🚀 go-pugleaf

"Steven C \(Doktersteve\)" <real_doktersteve@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:Wbhrb.6788$jy.3697@clgrps13: 

> Oh man... here I am again considering trying the Atkins diet.

Also consider the one known as "the caveman diet". The gist of them
both is to get your body burning protein for energy instead of
carbohydrates. Protein produces energy more slowly so less of it
gets stored as fat.

Once your metabolism is adjusted you can then start eating carbohydrates
again, so long as you don't go overboard and switch back to a carbohydreate-
based metabolism.

With any diet that has an author behind it, don't try to follow the exact 
plan laid out by the author. Everyone is different. If someone related
to the author stands to gain from your diet, or if someone has built a
business around the diet plan, look for the core wisdom of the diet and apply 
it your own way - don't buy the author's friend's products.

> Can I drink diet soda while on Atkins? For some reason, Atkins himself
> seems to act as if aspartame is the devil, and will impede your weight
> loss.

I don't know about impeding weight loss, but aspartame is suspect anyway. 
Some people become severely addicted to it, and it can cause insulin-related 
problems. Left-handed sugars trick your body into thinking it's about to
get a load of glucose, and then it fails to deliver. You end up with 
tired insulin producers and extra insulin floating around with nothing
to do. This is a bad thing.

If you find yourself drinking too much diet pop or putting 30 packets of
Sweet'n'Low on your yogurt, you're probably addicted to aspartame. :)

> How much back to "normal" (breads and other carbs) will I get back to
> after I have lost my initial weight? I have a goal to have flat abs, to
> be honest, as well as feel more energetic and the like.

I can't really say, but I'll share my experience with the Atkins/Caveman 
diet. 

I'm a bit on the large side - probably about 50 pounds over my ideal weight,
and it's all blubber. My lifestyle doesn't allow me much time for exercise
and I'm not willing to change that. As for other diets, they don't work for
me; I won't eat things with left-handed sugars in because I think it's 
unhealty. I also generally don't like the taste of "diet" foods, and 
caloric reduction doesn't work anyway. I actually don't eat too much - I 
just eat the wrong things.

I first tried eating high protein/low carb earlier this year. I tried it for 
one month. I lost about ten pounds and it stayed off for about six months
after I returned to my normal diet. This is the biggest success I have ever
had, and I intend to give it a better, longer try again soon.

I had trouble sticking to it for a few reasons. One is that I'm a lousy cook 
and I re-introduced the no-no foods just to get some variety back. Another is
that had cravings for favorite foods like bread and potatos. They weren't
bad cravings - nothing like being on a caloric reduction diet - but I gave
in because of the third reason: I'm lazy. Cooking a good meal is a lot of
work compared to slapping a sandwich together. 

I guess I need to hire a cook. :)

One other thing about meat - yes, it's expensive, so spend a little more and
get the best. Look for the healthiest meat - free-range chicken, organ-free
ground beef etc. I eat a lot of ground beef, and I have to say I've noticed
that the organ-free beef tastes better. Up with cow and chicken!

Good luck!