to atkins or not

nursejoy1, ASN, RN · Sep 4, 2007

I've never tried it, but I had an uncle who did. He lost 53 pounds in 2 months!! BUT- then he started to have severe leg cramps and had to go off his diet. He GAINED approximately 60 pounds in 3 months. And he wasn't really overeating, just eating normally. If you decide to go this route, hope you have better luck than he did. I am currently using a free online weight loss support site. I have been using it since April and I am losing slowly, but steadily. Send me a private message if you are interested and I'll give you the facts.

Glina · Sep 4, 2007

I tried it twice after my pregnancy. Both times, I was dieting for two weeks only. Each time, I lost 10lb and did not gain it back. BTW, whether you gain it back or not depends on you, not on the diet you were on in the past.

I am on Atkins right now. Today is my 4th day and I lost 5.5 lb already. You have a great support forum:

http://www.lowcarbsite.com/

dcrrlb8185 · Sep 26, 2007

Yes, I've tried it and I lost 14lbs in 2 weeks, after that your body loses it more slowly depending on how heavy the person is. Stick to it, it works just realize the risks of fat and cholesterol consumption.

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 26, 2007

I didn't do Atkins exactly, but went on a low carb diet for a couple of weeks, then slowly transitioned into a moderate carb diet emphasizing carbs with a low glycemic index because I have mild diabetes. I didn't have the dramatic loss in the beginning, but I lost about 2 pounds per week for a couple of months. Overall, I lost about 35 pounds in 6 months.

During the past 5 months, I have lost another 5 pounds as I have increased my caloric consumption with the addition of the low glycemic index carbs. I'm not really "dieting," seriously -- just watching my carb consumption because of my diabetes and getting more exercise. (My blood sugars are normal and I am not on any meds.) For me, low/moderate carbs must be a long term lifestyle because of my diabetes -- not a short-term weight loss strategy. But I did loose weight when I first went low carb.

allnurses Guide · Sep 26, 2007

I did Atkins too - lost weight.

The poster who said WE are responsible for weight gain and not the diet is right. If you go back to bad eating habits, you gain weight.

I did SouthBeach too - like llg's diet, it is a bit less stringent and you can eat more good carbs.

The whole idea of restricting bad carbs make chemical sense to me.

Just remember, if you go on Atkins, drink lots of water because the induction part can make you constipated.

Good luck!!

steph

fergus51 · Sep 26, 2007

I think it's a fad and not sustainable. Who wants to live like that? I'm a fan of more sensible eating that incorporates all food in moderation.

I think Atikins is just a symptom of the sick relationship this country has with food.

MassED, BSN, RN · May 5, 2009

I think it's a fad and not sustainable. Who wants to live like that? I'm a fan of more sensible eating that incorporates all food in moderation.
I think Atikins is just a symptom of the sick relationship this country has with food.

I realize this post is old, but on the offchance that you are still checking responses... let me say this about Atkins:

I'm on the second week of Induction - it is not hard. You are retraining your body to drastically limit our body's obsession with sugar and processed and bad fats. This way of eating should be stated as more of a new approach to eating. It is how diabetics should eat to maintain their sugars. I do not feel deprived. My skin is suffering a bit with zits, but I'm told this will pass as I am eliminating the toxins from my body.

I agree this country has an unhealthy relationship with food. Not sick, just needs to be modified and focus needs to be on healthier and less processed foods. I feel better with reduced carbohydrates - it is healthier - if you look at the foods that you can have during induction, it limits high sugar foods and processed junk. This is something that we should all be avoiding anyway. I have lost 6 pounds so far. I have my yearly physical tomorrow, so we'll see if the reduction in carbs has made any difference in my lab values.

The Atkin's approach is sensible. Or maybe it can be called something else - plenty of veggies, nuts, lean protein, limit carbs... think back to how humans ate before we had all of the processing capabilities. Fresh proteins, fresh veggies, potatoes.... less toxins. Just makes sense without adding all the hoopla that fad diets do. So far so good. The key is sensible and healthy choices. Not a pound of bacon every day.

labrador4122, RN · Mar 3, 2010

I want to start the atkins diet.

I need to lose the 20lbs I gained during nursing school & the 20lbs I gained after nursing school working night shift.

anyone have any tips for this sugar loving night RN??

Dalla · Mar 3, 2010

Definitely do it. The first week will be hell. Plan to have lots of cooked chicken or turkey available to grab every two hours to keep the munchies away. Have lots of diversions planned for when you start obsessing about cakes, cookies, ice cream, whatever your vice. After a week, your cravings will subside, you won't really be hungry all the time, and it gets easier. Stay away from lots of beef, pork, nuts, etc on Atkins. Stick with mainly chicken, turkey, fish, and eggs. Don't get carried away with cheese. Small amounts only due to the calories. Fill up on veggies like spinach, lettuce, and broccoli. Your 20 lbs. can be gone in a month or two, if you can stick to it. And don't try to exercise the first couple of weeks. You may not have the energy, and you don't really need to. Weight loss is 80% diet. Drink lots of water, stay away from diet sodas due to the sweeteners. Best of luck!

animal1993 · Mar 3, 2010

Atkins is hands down the most effective way I have ever lost weight. (You just have to have the willpower to keep going with it!) I don't consider it to be a "fad diet"--if you really think about it, it's pretty close to how we all should be eating anyway. (Fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, whole grains, etc.) And, once you get through the weight loss phase, and move into maintenance, you can add a lot of stuff back into your diet within moderation anyway.

If I were to try this type of diet again, I would probably go with the South Beach diet. It was always hard for me to pass up my bananas and grapes. (Also bread!)

labrador4122, RN · Mar 4, 2010

Thanks for the info!

I bought both books and will start.

I just hate seeing myself this way! these extra 40lbs make me look so chubby when pre-nursing school I was cute and small, and now I am just small and fat. I'm only 5"0 and 160 lbs. if I could get down to 120lbs I will be happy.