I've been on Atkins since July 28 and I've lost 34 pounds.
My brother, a board-certified gastroenterologist is supportive of the diet.
Those that are negative toward the diet invariably don't know enough about it.
It's not a "high fat" diet. It's a way of eating that minimizes carbohydrate intake.
Since starting it, people around me have noticed and are now on the Atkins way-of-eating (WOE) too, including my mom, my in-laws, my secretary, the guy in the office next to me and several others who I know only through other internet message boards. All of them are doing well and agree that the Atkins WOE works.
The first week is hard because your body is literally suffering symptoms of withdrawal from its addiction to high blood sugar.
I used to get frequent heartburn and headaches before Atkins. I
never get either anymore. Pepperoni used to trigger nasty heartburn. I eat pepperoni now as a snack without any negative effect.
I sleep better and have more energy. I'm rarely hungry and often have to remind myself it's time for a meal.
Atkins does not require people to give up foods with carbohydrates forever. The first phase of the WOE does, but as you near your weight goal, you add carbs back into your diet gradually so that you can determine your own body's ability to maintain weight....a carbohydrate equilibrium.
Atkins is NOT a diet that excludes exercise. Quite the opposite. Atkins' book requires regular exercise. During the first phase (called induction) vitamin supplements are also required....but you won't need the vitamins as you gradually move up the "ladder" of foods, adding things back into your diet in moderation.
The ultimate goal of Atkins is obviously weight loss and good health. To achieve the goal, you've got to break your body's addictions to excessive carbs.
People can argue that Atkins is crap or whatever. I know it works. The world isn't flat either.
