It works, but you can't keep off the weight...

Corpuscavernosa · 04-04-2008, 09:44 AM

I'd just like to rant for a second. Also I'm very new here so if this has been discussed over and over, please disregard.

I did Atkins for about a year starting in the summer of '04 and lost about 50 pounds and was quite happy eating LC. The next year I graduated, moved twice and studied for the bar exam for about 2 months. Needless to say I broke my LC ways and didn't get back on until about 4 weeks ago.

In the meantime I put almost all of the 50 lbs. back on. I'm now back and losing weight and feeling great.

Now my rant is this: Almost everyone I talk to says "well yeah, Atkins seems to work but you're living proof that you can't keep the weight off indefinitely."

My answer is always, "It's amazing how our bodies work. I went back to eating the exact same crap that made me a fat-ass to begin with and wow, I got fat again. Amazing."

Absent those with a blessed metabolism, it's impossible to stay thin drinking at least a quart of Mt. Dew daily with pastas, breads, tortillas and rice, no matter how much weight you've lost.

I don't know, it just irritates me when people don't understand that it's not just a diet. You have to make changes to your eating habits that are life-long or the yo-yo will continue.

Anyone else have stories of criticism to their eating habits?

skoolmarm729 · 04-04-2008, 01:49 PM

I too lost a ton of weight (100 lbs) and regained on Atkins. I came right back to Atkins without a doubt because I know it works- what does NOT work is my old eating habits! I have been on for a little over a month now and am already back down almost 25 lbs. I think that says a lot.

I think my body has a real physical and mental negative reaction to those kinds of carbs. When I eat them, the signs appear. When I don't eat them, they go away. I don't know if that makes sense, but...

I am finding more open-minded people this time around then I did last time. This WOE is very trendy now and there is all kinds of media sensation, "frankenfoods", etc. That really didn't exist when I did this the last time. People, for the most part, don't notice if I don't say anything.

BTW-- tortillas and rice-- are you a fellow Mexican??? It's pretty tought being Mexican AND doing LC!!

Houston Heather · 04-04-2008, 04:18 PM

Yes, oddly enough the critics are in terrible health themselves. The honest ones just say "I'm glad you can do it, I can't give up the starch/sugar."

Sarajewel · 04-05-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Houston Heather

Yes, oddly enough the critics are in terrible health themselves. The honest ones just say "I'm glad you can do it, I can't give up the starch/sugar."

I get that a lot too. I feel some pressure to keep the weight off because I feel like I am the local poster child for Atkins.

Houston Heather · 04-06-2008, 01:48 PM

With me, it was everyone asking "What happened to you? You used to look so good!"

Oops. It was pretty depressing (I ride the paratransit service) when a "slow" client told me "You're fat." He was pointing. Nice. Another time a driver refused to let me carry a package "Because you're pregnant." [wince]

Mostly everyone just felt compelled to inform me I'd gained the weight back. I may have disabilities but I'm not STUPID.

backatitagain40 · 04-06-2008, 02:21 PM

I find that ignorance is a huge motivater on the atkins opinion. For years I have heard and read so many negative things and the wide varience on this is staggering. The bottom line is you are the one who is embarking on a life changing adventure. You are the only one who knows the impact of this way of eating has ..I am sure you have researched this wol and made an informed decesion. The proof is in the results. When someone makes a negative comment offer them a suger glazed donut while you sweetly smile telling them to have a nice day.

Houston Heather · 04-06-2008, 02:28 PM

We're in vending. It can be awful.

Yesterday, for example: a guy who weighed 400 pounds easy was beating the *ell out of one of my snack vending machines. It didn't drop his second payday candy bar.

When I see people like that, I want to cut them off. It's like watching alcoholics at a bar... sickening.

He was hitting the machine so hard I thought he was going to have a heart attack.

joolia · 04-06-2008, 09:46 PM

Well Corpus,

Now you have a challenge. Lose the weight again, keep it off, and prove those naysayers wrong.

When faced with the evidence of your success, they will have no choice but to eat their words.

junkfoodmonkey · 04-07-2008, 04:30 AM

Corpus, you're right of course, that it's not that Atkins makes you put the weight back on, it's the same for every diet. If you go off its maintenance phase (and any diet must have a weight loss and a maintenance phase to be taken seriously) after you finish losing, then of course you'll gain weight back.

Jael · 04-09-2008, 09:21 PM

I lost 50 pounds in 2003...my weight has fluctuated over the years, but whenever it inches up, I go back to Atkins and it comes right off. I am right now within 10 pounds of my lowest weight in 2003. So it is possible to keep the weight off by lowcarbing. Like you said, no matter how you lose the weight, if you go back to your old eating habits, you'll gain it back. But Atkins gives me a reliable way to keep my weight in check, until I work up the motivation to set a new target and reach it. Thanks to this way of eating, my weight will never be out of control again.

trishdadish · 04-17-2008, 04:39 PM

dont you guys worry about high colestral? I mean eating bacon cheese and what about constipation do you ever feel constipated? just wondering I have really high colertral and bad hearts in the fam, I worry eating all this high in fat/calorie food is bad for the heart thanks for any info becasue this diet sound wonderful just worried about the repercussions
'

luv_bug · 04-17-2008, 06:55 PM

Hi there!
I hear your concerns about cholesterol ... however, I can give you this reassurance. I have been monitored by a doctor and since being on the "lifestyle' my cholesterol levels are PERFECT (good and bad kinds) AND my BP is great AND my heart rate has gone down (from averaging 98 beats per min. to 70 beats per min. when resting)... So don't fear .. just don't go hog-wild on the fats ... some fat is REALLY important .. but don't do too much...

Tuscanytrace · 04-18-2008, 08:20 PM

Atkins has a LONG track record that it doesn't harm the heart--lowers blood pressure, triglycerides, bad cholesterol, raises good cholesterol, short-circuits diabetes, lowers insulin (high insulin is long-term harmful to the whole body)...

And there is a LOT of information out there on the fat theory/cholesterol theory of heart disease, that it isn't true. Here a good link: Myths and Truths About Nutrition. There's also a section called Know Your Fats on that website that is good to read.

HTH!

Hot Tamale · 04-19-2008, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trishdadish

dont you guys worry about high colestral? I mean eating bacon cheese and what about constipation do you ever feel constipated? just wondering I have really high colertral and bad hearts in the fam, I worry eating all this high in fat/calorie food is bad for the heart thanks for any info becasue this diet sound wonderful just worried about the repercussions
'

Have you read the Atkins' Revolution book? If not, may I suggest you get it? It explains why you CAN eat these foods (and MANY others, including plenty of veggies and other fiber-containing foods...). My BP was 140/90 WITH meds before I started losing. Now its 100/80 and I take a BP pill every third day... My cholesterol is up a little (currently 206, up from 174...), but still, that's not so high. My family is FULL of the same issues as yours, but low-carb is the only way for me. I know I'm healthier now than I was 80 pounds ago! Good Luck to you!

HungryGirl · 04-21-2008, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Houston Heather

Yes, oddly enough the critics are in terrible health themselves. The honest ones just say "I'm glad you can do it, I can't give up the starch/sugar."

I have had this problem being gluten-free. I have Celiac Disease, which makes Atkins kinda natural for me. I can't eat wheat, barley, or rye. When I was diagnosed, people told me that they couldn't give up wheat (bread, pasta, etc). Well, if you had to, you would! People can be so stupid sometimes. Why say something like that?

somethingblue2u · 04-21-2008, 02:51 PM

I suggest,along with reading the Atkins books, read Gary Taubes book 'Good Calories, Bad Calories'. He explains a lot about cholesterol and fat and the like. You really have to concentrate when you read the book because its some heavy reading. But you will gain a lot of history and knowledge about the diets we choose. It is absolutely awesome.

Sarilas · 04-21-2008, 04:40 PM

I think the first time I did Atkins (back then it was a diet to me, now it's a lifestyle) I felt irritated by the comments of others or worried that I was harming my body, even though the book told me I'd be healthier when I was through. Now I'm just THRILLED to know how great my blood work will be in a few months, and to know everything ELSE will be smaller too!

04-04-2008, 09:44 AM	#1
Corpuscavernosa Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 94 Gallery: Corpuscavernosa Stats: 248/214.6/190 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 3 Mar 2008	It works, but you can't keep off the weight... I'd just like to rant for a second. Also I'm very new here so if this has been discussed over and over, please disregard. I did Atkins for about a year starting in the summer of '04 and lost about 50 pounds and was quite happy eating LC. The next year I graduated, moved twice and studied for the bar exam for about 2 months. Needless to say I broke my LC ways and didn't get back on until about 4 weeks ago. In the meantime I put almost all of the 50 lbs. back on. I'm now back and losing weight and feeling great. Now my rant is this: Almost everyone I talk to says "well yeah, Atkins seems to work but you're living proof that you can't keep the weight off indefinitely." My answer is always, "It's amazing how our bodies work. I went back to eating the exact same crap that made me a fat-ass to begin with and wow, I got fat again. Amazing." Absent those with a blessed metabolism, it's impossible to stay thin drinking at least a quart of Mt. Dew daily with pastas, breads, tortillas and rice, no matter how much weight you've lost. I don't know, it just irritates me when people don't understand that it's not just a diet. You have to make changes to your eating habits that are life-long or the yo-yo will continue. Anyone else have stories of criticism to their eating habits?

04-04-2008, 01:49 PM	#2
skoolmarm729 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 786 Gallery: skoolmarm729 Stats: 5ft7in~292sz26/240sz20/188 WOE: Atkins-Induction Start Date: March 1, 2008	I too lost a ton of weight (100 lbs) and regained on Atkins. I came right back to Atkins without a doubt because I know it works- what does NOT work is my old eating habits! I have been on for a little over a month now and am already back down almost 25 lbs. I think that says a lot. I think my body has a real physical and mental negative reaction to those kinds of carbs. When I eat them, the signs appear. When I don't eat them, they go away. I don't know if that makes sense, but... I am finding more open-minded people this time around then I did last time. This WOE is very trendy now and there is all kinds of media sensation, "frankenfoods", etc. That really didn't exist when I did this the last time. People, for the most part, don't notice if I don't say anything. BTW-- tortillas and rice-- are you a fellow Mexican??? It's pretty tought being Mexican AND doing LC!! __________________ ~~~* 52 Pounds Gone Since 3/1/08 ~~~* Smoke Free Since 4/5/08 *"Walk Away the Pounds" Challenge 5/18/08~ Miles walked so far: 68.00* Last edited by skoolmarm729 : 04-04-2008 at 01:55 PM.

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04-04-2008, 04:18 PM	#3
Houston Heather Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 4,614 Gallery: Houston Heather Stats: Size 22W/12/12 WOE: Atkins 2002 Ongoing Weight Loss	Yes, oddly enough the critics are in terrible health themselves. The honest ones just say "I'm glad you can do it, I can't give up the starch/sugar."

04-06-2008, 01:48 PM	#5
Houston Heather Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 4,614 Gallery: Houston Heather Stats: Size 22W/12/12 WOE: Atkins 2002 Ongoing Weight Loss	With me, it was everyone asking "What happened to you? You used to look so good!" Oops. It was pretty depressing (I ride the paratransit service) when a "slow" client told me "You're fat." He was pointing. Nice. Another time a driver refused to let me carry a package "Because you're pregnant." [wince] Mostly everyone just felt compelled to inform me I'd gained the weight back. I may have disabilities but I'm not STUPID.

04-06-2008, 02:21 PM	#6
backatitagain40 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 93 Gallery: backatitagain40 Stats: 208/200/150 WOE: atkins Start Date: april 1 2008	I find that ignorance is a huge motivater on the atkins opinion. For years I have heard and read so many negative things and the wide varience on this is staggering. The bottom line is you are the one who is embarking on a life changing adventure. You are the only one who knows the impact of this way of eating has ..I am sure you have researched this wol and made an informed decesion. The proof is in the results. When someone makes a negative comment offer them a suger glazed donut while you sweetly smile telling them to have a nice day.

04-06-2008, 02:28 PM	#7
Houston Heather Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 4,614 Gallery: Houston Heather Stats: Size 22W/12/12 WOE: Atkins 2002 Ongoing Weight Loss	We're in vending. It can be awful. Yesterday, for example: a guy who weighed 400 pounds easy was beating the ell out of one of my snack vending machines. It didn't drop his second* payday candy bar. When I see people like that, I want to cut them off. It's like watching alcoholics at a bar... sickening. He was hitting the machine so hard I thought he was going to have a heart attack.

04-06-2008, 09:46 PM	#8
joolia Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 905 Gallery: joolia	Well Corpus, Now you have a challenge. Lose the weight again, keep it off, and prove those naysayers wrong. When faced with the evidence of your success, they will have no choice but to eat their words.

04-07-2008, 04:30 AM	#9
junkfoodmonkey MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 2,688 Blog Entries: 42 Gallery: junkfoodmonkey Stats: 183/156/140 WOE: Atkins Start Date: Reinduction: 01/01/08	Corpus, you're right of course, that it's not that Atkins makes you put the weight back on, it's the same for every diet. If you go off its maintenance phase (and any diet must have a weight loss and a maintenance phase to be taken seriously) after you finish losing, then of course you'll gain weight back.

04-09-2008, 09:21 PM	#10
Jael Junior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 5 Gallery: Jael	I lost 50 pounds in 2003...my weight has fluctuated over the years, but whenever it inches up, I go back to Atkins and it comes right off. I am right now within 10 pounds of my lowest weight in 2003. So it is possible to keep the weight off by lowcarbing. Like you said, no matter how you lose the weight, if you go back to your old eating habits, you'll gain it back. But Atkins gives me a reliable way to keep my weight in check, until I work up the motivation to set a new target and reach it. Thanks to this way of eating, my weight will never be out of control again.

04-17-2008, 04:39 PM	#11
trishdadish Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 100 Gallery: trishdadish	dont you guys worry about high colestral? I mean eating bacon cheese and what about constipation do you ever feel constipated? just wondering I have really high colertral and bad hearts in the fam, I worry eating all this high in fat/calorie food is bad for the heart thanks for any info becasue this diet sound wonderful just worried about the repercussions '

04-17-2008, 06:55 PM	#12
luv_bug Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 572 Gallery: luv_bug Stats: 265/144/140? WOE: Atkins Start Date: February 2007	Hi there! I hear your concerns about cholesterol ... however, I can give you this reassurance. I have been monitored by a doctor and since being on the "lifestyle' my cholesterol levels are PERFECT (good and bad kinds) AND my BP is great AND my heart rate has gone down (from averaging 98 beats per min. to 70 beats per min. when resting)... So don't fear .. just don't go hog-wild on the fats ... some fat is REALLY important .. but don't do too much...

04-18-2008, 08:20 PM	#13
Tuscanytrace Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 902 Gallery: Tuscanytrace Stats: 208.8/176.1/113 5'1.5" WOE: Atkins 1972,VCO, WAPF/whole foods, Start Date: Oct 15, 06/restart 5/07/ restart 3/08	Atkins has a LONG track record that it doesn't harm the heart--lowers blood pressure, triglycerides, bad cholesterol, raises good cholesterol, short-circuits diabetes, lowers insulin (high insulin is long-term harmful to the whole body)... And there is a LOT of information out there on the fat theory/cholesterol theory of heart disease, that it isn't true. Here a good link: Myths and Truths About Nutrition. There's also a section called Know Your Fats on that website that is good to read. HTH!

04-21-2008, 02:51 PM	#16
somethingblue2u MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,512 Gallery: somethingblue2u Stats: 190/175/150 WOE: Atkins for Life Start Date: 2nd time October 2007	I suggest,along with reading the Atkins books, read Gary Taubes book 'Good Calories, Bad Calories'. He explains a lot about cholesterol and fat and the like. You really have to concentrate when you read the book because its some heavy reading. But you will gain a lot of history and knowledge about the diets we choose. It is absolutely awesome.

04-21-2008, 04:40 PM	#17
Sarilas Junior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 8 Gallery: Sarilas Stats: 282/277.5/160 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 17 Apr 2008	I think the first time I did Atkins (back then it was a diet to me, now it's a lifestyle) I felt irritated by the comments of others or worried that I was harming my body, even though the book told me I'd be healthier when I was through. Now I'm just THRILLED to know how great my blood work will be in a few months, and to know everything ELSE will be smaller too!