Exercise and Fitness
Related: About this forumAtkins diet
So, the last year of Covid has caused me to gain a ton of weight. I'm doing the Atkins diet again. I know about the weaknesses of it, but it' the surest way I know to take off a lot of weight quickly. Using it before, I lost over 50 pounds in less than 3 months and was able to keep most of the weight off for several years after. I was much much healthier.
I'd like to find a better diet, but nothing else works for me. Atkins is the only thing that I ever lost real weight with. I'm6 days into it this time, down over 6 pounds, mostly water weight, but my cells are going through changes where I will start burning fat for all of my energy. When I am on the diet, I can lose 1 pound a day. I realize it's not the healthiest diet nutrition wise, but being a healthy weight has more benefits than the drawbacks to a high fat diet.
Anyone else have experience long term with this? What happens if you get to you ideal weight and then switch to a diet with fruits included? I think I will permanently be done with grains and bread.
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underpants
(187,391 posts)Here for the responses
Ocelot II
(121,513 posts)You won't be able to keep up that rate of weight loss, and it isn't really healthy anyhow - a good rate is about a pound a week. By cutting out carbs as much as possible and sticking to meat, fish, eggs and other high-protein foods, as well as green vegetables, I've lost 57 lbs. since January of 2020. You can gradually work in some carbs, just stay away from starchy stuff like bread, pasta, potatoes and sweets as much as possible - the so-called simple carbohydrates. Fruits, nuts, beans, brown rice and whole grains are OK in small amounts. You do need dietary fiber.
Johnny2X2X
(21,885 posts)That's about what I was thinking of adding back in when I approach my target weight. The thing is, I'll stay in the induction phase of the diet for a full 2 months, the weight comes off quickly. What was so great before is seeing results daily. I'm a little older now though, so I expect things to be a little slower, but I've got a target of 40 lbs in the first 60 days, totally doable IMO.
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hlthe2b
(106,808 posts)South Beach and Sugar Busters were more focused on keeping NET Carbs at 70 grams or less and ensuring each meal is low or moderate in glycemic index. That works for me and lets me stay away from so much saturated fat, though I do ensure I get adequate protein.
But keeping it at less than or equal to 70 NET Carbs (total minus fiber, basically) has worked for me without feeling too deprived.
But, especially for adult women, without daily exercise of some kind, your metabolism will likely slow down which will likewise slow down weight loss. So, 3-4 miles a day of even moderate walking makes the difference for both me and my dog.
Johnny2X2X
(21,885 posts)Atkins to get to a target weight and something like this to stay there. The thing is a little bit of screwing up can make a massive difference, pizza or ice cream and your body immediately stops burning fat for energy.
leftieNanner
(15,746 posts)Never done Atkins. Is it essentially zero carb? Bacon and cheese?
Good luck.
samnsara
(18,300 posts)Dream Girl
(5,111 posts)Johnny2X2X
(21,885 posts)The induction phase is 20 carbs a day. I will have an egg or two for breakfast, a big leafy green salad for lunch with onions, black olives, several kinds of greens, cheese, egg, and bacon bits. I found a balsamic vinagrette with 0 carbs and sugars. Dinner will be a grilled chicken breast, pork chop, or steak with maybe some grilled onions. Snacks include small serving of cottage cheese, cheese sticks, or some Atkins friendly cookie bites (4 carbs per serving and 0 net sugar). There are several other options and you can keep things under 20 grams of carbs easy.
leftieNanner
(15,746 posts)I'm glad to hear you can eat salad. I could live on salad 3 meals a day!
Plus, I'm not a big fruit eater.
Wine, on the other hand................... sigh.
Johnny2X2X
(21,885 posts)The sugar in wine is not part of the diet at all.
Once you get to a certain phase though, you can drink a few Miller Lites here or there at 3.2 carbs per bottle. Mich Ultra is 2.6 carbs per beer. Some hard alcohols are low carb and sugar. Wine is pretty much off limits, even older wine that has had the sugars fermented out still metabolizes in your body as sugar.
leftieNanner
(15,746 posts)Thank you.
samnsara
(18,300 posts)..for breakfast and too many glasses of wine. Im going to start in earnest again. Costco has many keto options. Franz has 3 keto bread options ( hotdog buns!!! 2g with a 1g sausage, shredded cheese and some chopped onion). My cheats are fruits and veggies and i MUST cut out any alcohol for a bit.
Good luck!
ProudMNDemocrat
(19,175 posts)Due to digestive and Food allergy issues I developed 3 years ago, I must refrain from all Wheat, Soy, Sugars, Beans, White Potators, and Dairy. I stick with Lean protein, healthy fats like Avocados and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I use butter sparingly. I love vegetables of most kinds, especially Yams. Low Glycemic fruits too.
Where Weight Watchers comes in, the tools for losing weight steadily and keeping it off are helpful for me. I work in what I can within my point range. I am denied nothing. I am the one in control. I drink wine, eat desserts on rate occasions, enjoy foods.
8 years ago I went back to WW to re-earn my Lifetime member benefits. I walk 25 mes a week., go to the gym 4 times a week. At 69, I am in the best shape of my life and 60 pounds down from when I returned. That includes 6 long road trips, 2 international trips of more than a month, and COVID lockdowns. I look at WW with a Keto twist as a lifestyle change, not a diet in which to lose weight for a wedding, high school reunion, etc , then gain it back and then some. My size 10 jeans are getting loose on me. I did not gain anything at all in 2020, and down 7 pounds from January of this year. I weigh in once a month at WW, but attend at least 2 meetings a month to stay inspired.
Johnny2X2X
(21,885 posts)And at 69 years of age you're an inspiration.
For me, and I think a lot of people, weight becomes the barrier to exercise. Exercise makes me miserable when I am big and it's too hard. Atkins is a way to cheat to get to a weight that makes exercise better and more easy.
I know I am going to use Atkins to get to my ideal weight, looking for options just like yours for staying at my healthy weight without living like a monk.
ProudMNDemocrat
(19,175 posts)I still walked. A few miles a day to add movement to my life. My first month back at WW, I was sown 10 1/2 pounds. Then 5 to 7 a month after that. It took me 13 months to lose 55 pounds, with almost 5 months at a standstil. I persisted. July 2014, I was under my goal by 4 pounds. My goal is 155.
Today, I range from 147 to 150. All during the COVID lockdowns and businesses closed, I got out and walked. When things started to open up, I got vaccinated and still masked. I keep a daily track of meals and activity. I add more points in lean protein and healthy fats to keep me fuller longer. My goal now is not to go below 145. The way I live now works for me. I see how other people eat when I dine out snd shudder at the thought as that is how I ate and was downright miserable.
Another thing that keeps me motivated is I sew Custom Period Clothing pieces down to the Undergarments. I attend Renaissance Festivals, Sci-fi conventions, and other events in full costume. I am sern in my work and that draws new clients interested in what I do.
Bayard
(24,145 posts)Lost 20 lbs fairly quickly, but now kind of plateaued. I'd like to lose another 10-15 lbs.
I have continued to eat fruits. Right now, I'm in summer mode watermelon-o-holic. Big plate of it for lunch, and have my own patch growing. I stay away from bananas, but have a lot of berries in the way of fruit smoothies for lunch (made with stevia.
I was totally addicted to sugar, and that's been the hardest to kick. Like you, I don't see going back to a lot of carbs. This diet has really helped my hypoglycemic tendencies. My concern will be when the holidays and winter stick to your ribs mode kick in.
I do get a lot of exercise just doing farm chores, but I need to get back on the exercise bike and treadmill, start doing crunches again to finish getting extra flab off my middle.
ProudMNDemocrat
(19,175 posts)My sugar cravings diminished as well. Sugar is as addictive as Opiates. A 12 oz. can of Regular Coke contains 1/3 cup of sugar. Anything sweet turns my stomach.
Scrivener7
(53,216 posts)back the weight plus 20 pounds and never got it off again.
I'm walking 25 miles a week (lost not an ounce from it, though!) and am doing weight watchers. Just started a week ago. Down a pound.
ProudMNDemocrat
(19,175 posts)Good for you. WW is a lifestyle change and not a diet. Attend your weekly workshops, keep walking, TRACK everything. The App is a great tool with loads of other stuff. PERSIST. If after 8 years of having come back, keep the Weight off and lose more, you can too.
Enjoy life as you regain CONTROL. You got this.
Scrivener7
(53,216 posts)
The Blue Flower
(5,647 posts)I can do a pass on carbs and sweets now, where I couldn't before. I did it in 2008, and that result has stayed with me.
Johnny2X2X
(21,885 posts)Without eating carbs, my cravings to eat when I wasn't really hungry went away.
miss-nasty
(269 posts)I lost over 300# on it and have kept it off now for 17 years by watching my carbs. I sort of used a the 12 step program, as carbohydrates are my cocaine.
ShazamIam
(2,726 posts)think I have gained a pound or two.
tulipsandroses
(6,242 posts)I’ve done Atkins or some version of low carb eating or the last 10 yrs. I did Atkins several times before then and treated it as a diet and then went back to old ways. Of course the weight came back. I find Low carb eating very sustainable. Before the pandemic, my weight was stable for many years due to eating lowcarb. This last year has been hard and I did return to negative coping/emotional eating. Along with not working out for a yr, gained a lot of weight. Trying to get myself back on track now. I actually enjoy eating like this more than low fat eating. More satisfying, I eat less.
Johnny2X2X
(21,885 posts)I've been on it and very strict about it. I don't think I've exceeded 20 carbs but maybe 1 day. I feel great!
The health benefits I've noticed are:
1. Carrying less weight obviously means clothes fit better.
2. You know when you go without eating and you feel like your blood sugar needs you to eat? Well, after a couple weeks on Atkins, that is gone, you can go without eating between meals no problem.
3. No more heartburn. While I didn't have severe heartburn, I would take a Tums every night before bed, no need for that anymore.
4. Sleep better, without any sugar, my body sleeps more soundly.
5. Aches and pains seem less.
6. Mind seems clearer, memory improved. Seems like I'm sharper.
7. As I've started to feel better, exercise has become easier.
Now I know a lot of these benefits could just be the 100% reduction in sugar intake, but that's part of the diet.
I take a multivitamin, I eat lots of salad, eggs, and meat. So far so good.
One piece of advice, the Atkins Friendly meals list "Net Carbs", don't go by them when you're trying to lose weight, go by the carbohydrates listed on the nutritional grid on the side of the package. It might say 4 Net Carbs in big letters on the front, but 20 carbs on the side. I believe these meals are for when you get to a good weight and want to maintain, but they'll cause you to stop losing weight if you eat them during your weight loss phase.
Johnny2X2X
(21,885 posts)Things are going well, had my yearly checkup with lab results. Perfect blood pressure, my cholesterol is pushing it a little, but I didn't know to fast before giving a blood sample so that could be skewed. Everything else looked perfect.
The weight is great, but like the Atkins books say, you'll notice other things more than the weight. I am noticing the inches more, it's just 20 pounds, but I've moved 2 notches on my belt. Clothes are getting way looser and I'm just getting going with this diet.
PennyC
(2,314 posts)Heinz makes sugar-free ketchup.
Aldi has zero carb bread and recently added low-carb burger buns. i toast the bread to make l.c. bread crumbs, for meatballs and coating for fried fish.
There is amazing delicious Rebel low-carb ice cream.
Spiralized zucchini.
Just not your 1970s Atkins limitations!
Johnny2X2X
(21,885 posts)Sugar free and 1 carb. It’s a game changer for me.
Johnny2X2X
(21,885 posts)So still going strong, down almost 30 lbs.
Yesterday I met some work buddies for lunch at a Thai restaurant. I had some soup I know is low in carbs and a salad. But I knew I was going to get a lot of sugar in the salad dressing and soup and figured I’d splurge for once. I noticed that night I had hunger cravings like I haven’t had in a couple months. I think the sugar triggers that hunger. I had had plenty of food, ate dinner, and my body was being tricked by the sugar into thinking it needed more food.
I’ve posted before, I think the whole country basically is addicted to sugar and has no idea. It really changes your appetite in ways you can’t appreciate until you’re off from it.
Johnny2X2X
(21,885 posts)This thread is kind of a journal now.
Anyways, down over 30 pounds and feel great. I have more energy and less aches and pains. I have a desk job where I'm sitting in a chair 8 hours a day, that caused back pain, with less weight there is less pain.
Clothes are getting baggy.
Again, back to the sugar thing, my appetite is way more controlled, and because my blood sugar isn't fluctuating with every meal like before, I feel I can skip meals easily if I want to. I'm just not as hungry, smaller portions satisfy my hunger.
I've starting to exercise a little more now that I'm feeling more energetic and don't have that 30 pounds to haul around. I'm sticking with this until I am at my ideal weight, then I'll try to fiddle with the diet to stay within 10-15 pounds of that weight.
Lars39
(26,263 posts)I really appreciate this thread with all of its hints and tips. Especially products. If you have any more insights or recommendations, I'd really appreciate it. 
I'm on a low carb, low fat, low or no sugar plan for the rest of my life it appears. 
Johnny2X2X
(21,885 posts)I am officially no longer in the obese category for BMI.
I am considered overweight still, and my frame is never going to be "normal" weight, I have too big of legs for that. But I can get to a very healthy weight.
dandrews
(16 posts)My only concern with Atkins is the longevity. I'm not sure this is the diet I want for the rest of my life. But, I hear ya. Its frustrating trying to lose weight.
Johnny2X2X
(21,885 posts)I did Atkins about 17 years ago too, lost 60 pounds, and kept it off for a couple years despite going off the diet. The problem is, people get to a good weight and then just abandon the diet altogether. You will gain weight quickly if you start eating pizza, ice cream, and cookies. What I did before was transition into a South Beach diet with more fruits and some grains, that kept the weight off, where I gained was when I abandoned the diet altogether and starting eating pizza and pasta.
But it is a challenge, and I'm not sure how it will work out, but my plan is to get to a good weight and then start eating more variety, but stay with the elimination of sugar, pasta, and pizza. It does get boring, but the health benefits are too dramatic to ignore.
I'm now down 45 pounds. Had to buy new belts last night as my old ones no longer would tighten enough to hold my pants up. Bought some new jeans too.
dandycasit
(2 posts)I started Atkins 2 days ago. I have not lost weight; how many days to work? Also, today I ate 12 carbs, 11 net carbs. I am confused about how fatsecret measures carbs. Am I doing it right?
Johnny2X2X
(21,885 posts)Not sure what fatsecret is, can you elaborate.
And the whole net carbs idea to me I stay away from, those Atkins meals with net carbs are not for the weight loss phase of the diet in my opinion, they can be added once you get to your target weight to maintain. If I do incorporate "net carbs" I go with what's on the side, not the front of the box, it might say 8 net carbs on the front, but the side (the real content) says 36 carbs. During the induction phase of the diet, I stay away from frozen Atkins friendly meals altogether.
Salad with zero sugar dressing, all the meat and cheese you can eat, non starchy veggies, no sugar at all, take a multi vitamin. Simple as that. You will lose some water weight the first 10 days.
And the psychology of this diet is important to its success, so help yourself out some in this regard, my initial weigh in was at night, you weigh a couple more pounds at night, then after the first weigh in, it's an every morning thing, after my morning bowel movement. Gives you the psychological benefit of seeing a lower number right off the bat.
I'm down 53 pounds now since Mid Summer. Feel great, sleep better, zero heartburn anymore, my skin is better, my digestion and waste system works much better, and I have more energy and ability to concentrate. The only downside for me is I've had to buy a new wardrobe.