. I love getting new members in my support group

Katholyn

 

[minniecarousel]

Honestly, minnie&mickey - the only down-side that I have encountered is the inability to eat as much fruit as I want. This time of year, there is so much fresh fruit, I think I miss it! Of course, I can eat berries or cherries, but I'm not willing to use the carbs necessary to have an apricot or nectarine. The first 2 weeks of Atkins (induction) is no fruit at all. Once I got past that - I was OK (I suffered from carb withdrawal!) I go out to dinner very easily - last night had salmon, topped with red peppers and grilled veggies. Today for lunch I had a petite sirloin & a tossed salad with blue cheese.
Losing my appetite is the best side effect of this way of eating - I never thought this would happen to me!!
Good luck on what ever you decide.

 

[minnieandmickey]

Thanks so much for your advice.. I am not a big fruit eater so it maybe a good thing, but with every diet I think my big hurdle will be chocolate!!! But this is something that I want to do not only for me but for my family. I am going to read the book and see if it is right for me and if it is I will definately start. The good thing is my Mom is going to start it too, so at least I will have not only my DIS support but my Mom's support too.
We are going to WDW at the end of October and I want to lose at least 20lbs before I go if not more.

 

[CarolMN]

My advice is to read the entire Atkins book before you start. Pay particular attention to the maintenance part of the plan. IMHO, the biggest downside to Atkins is that so few people follow it all the way through to maintenance. As a result, they lose a lot of weight, and then go off Atkins and back to their former bad eating habits. As a result, they quickly regain the weight. Many gain back more than they lost! YCK!

Atkins is about changing the way you eat forever. You will need to commit to staying away from sugar and refined carbohydrates forever. (It hasn't been all that hard for me, so far. I've been on it for the past two months). Atkins also says you need to add some kind of regular exercise to your life.

Atkins has been wonderful for me. I'm still pretty much on induction and will be slowly, oh so slowly, working my way to mainteneance. I also am walking more and going to Curves 3 or 4 times a week. Like nativetxn's husband, my diabetes is now very much under control, and my cholesterol levels are improving. That's still amazing to me because conventional advice is to eat low fat and that didn't work for me at all! So far I've lost 17.5 pounds and am having no trouble staying on the Atkins plan. I think the fact that I am feeling so much better (no high or low blood sugar spikes anymore) is a powerful incentive.

Atkins isn't for everyone, but it is and has been very, very good for me!

Good luck to you!

 

[minniecarousel]

My sisters are doing Atkins too! We support each other and check in several times a week!
As for the chocolate, I have found that I'm very sensitive to the additive "maltitol" that is used in many sugar-free chocolate candies. However, I bought a package of Hersheys miniature sugar-free bars and found that I can eat one or two without a problem! That satisfies my chocloate cravings!

 

[marydmjj]

I started Atkins just over a week ago. I really like it. I did go through the caffeine and carb withdrawl. I had a really really bad headache for a couple of days and I was very hungry. That is over now and the only thing I'm suffering is a hankering for sweet. Atkins makes a couple of different protein bars that are sweet which helps.

 

[Mis4Mouse]

The Atkins pros and cons for me.... after 7 weeks:

Pros:
1) Not "starving" all the time!
I was hungry during induction, but now I've noticed that when I am feeling hungry, I look at the clock...and lo and behold it is actually an appropriate meal time! Not just a half hour after I already ate!

2) No gas!
Okay, so it's not really something you talk about.... but for me it's a big deal. I am hardly ever gassy now, and I can't remember the last time I felt bloated! Even during my pms thing.

3) no headaches!
Except for the first three days, I don't think I"ve had a single head ache in six weeks, and I used to get what I call "lighting bolt headaches", my doctor calls them A-typical migraines, caused by sudden dialation, and then contraction of blood vessels in my head.

4) normal pulse and lower blood pressure!
Had to go to the doctor's for a procedure... she said my resting pulse rate and blood pressure were PERFECT! My resting pulse rate has dropped from 90 bpm to 71 bpm, and my blood pressure is the lowest it's ever been. These results were compared to my last check up two months ago.... and I've had a horrible resting heart rate for many years...never below 88.

5) Sleep better at night, and get up better in the morning!
I used to stay up all night 'cause I couldn't sleep, then I'd have to drag myself out of bed in the morning...whining the whole time. Now I can get to bed and fall asleep, and then find myself waking before the alarm goes off, feeling refreshed and ready to go!

I've been on Atkins for 7 weeks. I've slowly beat my caffeine addiction while on it, which can contribute to the fact that I have no more headaches, my pulse is better and I sleep better... however, I've quit caffeine before, without the same results, so I believe its a combo of not eating refined starches and sugars, with quiting the caffeine.

The cons:
1) no chocolate
But I love the Atkins peanut butter cups, and though there are three to a pack, at only 3 gr. of carbs per pack, I am satisfied after even one cup - I save the rest for later!

2) no bread
I love bread - scali, grilled english muffins, bagels, you name it.... and though I don't miss it unless I am reminded of it, it is still tricky - I have to have waiters take it off the table, and I still find it hard to make my kids a sandwich - so they make their own!

3) no chinese food
I am starting to slowly introduce some foods back - but its tough. Asian food is my favorite. Giving up rice and noodles is really hard.
I spoke to the owner of my favorite szechuan restaurant, and now he has the chef prepare me and hubby's food with no starch and no sugar.... we eat steamed veggies with garlic and chilis, and steamed fish and roasted meat dishes. I miss teryaki sauce though!

4) constipation
That was the most difficult adjustment of all. I was becoming constipated every third day, for two days..... metamucil helped, but it has to be taken regularly for it to work. For me, everything got better once I added a 1/4 cup of macadamia nuts to my daily menu. Now I have no problems at all!

5) Deciding where to get a quick bite to eat
This is a tough one for me, I don't always have time to go out for a sit down steak dinner - No more pizza, subs, or chinese, or fried seafood! Now we go to a good roast beef sandwich place and order larges with mayo and lettuce and cheese...and throw the bread away.... it's not ideal but it works!

I love Atkins, just because I feel so great, but it's not for everyone.... I agree with whoever said to check out the web site and read the rules of induction and take a look at the articles related to induction.

Also check out the recipes and make sure to have plenty food choices on hand when you start out. I think boredome is a big hurdle when you start induction! Good luck!
Sue

 

[Jomrog]

1. If you really love your carbs then I would recommend easing into it & reducing your carbs slowly.

2. Also, if you haven't already done it, drink water, drink water & drink some more water. It really does flush out the toxins in your system. It also helps you to stay full. I try to keep it with me at all times.

3. Stick with the plan. Don't look for a fast weight loss & then expect to go back to your old way of eating. It is for life. The good news is that the goal is to kick the carb addiction, therefore you won't even want to eat sugar/flour. THIS WORKS! I have been able to pass up on tons of my favorite foods & I never had strong willpower before this.

4. Measure yourself, know when your body is retaining water because I will be the first to tell you that it doesn't always show up on the scale.

5. Be patient. It will happen.

6. Use us here at WISH for support & encouragement. I am floored at the flood of responses I get from all the nice folks here. They truly are the friendliest people on the net.

I am starting week 7. I am remaining on induction for a while longer. I have lost between 10-13lbs so far. I feel great, have more ambition & smile A LOT more than I have in a very long time.

If you cheat, don't beat yourself up. Pick right back up get on the wagon again. I know you can do it, no matter which nutrition plan you choose.

 

[mum4jenn]

Congratulations!! I agree read the book first and took up the Atkins website before you decide to begin. I would also advise you to start on a weekend or whatever your days off are to begin so if you go through and withdrawal you can at least relax at home.

I began Atkins on June 6th and the first week I lost 13 pounds!! I have quite a bit to lose and that is not a real common amount to lose on the first week.So do not let any amount you lose discourage you in any way. EVERYONE is different and everyone will lose at different rates. In three weeks I have lost 17 pounds so weeks two and three slowed down a bit but others that started around the same time I did lost less than I did the first week but are now losing MORE than I am the following weeks!!!!

Down part... I still miss the candy,yeast rolls,potatoes but it is getting easier everyday!! Now that I am out of induction I do have a 2 carb or less sugar free "candy" bar. In all honesty I would probably be doing better this week if I had not had a different bar each day!! Now I am going to limit myself to one per week and not even buy any ahead until my treat day comes up!!!Days 2 and 3 were really hard. I went through the carb/caffeine withdrawal and the headaches were bad but on Day 4 it was all over with and I have not had a single headache since!!!

Up part......There is so much help on this board. You are not judged at all and if you ever have a question someone will come to your rescue with the answer.
I feel good! my ankles do not hurt nearly as much as they used to!!

My dh is going to start Atkins next e=week after we get back from our camping trip so that will make it easier for me also. Get a family member or friend to do this along with you if possible.



Good Luck!!!!

 

[minnieandmickey]

Thanks again. I am planning on starting this Saturday, July 5th. Thought that would be a good start after a major holiday. The more I read the more I think I can do this. My mom is going on it, and I have a friend at work that is on it. I am trying to convince my husband to do it with me. Not to mention if this is the support I will get from the Dis boards I know where I can always turn.
Thank you again~

 

[Kabuli1]

Just a thought!

If you are going to eat alot and really enjoy yourself on the 4th, you might want to put off starting until Monday. Use Saturday and Sunday to ease off carbs and calories and start Induction on Monday. Going from celebration to Induction overnight will produce worse than expected carb withdrawal. So give yourself a break and use the two weekend days to prepare your body for Induction! You don't want to make it harder on yourself!

You can do this, you will do this! I hope you are excited about this change in your lidfe!

Karyn

 

[Luvinit]

I agree with Karyn....(gosh she is always thinkin). If you plan on eating hardy on Friday...give you body time to adjust!

Good Luck...we are here for you!!! Keep us posted on how you are doing...especially the first 3 days!!