Atkins v Slimming world

[Aliiiii]

Hi all
I'm posting this in Slimmjng world as well to hopefully get more answers!

I'm massively over weight, need to lose at least 6 stone
This has been caused mainly by my continuing depression but I have always been greedy with food
So has anyone tried both? Did one work better than the other?

I'm 47 and I have to get a grip on this as I refuse to leave my DS (9) without a mum

[queenbrunhilda]

Haven't done Atkins but have done other low carb diets including India Knight's Idiot Proof Diet (IPD) and SW. Have lost weight relatively easily with both (once head was in right place). Personally, IPD was much the best, because it trained me to eat in a much more realistic and sustainable way in the longer term - my body just seems to operate better with fewer carbs without that feeling like a terrible sacrifice. Would recommend IPD - the book and it's attention to feelings are different to more standard diets.

[Yuleloglatte]

I have done IPD and SW. Lost 2 1/2 stone on IPD quite easily last year. Found SW a real struggle, and pasta overload was gross. Back on IPD now to lose another couple of stone this year I think. Some people did very well on SW, and it's very flexible but I found low carb much more sustainable and I didn't regain any weight as bread is just not part of my life any more. I feel great on a low carb diet!

[Amaxapax]

I haven't done SW, but I have done WW, Dukan, and I'm now doing boot camp on here. These are my thoughts:

WW was great for that ability to eat whatever in moderation, but it didn't always lead to the best choices. I still ate lots of refined sugar and processed and artificial foods. It was the first proper diet I ever did and I was only interested in losing weight, and I was very successful. I found the weekly weigh-ins gave me a buzz.

Dukan was bloody miserable. It was in preparation for my wedding, I took it a bit too far, and I don't think it's sustainable.

Low carb is my favourite. I truly believe in the science behind a low carb high fat diet. I don't get hungry because the fat keeps me full, my food is delicious and healthy and varied, and I feel really good. I was drinking three or four Diet Cokes in a day and eating chocolate, cake or biscuits after every meal. I stopped all that on the fifth of January and I haven't slipped once. I feel amazing. I have more energy, I don't get bloated or uncomfortable, and I have lost at least a stone. It has been liberating to sit down in the evening pleasantly satisfied from my dinner, enjoying a cup of green tea, without wondering what I could eat next. I simply don't think about it anymore.

I think that, at some point in the next few years, SW and WW will have to change. There is too much evidence now that fat is healthy and an important part of our diet, and that sugar is the real enemy.

Obviously, you have to decide what is sustainable for you, and I totally understand why people with families find SW to be an appealing option. Saying that, I hate the culture of 'syns' and 'naughty' foods. If you're really thinking about low carb, I would read Escape the Diet Trap and look at some paleo resources as well, like Mark's Daily Apple. Once you know the truth about fat, it makes SW and similar look pretty behind the times.

[Aliiiii]

Thank you for the wonderful replies!
It's given me a lot to think about and will be reading the books recommended

[miffy49]

They are already changing, Amaxpax. I notice WW are offering a lower carb option but I don't know how low that would be. SW I can tell you for certain have altered their plans. DH and DS1 are both keen on SW. DH did really well but DS is struggling having done well first but then put a load back. SW now just promote the Extra Easy plan which can be very carb heavy. They have done away with the red and green days. I noticed from DH's new book though that they are suggesting that weight loss will be speedier if you stick to the foods with a specific logo and they are proteins and leafy veg.

I have done Atkins but I don't think its as healthy as it used to be. Its too heavy on faux carb products and uses a lot of sweeteners. I think the best of the LC plans are Diet Doctor LCHF (free off his web site), the IPD book or good ole Biwi's Mumsnet Boot Camp (also free).

Theres a lot of stuff being done now regarding the effects of LC/ketogenic diets and mood. I know I feel tons better for going LC. As well as the improvement in my energy levels and general mood it has brought my BG levels down to normal and I have lost that constant need to eat. Hubs on the other hand is still doing SW and is like the Hungry Caterpillar! He is constantly on the prowl for food!

[Milllli]

I would go for low carb if you are wanting a diet plan. You can start off medium carb though and it does work. Sometimes going too low can bring on bingeing in some people.

[BIWI]

IMVHO no-one ever does Atkins properly. It's a really rigid plan, and you have to make sure that you weigh/count everything so that you can

a) make sure you're keeping to the right amount of carbs per day
b) determine what level of carbs you can tolerate - because we're all different

It's a brilliant plan if you follow it, though.

Don't know about SW I'm afraid. I also don't like the idea of 'sys' - making us feel guilty about 'treating' ourselves.

[miffy49]

Well, Biwi , They wouldn't need Syns if everything wasn't so 'empty'! I did some chicken last night night in a flax seed and parmesan coating. Bit light on the fat for me so I had mine with a salad dressed with oily vinaigrette and a dip of full fat mayo flavoured with a bit of pesto. Yummy. Filled me up until bed time. DH and DS had the same chicken but with plain salad and a shed load of SW chips. They were on the munch all evening with supposed Syn free foods. Eventually DH downed 2 packets of crisps! All I had was a black coffee. Says it all really!

[BIWI]

[ProfYaffle]

I'm doing Atkins (properly! ) I really enjoy LC for similar reasons to those outlined here. For me, what's useful about Atkins is the portion control. I've tried LC before without portion control, ie just eating low carb foods, but didn't lose anything. I've found that sticking to Atkins suggested portion sizes has kept me in ketosis really efficiently. I've lost weight consistently since starting on 5th January. Still got a long way to go but don't have any doubts that I'll get there in the end

I've done SW in the past and it just didn't work for me. Saying that though, one of my friends has lost 15stone on it. I genuinely think it's horses for courses, different plans suit different people.

[Aliiiii]

Prof-can I just ask how much you've lost so far?

[ProfYaffle]

16lbs to date. 8lbs in the first 2 weeks but now settled to around 1.5/2lbs per week.

[Yuleloglatte]

Prof do you eat the Atkins snacks in their meal plan? I really like the look of the menus but not the snacks as I don't have a sweet tooth any more.

[ProfYaffle]

Do you mean the bars? I have them occasionally but they're not compulsory in fact a lot of people think they stall weight loss and avoid them. I also like Balance Stevia chocolate bars but only have one a week.