What do you love about Atkins?

I am curious to see why people here are choosing to do Atkins. I previously lost 91 pounds with the help of Atkins. My craving for foods were nonexistent. I had more energy then I've ever had. I even was able to work out. That was after trying weight watchers, and numerous other low fat diets. I always would feel like I was starving and never really able to eat what I wanted. But with Atkins it was never like that. I did regain quite a lot of the weight that I lost. Even though it had nothing to do with Atkins. So now I am bad again going to loose weight the weight and keep it off.

I do Atkins probably for the same reasons you have listed. This is the first diet I have ever been successful on - and I have tried a lot of them. I love being able to live w/o feeling hungry. I enjoy all the wonderful foods that are allowed. I also enjoy the increased energy that Atkins gives to me. Atkins was successful years ago, and like a lot of others here, I went back to my old way of eating. This time around I am much older and wiser and am learning to make this a WOE for life.

I just want to point out it doesn't have to be either low carb or low fat. It can be just balance. I keep my ratio around 20% protein, 40% carbs, 40% fats. It allows me to eat everything I like. All I do is count calories. I eat a lot more than weight watchers would allow and never feel hungry. Plus I know I will be able to maintain it because I now understand so much about nutrition I never did before. You CAN eat everything you enjoy. Just in the correct portions

Best of luck with whatever you choose to do.

Kate, you're so right. I tend to pick low carb options in my calorie limit but I like the freedom that if I do eat a muffin (bad for Atkins) or an apple or anything LC, as long as I stay in my calorie range, I will be fine! I feel better on a higher fat/pro diet but I know from experience that I have to still watch my portions.

I agree with you Keli and msrn! This has been such a good experience for me. I am learning what works for me and I feel so much better! I'm finding that I have more energy which translates into more activity and resting better at night. I also enjoy that I don't feel deprived or hungry.

I'm in the same boat as msrn2010 and kmartin - Atkins is the only diet I have had success with. I'm also the exact opposite of healed01, as I DON'T like to have the freedom!
My main problem is that my partner is chef and so I'll often end up having a second dinner when he gets home late at night. I find it much easier knowing that if I have some pizza etc. that I WILL set myself back so far - and this stops me, or I go grab a bit of chicken or cheese. On low calorie diets, the mind frame is more that "a little bite will be OK"... and I have very little self restraint so this often turns into a slice/two slices/half a pizza!

agree Vickeer

I chose Atkins because I buy the logic that the diet gives you a break from carbs and helps reset your hormones. That is why I don't have cravings when I am on the diet. I also think that some of us are experiencing health problems because we are consuming too many carbs and we are making our bodies suffer by having to deal with it. I find it a little funny how this is such a controlled diet. It is a little experiment (when done correctly) in reseting your relationship to carbohydrates and determining the maximum amount that you can personally tolerate.

But I find that Atkins really simplifies it and perhaps too much so. Some people can't tolerate dairy or eggs and they don't even know it. It is inflammation that the person might have trouble identifying. i have heard of people going on a low allergen diet and losing 30 pounds because, as they found out, eggs were not their thing. Perhaps some people who are wholeheartedly following Atkins and not succeeding might be allergic to something that they are eating regularly.

K8yk I do like your distribution of protein, carbs, and fat. As a person moves along with Atkins and get closer to their goal. It does lean closer too that. Atkins is only restrictive in the beginning. For me I had to find a diet that was simple, and helped with my intense sugar cravings. But I agree somewhat of a balance is good. However a higher percentage of fats, then protein, then carbs works for me. However Aktins has helped me learn what works for my own body. I get my carbs in veggies, berries, whole grain bread(so yummy can't believe all i used to eat was white) and nuts is good for me. I had never ate some money veggies as I have on Atkins. I think different things work for different people. I never really felt like I was missing out on anything. Also any diet or lifestyle change can be abused. Someone on Atkins could defiantly say in Induction to long, or assume its all about beef and eggs. Just like with weight watchers I've had friends save mostly all their points on bags of chips, candy, and fast food.

hello,

i do atkins cos no other method worked for me.. all other diet make me starving n by 8pm im so tired.. but now with atkins im so energetic n was happy with what im doing dz time.. eating out iz not a problem anymore.. i started with 160lbs.. right now 154 lbs n 44lbs to go.. i wish all luck!

A LOT of people do this. I think that coming back for the second time you will have more of an understanding about how important it is to transition thru the phases correctly and make this a way of life.
Welcome back!