Atkins does it work? Is it safe?

[onetiredmummy]

Sorry if I'm being dense and annoying, couldn't decide whether to post here or not.

Does Atkins really work?

Is it easy to stick to?

Is it massively expensive?

I talked to my sister about it and she seemed to think it wasn't a safe way to eat? But I won't be doing it for years and years so is a few months ok? I've been reading up about the low fat diet myth and I can't see that low carbings excessively dangerous...

Bottom line is does it work? Does it work quickly?

Thanks for ant replies

[Lilybensmum1]

I have just started a diet I consider myself intelligent i am a registered nurse and mum of two and have looked at many diets, I would not go for any thing extreme or something that is not long term I have cut my calorie intake to to 1400 cals and am starting the couch to 5 k tomorrow based on this I have already lost 4pounds and feel so much better.

It's not difficult I got the Collins calorie counter from amazon and divided up my calories and when to eat and it works, also means I can splurge now and again and not worry it's the way to go and it's sustainable! Try it's so simple and better for you.

[lottieandmia]

It certainly does work, I can vouch for that. I have been on a calorie controlled diet for most of my life. I had reached the stage where I feel exhausted and hungry all the time. I am only on day 5 but I have already lost most of the weight I wanted to and I am never hungry, have lots of energy and my skin is much better and not so dry. All my water retention is gone and I feel much better.

I think that one of the myths about Atkins is that you eat only the foods in stage one forever, when in reality you move on to include more good carbs in your diet as you lose weight and reach your target weight. So it is a healthy way to eat. Stage 1 is very restricted but for me I'm happy because I can eat things I haven't for years and I'm happy to give up bread, sugar and sweet stuff in return for the foods you can eat on phase 1.

One thing I would say, though is that if you do Atkins and then go back to eating high carbs again you probably will put all the weight back on quickly - it has to be a lifestyle change long term, but at a maintenance level there is much more you can eat anyway.

It is obviously quite expensive having to eat meat, fish, eggs and cheese every day, but as I've now given up wine that kind of offsets the cost a little.

[giraffeseatpineapples]

Yes can vouch that atkins works but also that it goes back on quickly (did it about 9 years ago). I didn't do the phased carb reintroduction so I think getting that right is the most important bit.

[onetiredmummy]

Thanks everyone, have ordered the book & registered on the Atkins forum :)

Ready to go on Monday

[namechange74]

Think i might join you - have a few Xmas pounds hanging around and stopped smoking 3 weeks ago so that is piling on too... good luck to us!

[teaandthorazine]

Why don't you come over and join the low carb Bootcamp threads? Loads of support! We tend to focus a bit more on unprocessed foods, lots of veg etc, than phase 1 Atkins does.

Low calorie is emphatically not 'better for you'. There is a ton of research that tells us that low carb is both more effective for weight loss and - if done properly and sensibly - has many, many added health benefits. It's an extremely healthful way of eating, not 'extreme' at all. Low calorie/low fat might work for some but more often than not leaves people feeling tired, hungry and crave-y, leading to bingeing.

It does have to be a lifestyle change though. As a pp said, go back to eating the kind of carbs, in the amounts you previously did, and it'll all go straight back on again. There's no such thing as a miracle cure for flab

[namechange74]

hi tea i think i will - i am clueless!

[onetiredmummy]

Thanks tea I've been lurking & lottie I've been lurking on yours as well :)

Well done with the stopping smoking NC74, I stopped 2 years ago & its the resultant weight I now need to shift