Atkins Diet

I've been on the Akins diet for a little over a month and, wonder what you all think about it. I have been doing cardio but, was not having the best results. Since I've been on Akins I've lost 10 LBS. I'm trying to get back down to close to 170 LBS. Right now I'm at 200, which is not good at 5' 9" according to to BMI calculations.

 

The diet is dangerous. Eat less and move more and you will drop some weight.

No diet that excludes an entire food group is healthy.

Or.....you could move to the dark side and become a veggie!

 

how are your kidneys? I ask this because the amount of protein in this diet has been known to progress kidney disease...by any chance have you ever talked to a dietitian? just curious...

 

Find me a source of protein I think doesn't taste like garbage and I would! I hate tofu, it tastes like rubber, I hate beans and nuts.

 

First, I wouldn't be worried about the BMI calculations. According to the BMI chart I'm grossly obese, and that's not the case, at less than 8% body fat. The BMI is really an actuarial chart and has to do more with a population of people in your age group and height. If you are interested in fitness you should be more interested in percent body fat.

I agree with other posters that this diet is NOT good. The weight loss that you are experiencing is temporary and not good for you. Carbs are needed to by the body. They carry water that's needed by the body. The excess protein is not good for you, and neither is the significant amount of fat that accompanies the protein sources.

The biggest problems that people have with diets are food selection and portion control. That means that you shouldn't be taking in too much sugar, and processed carbohydrates. It means that you should have good fats in your diet. Above all, it means that you have to look closely at the calorie equation. If you take in more calories than you need for the proper functioning of your body, plus your activity related calorie, then you will store the extra calories as fat.

If the cardio isn't working, you are either taking in too much of the wrong foods or you aren't doing the right kind of cardio workout. I would suggest that you do 30 minutes of cardio, three to four times a week, at a high level of intensity. This means that it should be challenging to finish the cardio session, and you should be burning at a minimum of 300 calories. Your goal should be to increase your intensity whenever you can. This kind of high intensity cardio will help you to increase your metabolism, which allows you to burn calories even after you finish your work out.

 

Veggie diets are not just about tofu, lol, though you can spice up tofu dishes with low sodium soy sauce and other spices as part of a dish. The key to getting proper protein amounts with veggie diets is understanding that you can mix foods to obtain a complete protein, namely grains and legumes.

There are many good cookbooks out there that will provide recipes for veggie burgers, casseroles and other dishes that are pretty tasty. Some of the books even show the conversion factors involved so that you know exactly how much protein you're consuming based on certain combinations of different grains and legumes in various meals.

If you are really interested, I can get you the names of some cookbooks.

 

Amen. According to BMI I could weigh almost 40 pounds more than I do now and still be in the normal range. BMI does not take things into account like the weight of muscle vs fat, or one's bone structure. I have tiny little bird bones, and can't weigh anywhere near what they tell me I can weigh. You've seen my pic, I'm not anorexic, I'm just a tiny person. If I gained 40 pounds I'd feel like the goodyear blimp

 

Not to mention soy is dangerous as hell. Especially GMO soy. I avoid it like the plague.

 

Agree 100%. Though it matters how it's prossessed, from what I hear. Fermented is the best way to eat it and I much prefer it's taste, anyway.

Great article on it...
http://www.naturalnews.com/025513_soy_food_soybeans.html

 

You are probably best off to get on a diet that includes all foods and learn healthy eating. When you go off the Atkins you will have to go back and if you have bad habits you are going to put it back on. Also pure cardio is not the way to lost weight. Building muscle is good......muscle burns fat. Do you go to a gym.......maybe schedule a session with a trainer to get some help in an exercise plan. In general the eat less and move more is the only real way to keep it off.

 

Lots of grains are loaded with protien.

Tofu is yummy but like some else said look for non GM soy.

The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone is amazing. She has Vegan and micro biotic recipes. They are all yummy and the micro diet has no soy at all!

 

dont do that shit. he died a horrible death from his own diet.

 

Thanks for the responses. I have read a lot of the things you guys are mentioning. A lot of stuff you guys are saying I've read on the internet however, I've read the book and, have also heard opposite views also.

I do go to the gym and, know about working out. I just started really going back regularly this year and, I do feel better. I like the cardio because, It has worked in the past as far as seeing results on the scale and I feel better. The main problem has been my eating. I plan to start back lifting weights also.

The reason for me wanting to get back down to 170 is not just because of the BMI. When I weighed 167 -170LBS about ten years ago, that's when I had no belly fat at all. I've lifted weights on and off most of my adult life but, have not always watched my eating.

After a physical last year they told me my glucose levels were elevated and, suggested I go on a low-carbohydrate diet. The Dr. didn't specify which one. I had previously had no issues and, think it was because I was drinking a lot of energy drinks, when studying for a test. I haven't been drinking any at all for over a year and, probably need to check if my glucose level is normal now.

My co-worker suggested the south-beach diet , which he uses.; and has had results, he said Akins was too restrictive for him. I just know, I don't want to try a low-fat diet again, those are the hardest diets to stick to IMO. I have thought about going vegan but, I'm not sure about that either, I'll have to research it.

Again, thank you all for the responses I appreciate it. Seeing all these young in-shape brothas on here is motivating me and, making me want to get off my ass, loose weight and, get back to the way I was LOL!!

 

the best diet is vegan/veggie

 

Dang! that was fast LOL!!

 

Go Vegan!

 

Unfortunately I've never met a legume I could swallow without gagging. What I'm looking for is something that's quick, easy, and tasty. I hate cooking, so if there's a lot of prep involved I'll find all sorts of excuses to order a pizza instead.

 

agreed..i dont even pay attention to that shit, because I got cuts popping out of my arms, torso and legs.....plus I feel great

p.s. - if you're looking for a great way to boost ur metabolism, shed weight, gain strength and endurance, i'd suggest jiu-jitsu or another martial art that lets you fully exert yourself every time you go to class. I started at 220+ and dropped down to 208-209, while gaining more agility and endurance. Give it a thought, if you don't like vanilla running or sprinting workouts for cardio.

 

I don't mind cooking and, I can make some things pretty good, if I have a recipe to follow. However, I know were you're coming form about quick & easy. It's real easy to go get some food when your single vs. cooking it.

 

Yeah,this brotha at the gym told me what he thought of the BMI. He's about my height, weighs the same but, is in great shape.