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2003/08/28, 07:08 PM
Hi all. I have a friend who is currently on the Atkins Diet. In two weeks he lost 12lb. This is without exercising. Has any of you tried this. I'm terribly worried that if I try this while working out 5 days a week, I will lose muscle along with the fat. Any suggestions would be appreciated
thanks
Lakey.
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2003/08/29, 02:18 AM
I have done some research on the Atkins diet and have concluded (from past experience and knowledge) that you will probably lose some muscle along with the fat. What I have done is actually gone on a similar diet, but did not begin to workout "agressively" until after I've lost my target weight.
This made a huge difference in strength, stamina, etc. The Atkins diet does not provide enough carbs to fuel "hardcore" weight training sessions.
That's just my opinion...of course. Good luck...
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**_Robert_**
Pain is temporary; glory is forever!
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2003/08/29, 09:25 AM
I have done some research also on the subject of Atkins, and breifly tried atkins. After a day of being on atkins, i became extreamly tired, exhausted, supposidly this was a symptom of "carb withdrawl" because if you eat a diet with carbohydrates, you are a "carb addict" supposidly the fatigue only lasts around a week. I couldn't take it for more than a day. I was way to tired. i ate anything loaded with carbs banana's fruits and veggies, and within like an hr i was up and running again. I looked on some sites. Your brain needs glucose to function it is the primary fuel for your brain. After your body burns up all your carbs it goes into keyosis burning mostly fat for energy (hence the fat loss) But this can be hazardous resulting in vitamin deficiencies, dehydration, gastrointestinal problems, and kidney, heart and gallbladder disease.
Try to stick with good carbs here is a list of them....
"GOOD CARBS": Fruits, vegetables, bean and other legumes, and whole grains that are rich in fiber and nutrients and more slowly absorbed.
Foods to Look For: fruits and fibrous vegetables (the crunchy ones!) such as apples, melons, berries, greens, peppers, lettuce, carrots, cauliflower, beets, broccoli, asparagus, green beans, spinach; whole grain products such as whole wheat or oat bread, cereals, and pasta; brown and wild rice, oats; grains such barley, quinoa, millet.
"BAD CARBS": Sugary foods and starches like many pastas, white bread, and potatoes that are quickly absorbed in our digestive system and quickly raise our blood sugar levels.
Foods to Limit: sugared drinks such as soda, fruit juice; sugar, honey, molasses, syrups; refined white flour products like white bread, pretzels, pizza, bagels, white pasta, most cereals; starchy vegetables like potatoes and corn; white rice.
And here is the big pay-off from a good fat/good carb diet. Not only is it more likely to be healthy. It may also make it easier to control our weight. That's because sugars and starches get quickly absorbed into our blood stream and lead to sudden spikes in insulin levels — which leads to low blood sugars and increased hunger, which make us eat more
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2003/08/29, 09:34 AM
The Atkins diet is good for weight loss, but that is where it ends pretty much. Not a good bodybuilding diet, you will lose muscle. If you are interested in this type of diet(ketogenic), then you may consider a TKD diet. This is much better for bodybuilding than the atkins. Though not as healthy as a balanced diet, it does work well, and you will lose fat and little muscle, if any.
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Great people never want it easier, they just want to be better!
Ron
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2003/08/29, 11:56 AM
I did a variation of the atkins over a period of only 3-4 weeks. I basically cut out a lot of the bad carbs that I'd been eating way too much of: pasta, rice, bread etc.
I filled up on protein and lean meats and plenty of veggies. I found that I was more full after meals and didn't snack nearly as much. When I did I just grabbed a handful of healthy nuts and was quite satisfied.
I don't know what weight I lost but I certainly looked and felt a lot slimmer. Saw the difference in clothes as well and this was noticed by other people, not just me.
However, would not do this as a long term diet. Just a quick fix, kick up the butt for me. Didn't have any side effects either, no lethargy etc.
There's plenty of information on good nutrition available on site and through the message boards. Just see what works for you.
All the best.
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2003/08/29, 04:42 PM
Thank you all very much.Your post were very informative. I think I will also do a variation and not cut out the carbs completely. "good carbs"! There is so much this gal needs to learn. Thanks again.
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2003/08/29, 05:10 PM
i'm not sold on the atkins diet at all. as far as my understanding goes...a meat based diet it horrible for the body as well as the brain. the brain need carbohydrates...gives new meaning to the phrase 'meat-head' aye!
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2003/09/01, 10:25 AM
Actually, if your body is lacking carbs to fuel the brain, it switches to ketones. I think 75% of the energy needed by the brain will come from ketones when your body is in ketosis. And since being on Atkins doens't mean no carb, the other 25% comes from the carbs that are eaten.
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2003/09/03, 12:15 AM
1. Due to the intense emphasis on proteins, atkins is a fair plan for weight loss without significant muscle loss.
2. The initial huge losses in the first two weeks are just a trick, it's water loss.
Water loss?
Sugars(or sugars made from carbs) are transported thru the body as glycogen and it's made up of mostly water. As long as your body is getting a fair amount of it's nutrition from sugars, and simple carbs it's carrying water to be used, or in the process of being used to transport sugars.
Atkins and the South Beach Diet shift your body into ketosis. Meaning you're burning fats or proteins, and they take significantly less water to move in your system. So your body starts to shed water it doesn't need. This results in dramatic weight loss, and a real slimming effect.
But in NO WAY are you losing 10+ pounds of fat in two weeks without a scapel being involved.
3500 calories = 1 pound of fat. That means everytime you burn 3500 calories more than you take in, you lose a pound.
A HIGH rate of fat loss is 1-2 pounds a week. Anything more and you enter a dangerous and anti-productive behaviour.
You(or your friend) didn't become overweight in a week, or a month. You're not going to to loss the weight in a week or a month.
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2003/09/03, 12:22 AM
1. Due to the intense emphasis on proteins, atkins is a fair plan for weight loss without significant muscle loss.
2. The initial huge losses in the first two weeks are just a trick, it's water loss.
Water loss?
Sugars(or sugars made from carbs) are transported thru the body as glycogen and it's made up of mostly water. As long as your body is getting a fair amount of it's nutrition from sugars, and simple carbs it's carrying water to be used, or in the process of being used to transport sugars.
Atkins and the South Beach Diet shift your body into ketosis. Meaning you're burning fats or proteins, and they take significantly less water to move in your system. So your body starts to shed water it doesn't need. This results in dramatic weight loss, and a real slimming effect.
But in NO WAY are you losing 10+ pounds of fat in two weeks without a scapel being involved.
3500 calories = 1 pound of fat. That means everytime you burn 3500 calories more than you take in, you lose a pound.
A HIGH rate of fat loss is 1-2 pounds a week. Anything more and you enter a dangerous and anti-productive behaviour.
You(or your friend) didn't become overweight in a week, or a month. You're not going to to loss the weight in a week or a month.
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2003/09/03, 02:11 AM
"DIETS" do not work. If you don't make a positive lifestyle thats right lifestyle change you will fail horribly good luck. Atkins is crap crap crap. Good luck
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2003/09/03, 10:59 AM
Once again I was not going to comment.
I have been following the Atkins for 6 months and have to date lost 45 pounds. This is an average of 2 pounds a week.
The eating plan DOES NOT exclude carbs, it does however motivate a much lower carb intake. In addition it spells out a healthy eating regime once you have achieved the weight loss goals you desire.
For those that comment and call it crap, perhaps you should take the time to read the book and aquaint yourself with it first.
I will also add for those that are concerned about nmuscle loss, lack of energy, stamina etc, that I workout 4 times a week following the programmes from this site. I run 5 miles in 45 minutes, plus do my regular weight training. I am pushing 150 pounds bench press...as a yard stick, with relative ease. So I don't see any of those symptoms you guys have referred to creeping in. By the way I am approaching forty years and have led a somewhat sedntary lifestyle for the past 10 -15 years, so I ma delighted with my progress on all fronts.
Right now Atkins is recieving a deluge of media, however the program has been around for nearly thirty years...I don't think that makes it a fad.
Go for it...drink water and lots of it and excersize hard.
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2003/09/07, 01:40 PM
I did the atkins diet last year and lost over 110 lbs. Your body does adjust to the tired feeling you feel the first week or so. I work out 6 days a week and my energy levels were great. After I dropped to my target weight I switched to a better balanced diet and have not gained any of the weight back.
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2003/09/08, 05:50 AM
In reality, most diets "work" because they all employ some type of calorie reduction plan. The "problem" w/ any diet, whether it be Atkins, Zone, Low Fat, etc., is that for some, they see it as just a temporary means to lose weight and not as a way of life. The only diet that is going to work, is the one you can stick to, even after you've lost the weight.
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2003/09/08, 01:35 PM
Your statement here is wrong. Atkins doesn't work like that. A good friend of mine lost 55 pounds on Atkins over 4 months, and he gorged himself on food all day long. He'd get off work, go to publix, buy a rotiserie chicken, go home and eat the whole damned thing, sitting on the couch for hours.
Atkins WORKS. IT IS NOT A DIET TO USE WHILE TRYING TO EXERCISE. It is a great tool to help try and get your weight down, though. I tried it for *1* day, and felt so drained I couldn't continue. I'm much happier with my well balanced diet, consisting of good carbs, fats, and proteins.
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Quoting from lordxena:
In reality, most diets "work" because they all employ some type of calorie reduction plan. The "problem" w/ any diet, whether it be Atkins, Zone, Low Fat, etc., is that for some, they see it as just a temporary means to lose weight and not as a way of life. The only diet that is going to work, is the one you can stick to, even after you've lost the weight.
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2003/09/08, 09:25 PM
Alright nerraw for your information I have done extensive research on the Atkins plan and I know that it does not eliminate crabs completely however what you fail to realize is the initial reason this "diet" was developed. Do you have any idea? probably not. I have actually tried this "diet" many many years before it actually became another stupid craze and quick fix. The bottom line is that when you deprive your body of carbs and you are depriving your body of carbs it does not function properly period...If you ask any health care professional worththeir weight in medicine they will tell you not to use this "diet" Why doesn't everyone just stop being so goddamn lazy take their asses to the gym and put in the work to gain and maintain a healthy lifestlye and diet. There is no quick fix or easy way to lose weight and before you come back at me with I don't know what its like to be overweight do not go there at one time I was well over 100lbs overweight so I do know what its like. Put in the work and reap the rewards take the easy way out and fail. Good Luck
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2003/09/08, 09:56 PM
Where do i get this Atkins diet? is it free?
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2003/09/08, 11:54 PM
Once and for all unless you make a conscious lifestyle change and prescribe to a regular exercise regimen all your efforts with "diets" are futile. So you just keep using the Atkins method and when you fall over from a lack of nutrients from the depletion of carbs in your body I will laugh. Good luck slacker!!!///!!!LOL (Oh yeah this diet was originally meant for obese people who needed extensive surgery and their lives were endangered and who couldn't I repeat couldn't exercise)The greatest threat to human existance is laziness!!!! I hate lazy people who complain. Excuses are like ass***es everybody has one and they all stink. Sorry for the aggression ignorance pisses me off. Good Luck
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2003/09/09, 09:27 AM
Not everything works for everybody. I was on Atkins for 2 years w/ great results. I had a mental clarity and I didn't have any lack of energy for anything. Quite opposite. I felt like I could leap tall buildings in a single bound. Now that I actually workout regularly, (cardio 5x and weights 4x) I still find that the diet works for me. I also know that is hasn't worked for other people. Not all diets are for everybody. Insulin affects people in different ways. If it didn't, diabetes, etc wouldn't be an issue.
ashunboy, try this link: http://atkins.com/howto/index.html
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2003/09/09, 09:37 AM
Geezz bowers take it easy these people are just like all of us tring to find something that works. I know many on atkins and it does work. I would suggest that you ask your doctor and be very careful before trying atkins or any new nutrition plan.
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Eat More, Drink More, and Lift Harder than you thought you could, welcome to Becoming!
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2003/09/09, 09:41 AM
I feel the need to say more (Big change there LOL). I dunno why but everytime someone asks about dite plans like this it brings rather violent attacks. I am not either for or against Atkins. I am against memebers asking for info and getting attacked, bowers I am NOT attacking you, there have been many such posts here before. People, what works for you may not work for me and vice versa, so lets all try to get along ok?
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Eat More, Drink More, and Lift Harder than you thought you could, welcome to Becoming!
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2003/09/09, 12:14 PM
Bowers you have boiled my blood.
So come on now do tell?
"what you fail to realize is the initial reason this "diet" was developed. Do you have any idea?"
I sem to recall somewher along the line that it was to assist larger folk become slimmer folk?
I will be going for an annual check up in two weeks time blood etc. I will be sure to post the outcome for you to read. I have a feeling that I am going to get a more than clean bill of health as I haven't felt better in years.
As for the insinuation that those of us that do diets such as the Atkins are lazy etc. Go for a run, burn of some energy and come back to the board with a refreshed attitude. I take exception to your comments, particularly as I have worked exceptionally hard to achieve my form and loss of weight. Down close to fifty pounds, plus work out four times a week at 05h00 for close on 90 minutes, I do consider that "hardly" lazy.
I also will add that, those who adopt the Atkins are conciously making a lifestyle change starting with dietry habits. The pplan encourages excersize. Not only that but it also encourages the consumption of vital carbs and other nutrients...go read the book again you missed a few chapters!
Ashunboy: I haven't paid to use the diet as the book is available in the library. In addition they have a very helpful website. www.atkins.com
I have no intention of challenging anyone on thier mass or motive for adopting a diet. What I will say to those that acknowledge that they need to, and want to, lose weight and are considering the Atkins is: Give it a bash, stick with it and keep hydrated.
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2003/09/09, 12:24 PM
How about a truce here? One folks ideology may not agree with another's. All diets have some merit, and are great for those that adopt them. You can go to the Zone diet board and find people there who swear that this is the doall endall of diets. Then you can go to the Atkins board and find the people just as adamant about it. So, whatever you choose, whatever works for you, you should use. I say to all of you, be healthy, happy , and do what works best for you. This is a discussion board, lets please try to keep it that way. We are not arguing politics or religion here, merely health. Peace!!!
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Great people never want it easier, they just want to be better!
Ron
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2003/09/10, 12:11 AM
Its on now. The only people I am attacking are the lazy ones who are always looking for the "quick fix" or the "easy way to lose weight" First of all weight loss is not easy nor will it ever be. yes to me the people who use this "diet" and do not exercise and expect to lose weight are lazy lazy lazy. Mutt I agree that different things work for different people. As for you nerraw I sincerely wish you all the best with your appt. Good luck with Atkins and lets see where it gets you in say ten years. (nowhere)
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2003/09/10, 09:22 AM
Well you are entitles to your opinions, but this site is meant for helping people, I highly doubt that the peopel post here are lazy and well I think you need to calm it down a bit....
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Eat More, Drink More, and Lift Harder than you thought you could, welcome to Becoming!
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2003/09/10, 11:08 AM
Atkins is a godd 'starting point' for many people. I have had a lot of clients who come to me after losing some weight on Atkins, wanting to firm up. We gradually add in more clean carbs, which, if you read the book, Atkins advocates.
His plan is sound, if you follow the phases. The problem is that many people only are familiar with the 'induction' phase, which is designed to change your insulin receptors so yiou are less insulin resistant. Atkins was a cardiologist - hard to say he doesn't know his stuff. His plan does advocate nutrient support and seeks to find a carb level for maintainig your weight once you reahc it. he does not claim that you will instantly and effortlessly lose weight, he does adovcate picking firbrous carbs over empty refined carbs.
The only problem I find with Atkins is the high saturated fat intake that tends to occur during the induction phase, however, there have been many studies done recently showing that his diet does not cause higher LDL levels, as opponents had projected it would.
Atkins works for many people, and is a big lifestyle change. I don't think you can compare it to the 'hollywood' diet, where you will lose 10 lbs in 8 days by drinking juice (can we say water weight?). That is lazy, however, if you are primarily lean and fit and just trying to dial-it-in for an event, maybe it is useful.
Lazy is not trying anything. Lazy is deciding you have given up. Have some empathy for all the millions of people who are so discouraged from years of attempting the 'cider vinegar diet', the 'cabbage soup diet' every diet that comes down the line.
People on this site have a better-than-avergae understanding of nutrtion and weight loss, adn how to integrate it into their lifestyle, but 61% of the population will never even enter a fitness facility. They are intimidated, they feel they will be stared at and persecuted for being the fattest person in the gym.
Instead of attacking people for their dietary beliefs or lack of previous motivation, encourage them, aide them, help them get onto the right path.
Everything you give comes back to your threefold. Imagine a world where we all get help in difficult times, not because someone has to do it, but because they may have been there and either had no help, or had someone step up and take their hand and lead them forward.
Okay, soapbox up for grabs....
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Challenge + Consistency = Results
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2003/09/10, 03:51 PM
asimmer you beauty! Nicely said with a level head too.
Cheers to you!
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2003/09/11, 11:03 AM
Cabbage soup diet? I couldn't imagine the kind of violent gas attacks the people on that diet had. *thinks about what one small helping of sauerkraut does to his bowels*
My dad did the Atkins for a couple months. He lost over 20lbs on it (with exercise mixed in), but after he got off of it all came back in a lot less then a couple months. Mind you, had he continued to eat healthy and exercise I think he could of kept it off.
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- Its never about how much you can lift, or how many reps you do. Its just about doing it, and doing it right.
~Brad~
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2003/09/11, 03:21 PM
I am new here, but have a degre in Ex Sci. and nutrition and have been following it (border line obsession) for years. I just recently (last 3 months started cutting down on carbs. I actually started with a hollywood trainers diet. It consisted of unlimited protien and vegtables (not corn, peas or beans) and ENDLESS crystal light. It REALLY worked for me. Nomatter how hard I train (everyone is different) it really was all about my diet (abs are made in the kitchen not the gym). I used it to get over the "white food" cravings. I am Italian and ate bread all the time and rice and patsa. I was addicted to it. After cutting it I stopped craving. After the cravings were gone I introduced it back in small amounts and as a side. I am still losing and no cravings. I think they are a good way to start.. just to beat a craving, but not feasible for the long run.
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2003/09/11, 05:27 PM
This stream had gotten out of hand, so I backed off..no point in getting into a sweat over the typed word.
I agree with you as I experienced the same. I no longer snack between meals as I feel satisfied and not over fed.
Interestingly I haven't had any alergy attacks this summer either, my mother using some gypsy type wholism reckoned that I was alergic to yeast in bread and beer, hence sneezing etc, well maybe she was right.
I also agree that abstination from carbs long term ultimately becomes unhealthy, however reducing them from the eating game has peeled the fat off me. As for the Atkins approach being carb free, that was nicely addressed higher up. Induction culls the carbs, during the OWLs and Maintenance phases they do get added back, however slowly.
Good to know that you are qualified technically and practically to comment.
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2003/09/14, 04:25 AM
Once and for all I am not attacking people on this or any other site nor did I call anyone lazy I to have been in the same boat as many of these people and I worked and still work everyday to maintain and improve the image I see in the mirror I do also believe slight modifications in ones diet and some or in some cases any exercise will benefit everyone in the long run better then some quick fix diet. I am sorry I blew up in previous posts I take serious offense and take it personally when someone looks for the easy way or quick way to do something especially something like change their body and improve self esteem. Good Luck
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2005/05/22, 05:01 PM
:love::love::love::love::love:
iam so stressed! im goin 2 dominican republic in the beginning of july and i desperately need 2 lose weight!!! i weight about 144 lbs. and i want 2 be skinny enough 2 fit in a bikini , my main problem is my stomach! wut can i do 2 lose it dat fast?!
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