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Summary: READ THIS BOOK!!
Review: Dr. Atkins has saved more lives than we'll ever know. I know he saved mine. In 1995, I weighed 240 pounds, was on a fat-free, semivegitarian diet and was getting fatter and fatter and sicker and sicker. I couldn't hold my head up or my eyes open in the afternoon, I had the shakes, brain fog, and was a serious sugar junkie. I kept stashes of candy all over the house. Dr. Atkins book showed up just in time for me. I quickly lost 70 pounds, went off the diet and gained back 35 of them. Now I'm back on, and have never, ever felt better in my life....I never though it would be again (I'm 55). No more mood swings, brain fog, confusion, or depression. A few tips for newcomers to the diet: Many people experience fatigue early in the diet, but the body adjusts quickly, and then the dieter will experience considerable energy. Also, drink copious water! Water helps the weight to come off, keeps the body hydrated, and dilutes toxins. Drink 64 oz. as a minimum, plus 8 ounces for every 25 lbs. you are overweight. READ THIS BOOK. DO THIS DIET. BE AMAZED.
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Summary: Its all about finding a diet you can stick to
Review: No one was more skeptical than myself when I read the book and started the program. As an Italian, I couldn't imagine a day without pasta...but it has been worth it. I have been dieting and exercising for years with slow/no results at losing weight. I only needed to lose 10-15 pounds but it meant not having a wardrobe that fit anymore. My boyfriend and I tried it and he lost 14 pounds and I lost 11. I also worked out regularly and just had a fitness test done...I lost 6% body fat which meant all the weight I lost was fat not muscle (or water thank you), my resting heart improved, everything improved...and after the initial sluggish feeling...you actually feel better. I went on vacation like a million bucks and even after a week of eating and drinking we only gained back a couple pounds...I am back and plan to lose 5 more.... The key is finding a diet you can stick to and this one works for me and I feel great.
Rating: 
Summary: Exciting but questionable.
Review: A few people from my office are on this diet so I borrowed the book and read a few chapters. It is very engrossing because its claims seem to go against logic and the common wisdom, and also because it suggests you can lose a massive amount of weight quickly from simply not eating carbohydrates (or a very minimal amount) and instead eating mainly protein and fat, with perhaps a bit of leafy greens mixed in. I think Atkins has something to say about carbohydrates - at least simple, unrefined ones like sugar, white bread, pretzels, bagels, etc. I have heard this before from diet book authors like Merkin and Ornish. However, their position is that in order to lose weight healthfully, you don't just stop eating carbohydrates period, but eat ones that are high in fiber, such as beans, whole grains, and vegetables. There are a bizillion studies out there which show that this kind of diet is incredibly healthy for you, reduces all kinds of risk factors, and helps you lose and keep off weight. Unfortunately Atkins never mentions fiber and despite mentioning a few studies from the 50's and 60's, does not back up his data with anything recent. Diets that are high in protein have the added risk of causing calcium depletion and kidney problems because they are high in nitrogenous compounds which cause your kidneys to work extra hard to get rid of them. These types of diets are also diuretic, which indicates that the vast amount of weight-loss that Atkins claims is due primarily to water loss, even though he denies it. Atkins gets you psyched up about the evil AMA which is out to promote its low-fat, high-carb agenda and refuses to listen to anything which contradicts this, and even goes as far as to support studies which are obviously flawed. Yet Atkins never discusses why there is such an agenda. Could there be a conspiracy between the AMA and the food companies which make low-fat/no-fat foods? Many people have success with this diet, so to each his own, but if you don't like having meat as your m! ain course or only course every meal of the week, and you aren't significantly overweight, I would skip this thing and go with a diet that's more balanced. The fact that you can supposedly lose 10 lbs a week on the Atkins diet for several weeks in a row may seem enticing if you are that overweight, but it also sounds like an unhealthfully rapid pace...
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Summary: Finally! Something that works!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I have been on the diet 11 days and lost 9lbs. This is a huge accomplishment for me! I have been trying to lose 25lbs for 7-8 yrs. I've eaten low fat, exercised for hours and deprived myself. NONE of these things worked for me. Dr. Atkins diet feels like it was designed for me. I was raised on rice and potato side dishes. Now I know this is why I always battled with my weight. I check my ketosis status everyday and there isn't a better feeling than seeing that stick turn purple! The first 2 days were torture and my energy level was near 0. However, on the 3rd day I began to feel my energy return. I lost the sluggishness and hunger I often felt in the afternoon when eating carbs.I no longer feel bloated after eating a meal. I look forward to the day when I can start adding some carbs back to my diet, but I will NEVER eat the way I used to again!!! I'm very greatful to have found this book and the answer to my struggle with weight!!! I hope others who have tried every other diet out there will give this a try. IT WORKS!!!
Rating:
Summary: I have some concerns
Review: First of all let me explain, this isn't a review at all. As a matter of fact, I haven't even read the book yet. I had some interest in the book and simply got online to find out what other people had to say about it before I got it. I've obviously read a lot of wonderful reviews. I'm certainly interested in the diet, but I do have some concerns that I'm hoping some of the other readers can help me out with. I first heard about this diet when my neighbor mentioned to be that she and her husband were losing weight through the Atkins Diet, and of course I was interested. I have always been one of those people that needed to lose 15 - 20 pounds. I'm only 5'3" and have a very small bone structure. So even though 15-20 pounds doesn't sound like a whole lot, it's enough to make me look kind of dumpy. Early this year, I really set my mind to losing my extra weight. I haven't made dramatic changes to my diet because I'd heard that can mess with one's metabolism. I did try cutting down on the highly fatty foods like mayo, sour cream, butters etc., and I started exercising - religiously - 5-6 times a week. My results have been minimal. I've lost 5 to 6 pounds tops. And yes, I've been frustrated. The Atkins diet definately interests me, but I'm worried about screwing up my body. Granted, I haven't read the book so I realize I don't fully understand how it works, but from reading the reviews, it seems so unhealthy to eliminate things like fruit from your diet. Plus, eating all that meat, protien and fat, it seems like it would be hard for your body to process. We always hear "Everything in moderation" but from what I'm reading, the Atkin's diet doesn't fall into that category - especially if this is a diet you want to maintain for life. I guess my point is, yes I really do want to take off some weight but not at a price of being unhealthy.
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Summary: I lost over 25 lbs. in less than a month.
Review: I quit smoking and balooned from 160 to 200+ Lbs., and tried MANY diets with little or no success. With summer around the corner I felt that I'd be embarassed to go to the beach. I started the diet under a month ago, and went from 218 with a pot belly down to 190 with a slight bulge. I know I can take off the remaining 30-40 lbs. I need to by the summer. The diet is VERY easy to stick to and you don't need to give up very much (or even exercise, but it makes you lose faster!). If you're like me and live for fast food, this diet is for you. At later stages in the diet, you can eat small amounts of the food you miss (I miss french fries!) and not really blow the whole thing. My biggest problem was eating late at night (Midnight Munchies) and thanks to The Atkins Diet I no longer do. I'm never hungry after dinner. Buy the book becuase this diet works!!! (I also reccomend the cookbook. It has LOTS of DELICIOUS, EASY recipes.)
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Summary: absolutly wonderful no hunger no fatigue.
Review: my sister went on this diet on January 3,1998 by Feb. 3 1998 she had lost 18 pounds and felt great but i did not believe her until she came to visit me in March of 98 by which time she had lost even more weight and looked fantastic. we are an overweight family all of us and we were having cake for a birthday party and she wasn't even tempted. She said she just doesn't crave them anymore! So guess who's got the book now? Needless to say I to have lost 5 pounds already in one week and my energy is wonderful I'm sure anyone who has had problems didn't take the vitamins or didn't follow it correctly. I've now bought the book for my dad who is overweight and he's starting it tomorrow but my mom's not going to she says she will continue with weight watchers we will see who beats who at the diet fun. NO HUNGER IS THE KEY TO STICKING TO IT AND AFTER A COUPLE DAYS YOU DON'T CRAVE IT ANYMORE. ADDED BENEFIT IS THE MOST EVEN MOOD I'VE HAD IN YEARS. I did the phen-fen and this is better for the simple fact that i'm not crabby anymore.
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Summary: This diet has made me feel the best I've felt in years
Review: I'm 5'5" and weighed 130 lbs. I wanted to loose 5-10 lbs. I followed the diet. I didn't loose weight but my clothes fit better and people would tell me how good I looked and asked if I have lost weight. I did have problems with my stomach. Before the diet, I would be bloated and have gas. My stomach would be in such pain after eating. I was pudged out. Following the diet, all my symptoms went away. My stomach feels wonderful!!! If I start eating too many carbs, my stomach starts hurting. I have managed to loose 5 lbs. I do feel better than I have in years. Following the low fat, high carb diet didn't work for me. I wish I discovered this diet years ago. I could have saved a lot of money and pain.
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Summary: WOW! Committment & Creativity=Success
Review: 1) Drink water as if & because your life depends on it. 2) Have your protein meal with a small salad (full fat-thank you!)or small serving of veggies EVERY DAY to maintain regularity (be sure the side dish is low carb) 3) Bad Breath? YES!. Sugarless gum? yes. Brush often? YES 4)Need salty snack? PORK RINDS! 5) Need sweet snack? Instant sugar free pudding in your favorite flavor + Half&Half or Whipping Cream (it is like eating a Mousse) 6) EXERCISE! Not long 20-30min 3-5 times a week w/ a good deal of aerobic or heavy movement (work up a real sweat in a short time & don't kill yourself) 7) Bread cravings are hard to resist try Atkins' Protein Baking Mix - really helps! 8)Favorite new recipe: Creamed Broccoli or Spinich Just cook as normal, add 1/4cp heavy cream, 1 tsp butter, 1 tsp garlic, puree until smooth, add varieties of favorite (full fat) cheeses and serve hot. ****result: I HAVE 120LBS TO LOSE & I AM LOSING AN AVERAGE OF 9LBS PER WEEK EVEN THOUGH MY PERSONAL GOAL IS AN AVERAGE OF 5LBS PER WEEK
Rating:
Summary: Happy at Last - Getting better all the time!
Review: Wow! After 16 years of 'dieting' and trying all the gov't guideline to eating diets (all those carbs!!) I kept gaining and gaining and gaining. A friend suggested I try this diet and in the beginning I opted out because I am not fond of meat. However, I gave it a go last March - lost 35lbs by August. Went off and only gained back 5 of those pounds. Now I'm back on (two weeks now) and have lost those 5 lbs plus. Carbohydrates are not for everybody. They left me feeling so bloated, tired and 'brain-dead', so to speak. Even though I don't like meat that much, I stay on the 'lifestyle' part of the diet because I feel healthier, more energy (can keep up with the kids, yeah!) and smarter. Thank you Dr. Atkins! I love this book and this lifestyle!
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