Is CC compatible with Atkins?

I've been on Atkins before, lost 17 pounds.

I have gained alot of weight over the last year, I think mostly because I lost my parents and have been eating poorly and drinking too much.

I have controlled the drinking, but now have to lose this weight.

I am on Atkins now.  And have lost 5 pounds in the first week so far.

But I like the idea of being able to track things and get nutritional feedback on this site.

Has anyone used this site while on Atkins?  How well do they work together?

Any feedback or suggestions please.

 

I'm amazed you're back to atkins because if it was effective, you wouldn't be overweight again.  Low-carb is very yesterday.  Most people are now moving to 'good carbs' instead.  You lose weight a little slower but in a much healthier and more permanent way.

Sorry to hear about your parents.  God bless.

Atkins kinda freaks me out because everyone I've ever known that did it lost a bunch of weight pretty quickly, lost their taste for carbs, etc.  But they ALL gained it back.  Every single one of them.  But if it works for you, cool. 

I'm not a fan of it because carbs are such an important part of the diet.  I'll tell you, I've switched to eating really good carbs like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and I've also lost 5 pounds in a week.  Drastic measures may not be necessary.  Atkins is good for instant gratification, but in the long run, it's damaging.  All those ketones from the outlandish amounts of proteins floating around in the blood... just not natural.  I think any "diet" (eew) is compatible with this site.  But I don't think people on Atkins really count calories because their bodies go straight to the fat stores because there is no glucose coming straight from carbs to run off of.  But I'm not a doctor so I'm not sure, I just know results from empirical evidence.

Good luck and take care of yourself!!!!

Atkins works because protein is an appetite suppressant and, by skipping carbs, the dieter is automatically eating a lot less than normal.  But, at its heart, it's just a calorie-controlled diet like any other.  All that guff about ketosis is just to keep the punters happy that it's somehow 'scientific'.  (That'l l get the low-carb harpies out on their broomsticks!)

Everyone I know that did Atkins regained the weight in about half the time it took them to lose it.  And the only long-term low-carb-er I know has just had her gallbladder removed because of her high-fat diet.  Not good is it?

The Atkins diet actually does put you into ketosis; if you're not eating carbs, you don't have carbs to break down, so your body is undergoing scores of beta-oxidation to break down your fats, which releases lots of acetone into your body. Your brain actually switches from running on 99% glucose to 30% glucose 70% ketone bodies. Scary, eh? And not healthy for long periods of time, because as soon as you eat a carb, your body will be on that like white on rice and you'll blow up. You're probably also eating much more saturated fat which = no good. If you want low carb, go more along the lines of South Beach. They're at least into lean proteins, whole grains, and high fiber.

As someone who tried Atkins, lost 40 pounds then gained it back and then some, I would have to agree with the others.  It makes much more sense to only limit carbs not from fiber.  Fiber is essential to good health and although my personalized diet plan does have days where I restrict carbs, I only restrict carbs from starch and sugar.  I can eat ask much fiber as I want and usually get in most of my daily allowance of fiber by lunch.  And the Atkins contention that all foods that are lower in fat are high in calories and carbs is simply not true.  Using a much more sensible balanced approach, that includes healthy amounts of carbs, protein, and good fats has enabled me to lose 101 pounds so far without being deprived of Mexican, Italian, and Chinese foods that I love (which Atkins said were not allowed).

Original Post by gi-jane:

Atkins works because protein is an appetite suppressant and, by skipping carbs, the dieter is automatically eating a lot less than normal.  But, at its heart, it's just a calorie-controlled diet like any other.  All that guff about ketosis is just to keep the punters happy that it's somehow 'scientific'.  (That'l l get the low-carb harpies out on their broomsticks!)

Everyone I know that did Atkins regained the weight in about half the time it took them to lose it.  And the only long-term low-carb-er I know has just had her gallbladder removed because of her high-fat diet.  Not good is it?

 

Incorrect. The existance of ketosis is a scientific fact.

Also, the gallbladder only malfunctions if you don't eat ENOUGHT fat.

Original Post by calculus_girl:

The Atkins diet actually does put you into ketosis; if you're not eating carbs, you don't have carbs to break down, so your body is undergoing scores of beta-oxidation to break down your fats, which releases lots of acetone into your body. Your brain actually switches from running on 99% glucose to 30% glucose 70% ketone bodies. Scary, eh? And not healthy for long periods of time, because as soon as you eat a carb, your body will be on that like white on rice and you'll blow up. You're probably also eating much more saturated fat which = no good. If you want low carb, go more along the lines of South Beach. They're at least into lean proteins, whole grains, and high fiber.

If you are in ketosis, your entire body runs off of ketone bodies. The exception to this rule is your muscles, which store glycogen, which they run off of in anaerobic situations. Any carbs you eat will initially be used to refill this glycogen, and will not be stored as fat. This is the premise of cyclic ketogenic diets that bodybuilders make use of (five days low/no carb, two days high carb).

Ketosis is a perfectly healthy state for the body to be in. The saturated fats you eat will be used for fuel, and thus will not cause cholesterol issues. This is compounded by the fact that insulin levels are low. Saturated fat really only cause blood lipid issues when combined with high blood sugar levels and high levels of insulin.

To the OP: combining calorie counting with carb restriction is an extremely effective way to lose fat. Some people simply find it rather extreme.

Original Post by techdog:

As someone who tried Atkins, lost 40 pounds then gained it back and then some, I would have to agree with the others.  It makes much more sense to only limit carbs not from fiber.  Fiber is essential to good health and although my personalized diet plan does have days where I restrict carbs, I only restrict carbs from starch and sugar.  I can eat ask much fiber as I want and usually get in most of my daily allowance of fiber by lunch.  And the Atkins contention that all foods that are lower in fat are high in calories and carbs is simply not true.  Using a much more sensible balanced approach, that includes healthy amounts of carbs, protein, and good fats has enabled me to lose 101 pounds so far without being deprived of Mexican, Italian, and Chinese foods that I love (which Atkins said were not allowed).

I agree. Make sure you get plenty of fiber while on any low carb program.

Thanks to all.

I should have noted that I lost the 17 lbs more than 5 years ago, and kept it off until recently.  I had been eating low carb, high fiber, low salt (my husband has high B.P.)

I think the increase in alcohol, deep-fried and comfort foods is what has done me in...not the post-Atkins weight gain everyone warns about.  High fiber just makes more sense.

I do try to pick more high-fiber choices in my vegetable servings, and take a fiber supplement, as well as a Omega supplement, and a multi-vitamin.

I just entered all my meals and snacks on the log and came in 700 calories below what I'm allowed, but my nutritional analysis is only averaging B-.

I'm going to try sticking to this combo (Atkins-CC) for a while, and slowly add more veggies and fruit, and more low-fat protein choices over time.

TO IMCCARTHY:  I hope you are right!!!!!!!

I did the Atkins diet more than once, and it always worked well for a while. Eventually I would be unable to stick with it, start eating exactly like before, and gain back all the weight I had lost plus a little more. I probably went through that cycle 3 or 4 times.

I have recently lost a lot of weight by following the CC plan. When I look at my food analysis, I am typically consuming 50% of my calories in the form of carbs. I think the CC plan is healthier and sustainable. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

Original Post by imccarthy:

Original Post by gi-jane:

Atkins works because protein is an appetite suppressant and, by skipping carbs, the dieter is automatically eating a lot less than normal.  But, at its heart, it's just a calorie-controlled diet like any other.  All that guff about ketosis is just to keep the punters happy that it's somehow 'scientific'.  (That'l l get the low-carb harpies out on their broomsticks!)

Everyone I know that did Atkins regained the weight in about half the time it took them to lose it.  And the only long-term low-carb-er I know has just had her gallbladder removed because of her high-fat diet.  Not good is it?

 

Incorrect. The existance of ketosis is a scientific fact.

Also, the gallbladder only malfunctions if you don't eat ENOUGHT fat.

I have to disagree with you on the gallbladder comment.  However, I am NOT a doctor, only stating what I was told and knew when I had mine removed.  I was not skinny and NOT eating a low fat diet.  I had eaten a very fatty meal to cause the attack.  The stones however were caused by a number of possibilities...  Fatty diet, long term birth control use, heredity, etc...  I was one of the youngest patients this surgeon had done the surgery on (23 yrs old).

As far as atkins goes, I can't handle it now, without a gall bladder, eating high amounts of fat at one time gives me major issues.  I've tried South Beach with some success, but found it too restricted for my taste.  I've found that if I'm to be successful, I have to allow myself life's little pleasures, but learn some moderation.  It's a long lesson, I'll tell you that, but I didn't get fat quickly either

Ketosis is a scientific fact.  But it's incorrect to put the weight-loss exclusively down to ketosis which is what often happens.   People even peeing on ketosticks to make sure they're burning fat etc.  'Calories in vs calories out' applies to everyone regardless of what daft combination of foods they opt to eat. 

All scientific ketosis pocus aside the diet is a poor substitute for a healthy lifestyle.

I lost a ton of weight, felt awful and once I started introducing the forbidden fruits back into my diet the weight piled back on and I still felt awful.

The CC plan has taught me more than how to lose weight...but how to realign a healthy relationship with food with lifestyle and my true spirit.

The mere idea that I've read that the brain works best on carbohydrates is enough to make me never to try Atkins/Atkins-like diets.  I really value my mind and my creativity.

I'm smart enough to know what "eating well" is, but using CC+ helps me form good habits. 

I too did the Atkins diet, it worked great lost 35 lbs in a month, but the minute I put a carb into my mouth that was it. . .diet over!!! Gained weight. Here I learned to eat healthy. So the healthier I eat the more weight I loose. I have gone from a size 20 down to a 16 in 4 months, that is probably a bit fast, but I eat when I am hungery and I only eat healthy foods. Except when I crave a small peice of candy, even then I don't gain anything. I walk a lot; make sure I walk an hour each day. I am not knocking  the Atkins diet, but if you eat a carb then you gain it back. This way you won't gain it back unless you eat over 3500 calories in a day. Good Luck I hope you decide to try CC instead of Atkins.  

Atkins is also about eating vegis, good carbs, etc - the book very clearly states that...

Original Post by crashtest:

I did the Atkins diet more than once, and it always worked well for a while. Eventually I would be unable to stick with it, start eating exactly like before, and gain back all the weight I had lost plus a little more. I probably went through that cycle 3 or 4 times.

I have recently lost a lot of weight by following the CC plan. When I look at my food analysis, I am typically consuming 50% of my calories in the form of carbs. I think the CC plan is healthier and sustainable. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

The weight gain is not Atkins exclusive - it's leaving any diet plan and eating unhealthy foods... People on WW or any other plan gain their weight back too if they go off it...

Someone please explain to me what is so bad about eating vegis, low glycemic fruits, and whole grains and avoiding white bread and white potatos... that is exactly what Atkins is, and anyone that reads the book knows this... the first two weeks are the only weeks where there is a limit... 2 weeks... not a lifetime... carbs are added in week by week after that... anyone who is that restrictive for a long period of time is, in fact, not doing Atkins... Vegis are an integral part of the program...

 

 

 

Atkins is in part based on false data.  There is in the book, which I own, a claim that foods that are low in fat are all high in carbs.  And the carb restriction is not only during the first two weeks.  Yes, you do gradually add in more carbs, but you still end up with a much lower carb intake that on other diets.  And during the carb restricting phase, there is no distinction made between fiber and other types of carbs.  This is in my opinion where Atkins gets it wrong.  On top of that, Atkins claims that you don't need to count calories, that you can eat as much as you want and still lose weight.  He uses this hook to get people to give his diet a try when the claim is blatantly false.  You have to dig into the book to realize that he expects people to not be as hungry on Atkins, due in part to the appetite suppression qualities of the large amounts of protein you will consume and also due to being full of fatty foods.

In short, I think that Atkins fails in three ways:

1.  The book made no distinction between the various types of carbs during the restrictive phase of the diet.
2.  The book also made little distinction between good fats and bad fats and made the unsupportable claim that all low-fat foods were high in carbs.
3.  He uses hyperbole like "eat as much as you want without counting calories and still lose weight", when in fact, he really expects people to limit portions (just another kind of counting calories) due to not being hungry on his diet.

I'm sure that there are people out there who can live by Atkins plan, but everyone I have known who tried it was unable to do so.  While I do think that limiting some forms of carbs is beneficial, specifically processed sugars and excessive starches, I think that Atkins goes too far and has been so commercialized that the good parts of the diet have been outweighed by the hype. 

people see the atkins diet in so many different ways, and there's nothing anyone can do to put down the controversy.

the way i see it, it's just a quick fix. for example, i'm on it now to fit into my prom dress. just to lose a quick 5 for one event. it's not good to live on atkins, because it's extremely high in saturated fat and sodium. and you do need certain carbs. i'm allowed to eat 30 carbs a day off of wheat and fruit. no refined sugar or flour is the smart part of atkins, but the rest doesn't appeal to my long-term.

the atkins is also really good for people who are to obese to excersize. it regulates your blood sugar levels, and even helps your cholesterol. my sister's a personal trainer, and helped her 400 lb client get down to about 180 on the atkins diet, then slowly incorporated carbs and started getting him into excersize.

re-cap: atkins is a quick fix. excersizing and eating carbs is healthier long-term, but if you ever have a size 4 dress to fit into in a month, atkins is good deal.