I've Lost 43 LBS on the ATKINS DIET
Written: Feb 18 '09 (Updated Feb 18 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: It works well for someone serious and dedicated to losing weight.
Cons: Can be spendy, it's not for everyone.
The Bottom Line: I would recommend the Atkins diet to anyone looking to lose weight.
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| mcmaster's Full Review: Atkins Diet |
The Atkins Diet
I've lost 43 Pounds and still going
My experience with the Atkins Diet and how I do it
As a physically active person I believe the key to losing weight is exercise, exercise and it bit more exercise. Exercise has always worked for me and I never had to watch what I ate. That was until I was wounded in Iraq in April 2004. Prior to my deployment to Iraq my wife had lost 35 pounds on the Atkins diet and she really liked the results of the diet. My injuries in Iraq landed me in a medical care unit for eighteen months. After a series of surgeries and months of physical therapy I was medically discharged. When I was wounded in Iraq my weight was 205 pounds and I was in very good shape with little if any body fat. When I was discharged I weighed 275 pounds. I could not exercise anymore and the weight just kept piling on. My doctor said I was borderline diabetic and I had to lose weight or it would make bad condition much worse.
I knew the Atkins diet worked because I watched my wife lose thirty-five pounds on the diet eating bacon, eggs and cheese. So I bought the NEW ATkins diet book, lots of meat, eggs, cheese products, Carb blocker Phase 2 pills and multi-vitamins and went on the diet. Contrary to popular belief the diet is not easy and not for everyone. I have been on the Atkins diet for about six months now and it's been difficult but I have had some good results with the program. The hardest part for me was the occasional overwhelming cravings for sweets and carbohydrates. After you go a couple of months with little to no carbs a plate of spaghetti begins to look like a Triple Fudge Sunday! What kept me going was the weight I was shedding and a few low carb shakes as my crutch.
After the first week I started to lose around five pounds a week. This went on until I lost thirty pounds where I hit a plateau. A plateau is where the weight you lose decreases for no apparent reason. But I felt great and I had lost thirty pounds. My weight loss became smaller as time went on. With fewer results I decided I owed it to myself and so I did a triple flip swan dive off the diet wagon. I ate donuts, ice cream and spaghetti for a weekend. I gained three pounds and it took me a week to lose the three pounds, it was worth it. My current weight is 232 pounds, so I have lost forty-three pounds. Currently I lose about 2-3 pounds a week but it's still worth the effort and I will meet my personal goal of 219 pounds. I am not 100% carb free. I buy the low carb shakes and replace meals with them. I must say I feel better with a small amount of carbs in my system as opposed to none and I still lose the weight just at a slower pace.
My Atkins Program
As I have had success with the Atkins diet I'll share my simple program. The Atkins diet can be expensive if you're not set up for it. Meat is expensive and you'll need a lot of it. I use a Food Saver (sealer) so I can buy meat in bulk then seal it one steak or hamburger at a time. I also purchase sixty Slim Fast low-carb diet shakes. For those unbearable cravings for a sweet I keep a variety of Atkins Advantage Chocolate chip granola bars around. My main staples of food are as follows:
• Hamburger / beef steak / fish / sausage / bacon
• No cholesterol Egg Beaters / eggs
• Cheese all types / cottage cheese
• Roasted Almonds / Pork Rinds
• Slim Fast or Atkins Low Carb Shakes - several flavors available (I like the Vanilla)
• Atkins Advantage Low carb sugar alcohol high fiber granola bars or candy bars
~ Breakfast - a cheese omelet and sausage for breakfast
~ Lunch - one low carb diet shake for Lunch
~ Dinner - Steak, cottage cheese
~ Snack - Roasted Almonds, a low carb shake or pork rinds
* A quality multi-vitamin
* Carb blocker tablets with Phase 2
* The Atkins Diet Book
* Diet Check Ketone stix
The Positive
The positive aspects of the Atkins diet for me have simply been the results, I lost 43 pounds. In addition cutting out the sugar, sweets, breads, pasta and other high carb junk foods, it's has left me feeling much better and healthier. I am no longer a borderline diabetic.
The Down Side
The down side is the cost of a by and large meat diet. You also need to take several vitamins and other nutritional supplements. I have read that this diet does not work well for some people. I would consult your doctor about starting the diet.
Final Thoughts
It worked well for me and I'll continue to stay on the Atkins diet. It has changed my eating habits for the better. I have lost a lot of weight and I feel better for it. Just like any other diet it is difficult and requires dedication to the program. The best part about this diet is that you do not have to go hungry. You can eat as much meat, cheese and eggs as you like. It worked well for my wife and me. If you are able I still say exercise is the best way to go. It would work well with the Atkins diet. The Atkins book contains in depth information about the diet or visit the Atkins website listed below.
www.atkins.com
© 2009 Joe McMaster
Recommended:
Yes
Approximate Monthly Cost (US$) 200.00
Food Variety Restrictions A somewhat varied menu
Restrictiveness of Portions Gorge all you like
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