Atkins diet

Anonymous Poster · Apr 11, 2003

I am a slim built type of guy........I just have an extra 20 around my mid section,I do not drink,I probably just need to stay away from the obvious sweets and cut down on my portion size and moe cardio vascular excercise .

cowboydoc · Apr 11, 2003

Mike,

You can buy a scale that step on and it will give you a reasonable estimate. The Tantara's are the best. The next best way to have it done is to have someone measure different places on your body with calipers and then put that into an equation to get your bodyfat. The absolute best and most accurate is in water but you don't need that. A good estimate will be fine. Then it depends on your age. At any age around 15% would be good. Around 10-12 after 30 would be great and under 10 would be excellent. Under 10 though you usually only see in athletes. Myself I try to stay around 12. Most people are over 20. Even people with a normal BMI can have body fat percentages over 20. Over 20 is unhealthy no matter how you look.

knucklehead · Apr 15, 2003

First - Dittos on the thanks to the Doc for the info - quite a lot of info in a concise package. Thanks, Doc!

Second - Murph, hope you feel better. I could never remember if it is feed a fever or feed a cold, so I feed everything. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I started to write a couple times already, but thought I'd just keep quiet and learn for a while. We've had similar experiences to everyone else: go on a program & lose; go off & gain. We also like to cook, and to eat. We're active, but not regularly. Diabetes, heart disease, strokes, and general grumpiness run in my family. Personally, I was starting to see my BP creep up, having more trouble sleeping after shiftwork, and more knee problems (high school football) and joint pain when working outdoors. I also finally got an umbilical hernia repaired (second time). Long story short, I've been told by more than one doctor for the last several years that life might be a little easier if I dropped the counterweight. I've gained about eighty pounds over the years since high school; not all out front, but still - ooof!

A few years ago my brother started the zone diet; the claims made sense, but we labelled it a fad diet. After making fun of him for a while we decided to try it - even the boys - and we feel great. Maybe everyone already knows about it, and I'm sure I don't understand all I know about it, but it generally balances carbs and protein, which apparently helps regulate insulin production and allows our bods to function better. Some of my diabetic friends say it's similar to their diets, which makes me more confident in it. I'm sure I've oversimplified it, and that's why I put the link in - the site is kinda flashy. We've used the book more than the site to learn about it, but there's a neat fat calculator on the site. There are a lot of claims made in the book about other effects, but I have no way of verifying that until I get a physical and blood work.

The main difference compared to Atkins is the zone starts with reduced carbs, balanced with protein intake, which I guess comes in at the end of the Atkins. Some of my work friends are doing Atkins, with big weight losses. They know they can't stay on it forever, even though it's fun to watch them eat. They are looking at the zone as a maintenence diet. We just went right to the zone since the Atkins kinda scared us. I don't think they are monitoring their sugar as Doc suggested.

The zone appears to be something we can do forever - so far, we're stuffing ourselves with good whole foods. The grocery bill has gone up a little with all the fresh veggies and additional protein products, but my blood pressure has gone from 160/90 to 130/75, I have no more headaches or trouble sleeping, and outdoor work doesn't beat me up as much - plus I have more stamina. I've dropped from 280 to 250 in two months. Also, it appears my tractor runs better. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I do plan on starting a weight training & aerobic program at once, now that the wood is cut and there's less regular physical work to be done. A sports doc like our Doc told a friend of mine that the blacksmith got his build from swinging the hammer, not lifting the anvil, & I've never forgotten that. That seems pretty close to what Doc's said here, and it's easier for me to remember.

I would be interested in anyone else's experiences with the zone, or your comments, Doc. Thank you again for your valuable advice.

Finally, I checked out the gladiator website, and perhaps true to form, I noticed they talk quite a lot about their swords.

/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

cowboydoc · Apr 15, 2003

Mark,

The zone, atkins, gladiator, etc. They are all based on the same principles. More protein, more fresh fruits and veg. and less carbs. If you do eat carbs they have to be whole wheat and not processed. Processed foods to our bodies are like kryptonite to superman. But that's a whole other topic. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

The problem with alot of these diets, esp. atkins, is that people don't get passed the first few chapters. What happens after 2 months? It's all layed out but few people follow it. Also most people don't get their body to the ketosis stage because they don't follow the plan and check it. That's why I like the other "lifestyle changes" better because they are less complicated than atkins. KISS is my approach with most people. Spell it out in black and white.

StoneHeartFarm · Apr 15, 2003

( Processed foods to our bodies are like kryptonite to superman. )

LOL! My Doc says: "The closer to the dirt you can keep it, the better it is for you."

Steve

knucklehead · Apr 15, 2003

The closer to the dirt you can keep it, the better it is for you.

Lessee, then pig is better than cow, chicken better than pig, and snake is best of all! Uh, unless you count worms........

We've been looking for common sense guidance for a long time - we understood the biggest problem was calories, and when we counted them, like Mike (Hi, Mike - and great job!), we had good results. We just repeatedly fell off the wagon, got discouraged, and quit.

This zone thing is pretty much counting calories by default as we are indentifying the amount of protein and carb we need per meal, and calories are directly related to that. In order to get a satisfying meal, we choose less processed foods, therefore less dense carbohydrates. The sacrifice comes in going from the breads and pastas to whole foods. If we ate like we used to, we would be having very small servings of dense carbs to stay balanced. The good thing is, when we are on the run, a tortilla wrap with ham & cheese provides more balance than we used to think. And the concept of treating food like medicine changes our attitude toward eating, while allowing for a cheat now and then (once or twice a week for us), because the very next balanced meal puts us right back on track. That prevents discouragement.

I'll admit I'm only a couple months into it, and therefore not past the honeymoon period. I guess we'll see. But thinking about why we want to lose weight reveals that we want not only to look better, but to feel beter, and we get that benefit immediately on this plan, which is very encouraging.

Just my 2 cents

Anonymous Poster · Apr 17, 2003

On a side note, Dr. Atkins fell on the ice while walking to work last week and went into a coma. He passed away today. He was 72 years old.

IllMarty · Apr 17, 2003

Hi all,
I have always thought BMI was a terrble measure that doesn't take body type into effect. If I got my BMI(6'5")to 20 I would weigh about 210, and look like I was in a concentration camp in ******'s Germany. I have a scale that measures body fat, and my goal is to get to 25%.
I am currently on Atkins for 5+ weeks now and have lost 19 lbs(from 287) and my body fat has gone from 34 to 32. The diet works for me. I can eat good portions but don't feel bloated from breads, potatoes, etc. I walk 2 miles 4 times a week and will bike 7-10 miles 3-4 times a week when weather straightens out in stead of walking. Hoping to be down to 235 by hunting season. I also am sleeping better and have fewer aches and pains which is a great side benefit. Lost 1 1/2 " in waist.

So far the only negative was falling off when we had a party for a neighbor at the house and I couldn't resist the cream puffs. I could not sleep at all I was on such a sugar rush. Won't do that again.

Saying a prayer for Dr. Atkins, Marty

sendero · Apr 19, 2003

I have long been interested in diet and nutrition issues, due to some health problems that hit me 20+ years ago.

The Adkins diet is certainly controversial, but there is one thing all most everyone, including its numerous detractors, agree on; and that is the fact that it works. I have tried it and yes, done properly it will kick your body into fat burning mode and your muscle mass will not be affected.

For people who are 'naturally' really overweight, Adkins is, assuming normal kidney and liver function, about as good a solution as there is IMHO. But.... it really isn't a "diet" that you can go on, drop to your target, and then get off of. Most people will quickly revert to their pre-diet weight in this case.

Folks who are really struggling with serious weight problems will need to adopt this diet for life, and that is quite a challenge to do - but it is probably worth it given the alternative, which is either eating a very low calorie diet, exercising 5 hours a day, or resolving to be fat and like it /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I am also interested in, and a firm believer in, weight training. No, I don't do massive weights and things that are really stressful to joints - but I have found lifting to be a very effective body tonic for a man pushing 50 who sits in front of a computer all too much /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif - though buying 40 acres of mostly trees certainly gives me a weekend workout.

And finally - my interest in nutrition led me to write a Windows program used to track the protein, carb and fat content of foods you eat, as well as calories and sodium. While some might question the need to do so, I have found that what you are eating (in terms of calories protein, etc) and what you *think* you are eating are two very different things.

It is a $25 shareware program, but I will gladly give anyone who emails me mentioning TractorByNet a key to unlock the program for free (first 30 days are free anyway).

The program is here http://www.terzon.com/eatometer

One last thing - a very good discussion forum for the Adkins lifestyle (had to use that word!) is at http://www.lowcarbfriends.com