Does the ATKINS diet actually work, and do you get lots of headaches?

[HeinzSight]

I've managed to lose a stone so far being sensible and cutting down massively.

I'm thinking of trying something different over the next few weeks to give my diet another kick start as I'm getting bored and I'm worried my weight loss is slowing.

SO, does it work?
How much can you eat?
What can you eat?

IMPORTANT(!), do you still have energy to run around after four children?????

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Yes it does work. There is lots on the net about low carb diets and the science behind why they work. You can basically eat meat, fish, eggs, some cheese and salads. It's avoiding carbs and it is quite easy to eat family meals and substitue the potato, rice, pasta, bread with veg such as aubergines, salads, jerusalem artichokes, marrows, cabbage. Avoid juices and sauces such a tomato ketchup, if you read the labels they are loaded with carbs. Oils are ok as is mayo. So avoid sugar and root vegetables. Tomatoes have quite a bit of sugar in them so use in moderation. If you stick to no more than 20 g of carbs a day you should loose weight. Cut down on alcohol, although wine & spirits are low in carb they are calorific. I am not recommending this diet you understand but it does suit me and personally I feel a lot better for it. I find it filling and I don't feel as hungry as I used to. In the beginning it's a novelty to eat lots of things like bacon and egg, which conventional diets frown on, and I was still losing, but I was soon just eating a normal portion.

And mushrooms are a really good substitute for the carb element in a meal.

Thanks Chatelaine

I've also read that when you go back to eating carbs the weight can pile back on at a terrifying rate.

I've got one more stone and a bit to lose, is this the diet for me?

Is it not true that you lose water on this diet, and this gives a false reading on teh scales?

Sorry to sound negative, I'm not, really, I'm just trying to find answers to the negativety written all over the net!

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I have been trying to find a diet that works for me. I just needed to find something that I wouldn't quit within a week.

I started Atkins a few weeks ago, thinking that I would just give it a go, and see how I went.

It is going remarkably well, and am losing weight quite quickly.

I definitely like eating as much as I want to, I hate being hungry.

I had headaches on day 3, but could possible be because I hadn't had enough water.

Honestly, I am enjoying the food alot, and best of all, I am not hungry.

Ketosis (which is what happens to your body when it gets rid of it's stored carbs, and starts using fat for energy) makes me feel energetic and not hungry.

I am a bit of a pig with food, and it takes alot to fill me up. Part of my problem was always looking for something to snack on, and I truly have not snacked or desperately wanted to nibble whilst being on Atkins.

If you do a bit of research into menu ideas, you will find loads of nice things to make. Some of the things I have made recently have been absolutely delicious.

There does come a point when you stop craving carbs and sugar, which feels good. (never thought I would say that).

I can't imagine I will do low carb forever, but it certainly has taught me alot about how much carbs/sugar I was having, and I certainly will stick to the principles of low carb once I have lost all the weight. For now I am being really strict, which is because I want the weight off.

I do however, have tea with milk, even though this is not really allowed. I knew I would not cope without my tea in the morning and afternoon. It has not affected my ketosis.

Give it a go for a week and see how you get on.

Good luck.

Thank you so much Mummalish

One of my concerns is what happens when you revert back (ish) to eating carbs, do you pile the weight back on that you've lost?

I am sure to a certain degree you may put on some weight, but weight will always fluctuate.

I don't think you will put on all the weight you lost, but what I have been saying to myself is, "Just get the weight off, and even though I will revert back to eating carbs again, I will be ALOT more sensible about it and not let my weight get out of control".

So once I get the weight off, I will follow a 80/20% approach to dieting and be sensible for most of the week and allow myself treats too, because thats just the way life is, I can't imagine not pigging out sometimes.

I will make very sure excercise becomes a big part of my life too, and so hopefully it will create a balance.

The only way you will put all the weight back on is if you ate the way you did to put the weight on in the first place.

Something does need to change, although that does not mean depriving yourself. Maybe by going on a diet, the way of eating will become a habit.

If you allow yourself treats, it may be more beneficial to your weight in the long run.

Some people do well on Atkins and some don't, like every diet , my DH lost about 3 stone on it I couldn't manage at all (i'm a demi vegan so I don't spose it's surprising!) IMO it's about yr blood type; O types should eat meat and A types are better as veggies.

IME Paul Mckenna is best 'cos he re educates yr atitude to food and it's very effective. (also you can eat what you want!!)

Thanks again Mummalish [hsmile]

I've 'just' got a stone to lose, is this the right diet in your opinion?

ppeatfruit, that's really interesting about blood types, I've not heard of that before.

Damn, I'm A-!!! Why am I SUCH a carnivore?!!!! [hwink]

I'm doing low carb now. Bought INdia knights book and loosely following it. I've only been on it 5 days and it's taken till today for my headache to disappear. another book I'd like to read is the diet delusion. seems low fat is causing obesity. I feel stuffed most of the time. couldnt get on with ww - always felt on a diet. as far as maintenance goes I hear a lot of people do carbs at thw weekedn and low carb during the week.

Mummalish what sort of menu ideas have you been using?

I need to be able make pack lunches and other than salad(not very appetising in this chilly weather) what options are there?

I have about 1 1/2 stone to lose and know this is probably the quickest diet to use

I have been searching the net for things that I like to eat.

You can do a really nice crustless quiche with bacon and peppers and eggs, cream or asparagus, cheese. Anything really.

I make a great cottage pie, with cauliflower mash, which sounds disgusting, but it is actually really delicious.

I eat sausages, "mash" and vegges.

Have huge, gloriously filling salads with chicken, mayyonnaise, egg etc.

The other night I had chicken fajitas, just without the tortilla. CHicken, spices, guacomole, sour creamm cheese. yum.

Coq au vin without potatoes or rice.

Seriously, it has become so easy, and truly, once ketosis kicks in, you really dont feel hungry (for the first time in my life!!!!!)

I make nice burgers, that I have with tomato slices and cheese.

Chicken stuffed with basil and Philly, wrapped in bacon.

Spinach, feta and olive omelette.

Mummalish you're brilliant!

So mayo, Heinz ok?

Corn beef OK?

What about tinned tomatoes?

I'm a bit confused about the carb thing. I've been reading the labels on food and tomatoes contain a fair bit of carbs. Is there a daily carb limit to start with?

Have a look at www.atkins.com

Loads of info there, just have a read.

I have the book, although have not read most of it.

For the first 2 weeks I am doing "induction" which is really strict.

You can only have 20g of carbs a day.

Most meat has no carbs, cheese has a small amount, there is a veggie list with low carbs etc.

I am not super strict, in that I have tea and coffee with milk. I use sweeteners though.

Yesterday I made meringues with egg whites and splenda, and had it with double cream. NO CARBS!! Was yum.

I have Hellmans mayo I think. I mix chopped roast chicken with mayo, avocado and bacon in a salad or in an omelette.

There is sooooooooo much to choose from food wise, there are loads of sites with recipes.

I am sure you will find it easy.

Thanks Mummalish. Do you mind if I tell you what I've eaten today?

Breakfast: 3 egg omelette (way too big!) with mushrooms and cheese

Lunch: 3rd of a tin of corned beef with salad leaves, celery and sliced radishes

Dinner: chicken wings, chicken leg with onions, tarragon, dijon mustard and cream, served with broccoli and mashed cauliflower.

Does that sound like an acceptable food list?

PS meringues with cream = genius!!!!!!!!!!!!!

im a serious low carber, i have a blog if it helps at carbfree.wordpress.com

There are also loads of lovely recipes on the India knight diet forum - everything from warming soups to low carb puds and snacks. Well worth a look.

Sounds good HeinzSight.

Custardo, brilliant- I'll have a look for sure. Rainbow, I'll also look at the India Knight website too [hsmile]

Thanks again Mummalish

Well, it's day 2 and I've been swimming with the kids after my fried eggs and bacon(!). Took them to McDonalds as a treat and didn't have a SINGLE CHIP!!!! [hgrin]

congrats.

Just a little tip for the cauliflower mash, I steam till soft, mash and add butter, sour cream, cheese and snipped chives.

Tis delicious.