Congrats to all of you making a life-style change! At the risk of sounding like an infomercial, I figured I'd share my experience with Atkins (especially since someone asked).
I started Atkins July of last year, when I weighed aroudn 180 lbs (I'm 5'3" so it didn't look good, trust me). I now weight 137 lbs or so, with about 15 more to go. I lost weight very rapidly initially. Now I lose no more than a pound a week, which is fine with me, I'd rather taper off gradually anyway, and besides that's what Atkins recommends.
There are four phases with Atkins: 1. Induction 2. On-going Weight Loss 3. Pre-Maintenance 4. Maintenance.
Most people assume Induction, the most austere part of the diet, is the Atkins diet. That is not the case. The purpose of the Induction phase is to jump start your metabolism and to switch your body from burning carbohydrates as a source of fuel to burning fat. Induction typically lasts 2 weeks, although it is safe to do longer. The first 4 days to 1 week, you won't feel great. Your body has to switch its fuel source, and many of us are addicted to carbs, so you feel a bit hungover , tired and irritable. However, once you get over that hump people tend to feel great. I did. I had a ton of energy, slept well and was losing weight effortlessly. During Induction you are limited basically to proteins and carbs in the form of salads. I always ate more than the recommended amount of salads. The way I figured, if I was cheating by eating extra salad, I really wasn't doing too bad. I ate a variety of protein: fish, chicken, beef, turkey etc. Some people worry about the amount of fat you are taking in. I really didn't. Atkin's book, New Diet Revolution, gives a very informative explanation behind the science. It's interesting because this same diet has been in use in Europe for years now for people who suffer from diabetes.
As you progress through the other phases you gradually reintroduce some carbs, but you can pretty much kiss sugar and refined flour and pasta etc, away for good. As much as I used to love those things, I dont' miss them, I don't crave them and on the few occasions when I've accidentally eated things with sugar in them (I took a swig of my son's drink one day -- I mistook it for mine) it made me sick.
The key is finding substitutes for the things I like. Every once in a while I want something sweet: so I eat sugar free jello, or eat something with a sugar substitute. Atkins Nutriotionals makes great substitute products. I absolutely adore the Endulge Caramel Nut chews. They taste just like Snickers.
I guess the key to my success on Atkins has been flexibility. If I go out with people are they order pizza, I eat it too. I just dont' eat the crust.
Again, I know I sound like an infomercial, but it worked phenomenally well for me, has improved my outlook on life, my sex life, my self-image, etc. I won't say that this diet will work for everyone, but it will work for a lot of people. And if I can do it all the way over here in Togo, you guys can definitely do it in the US.
