Rating: 
Summary: Nah, Nah, See I told you so!!
Review: A wonderful book with a great program for losing weight, feeling better, and having more energy. By following his plan I have lost 68 lbs and am having no trouble maintaining. When I started everyone was adamant that it was a mistake. My cholesteral would go sky high, I would wreck my health, my kidneys would just shut down, oh my! Instead I feel great, my Doctor says my cholesteral is down lower than it has been since I started seeing him 23 years ago. My blood pressure is 110/66, down from 128/80. None of the dire predictions have come to pass. Then I read today of yet another study that shows just what Dr. Atkins has been saying for years and the heart association and dieticians have been wringing their hands about for years. In a trial of the Atkins diet against the heart associations Step 1 diet, the Atkins people lost more weight, lowered their triglycerides more than people on the Step 1 diet. Plus more people were able to stick to the Atkins diet than the low fat high carb diet the heart association recommended. I had to chuckle when I read the heart associations comment that they might have to rethink the Atkins diet.The bottom line is, if you want to lose weight, feel better and improve your health, read and follow this book. It is very easy to do. The hardest part is avoiding carbs the first few weeks as you adjust to the new regiment. Stick with it and you will be rewarded. Dismiss the neigh sayers as idiots with no idea what they are talking about. Most have never tried the diet, or have second hand evidences of someone else who never tried it and only believe the negative heart association and American dieticians reviews. An easy to follow plan, go for it.
Rating: 
Summary: Caution: Atkins could be hazardous to your health
Review: The Atkins diet is extremely controversial, to say the least. I know a number of people who tried Atkins, lost weight initially, were very impressed with themselves, and then gained it all back. This of course proves nothing, as there are many testimonials to the contrary. One thing is certain, America was a weight problem and it gets worse every year. Currently about 2/3 of the country is overweight, meaning a body mass index (BMI) over 25. Almost 30% are obese (BMI > 30) and about 3% are morbidly obese (BMI >40). Thus people of proper weight are a minority! The problem seems to be lack of exercise and excessive caloric intake. The problem I have with the Atkins diet is that it excludes major food groups. This could be dangerous. I like the idea of the "caveman diet," eat like a hunter-gatherer-- lots of fruit, nuts, berries, vegetables and some meat and fish. I don't think there is an easy solution; it can be very hard to lose weight. I was slightly overweight, and I lost 20 pounds very slowly by a doing a lot of exercise (5-6 times a week) and caloric limitation. The exercise suppressed my appetite, which helped a lot. I doubt if one can lose weight on a permanent basis without exercise.
Rating:
Summary: All The Stars In The Heavens For This Masterpiece
Review: Everyday, new studies come out confirming what Dr. Atkins' has known for years: His diet is the safest, most effective long-term weight loss method. Now, a new study from Duke University actually shows that a group on the Atkins diet had HEALTHIER hearts and lost much more weight than the group on the American Heart Association low-fat "diet". I used to be a confirmed believer in the low-fat approach. I read books by the likes of Jane Brody, who advocated a high-carb, low-fat approach. I devoutly believed I was doing the right thing, but over a period of fifteen years, I gained 48 lbs. Yes, you read that right. I believed that the low-fat approach was correct, but that I lacked willpower. It was only when I came across the most recent research that I began to understand that the high-carb, low-fat approach was fundamentally flawed. I pity those people who still cling to the high-carb, low-fat approach, despite all the evidence to the contrary. As their waist lines continue to grow by the day, mine has gone down to 29", which is where it was when I was in High School. I can wear tight fitting clothing, something I never would have considered in my obese days. Now that I am on the Atkins plan, I know that I have found the Rosetta stone, the holy grail, and the skeleton key to weight loss and good health - all rolled into one. Get this book! Dr. Atkins lays it all out for you in plain English. Happy weight loss, good health and longevity - the Atkins way!
Rating:
Summary: Don't know what to do.
Review: I want to say first that I have had wonderful results with this plan. I have been on this plan for 2 weeks and have lost close to 20 pounds. I feel like this is for me. But I have one problem. I had a regular Dr.s appointment today and my doctor said an absolute NNNNOOOOOO hardly before I got it out of my mouth. I don't know what to do. I love this program and I believe I could finally lose this weight on this plan. I have approx. 100 pounds to lose. I have a blood sugar problem and she said it would be dangerous for my kidneys. I do not take medication for diabetes but according to them I have that type 2 diabetes. I don't even know for sure that they even know what they are talking about. One doctor in the same office told me that I did have diabetes and another in the same office told me I didn't. Anyway, I don't want to give up this diet unless I have very good reason. I believe I am in much greater danger of having more health problems at 270 pounds than I am from being on this diet. What do you think? I need some advice.
Rating:
Summary: Great!! You will Understand it ONLY if you read it.
Review: There are so many uninformed opinions out there that I just read it for myself. This is one, in depth book. I understand now, why there is so much controversy over this diet.
Well, I started the diet, and it's been 3 months now, and I have lost 46 pounds. How's that for a loss. You have to know everything about this diet to understand it properly. It has everything in it. I am very pleased with the new understanding I have about my body, and how the body functions. I am thrilled with my results, but most of all, I am more thrilled that it has convinced me to get healthy in a way that is, in my opinion, a true revolution. Get rid of the lies about this diet, get the book, read it, then decide what you think of this new way of eating. You will be glad you did. Get it from the horses mouth, then decide.
Sheila Gilbert
Rating:
Summary: Atkin's Induction Phase Is Flawed
Review: For anyone looking to start a low carb diet, please look at other plans besides atkins. William Banting published the first low carb diet plan in the 1800's. You can read his diet by doing a search for "william banting". The Atkins diet is flawed by what he calls "induction". This phase lasts 14 days, and is a meat and salad diet only. This is the dangerous part of his plan. You will likely experience painful leg cramps, headaches, severe constipation, and nausea unless you take massive doses of vitamins, and these will not solve the problems. Atkins tells us to keep carbohydrates to 20 grams daily. Induction is the reason 99% of newbies fail his plan. He doesnt allow any breads, dairy, starches, or fruits. Now back to banting. Bantings diet allowed 60 grams of carbohydrates daily. Banting ATE bread and fruits on his plan, and lost weight. If you are going to try a low carb diet please read the book "protein power", and follow phase 2 of the diet. If you eat less than 60 grams of carbohydrate daily you will feel deprived, and will fail. You can have any carbs you want, but you must eat less.
Rating: 
Summary: Atkins is a winner, if you can handle his folksy style
Review: The Atkins diet is explained very well in the New Diet Revolution book. Dr. Atkins has a huge tendancy to oversimplify the biochemistry involved, but only because it's necessary to explain a very complicated balancing act that your body accomplishes in lay terms. Unfortunately, his writing style, combined with a lack of rigourous data, make him appear to be a sheister, "methinks he doth protest too much." Still, and this is the important part, he's on the right track. Not everyone who is overweight will respond to a low carbohydrate high protein LCHP diet well. Some will be lethargic and irritable well beyond the three days Dr. Atkins postulates. For these poor souls, the new diet revolution will be disappointing. For those who get beyond day three, the freedom from dreams and unmitigated carb cravings will be welcome--as will the phenomenal weight loss (men do better). This book, and this diet, are not a license to eat as much as you want: the regimen is specific and one eats until one is full. I can't tell you how many times I've finished a meal, absolutley satisfied, and yet still craved something sweet and yummy (habit and mental associations). This book has a point that's made well, but often ignored: diet alone is not a cure all. It is a great jump start into a change and a positive motivate towards better health, BUT, exercise is essential to ongoing weight loss and cardiovascular health. Essential means MUST DO without question. To be sure, many people will find Atkins writing style charming and reassuring (I found it saccharine). Look beyond the rhetoric and see a balanced approach to reversing a process you started long ago--the over consumption of refined carbohydrates. Yes, the first weeks and months are restrictive. Yes, you will lose weight. Yes, you will eventually have to add high fibre and unprocessed carbs into your diet. The "revolution" is really just the long awaited reaction to processed sugars and starches. Anything in moderation is good, but most of us have gone way overboard on carbs and require a military attack to reclaim the lost territory in our bodies. The Atkins diet will provide that and a serious game plan for keeping it off. Just don't think that you can lose it now and go right back to your old ways. Certain foods will be off the menu almost all of the time for the rest of your life, but the length and quality of your life may be quite enhanced. Finally, don't worry about your cholesterol intake. See your doctore BEFORE you begin. Get your blood work done. See your doctor and repeat the tests 3 or 4 months after starting Atkins. Usually people will find a decrease in their "bad" cholesterol. Be sure to include vegetable oils (olive etc.) in your cooking and find some way to include 2 tbsp of crushed flax seed in your diet every day. Whole flax seed won't do anything in your belly, crushed will. If you buy flax seed that's already ground, store it in the fridge to prevent it from going rancid. Why 3 out of 5 ? Because the content is good to very good (4), but the presentation and style leave much to be desired (2) in a book that is aimed at the general reader.
Rating: 
Summary: Decently written, enough to turn me around.
Review: I think I've done most of the low-fat diets in my life. Not so much because of a fat issue, which has never been my problem, but more a search for what is healthy. Ornish, macrobiotics, etc. have all governed my grocery shopping list at one time or another. The same is true for my parents. But my mother and I have always had borderline bad cholesterol through all of this. Nothing I eat has had one bit of impact on my various blood metrics. I decided to just try Atkin's, after pooh poohing it for so many years, as a science experiment. What caught my attention was some of the scientific research in both Atkin's book and Life Without Bread as well as a few websites. There was certainly a hint of possibility that what we have been hearing for so long was potentially wrong. I decided to give myself 2 months on it to see what happens. I was extremely strict about following all the guidelines and actually remained in the induction phase for that 2 months. Took all the vitamins and excercised every day - I typically excercise daily anyway so it's not like this was going to have any dramatic effect on my weight. I must admit the first 2 weeks were a bit trying. Headaches, quite a bit of binge eating at times, extremely tired all the time, and very low energy when I worked out. All of this went away after 2 weeks or so and to be frank I stopped having the daily food coma from lunch that has been chronic for me since I turned 25 years old or so. After 2 months I felt I had pretty stellar physical results. Before I was 198 lbs and after I was 175 lbs (my high school weight). Before I had a 35" waist and after I had a 32" waist (my high school size). I even went to the extent of taking before and after pictures that are quite frankly shocking to me. So at this point I'm fairly happy but I must say the health benefits were still worrying me. So before I started I also went to get a blood test. The same high cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and low HDL I had always had since getting blood tests. After the 2 months I went back to get rechecked. Cholesterol down 10% (lower than it had been in 7 years), triglycerides cut in half (HALF!), LDL down 10% and HDL up 10%. So I'm sold. I think there are probably a few versions of low carbing but the essence is the same - cut out flour and sugar. Many people misrepresent the diet as a bacon and eggs diet which, to be honest, I think it can be. But I don't buy the thesis that having some fish and brocolli for dinner is bad or some chicken and cabbage is somehow killing me. You can tune this diet to the specific needs you want. I should also point out that I cheated after the two months. I have a thing for donuts. I hit Krispy Kreme and downed a few and almost instantly I had that chronic low energy feeling back again. It's completely debilitating and I had really forgotten how bad it was since that fog lifted over the course of 2 months. To anyone skeptical I would say be skeptical. But also be open. Why not try it for 2 months and do what I did. If it doesn't work you can always try something else.
Rating:
Summary: The Technicalities...
Review: I have tried Atkins, and I find it to be very successful. The diet, like most out there, works better for some than others. I have had people ask me why it works. I though that before someone buys this book, they should know what they will be doing with their bodies. Following the Atkins diet puts your body in a state of "ketosis," which is when your body burns fat instead of glucose, which comes from carbohydrates. But PLEASE don't confuse ketosis, which is safe for anyone with insulin in their system, and ketoacidosis, which is the absence of insulin. Totally different. Ketosis has been proven to be safe, and without realizing it, many times during the day people are in ketosis (after exercise, after not eating for a while, etc.) The great thing about ketosis is that it doesn't just burn fat, but protects muscle mass and improves energy and your mood. Sounds great, right? Well, many people use the Atkins diet, thinking they can eat whatever junk food they want. Not only will their weight loss slow down, but their cholesterol will rise dramatically. Cholesterol, as you may know, has little to do with weight gain and loss. Also, to maximize weight loss, exercise is required. This is not a miracle diet! You do need to work at it and Dr. Atkins is not a miracle worker. But I WOULD recommend this diet to anyone, but of course ask your doctor before you do it.
Rating:
Summary: Fear of carbs
Review: I recently lost 30 lbs on weightwatchers. I had to overcome
my fear of carbs which I created by trying the Dr. Atkins diet
twice in my life - I am 53. I lost just as much weight on
weightwatchers as I did with Dr. Atkins diet in the first 6
weeks. I always felt so horrible getting on to the Atkins diet
and got so tired of eatting the same fat laden foods. Everytime
I eat a healthy fruit or vegetable on weightwatchers I regret
the attempts at the Atkins diet. Carbs in moderation are fine
and you can lose weight this way. The bad part of this diet is
how awful you feel trying to get into ketosis and then if you
get out of ketosis it takes a day or more to get back on track.
I always had weakness and headaches starting the diet and then
a hyper adrenaline feeling. I remember running into the kitchen
and eatting a peanut butter and jelly sandwich when I almost
collapsed in the shower getting ready for work while trying to
get into ketosis. Visit weightwatchers.com, exercise and eat
carbs in moderation. Hope this helps someone!!
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