[foxylady]

[quote="blessed"]

Originally Posted by foxylady

The South Beach Diet is all about "GOOD" carbs and "GOOD" fats.

Actaully... after re-reading that comment it doesn't seem like you know much about Atkins either... lol. A suggestion - know what you're talking about before commenting!!!
And before you ask me to get into detail I'm going to suggest you read the book... both of them! Then we can talk!

[Jessiegirl]

Hi!

For anyone doing the low carb thing. You should check out http://stellastyle.com/

George Stella has had an amazing 250+ pound weight loss. He started out at an unbelievable 467 lbs!!

His books are great and his recipes taste awesome because he is a chef :prayer:

[top-dawg]

Hi Jess, I just clicked on that link, it's absolutely amazing. What a huge weight loss. Unbelievable. Talk about inspiration. :razz: dawg

[rebeleagle1965]

I did Atkins for 7 weeks before I started phen, and I lost 32 lbs. It is VERY restrictive-carbs are in everything! I stayed under 20 grams, and those 20 were met strictly with salad. I wasn't hungry, but I missed fruit and bread. You have to shop and cook separately for yourself, and forget about going out to dinner with the family...restaurants, picnics, and fast food aren't exactly Atkin's friendly. I went off plan on vacation in Mexico-the rice, beans, and tortillas were just too much temptation, and I wasn't going to torture myself. In 10 days, I gained back 7 lbs. When we got back, I started phen, and in almost 2 weeks I've lost 6 of those 7 lbs-so I'm quitting Atkins altogether while I'm ahead. I wasn't going crazy, eating a bunch of fried foods or huge portions-just not watching carbs, and there's no way I overate 7 pounds worth! I am also a member of a big Atkins forum, and the majority of people who quit gain all their weight back and then some-so although I don't understand the "science" of why that is (or why an apple or a banana would be unhealthy), I do know that Atkins probably isn't the thing to do unless you plan on doing it permanently.
Atkin's did however teach me some things about the body's reactions to sugars/starches, and the cravings they cause. I am staying away from sweets, eat whole grain breads and cereals, brown rice instead of white, etc, and now when I eat carbs I know my body will process them more efficiently if I combine them with a protein. I don't know much about South Beach, but isn't that pretty close to what it follows?

[foxylady]

I agree, it does seem pretty restictive at first. But it seems, at least for me, the longer I stick to the plan the easier it becomes. I haven't had any problem at all staying low carb eating out at resturants or fast food, but I have had to be pretty creative, lol.
I also belong to a big Atkins diet board, which one do you belong to?

[rebeleagle1965]

foxy-
I like 3fatchicks-it's great. I still go even though I'm not on Atkins anymore-they have boards for lots of other plans as well. Great support and info for whatever you are doing.
The only bad thing is I got kinda discouraged seeing so many people who couldn't go over 30-40 carbs a day without stalling or even gaining.....and so many who can't do the whole "net carbs" thing either. All I ever subtracted was fiber. Sugar alcohols (which most low-carb products subtract to make them appealing to the diet) tend to stall alot of folks because they can cause the same insulin "spikes" as real sugars/starches, along with the quick fat storage and cravings. Not everyone has that problem, some are just unlucky I guess.
Don't get me wrong....Atkin's can be a great plan to lose weight fairly quickly-it's just not for me. I know I can't do it permanently, so I'm not gonna screw around with my metabolism and the way my body burns it's "fuel".

[foxylady]

I haven't been to that website in a long time I'll have to check it out again! I belong to the Atkins Diet Bulletin Board, there's lots of great information and support there, along with the Low Carb Bulletin Board - They have some good info on all the low carb plans...
I am one of those people who can not go over 40 net carbs if I'm not exercising, other wise I stall. If I'm exercising I'm able to eat around 60 and be ok. It dose seem daunting to think of eating this way for the rest of my life but I think once I get to goal I'll be able to add in a few treats every few weeks or so and be fine, as long as I'm exercising. Even now I still drink alcohol on the weekends and have fruit every now and then... So far I haven't had any ill effects... (x'ing my fingers! lol)
lol Yeah, sugar alcohols are evil- I try to stay away from them also!

[Ian Robertson]

As far as diets like Atkins go, I would not recommend them and certainly not in the long term. In 1973, the Chief of Harvard's Medical School remarked about the dietary dangers of Dr. Atkins' diet by saying,"The author who makes the suggestion is guilty of malpractice." Not only can the excessive protein intake and low carbohydrate lead to kidney and liver damage(of failure). The high concentration of saturated fats coming from animal sources can lead to various cancers and heart disease. Also, the diet is nutritionally deficient and the lack of carbs leaves one feeling sluggish. And if any expectant mothers out there are on the Atkins diet, stop immediately. The ketone bodies that accumulate from burning fat for energy in the absence of carbs can lead to brain damage in the fetus. However, the idea of insulin control is fantastic and is the best medicine in preventing Metabolic Syndrome which leads to obesity, type II diabetes, and heart disease amongst other things. The best diet really is a nutritionally balanced diet in which carbs are the PREDOMINANT component of one's diet maybe as high as 50-60%. Protein should account for 30% of one's daily calories while fat should only account for 20%. In case any of you are interested, you all should come and join PhenForum's weight loss club. Be there or be square ...
http://www.PhenForum.com/weight-loss-club