Atkins
- Thread starter mambobirdette
- Start date
Listen, Atkins is great for considerably overweight people, especially those with high cholestrol.
I've said this before, but i saw a fantastic documentary to TV last year where they tested Atkins against other diets (including normal eating patterns) over a long period of time and in the end they proved that the Atkins diet came up trumps in every respect.
I've said this before, but i saw a fantastic documentary to TV last year where they tested Atkins against other diets (including normal eating patterns) over a long period of time and in the end they proved that the Atkins diet came up trumps in every respect.
actually I have read bits of atkins and south beach books...
I just don't like they way the books promote how much weight you can lose in so little time (like 10 kgs in 3 weeks), it almost promotes a quick fix rather than a healthy lifesytle, even though both books talk about it as a "change in lifestyle/eating".
I just don't like they way the books promote how much weight you can lose in so little time (like 10 kgs in 3 weeks), it almost promotes a quick fix rather than a healthy lifesytle, even though both books talk about it as a "change in lifestyle/eating".
In the end Mambo, you don't have to follow Atkins to lose weight/fat.
I'm lucky as i've never had a weight problem, but i basically eat lots of fruit/veg, eat white meat/fish, avoid too much dairy, stir-fry's
, lots of water, porridge, nuts, seeds and still manage to train quite hard 3/4 times a week.
Had my body fat checked at the weekend, which came out 12%. Would like to get it down to under 10% but that would mean cutting out the ol' vino
I'm lucky as i've never had a weight problem, but i basically eat lots of fruit/veg, eat white meat/fish, avoid too much dairy, stir-fry's
, lots of water, porridge, nuts, seeds and still manage to train quite hard 3/4 times a week. Had my body fat checked at the weekend, which came out 12%. Would like to get it down to under 10% but that would mean cutting out the ol' vino
Drew said:staycool said:
For goodness sake, i'm not saying it again!
READ THE BOOK FFS!!
Sorry Drew, I would probably sound thick but the only diet I trust is the equilibrate and healthy one, meat, fish and lots of veggies and fruits and natural good products, lots of water and exercise.
I haven't read the book and I won't but it doesn't look (from the persepctive of someone who hasn't read the book) normal or healthy or whatever you want to call it, any diet that it's not equilibrated if you now what I mean
silvia said:
i.e. Atkins!
Personally i feel Atkins is a waste of time if not done properly which is VERY hard to do. I read the book and by 2/3 of the way through i thought "no way could i follow this!"
It also suggests taking lots of supplements too, which i don't agree with - apart from natural supplements such as Garlic etc.
Hmmmmmm..... if it's so "healthy" why would you need to take all those supplements? Theres not enough research been done on this, but I'd bet my last penny on the fact that a few years down the line, all those who followed it looking for a quick fix will have crumbling bones or other things wrong with them due to malnutrition.
Theres no substitute for a balanced diet and excercise. People wanting to loose weight that badly would give up the things that are wrong for them - not the things that are right......
Theres no substitute for a balanced diet and excercise. People wanting to loose weight that badly would give up the things that are wrong for them - not the things that are right......
silvia said:
Yes, very - this is why i warn people when they say they are going to try it.
However, the tests in the documentary were done over something daft like 10 years and showed results of perfectly healthy people who'd followed the diet. In fact more healthy than the others, especially cholestrol levels etc.
With many diets people are looking for a quick fix,its a symptom of the times I think.The basic principles of the Atkins are sound.Unfortunately as with anything which is taken to the extreme and abused like drugs,alcohol or even food there are likely to be negative effects.People should learn to be patient me finks!
Sorry Drew - I'm the same as Silvia, I haven't read the book but have heard about from friends who have done it and the feedback is pretty negative.
I know I shouldn't comment on something I haven't personally tried but I am a firm believer of the simplest equation being the most effective - a good healthy diet and plenty of exercise is the key.... I just don't like to see people suffer unnecessarily with these diets.......
I know I shouldn't comment on something I haven't personally tried but I am a firm believer of the simplest equation being the most effective - a good healthy diet and plenty of exercise is the key.... I just don't like to see people suffer unnecessarily with these diets.......
Carb Cycling
Even better than The Atkins Diet, carb cycling. This takes a little bit more work than the Atkins but in recent studies it has proven to be quite effective at fat loss while maintaining lean muscle mass. I won't go into the details as every diet should be properly researched before you begin. The basic concept is to have a high carb day, low carb day, then a no carb day, repeat.
General Rules:
--You should always eat at least 1g/lb body weight of protein/day.
--You should always have at least two servings of veggies (<50cals) per day, regardless of day
--High carb day: 4 out of 6 meals can include carbs + one piece of fruit w/ those meals
--Low carb day: 1g/lb body weight of carbs per day in only 3 out of 6 meals + one piece of fruit w/ those meals
--No carb day: No carbs except for your two servings of veggies (<50cals)
Best carbs:
Brown rice
Oats (Slow Cooked Preferred)
Sweet potatoes or Yams
Fiber One (All Bran) Cereal
Starchy Veggies (corn, peas, etc.)
Beans/Legumes
Limited Carbs: (eat only once/day if you must)
Whole-wheat pasta
Whole grain breads, pitas, etc.
Another quick note: You should schedule your workout days on high/lo carb days. Save the no carb days for rest.
Being a personal trainer in my spare time forces me to research and test the newest fad diets. This one I've seen prove successful time and time again...but it does take work...lots of meal planning.
~Jason
Even better than The Atkins Diet, carb cycling. This takes a little bit more work than the Atkins but in recent studies it has proven to be quite effective at fat loss while maintaining lean muscle mass. I won't go into the details as every diet should be properly researched before you begin. The basic concept is to have a high carb day, low carb day, then a no carb day, repeat.
General Rules:
--You should always eat at least 1g/lb body weight of protein/day.
--You should always have at least two servings of veggies (<50cals) per day, regardless of day
--High carb day: 4 out of 6 meals can include carbs + one piece of fruit w/ those meals
--Low carb day: 1g/lb body weight of carbs per day in only 3 out of 6 meals + one piece of fruit w/ those meals
--No carb day: No carbs except for your two servings of veggies (<50cals)
Best carbs:
Brown rice
Oats (Slow Cooked Preferred)
Sweet potatoes or Yams
Fiber One (All Bran) Cereal
Starchy Veggies (corn, peas, etc.)
Beans/Legumes
Limited Carbs: (eat only once/day if you must)
Whole-wheat pasta
Whole grain breads, pitas, etc.
Another quick note: You should schedule your workout days on high/lo carb days. Save the no carb days for rest.
Being a personal trainer in my spare time forces me to research and test the newest fad diets. This one I've seen prove successful time and time again...but it does take work...lots of meal planning.
~Jason
staycool said:
The point it, have they done it properly? Unless it's done properly, you're wasting your time and even endangering your body.
I never actually said i was pro Atkins if you read my posts again, i'm just trying to make people aware of the dangers associated with the diet.
I also believe a balanced diet is great, for people who don't need/want to lose weight but removing the starchy carbs (and replacing them with more fruit/veg for carbs) is excellent for dieters.
I try not to eat too many starchy carbs because they make me feel bloated and lathargic.
I'm the same with the starchy stuff - feel weighed down after too much!
I know you're not pro-atkins and you're dead right in saying they should do it right cause it could cause a bit of havoc to the body!
I reckon we write our own one..... new best selling diet book anyone?!!... just needs a name...
I know you're not pro-atkins and you're dead right in saying they should do it right cause it could cause a bit of havoc to the body!
I reckon we write our own one..... new best selling diet book anyone?!!... just needs a name...
The key distinction is between "Low Carb" diets and "good carb" diets.
Cut out White Bread, rice and pasta, processed food and potatoes, and you have the jist.
Eat good carbs to reasonable levels and you will see a distinct difference.
I also don't believe that the weight flys back on afterwards at all.
I used to be 15.5 stone two years ago( i'm 6'1"). I am now 13.5 stone.
The big difference is being aware of what effects the different type of carbs have on you. It's changed my eating habits for good.
However, I got the wrong end of the stick initially and ate crabs for two weeks and ended up stinking of fish.
Cut out White Bread, rice and pasta, processed food and potatoes, and you have the jist.
Eat good carbs to reasonable levels and you will see a distinct difference.
I also don't believe that the weight flys back on afterwards at all.
I used to be 15.5 stone two years ago( i'm 6'1"). I am now 13.5 stone.
The big difference is being aware of what effects the different type of carbs have on you. It's changed my eating habits for good.
However, I got the wrong end of the stick initially and ate crabs for two weeks and ended up stinking of fish.
small jinx
New Member
I have cut back on amount of bread I consume -maybe only eat it 2 times a week. Its gotten rid of that nasty bloated feeling, I hardly eat cereal anymore-that has also helped reduce bloatedness.
Also have bought caffeine free tea bags & half caffeine coffee, and stared using soya drink instead of milk. This has helped to reduce the caffeine & sugar highs I was getting.
Maybe its psychological but I feel better for having all of the above in moderation, and plenty of veg, fish, cheese, water etc.
Also have bought caffeine free tea bags & half caffeine coffee, and stared using soya drink instead of milk. This has helped to reduce the caffeine & sugar highs I was getting.
Maybe its psychological but I feel better for having all of the above in moderation, and plenty of veg, fish, cheese, water etc.
PachaGirl79
New Member
Atkins is completely unrealistic for the human body. How can you work out without fuel? It only became famous because of Jennifer Anniston and other Hollywood anorexics that followed it to obtain that oh-so-sexy "starvation chic" look. If you are going to follow any sort of diet, go for the South Beach. My own roommate is a doctor and highly reccommends this diet because it is actually HEALTHY, includes the "good" carbs, and doesn't deprive you to death.
LetsBounce
New Member
I did the Atkins last year for 3 months and yea it works great to lose weight fast but it is very very difficult to stick to! After a few months I started feeling tired and would ocassionally get dizzy spells and it gets to the point where you never want to eat meat again! I was very slightly overwieght and I unded up becoming too skinny in the end and thought to hell with this.
Now I'm doing the Atkins again right now as I want to lose the little bit of body fat that I have and in the last 2 weeks I've lost quite a bit of weight so now I am gradually coming off it again and eating well balanced meals to keep it that way.
From personal experience I would suggest that you never do more than a month of Atkins at a time as it really screws you up (when you start feeling dizzy when you excersise its time to quit Atkins) and if you are gonna do I suggest you do it for month and fully dedicate yourself to it and then go into a well balanced diet and excersize regularly. Hope this helps...
Now I'm doing the Atkins again right now as I want to lose the little bit of body fat that I have and in the last 2 weeks I've lost quite a bit of weight so now I am gradually coming off it again and eating well balanced meals to keep it that way.
From personal experience I would suggest that you never do more than a month of Atkins at a time as it really screws you up (when you start feeling dizzy when you excersise its time to quit Atkins) and if you are gonna do I suggest you do it for month and fully dedicate yourself to it and then go into a well balanced diet and excersize regularly. Hope this helps...