Big Boy

[Jon]

As of this writing I am at just under 230...heavier than I have ever been in my life. The actual weight isn't so important, it's that I feel like crap. Hips, knees...

Anyway, I started a modified Atkins last Monday and have not cheated once. But damn do I want to. I want to do what Juls did, but I don't want to start over, so I won't.

Just thought I'd share what was going on as it helps me stay accountable.

[Pony]

That's great Jon....thanks for sharing this with us! Stay determined as you have with other things and I know you'll feel better!

We can be here to cheer you on also....!! Helps us all to stay accountable!!!

[Chy]

Good luck to ya! I had to go off the Atkin's because it gave me gout, be careful, cause I just felt like doo-doo while on it. I do know many who have had great success with it, just wasn't for me.

[Stephanie]

Wow Pony,

I don't think I've ever been down this way....nice decor. I had to take a gander at Jon's thread ya know. Anyway, I know a lot of people who have had great success with Atkins. If you stick to it that's agreat way to lose weight but you have to really follow it and start the carbs slowly after the no carbs thing.

I could never do that diest because I have a severe sweet tooth but Atkins has come out with all of this new food lately. Thanks to splenda there's tons of sweets available by Atkins with no sugar or carbs. There's a web-site called Netrition that you could get a lot of low carb foods, atkins specific.

[Pony]

Hey, thanks Steph for the info. and thanks for coming in for a visit. It's nice to see you!

Come one come all........I get lonely down here! lol

I have noticed a lot of other diet food companies have been coming out with new stuff....improving their selections....
I think that they have realized that you can't just offer such a rigid plan....people find it hard to stick it out. Not to mention that you may lose the weight but you gain it back by not learning how to retrain your body and habits to making and eating healthier choices to begin with!

[Chy]

Pony,

What do you think of the Dr. Phil diet program? I'm half way through the book and it does seem like something I can do. Have you had any feedback on it?

[Juls]

Well, I will be the voice of dissent on the Atkins diet. I don't believe in it, although avoiding carbohydrate does help you lose weight. However, it is important from a nutritional standpoint to have whole grains and unrefined carbohydrates in your diet.

For years I have eaten apples and pears to help me lose and control my weight. And Jon, even if I indulge, it does help to compensate by eating more fruits and veggies. particularly celery. The fiber in celery aids digestion, and also it usually takes more calories to chew celery and digest it than the celery itself contains.

Just recently in Prevention magazine there was an article supporting my belief that apples and pears aid in weight loss. So although apples I know are not on the atkins diet, you might want to try eating two or three apples or pears a day.

Juls

[Pony]

To be honest I haven't looked into it just yet, but I will and get back to you....OK! I have been slipping a bit lately on getting caught up on these things. ! Sorry!

[Chy]

Jul's,

I have been supplementing my diet with apples and pears as well instead of granola and protein bars. It has been really working in that, it keeps be from getting hungry between meals, and I don't feel guilty having one as a bed time snack.

The reward's from this simple change has been great. I have really gotten satisfaction from eliminating the "yucky" stuff for fruits and veggies. It wasn't as hard as I thought! Glad to know I'm doing some of the right things.

[Pony]

Thanks Juls, I didn't want to be the only one not all that fond of the Atkins diet! But like for some it's a good starting point......in my opinion not long lasting. Whatever works for some!

I like your apples and pears and celery concept! I will look up that article. I just finished reading in People....yes I said People....magazine about some weight loss success stories of people that did it without surgery or gimick pills. Just plain old hard work (excerise) and healthy eating plans. I don't normally buy that mag. but I saw them on the cover and had to read about it! Jan. issue

Juls, I just love your input down here! Thanks

[Juls]

Pony and Chy,

Thank you very much. I enjoy being able to help, even if it's in a small way.

Juls

[Stephanie]

I never said I approved of the Atkins diet. On the contrary it seems very unhealthy to me only because people are having so much fat in their diet and that is bad for cholestoral. However you are allowed like 20 carbs a day the first 2 weeks and then you are able to include fruits and veggies. It's not exactly no carbs. That would be almost impossible.

However, for someone like Jon, who I think is a bit like me, you want something that's going to take off 20 pounds as painlessly as possible and as quick as possible. Atkins is the way to go for that.

[Juls]

Stephanie,

You are definitely right about that being able to take some weight off quickly. I'm sorry if I sounded judgmental or disapproving of your post.

Juls

[DenF.]

Years ago Jon, I went on a low carb diet. Dropped the weight quick.

But once I arrived at my desired weight, I went to a more healther diet and incorporated daily excercise.

I love fruit, fish, breads, a little meat hear and there... all in moderation.

[Ann]

I'm going to join you Jon, and give Atkins a good try. Everything I read and hear about it contradicts the bad press he has been given, and it has now been proven that even with all the fat allowed, it can "improve" cholesterol levels.

I quit smoking at New Years and it is starting to show and I really need a strict plan to get me back on track, or at least back to my ideal weight.

Anyway, I am healthy as a horse, and starting to look like one, and I just got the book, so one round of grocery shopping today and I start tomorrow.

Let the "naysayers" try their own. Atkins is my choice right now.

Hugs
Ann

[Pony]

OMG....Steph...I too, am sorry if it sounded that way......Please don't take it that way. I meant it's just not my preference......

Everyone has what works for them and that's why there are so many choices out there. It's just that I have personally seen people go on it and lose fast and then they gain it back after a while. IMHO...it is because they haven't learned to baiscally eat on a more healthier food plan for the long haul of life!

I am by no means an authority on what the perfect food plan is and don't ever mean to discourage anyone from trying something that could be the one for them; for them to achieve success on. I would never want to offend anyone here on their efforts to change their eating habits and get in shape....to be healthy!

Jon and Ann and anyone else here I support your efforts 100 %. Continue to let us know how it is going! Please!!

And Steph, your input here is always welcome....please feel free to drop in anytime and share it!!!!

[Ann]

I was reading Atkin's book, and found it interesting that it is NOT rigid on the number of carbs, just has recommendations for different speeds and amounts of weight loss.

My husband is also going on this with me. He needs/wants to lose about 20-30 pounds and I want to lose about 15-20.

We are both going to start at the 45 carbs a day, which is higher than the 20 but less than the 60 that they also suggest would result in weight loss, and works better for us to keep a balanced diet.

Also, my husband is diabetic and this diet is terrific for that. He monitors his bloodsugar levels every day, so he can watch and see what happens.

Also, I found this carb counter for anyone who is interested

http://www.caloriechart.org/caloriechart.html

I don't particularly want to cook his "special" recipes nor do I want to buy "wannabe carbs" food, so I am planning to work his diet eating normal healthy food as much as possible.

I'm not suggesting that this diet is for everyone, but I know that if I am going to stay off the cigarettes, I need to address the weight problem right now!

Hefty Hugs
Ann

[Pony]

Sounds great Ann. That's good that your both doing it together! Thanks for the link to the carb counter. Maybe I can link it up in a power post for everyone!!

[Chy]

Just one suggestion, it's alway's good to check with your doctor before going on any regime or diet. My doctor was furious with me as I didn't get the okay from him for Atkins, boy did I suffer the consequences! Had I gone to him first, I would have found it was not a diet for me.

I will be looking forward to your success stories as I'm a bit envious, since it wasn't for me.

[Jon]

I'm really not "on" Atkins or any specific plan. I'm not eating processed sugars, breads, rice, potatos, etc. I am having small amounts of fruit, and I refuse to give up the caffiene. I have increased my protein intake quite a bit, but mainly because I'm not eating any of the other stuff.

By not having a strict "diet", I feel I am much more likely to change my habits, and not get dissapointed that I "slipped".

[Chy]

:clap ... after all the diets I've tried, I realized it's a life style change that needed to occur, what I eat and how much. I too have kept the carbs and sugars at bay, supplemented with fruits, and eat the right proteins, combined with 3-4 hours of cardio exercise a week has what's finally worked for me.

[Ann]

We both just visited our new doctor last week and it's fine as long as we don't get ridiculous. I agree that anyone thinking of trying this should visit their doctor first.

Like Jon, we plan to adjust it a little (one of the reasons we added more carbs), and at some point use a more liberal version for an ongoing eating plan.

I'm not giving up my coffee either, but I am happy with black if necessary.

[Jon]

Originally posted by Chy
[Bcombined with 3-4 hours of cardio exercise a week.. [/B]

Getting up from the keyboard every 2-3 hours is cardio, right?

[Chy]

*LOL*... yea.. those up and down squats can really raise your heart rate.... Up, down, up, down, ..... rest. That's enough for you today!

[Juls]

I absolutely do not want to give up my capps, LOL

Juls