Then tell me what works.

I'd like to know too.

When you follow the Atkins plan, you do add back GOOD carbs. And the occasional bad carb can be eaten. You do eat fruit and grain eventually. And if you choose not to, you don't have to follow the two week induction. Your weight loss will be slower.

Certainly it is not for everyone. But it is not bad.

You do need fat to survive.

But not trans fat as Dr. Atkins warned about long ago.

It depends on you mean by "what works".

If it's short term WEIGHT loss you're after, then Atkins away. As I've already said, I'm not at all denying it can work. You could also just not eat for a week, and you'll lose even more weight. Noone seriously believes that would be a healthy way of going about it, but hey, if we're only focussing on short term weight loss, then it "works".

If however, it's long term, sustainable, healthy FAT loss you're after, in a lifestyle / plan that can be continued for life, then I'm going to have to side with the major nutrition, dietetic, and health foundations in the developed world who are all pretty unanimous in their advice: focus on high level of low GI carbs, moderate level of protein, low level of fat (ESPECIALLY saturated fat), reduce sugars, reduce salt, drink water, and most of all EXERCISE REGULARLY with a combination of cardio and resistance training.

(as an aside I think this the point that we're forgetting here - it doesn't matter what eating plan you follow - if you sit on your backside all day and do nothing you'll get fat. Period.)

Both you (Kevin) and Lucy have said it's a plan that has worked for you, and that's awesome. I hope it continues for you. But you've both also said it's a plan that for one reason or another you couldn't stick to, which to me sends warning signals straight away on it's impact on overall health and function.

People tend to get a bit emotional and defensive when having this debate (I've had it many times!) - because I'm not a fan of Atkins I was privately told on this site that it's a shame I am so uninformed about it! Whether or not you believe me that I'm informed (which I can assure you I am BTW), then you can believe that the various foundations whose info I posted earlier certainly are.

I'm sure there are people reading this forum who are genuinely confused and want to decide for themselves, so all we can do is present our opinions and thoughts. There is no right answer. We have differing personal experiences, which is what makes the world go round.

The health and nutrition associations however, when it comes to Atkins, well, they ain't fans.

So why take them out?


That's a relief... but what he's saying is at times in this plan you have to avoid fruit... but a McDonalds Big Mac is okay? (as long as you take the bun off of course!)


So why have it?


I'm with you on that one!


Absolutely true...


And not saturated fat as every health professional BAR Dr Atkins warned about long ago!

Yes it works for short term weight loss... but let's not start calling it healthy.

I don't think that anyone of us can say what is a healthy diet and what isn't because there is some disagreement among the experts. I think it's more a question of making up one's own mind through reading and putting a diet into practice.

I also think that the premise of a low carb diet is that this type of food was around when our bodies were designed, rather than jacket potatoes and wholemeal pasta. I have also read plenty of research that suggests that a low carb diet doesn't increase one's cholesterol

Personally, I switched from a low fat diet which was viewed as being balanced and healthy to a low carb diet and this helped me in several ways. My severe blood sugar swings disappeared as did my polycystic ovaries (a condition which is linked with an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes) and my IBS dramatically improved. My weight also stabilised and I've largely stuck with it for the last 7 years. So that is my opinion but I'm not saying that this diet is correct or otherwise.

Yea but processed meats weren't around then either... carbs have always been around, meat has always been around... the whole evolutionary eating pattern is another thread again (and that's always a fun one!!)


Be a bit careful here, the jury's still out on this one as it depends a lot on what type of protein/fat is eaten... certainly genetics and a lack of exercise has a huge impact on cholesterol levels too. However there's a LOT of evidence around that suggests your heart doesn't like you eating much saturated fat...


By the sounds of it you've tried a few plans, and found one that works for you, and one that you've been able to stick to for 7 years. That's what it's all about. Nice one

As far as I'm aware, while carbs have always been around, the argument is that, given that cooking facilities were extremely limited when our bodies were designed, fruit was our major source of carbs, which I believe is very seasonal. Other plant matter which would have been consumed contains carbs but only in small quantities, I think.



You're absolutely right. However, there also seems to be evidence that saturated fat raises HDLs (good cholesterol) and also that different countries who have similar profiles of saturated fat consumption have different rates of heart disease. I'm assuming that this needs to be looked into more carefully.

There is another thread going strong in the forum right now along these same lines... I don't think there is anything wrong with comparing the science behind what makes each program/diet work, but we need to remember that we are all different. I am copying a portion of a response I wrote for the other thread below because I think it applies here as well.

"No one will ever agree on "which diet is the best". I just think we should all choose a diet that we can transition into a "lifestyle" for maintenance after we have lost all the weight. If low-carb works for you, then great! I wouldn't want to do it, but that is just my opinion; I know it wouldn't work for me because I wouldn't stick to it in the long run.

In the meantime, I think we should just continue to motivate each other along whatever individual paths that we choose to take on our journey to health!"

I agree with most of what you say but I like to think that intellectual debate is not demotivating. If you think that anything I've said is demotivating, I'd welcome your feedback.

For me, debating with other people has been important in prompting me to research into the whole diet thing and devising my own diet. I've said a bit about what I think at this moment in time but some day someone might say something and I could completely change my mind.

Rachelle

I never said that the debate is demotivating, or that learning how different diets work scientifically is unuseful or wrong...in fact, I am usually the first one to burn the midnight oil researching different health related topics on the Internet and by reading.

My point was simply that sometimes we get so caught up in wondering what is the "right way" to lose weight, that we spend more time collecting knowledge than just going out there, trying what works for us and sticking to it. Physiological differences and lifestyle differences will make it so one diet works for one person and not another - so there is no one "right way" for everyone.

However, there is one thing that I think works universally. Support and motivation. So, let's make sure that even in the midst of our debates, that we remember to maintain those two things.

In a previous post, you said:



And, I AGREE!

Merry Christmas to you and good luck with your fitness goals!

Jennie