Why did you choose SB and not Atkins?

[meeha]

Okay seriously I know some will probably think it's funny or that I am over reacting but I am dead serious!!

Here is my issue.............................

I have been back and forth with Atkins and SB, I found that with Atkins I am able to lose the weight quicker then SB but SB has more options which can hinder me b/c too much flexibility and I can end up binging.

This is a real struggle for me in Janurary I had lost weight doing Atkins then when I switched to SB I gained it back and didn't lose anything for the 2 weeks of Phase 1 it wasn't until I went back to Atkins that I started losing again.

I am so confused b/c the high fat on Atkins bothers me and if people are successful on SB which is lower in fat then is it safe to say that you do not need to consume high levels of fat to lose weight?


I really need some insight, I know the decision is mine and what I can live with but to hear others story and opinion would be helpful.

TIA

[tinatina]

I chose SB because after much research it was the diet most recommended for someone with hypothyroidism.

I tried to do Atkins several years ago, but could not get into ketosis because of the meds that I take. So it was not an option.

I love SB. I'm never hungry. I eat 3 meals and 2-3 snacks everyday.

Since you were already doing Atkins, SB may not have been as big a shock to your system as if you had been on a high carb diet which could explain why you did not lose. If you could stick it out through phase 1 and start into phase 2, I'm sure you would continue to lose.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

[heahyou00]

I have lost on Atkins and Southbeach. Years ago I did Atkins and dropped 75 pds, a marriage and a baby later I gained it all back. So then I wanted to try Southbeach because its less restrictive and doesnt have all the fatty choices. I wanted to find something that I felt i could do for a lifetime and Atkins was not it. I might lose slower on Southbeach, but I am ok with that because its a life change, not a temporary fix. I dont ever want to gain this weight back like I did before.

I hope you stick around!!


Kelly

[veronicka]

I chose SB because I found out that it is easier to stick to and a healthier way to live. I've always thought of Atkins as a "diet," and SB as a way of life. There have been many posters on here who have started SB because their doctors recommended it, so that says alot about the SB diet.

I did atkins 4 years ago for 2 weeks. I lost 15 lbs, which was amazing; but I got tired of the diet, fell off the wagon, and couldn't get back on. With SB, I occasionally slip up, but I'm always able to get right back on because it's not as restrictive as Atkins. Sure, I lose a lot slower, but I don't mind, because I know I will eventually meet my goal. I personally could never have stayed on Atkins long enough to reach goal.

Hope this helps!

[jlieb62]

TIA,

I have great respect for Atkins and his followers, but my personal opinion is that South Beach is healthier and easier to maintain:

Saturated fat: I think the Atkins diet greatly exaggerates the amount of fat, particularly saturated fat, that we should be eating. The wild game our ancestors hunted and consumed was 97 to 98% lean. Our modern farm-raised meat has up to 5 times that amount of fat. I just don't think you can eat 70/30 hamburger and call it natural or healthy.

Dairy: Adult mammals were never meant to consume breastmilk past infancy. That's why so many folks are lactose intolerant. It's the natural and healthy state of the human body. Dairy is a fairly recent invention and therefore all calories/fat we get from it should be considered 'extra' in the human diet. I love my dairy (pass the cheese please!) but if I'm going to eat something I'm not intended to I'll at least try to minimize the damage from saturated fat and calories. Atkins recommends only full-fat dairy products.

Grains/legumes: I feel that Atkins is too low on fiber as you can easily verify by searching the forums for 'constipation' threads. Supplements simply can't take the place of the fiber and nutrition we recieve naturally from wholegrain products, beans and other legumes. South Beach even allows beans/legumes on Phase I and healthy vegetables are not restricted.

Calories: No matter what plan you follow, when it comes to weightloss it's still all about the calories. Fat has over twice the number of calories per gram than carbs or protein. I track my calories to lose weight, and use the South Beach plan as my guide for what to eat.

Overall feel: Although Atkins and South Beach can both ultimately bring about weightloss and healthy eating, I get a much more restrictive feeling from Atkins. You simply can't swear off a specific food for life (breads, cereals, certain fruits, etc) and expect to maintain it. South Beach has always felt less restrictive to me and easier to maintain.

Anyway, just my personal opinion. No flames please.

Jim

[helpingrachel]

Tia: One word for me sustainability. I did Atkins and lost quickly and regained it just as quick. My high weight was 176 and I have gotten by weight back under control thru southbeach. It is livable and my family likes to eat what the choices are as well, so i don't feel like a short ordered cook around here!!

[momov2boys]

Originally Posted by jlieb62

TIA,

I have great respect for Atkins and his followers, but my personal opinion is that South Beach is healthier and easier to maintain:

Saturated fat: I think the Atkins diet greatly exaggerates the amount of fat, particularly saturated fat, that we should be eating. The wild game our ancestors hunted and consumed was 97 to 98% lean. Our modern farm-raised meat has up to 5 times that amount of fat. I just don't think you can eat 70/30 hamburger and call it natural or healthy.

Dairy: Adult mammals were never meant to consume breastmilk past infancy. That's why so many folks are lactose intolerant. It's the natural and healthy state of the human body. Dairy is a fairly recent invention and therefore all calories/fat we get from it should be considered 'extra' in the human diet. I love my dairy (pass the cheese please!) but if I'm going to eat something I'm not intended to I'll at least try to minimize the damage from saturated fat and calories. Atkins recommends only full-fat dairy products.

Grains/legumes: I feel that Atkins is too low on fiber as you can easily verify by searching the forums for 'constipation' threads. Supplements simply can't take the place of the fiber and nutrition we recieve naturally from wholegrain products, beans and other legumes. South Beach even allows beans/legumes on Phase I and healthy vegetables are not restricted.

Calories: No matter what plan you follow, when it comes to weightloss it's still all about the calories. Fat has over twice the number of calories per gram than carbs or protein. I track my calories to lose weight, and use the South Beach plan as my guide for what to eat.

Overall feel: Although Atkins and South Beach can both ultimately bring about weightloss and healthy eating, I get a much more restrictive feeling from Atkins. You simply can't swear off a specific food for life (breads, cereals, certain fruits, etc) and expect to maintain it. South Beach has always felt less restrictive to me and easier to maintain.

Anyway, just my personal opinion. No flames please.

Jim

Great post.
Thanks for sharing, Jim.

After 2 years of LCing, I just read the SBD book.
I think it's a very realistic and awesome plan to live by.

[cokids]

I'm with many of you. After doing research about elevated cholesterol, I decided that I wasn't