Hmm, this is good to know, cuz I heard the same thing. thx

I've been on my own version of the Atkins program for 2 weeks and I've lost 5 lbs.

what is your version? I am thinking about doing CAD or Southbeach

i read in a fitness magazine yesterday that the Atkins Diet is causes Kidney stones after a year or so in some people. So beware.

Just so ya know weight is gained easily after you start eating carbs again, so I wouldn't recommend going from low carb to tons of carbs in a matter of days.

In order to "function" properly and stay healthy you should be getting anywhere from 125-175 g of Carbs a day. The average American is getting anywhere from 200-300 g a day, which is why the whole low carb thing came out. I know a lot of you are Canadian so you're probably just fine. Carbohydrates are one of the body's macronutrients, which the body needs to survive, along with water, lipids, protein. If the body doesn't get enough carbs it has to look other places to find them. And it goes to the muscles. The muscles are infused with water and carbs. So what happens if you're on a low carb or no carb diet and aren't getting 125-175 g a day is the body will lose muscle. So a lot of the weight you may think you are losing is water weight from the muscles and also muscle itself. This info all comes from a Anatomy and Physiology class I took a few months back. So I'm not full of crap. Just be careful if you're on Atkins. The odds of gaining that weight back may be extreme. The body will go into overload mode and start turning muscle into fat for conservation purposes. Think again people!!!! Just exercise and cut back on calories, watch carb intake. Stay in the range and you'll do fine. If you want a good place to monitor all food intake go to fitday.com .....it'll monitor all your intake for free. Good luck!

I use that website as well sarahmarie...its very good....to teach you what ou are eating and what nutrients you are getting...

I had a friend who lost alot of weight on Atkins, and really liked the food etc. However she got an infection and couldn't get rid of it. Literally the day after she started back on carbs it went away.

Isn't ketosis supposed to put a strain on your body? Burning your fat reserves is supposed to be a back up rather than your main energy source.

I was on the Atkin's diet about 2 years ago and lost close to 20 lbs (for my size that was quite a lot), however, I couldnt stick to it once I came to college. Now I am trying it again because the school is providing the right foods for the diet. I have been on it for a week and so far have not lost but maybe a pound which is not what I remember from the last go around. The last time I lost atleast 5 lbs in the first week. Do any of you know what might be going on or have any tips to speed up the weight loss? I went to another web site and it said the go in the "meat fast" diet temporarily. This temporary diet has you eating nothing but meat and drinking nothing but water. Has anyone heard of this before because it does sound like it will work?
--Brittany

Hi Brittany! It's completely normal to not lose as much the second time around on atkins. I don't know why, but it seems like everybody that starts atkins again after going off of it loses much slower. You could also post a typical day's menu and I mght be able to help you out. But, as sad as it is, the weight does come off slower the second time around.

weight loss should be a slow process anyway. The whole "rollercoaster" and "yo-yo" termonology is there because the faster you lose weight the easier it is for it to come right back. Patience is definately key when it comes to successful weight loss ... then support (like this forum).

Read! Read! Read! The best intentioned advice is only that. I have lost 70 pounds on Atkins.

Ok - ladies & gents ... !!!
I have always been a little curious about the atkins diet - i know i know ... not healthy! -- because ive seen so many people lose weight and fast and keep it off ... but it also scares me because of the amount of calories and fat you take in. It scares me that once you go on it and lose the weight you won't be able to take it off or go back to a healthy way of eating ... is this true? Is there any way I could go on it and then gradually go back to lower calorie as a way of life for the long run? Or could I do low carb or healthier carbs and still get the same weight loss as ATkins? I need a little help here! I'm curious in both a good way but also bad - a little skeptical! I know , i realy do ... that low cal is the best and proven way ... just curious - any info. would be great :P I know deep down that I should stick to low calories but I have been feeling like i'm in a rut latley no matter what I do and that this might be a trick? I know i'm falling for the tricks and promises of a quick fix ... !!! I've been just hearing so much about it I finally gave in to thinking/considering it! Help !
Another thought - would South Beach be something to consider? Sounds a little more healthy! Jessica Simpson ----> MY IDOL lol* was on it! Sounds kind of confusing though!

I've been finding soe great info! South Beach is looking great ! Lose up to 8 - 13 lbs in one week!! What do i have to lose ... hehe* well looks like about 10 pounds! Still want any ifo anyone can give to me tho

8-13 pounds a week isn't healthy. I was on atkins before, and for me at least, it got easier and easier (for a week or so I was only consuming about 10 carbs a day) don't know how much I lost...but my dad lost a lot.

I'd reccomend just going with low calorie. Atkins is awesome for meat lovers (like me) but it's terrible for people who love bread, too (like me). Low calorie would be easiest, though, I think. You loose weight slower, but you're able to eat a healthier range of foods. Now, you could incorporate a lower carb, with that...like setting a max of 50 carbs or so, but that's still leaving plent of room for good foods.