So here I am 2 and a half years later, and my excuse "I just had a baby" is wearing thin. In fact, I don't think I could use that anymore at all, while pointing to an active running, talking toddler. I'm not the shy type so I'll just say the truth, I gained about 45 lbs since I had her. What makes it worse is that its still there!
I spent 425 dollars on a elliptical and yes, they do work. 15 minutes on that thing and you feel like you ran an hour on a regular treadmill. I'm desperate (but not crazy or willing to do anything unhealthy) so Godric and I got an idea. What about the Atkins diet?
Okay maybe we are crazy... We both have a friend who swears on it since his mother lost significant amount of weight, but I'm a skeptic. Has anyone tried this diet? I've read about it, but seriously it sounds like every other diet to me. You lose the weight because you eat what it tells you until you get fed up on being told what to eat and the pounds just start rolling on back. I wouldn't mind cutting on bread altogether since my food loves are red meat and dairy. Which is why I heard I'd "like" the diet.
Can anyone offer any information they may know? Thanks.
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
Don't bother with the Atkins diet. Just ... don't. it's controversial. As in, some studies think its okay. Some don't. Jury's out. Lots of inconclusiveness. Potential problems. It could easily be swapped out for a general diet plan that has proven efficacy.
My suggestion is to sign up for Sparkpeople and ACTUALLY DO IT. like, record EVERYTHING YOU EAT. Make sure to meet goals on calories from fat/fiber/carbs. Start exercise plans and stick with them. Maybe even move up to downloading sparkpeople's weekly shopping list and making all the stuff in it every day.
Posted by Ecthalion (Member # 8825) on :
I do not know if you are an avid Soda fan but if you drink sodas and juices alot you can lose quite a bit of weight by just dropping soda and juice and replacing it with either water (64 oz. or more a day is shown to increase the body's metabolism)or a thick yougurt+fruit+protien and vitamin shake. The average person who drops out the soda and juice will lose about 20-26lbs per year. Having on two occasions done this sort of "diet" in my life (i really really really like soda, so it is pretty much impossible for me to stay away from it forever) i can tell you that both times that i have stopped the soda for water i have lost just over 20 lbs.
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
my recommendation, eat more fruits and veggies and whole grains, less processed food and meat, and work out. I think that's the best "diet" anyone can ever go on.
If your food loves are red meat and dairy that could be a significant chunk of the problem right there.
Posted by Shanna (Member # 7900) on :
If you want a structured diet to follow, try Weight Watchers. It's the only "diet" I've done where I didn't feel like I was depriving myself.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
You will lose weight on the Atkins diet.
And then, when you return to normal eating because Atkins is horrible for you and makes you feel bad, you will gain it all back and more.
1. Don't drink your calories. Diet sodas are okay, but drink water and milk.
2. Don't drink juice - eat whole fruit.
3. Join sparkpeople if you don't have any money for it or weight watchers if you do.
There's no way to do it that makes it stick except exercise and diet - both, together.
Posted by The White Whale (Member # 6594) on :
The 'Eat Food' points to Strider's point of staying away from processed food, which Pollan argues is hardly food at all. 'Not too much' is great advice. Stop eating before your feel full. The feeling of fullness has a time lag. If you eat until you feel full, you're almost certainly eating more than you need. If you eat-out a lot, ask for a to go container when they bring out the food. Then put half of what you order into the container and save it for later. Portions here in America are outrageous. And the 'mostly plants' thing is self-explanatory.
I've lost 20 pounds in the last two years. I drink no soda (diet Pepsi on occasion), virtually no processed foods (single exception: Oreos. You'll have to tear those from my cold, dead hands), and have become a mostly-vegetarian. I love my meat, but eat it once or twice a week, tops.
I've also been climbing a beastly hill every day to get to campus, have been rock wall climbing and walking/hiking/running a fair amount.
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
Pollan's in Defense of Food was a great read, I second the recommendation.
Posted by AvidReader (Member # 6007) on :
Another thing you might want to do is see your doctor to make sure you don't have any food allergies. The corn syrup damaged my ability to tell when I'm hungry. I'm just now starting to get that back 8 or 9 months later. I'm also on Vitamin D which helps you feel full since mine was almost seriously low.
Also, I've been under a lot of stress at work, so if anyone can recommend a good way to feel better without stuffing myself full of carbs, I'd love to hear it. I don't want to have to choose between not being depressed and losing 30 pounds.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
quote: Also, I've been under a lot of stress at work, so if anyone can recommend a good way to feel better without stuffing myself full of carbs, I'd love to hear it.
Forty-five minutes to an hour of cardiovascular exercise, fueled by oatmeal and whole wheat stuff. I am made happy by both, and there's no question the carbs are less work. The exercise makes me happy for longer, though, and my sleep is better.
Posted by Launchywiggin (Member # 9116) on :
I'm having success with this program called The Diet Solution. There's a video there that sold me on it, and I've lost 20 pounds in the last 2 months.
Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
Launchy, do you only get downloads for the price, or do they send you books?
Posted by LisethMA (Member # 12162) on :
Thank you everyone for the information. I like having new research tools that I didn't know of. I'm not much of a soda drinker, in fact I never had soda in the fridge until I married Godric. :-) I will definitely look into these links, so thanks again for providing them.
Posted by Launchywiggin (Member # 9116) on :
Had to look up the question, Uprooted. I opted to just download all the .pdf e-books, but she does offer the program in hard-copy for an extra 20 bucks (which, from the look of it, is just printed and spiral-bound together).
Note: I've actually got a link to all the materials in the DSP that I already shared with my family and friends. She's got a great e-mail list, too.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
The South Beach diet is based on the Atkin's diet, and it works just as well. However, it is far more sustainable than the Adkin's diet, and much better for you. It is more of a lifestyle change than a diet, which is why it is so good.
Posted by Phanto (Member # 5897) on :
Actually just wrote an article on the best way to lose weight, but haven't fully looked at all the various diets and the differences/advantages of them.