Loyal "Protein Power" followers!!! Atkins people Read please>-..

[depoman]

Ok I've asked questions mostly aimed toward Atkins program, because most members are on Atkins. They say to buy a program book and use it as your bible. If you do somewhat of both, you will get somewhat results. This is one Seniors advice.
Well I have been following Protein Powers Plan because I really am not happy with the way Atkins Plan keeps changing since he passed away. They have "Atkins Essential" and I just saw a new one "Atkins Lifeplan" which Atkins did not write. They are not the same approach Atkins himself had, which I think is wrong.
I said I have a hard time getting into Ketosis, I've been gaining weight at first, etc... Protein Power emphasises to make sure you get a certain amount of protein. Which for me is about 140gms a day. Atkins emphasises Fat & ketosis, and to cut down on protein if you can't get into Ketosis. Maybe the extra protein keeps me from getting into Ketosis. PP states you don't need to be into Ketosis to loose wt.... PP emphasizes Weight Lifting & Atkins says Aerobic & weights. PP says you will not be happy watching the scale due to muscle gain, and use inches and cloths as your primary marker.
I believe there is facts and points to both. They both (PP and Atkins) bash eachother when they are on the same side. As far as Protein Power state"if you have a lot of wt to loose you will definately be in Ketosis".
What do you guys think.

[MichelleM]

I feel that any diet 'plan" or 'program" can work if you dedicate to it and discipline yourself to do it.

I personally love Atkins. I love keeping it as 'simple" as possible (meaning eating real, 'natural', 'raw" non processed foods most of the time) and eating fats(!) and protein. I find it very satisfying and it works great for me. I do hear you about how often Atkins 'program" seems to change , ie: all the new books out there which tend to confuse people.

Many people find SouthBeach or PP more 'livable" because of the grains and fruits that they eat or other alterations, (not exactly sure what PP offers exactly)----although Atkins also allows fruits and grains in later stages so its not that big of a difference. Some do well on WEight Watchers too. I personally think there is no right way for everyone. We are all individuals.

I actually followed the DANDR book to the letter to lose my weight. I did it the way it was written.. (Subtracted 'net carbs" instead of full carbs the way many do here) and I got to my goal weight that way. Many say NOT to do it that way and to count ALL carbs but ..well ....I decided to just follow this book and see how it worked for ME (and it did).

It seems to me that there are as many 'ways to DO Atkins" as there are people on this board sometimes tho.

[3boys4me]

Originally posted by MichelleM
I feel that any diet 'plan" or 'program" can work if you dedicate to it and discipline yourself to do it.

I agree with this....the plan that works best is the plan you can work and stick with, as written.

I do not believe it's the amount of protein that is knocking you out of ketosis as I mentioned in your other thread. You won't post what you've eaten so I can't say for sure, but I think it may be what higher glycemic foods you are eating (bars, shakes, high GI fruits or veggies) that is the reason you keep going in and out of ketosis.

If protein power works for you, wonderful! If the combo of the two works, wonderful too! You just need to stick to the rules of whichever plan you choose....those rules have been proven and are there for a reason.

Good Luck to you!

[bettyee]

What books are y'all reading? My DANDR book (1992) mentions nothing about net carbs nor does it say you should limit your protein. He does mention that fiber is pass through but doesn't say you can subtract that from total carbs. Please give page numbers if I've missed it.

The newer versions of Atkins are garbage. The company is just trying to gain a larger customer base to up their profit. Same reason they're telling folks that sugar alcohols don't count.

[LightlyStarched]

I am doing PP now, and here are my observations: (I am losing slowly, about a pound a week so my advice may be worthless - lol!!)

I try to eat my grams of protein (30-35) at each meal along with about 20 gm carbs. I found over 20 I get hungry too soon (within 2-3 hours) but if I stay under 20 I'm not hungry for 4-5 hours. Try to experiment and see if there is a number for you that will allow you to go the longest time between eating.

HTH.

[depoman]

I can't post a menu because I work 60-80 hours a week in a Group Home with disabled patients. I eat what is available there that is Low Carb. I don't eat fruits, the vegetables are usually Broccoli, spinich, salad, okra, etc.. Mostly Green low carb. And then of course Meat. The cliets are on Protein Powders (Designer Protein) which I make a shake of and it has 2 carbs per scoop, and I will have two scoops (34gms Protein). I do eat the low carb bars. They say "Net Carbs 2-3gms" but the total carbs is like 22gms of sugar alcohols. I wonder if that is part of it.
I do stay between 20-30grams of carbs.
Is two much protein being converted to carbs? If I eat a meal really high in fat, ketosis is higher, but that is not stored fat being burned for energy. Are the calories to high? Is it the "sugar alcohols" in the bars. Years ago the low carb bars never had them in it, and there was only about 2-3gms carb per bar. THAT'S ALL, no sugar alcohols, I remember this well. I do drink Caffiene beverages. Is that really a big deal?
Can you see why this is Frustrating for me? I REALLY DO THANK ALL YOU GUYS FOR YOUR SUPPORT, I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT I'M DOING WRONG.

[Kimmer]

You can certainly lose weight without being in ketosis. This is how people on Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig lose ... simple calorie deficit (we won't go into hunger here ... )

I do think it's important to stick with one plan (one philosophy). If someone were to try South Beach with higher veggie/fruit carbs and combine that with Atkins 65% fat, weight loss will be nearly impossible.

If you're thinking PP is the way to go, definitely give it a shot!

[depoman]

In responce to BETTYEE! I don't remember in "Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution" anything being said about sugar alcohols either, but his company did start making his bars with them with sugar alcohols in them when he was still alive. Though it says nothing about eating them on induction. Now they say you can! I'd like to find an article on sugar alcohols and see what the real story is behind them. I'm going to stick to salads and green vegatables with meat and see if that does anything.

[Kimmer]

Originally posted by depoman
The cliets are on Protein Powders (Designer Protein) which I make a shake of and it has 2 carbs per scoop, and I will have two scoops (34gms Protein).

I do eat the low carb bars. They say "Net Carbs 2-3gms" but the total carbs is like 22gms of sugar alcohols. I wonder if that is part of it.

I do stay between 20-30grams of carbs.

Is two much protein being converted to carbs? If I eat a meal really high in fat, ketosis is higher, but that is not stored fat being burned for energy.

Are the calories to high?

Check the protein powder to make sure it's 2 carbs total (I would imagine high carbs to maintain their weight). Is 2 scoops 34 gm protein total? Why are you eating it? It's extra protein grams AND extra calories.

Yes, the LC bars are causing your weight loss frustration! Count them at 22 each and you'll see you're not at 20-30 carbs, but 44-52 (or more)!

The Atkins Nutritionist says any protein in excess of what you need, is converted to glucose at a 40% rate. The RDA for protein is only 60 grams, but some guys double that.

If you eat a meal really high in fat and the sticks are dark, then chances are it's registering the dietary fat ... especially if you're not losing weight.

I'd skip the fake foods, protein powder and see what happens in 5-7 days. If you want to jump start your loss, focus on protein & veggies only for a few days.

Be sure to take a Centrum type vitamin each day!

[depoman]

Thanks for the support. I'm going to try just the meat and veggies, then see what happens. I'm going to cut out the low carb bars untill maintnance or if I absolutly have to have something sweet. I figure it's better to eat one of those than a Snickers or Mars bar. Thanks all.

[3boys4me]

Originally posted by Kimmer


The Atkins Nutritionist says any protein in excess of what you need, is converted to glucose at a 40% rate. The RDA for protein is only 60 grams, but some guys double that.

There's a thread over there that actually says that normal protein intake for Atkins is 140-160 grams that's a lot of protein!

Yes depoman, I believe it's the shakes and bars that's knocking you out of ketosis. Sugar alcohols are known to cause sugar spikes in some people.

I work in a school cafeteria and it sounds as tho your food choices at work are much better than mine. The staples of a school cafeteria menu is corn, peas, potatoes and bread. We do have tossed salad and it's a wonderful treat for me and my boss when we do get to serve green beans.

Try cutting out the bars and shakes and eating only whole, natural foods and see what happens from there.

[3boys4me]

Originally posted by depoman
I'm going to cut out the low carb bars untill maintnance or if I absolutly have to have something sweet. .

According to DANDR the bars and shakes are to be used occasionally. Occasionally for some may mean a couple times a week, once a week or may only be once a month. You have to find out what works for you.

[lilac]

I don't believe any diet program will work. I beleive every body is different and has different needs and requirements. And your body can change depending on how old you are.

I tried a few high protein diets, including PP. It didnt' work for me. I'm finding that fat is the key to my weight loss.

So I think you have to read the books, follow the plan strictly and see how your body reacts. It's time consuming but worth it when you find the one that works for you.

[SCOTTSDALEJULIE]

Well, here is my experience. Keep in mind that this is a new experience, but so far, great results. I had been doing Atkins, trying to stay under 20-30 grams of carbs per day. I have not lost a pound in months. On Wednesday, the 25th of August, my DH and I began protein power. Now, I have to eat 37 gram of protein per meal, which at breakfast and lunch is pretty hard, but I have been doing it, and since Wednesday, Today is Monday, I have lost 7 lbs, and my DH has lost 8. This by, eating much more than we had before. Maybe we were starving ourselves or something. All I know is that this works. Thanks AnnMarie in Phoenix. I even had a half peach the other day, and a few bites of cantelope today. I am psyched but, as always your mileage may vary. Julie

[RubyJ]

Protein Power and Atkins are very similar. I love Protein Power and it works for me, but I have nothing against Atkins.

Some people can take a bit from one plan and a bit from another and make it work. HOWEVER, it sounds like you are confused and a little scattered. In that case, you should probably pick one plan, read the book again (Protein Power LifePlan) and stick with it until you find a comfortable WOE that can become habit. Plan ahead and bring legal foods to work with you.

Check out www.eatprotein.com

And I agree with ditching the bars!

Good luck!