Day #226 - Tuesday
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Starting weight: 285.2
Weight Last Entry: 237.6 Weight Today: 237.8
Change today:: +0.2 lbs. Loss-so-far: -47.4 lbs.
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Peh. Two-tenths of a pound - it’s just silly. My poor sad scale playing mind games with me again. i swear that thing has a personality. I’d break up with him and never see him again - if I didn’t need him so badly! I have, from time to time, vowed to back off in our relationship, to only see him on the weekends, but I always come crawling back. I’m so pathetic that way. LOL!
Recently I came across a copy of Dr. Atkin’s book, the one printed in 1972. It was so refreshing to read, compared to the more recent version. I had a very hard time reading the current one because it was, oh, about 75% defensive posturing. So many words devoted to defending his plan instead of explaining his plan. It’s sad because after so many years of being attacked for his plan, he felt the need to expend so much energy and time in just defending it.
Not that the 1972 book didn’t spend some time defending his plan - there’s a whole section in the back devoted just to the FDA hearings that took place back then - but the whole book was not permeated with the Doctor’s rebuttals to attackers. It was filled with examples and anecdotes, with the explanations of the science and the wonders of the low-carb lifestyle.
It’s sad, what’s become of the Atkins corporation now that the Doctor is gone (and no, he didn’t die from poor health because of his diet, he slipped and fell and died from that injury). His widow maintains a website that is still in line with her husband’s real actual plan. The Atkins website is all about marketing the Atkins products - with a nod or two toward the science involved.
Yes. Science.
I’ve run into a few people in the past seven months who have told me - in tones suggesting their expertise on the subject - that the Atkins diet is terrible health-wise and/or it’s just a gimmick. The first thing I always ask is: Have you actually read Dr. Atkin’s book from cover to cover?
“Well, no - but I read in a magazine…” or “I saw this thing on the news…”
*Sigh*
The bottom line for me is this: I tried calorie-counting from January 2008 to June 2008, and I lost a whopping FIVE pounds. FIVE pounds in SIX months. Then I switched to low carb in July 2008 and in the next six months I lost FIFTY pounds. FIFTY.
During both of these periods of time, I logged my food.
During both of these periods of time, I kept track of my calories.
During both of these periods of time, I kept my daily caloric intake between 1300 and 1700.
The only difference between these two periods of time was the chemical content of what I was eating.
The only difference was the science. Ketosis is a measurable state, a real physiological phenomenon. During ketosis (brought on by low carb intake), the body’s default source for energy switches from incoming carbs to fat - incoming fat and existing stored fat.
Oh, definitely I agree - it’s not for everyone, but it does work for me.
*Stepping down off soapbox*
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LOL I love soapboxes. I have read the book from cover to cover. I loved it. I did the diet years ago. I lost 30 lbs. That’s more than what I’ve been doing the past 5 months, and without exercise too! But I put it back on and then some. This time around I decided to do the old fashioned route, eat right and exercise. It’s slow, but it’s coming along and its’ the lifetime plan. The Atkins diet in my opinion (and don’t hate me afterwards) is an interesting, fun way to lose weight quickly, but might not be good for the long term haul. You’ve been doing great. Look how far you’ve come. You inspire me. I love your sense of humor. I hope the route(s) you choose work for you and I look forward to sharing in your journey.
(((((BIG HUG))))) for inkheartmeg!
I ain’t gonna hate ya!
I avoided Atkins for years and years for the same reason. I did it waaaay back in high school and lost a bunch of weight really quickly - and then put it right back on, plus more.
I had NO idea back then, how to maintain.
That six months of calorie-counting, though, it taught me something. I may not have lost much weight, but I didn’t GAIN any either! So yeah, my big plan is to switch to calorie-counting (for the rest of my life) when I’m finished losing with Atkins.
Thanks for your input, though, and shucks, for all the nice things you say to encourage and inspire ME!!!
Thanks for the great reply.
I just read your comment about missing The Biggest Loser. You need to get a dvr.
It’s the best. I think I pay $10 a month for it through my cable company. I have internet access, basic cable, and dvr, so my bill is like $100 a month.
Oh Eileen! You and your soapbox! ha! Actually, you rarely get up there, so when you do I listen more closely
I think whatever works for you is what is right. If you weren’t on a diet it would be RUDE for people to comment on what you are eating, but then when you are on a diet it is acceptable? Um, no! I think what you choose to do is just that… your choice. And my job is to support you! SO I’ll eat all the carbs for both of us. It’s the joy of running 
HUH? Should I give them the smackdown?
Limiting carbs is a HUGE HUGE HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE part of my success. End of story.
I agree that is RUDE of those people. Look what you are doing works for you. That is enough. My doctor said that I should eat kind of like that. Except he wants me to not limit raw veggies and to eat fruit. I say your doing great keep it up.
Hey it’s what works for you.
I personally tried Atkins with the advice of my doctor and became extremely ill
Sure I lost 10 lbs, but after one month I couldn’t keep food down and was vomitting after EVERY meal. I had had kidney problems 10 years back, and the doctor figured my body just could not handle it. There is also something called protein poisoning- but like you said it’s all about what works for each person 
I DO eat less carbs than before- but the carbs I do eat tend to be “good carbs” like whole grain breads and more fruits and veggies
My Step FIL lost 80 lbs on Atkins and was able to get off his diabetes medications and his knees stopped hurting him- so obviously it DOES work.
WTG on your loss so far- if I lost 50 lbs I’d run around naked lol.
beerab - BWAAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Great post. You HAVE to do what works for you. I love it when people critique what they don’t know. Their ignorance always comes out when you start questioning them.
Congrats on your loss so far. Keep up the good work!