Atkins diet and muscle loss

[Illy]

I was watching extreme makeovers last night and the three individuals were overweight. They were put on a diet to loose ~25 lbs in 5 weeks.
The trainer however was talking about their diet and said that he doesnt believe on the Atkins diet. That it will make you lose weight and "Muscle", then when you add carbs to your diet you blow up again and feel miserable again.
The diet they were eating however was basically low-fat protein and veggies.
Any suggestions? I'd love to hear from all of you who have been doing this diet for a while. I'm pretty new at this but I am definitely hooked on this website.

[Catheryn]

Originally posted by IAlvarez

The diet they were eating however was basically low-fat protein and veggies.

How is this not Atkins? This is exactly how I eat, and I am doing Atkins.

[Dana114]

IAlvarez, the trainer is repeating ignorant myths. Muscle loss is from deprivation of protein, fat and/or calories. Atkins is none of those. Muscle loss occurs on low fat, low protein, low calorie diets. That being said, if you are 100 pounds overweight, you will lose muscle in proportion to your fat loss. A 140 pound woman does not need the same amount of muscle as a 300 pound woman.

And yes, if you start eating a high carb diet again, you will bloat right back up and feel miserable. The lesson there is to not go back to a high carb diet and add low GL carbs gradually just as Dr Atkins recommends.

Changes in Body Composition During Weight Reduction in Obesity: Balance Studies Comparing Effects of Fasting and a Ketogenic Diet
Reference:
Benoit, F.L., Martin, R.L., Watten, R.H., "Changes in Body Composition During Weight Reduction in Obesity: Balance Studies Comparing Effects of Fasting and a Ketogenic Diet," Annals of Internal Medicine, 63(4), 1965, pages 604-612.

Summary:


This study sought to test the efficacy of a ketogenic diet for weight loss in seven obese, active-duty male Naval officers. The diet consisted of 10 days of fasting, 4 days on a 1,000-calorie “mixed diet” and 10 days on a ketogenic diet. The ketogenic diet was a 1,000-calorie program composed of 82% fat, 14% protein and 4% carbohydrate. The average weight loss for individuals in the fasting phase was 21 pounds. While on the ketogenic diet, individuals’ lost an average of 14.6 pounds. Although more weight was lost while fasting, 64.6% of this loss represented lean muscle mass. In contrast, during the ketogenic phase of the diet, only 0.4 pounds of lean muscle mass was lost. Therefore, nearly all of the weight lost on the ketogenic diet was body fat. During the fasting phase, individuals lost an average of 15.1 grams of potassium but no potassium loss occurred during the ketogenic diet. The authors concluded that the ketogenic diet produced striking, consistent weight losses predominantly from body fat and the diet itself was well accepted by the subjects.

[Dana114]

Sorry to invade your territory, AN, but I couldn't resist this one!

[PiDevil]

I was just in the Lindt Chocolate store buying a gift for someone (not for me I promise!). I was talking to the saleswoman abour sugar free chocolate. Lindt does not offer it but I was telling her about Russell Stover that makes a good SF chocolate. I mentioned LC and her reply was something like that she doesn't eat LC and that LC diets eat away at your muscles. I said, I've been eating that way for 2 1/2 years and that is not a true statement. She said that she heard it on TV and it was a fact! Wow!

Just goes to show you, people will run with whatever they hear as gosple.

Another woman I know (she's a nurse BTW) said that you will ruin your kidneys over time!

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

People have different perceptions of what Atkins is depending on where they get their information. Those who have read the publications and have visited the website understand that the phases of the Atkins Nutritional Approach and the rationale behind every guideline and trust that this way of eating is grounded in science. Those who listen to the media have the misconceptions that the approach totally eliminates carbs from the diet and encourages high fat meats in endless amounts. The media likes anything that will ‘make a good story’ and often times research studies are distorted or misrepresented. People not familiar with the ANA and the science behind it only know what they hear through the media and as a consequence may develop an unfavorable opinion of this way of eating. But what you can do is to encourage them to learn the facts by reading our publications and visiting the website so they understand what the ANA is all about. Once they are educated on the facts, they will be empowered to not believe everything they read or see in the media so they can make a decision on what to believe for themselves.

Thank you, Dana, for sharing that information. This is exactly what I am talking about… I encourage you all to continue educating others about the ANA and supporting the guidelines with science!

[lunarmoth]

Remember the myth: Fat turns to muscle when dieting and exercising? LOL! I tried to set my friend straight on that for quite awhile. She worked in a health food store for years and was telling the customers this myth because she really believed it. Plus, another friend told me the reason she didn't want to exercise was because she would gain muscle mass and be heavier than before. Yep, I tried to explain to her how muscle replaces the fat when we exercise. Fat cells go down, muscle mass goes up. It's an equal trade-off for me.

[DJ52071]

I was just curious to know your thoughts. I went onto Atkins awhile ago and lost thirty pounds,unfortunately I went off the low carbing and ate like I use to. Igained all my weight back and am miserable! The worst part is now I have a bigger belly and spare tire area then I have ever had before! I am wanting to get back on track but I am not sure how to start! Can this bloating be controlled again if I get back on the plan? Will it come off slower and harder than it did the first time? I guess if nothing else I learned the hard way that you really do need to make this a lifetime way of eating! Please and advice would be greatly appreciated!!I am feeling very frustrated and down on myself! Thanks!!!!

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

Do not get down on yourself, you learned your lesson, now live it!

The answer to your questions is yes, Atkins can help and yes you will feel better.

I suggest you get the book or visit the website, www.atkins.com. Look through the "How to do Atkins and Why Atkins works, sections.

If you need anything, you know where to find me!

[lilroten]

Along the lines of this topic, I am hoping A_N can explain this then. I joined a gym after my first week on Atkins. My stats were done including an assessment of my lean weight, fat weight, and %'s, etc. I wasn't given a copy and somehow my original stats are lost at the gym. I go every 6 weeks to have this done. My first re-assessment had my lean weight at 97.4 lbs (61.7%). I went back for another re-assessment 2 weeks ago and it had my lean weight down to 93.7 lbs (63.7%). Although my % went up, the actual weight in lbs went down. Does this mean that I did lose lean weight? I had been thinking that at 97.4 lbs I would have increased over the following 6 weeks.

I was a little disappointed in this. Is this explainable? Thanks.

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

The scales that are used to measure lean body mass can be affected by hydration status, menstruation... You should speak to the person who is weighing you about this because you want all things to be equal when you get yourself weighed.

Congrats on your weight loss, keep up the good work! Exercise is so important to incorporate as a lifestyle change.

[lilroten]

Thank you A_N for your response.