The Atkins Diet Review

Where to begin? Let me just say that my experience is probably unlike anyone else's on the Atkins Diet. But this is my story of what can happen when you follow this diet.

Several years ago, before my thyroid problem was discovered and treated, I gained 20 pounds seemingly out of the blue. I freaked because I have always been thin and decided to try the Atkins Diet. I bought the book and read it from cover to cover and I got some audio tapes as well which explained it all.

The premise behind the Atkins Diet is to eat low carb, high protein meals with little or no sugar and a large (for normal eaters) amount of fat. Carbs, said Atkins, were what made us fat.

The first two week phase is brutal. You can't eat anything with sugar in it - even fruit. You must limit your carb intake very severely. This is so that your body can enter a state called ketosis. This means that, instead of burning sugar for energy, it is burning fat. My son once was on a similar - but much stricter diet - for seizures and it was darn rough. But it cured him.

I entered ketosis within a few days and, then I was slowly able to add a few more carbs (No bread or potatoes or rice or anything like that though) into my diet. My diet consisted of a lot of meat, cheese, bacon, tuna, eggs, and even sausage. I had small amounts of fruits and vegetables and a considerable amount of fat. However, because I was burning fat, I could afford to eat more of it. Plus, Atkins claimed that fat wasn't the heart killer that people thought it was.

I must say that this was before Atkins died and the diet became a bit more refined. When I was on the diet, I was encouraged to eat butter, mayo, and fat in any amount I wanted. Now, I understand, that is not encouraged.

I felt fine for five weeks. I had energy and I loved eating things like bacon and eggs that I rarely ate before.

I was in ketosis since I checked (with keto sticks) every day. I was doing something great for my body! I thought.

But the weight wasn't coming off. I didn't lose much at all during the first two weeks when most people have a significant drop. In fact, I lost very little. But I did feel good.

Then I started to feel funny. My heart was acting wacky. It would beat very fast for no reason and feel like a fish flipping. I had trouble sleeping. I had headaches. I was constipated all the time (lack of fiber). I did take all the recommended vitamins and did everything 100% by the book.

I think most people cheat here and there and that may be a saving grace. I didn't cheat AT ALL. I never touched a sweet, never ate more than a couple of grapes or a few slices of an orange, and I stayed away from all the "white foods" like rice, breads, potatoes, and the like.

One night, I woke up in distress. My heart was beating so fast and so hard and I was sweating and essentially felt very, very ill. My husband took me to the ER where they discovered I was practically bottomed out of potassium and magnesium, minerals you need to stay alive and that regulate your heart. My blood work was a mess.

I was given two huge potassium pills, two magnesium pills and ... orange juice. I freaked! I couldn't drink THAT! That had way too much sugar. I would be wrecking my diet!

That is when I was told I was to get OFF the diet, east sensibly, and watch my calories and fat. I was ordered off the Atkins Diet!

The orange juice went down smooth. I left the hospital eventually and got a piece of pizza.

I immediately went on Weight Watchers, dropped the weight and have been at 122-124 pounds ever since.

For me, the Atkins Diet was just not right. It was too severe, too much of a shock to my system, too...something. All I know is my heart is A-OK now but I have had to take potassium ever since.

I don't discourage the Atkins Diet but I do encourage a bit of moderation. Don't go crazy. If you feel weak or not right, see if a bit of natural sugar (orange juice) makes you feel better. Have your cholesterol taken and have the doctor check your electrolytes.

Cutting carbs is not a bad thing. But going to extremes is. I believe that the Atkins Diet is too extreme. There are versions of the diet (I believe the South Beach Diet is one) that are based on Atkins' principles but are less severe.

If this diet works for you, great. But if you feel funny or weak, please get checked out. We all react differently to things and it's not worth getting sick to lose weight. You can do it in a different healthy way if the Atkins way doesn't work for you.

Conclusion

I obviously had a one star experience on this diet but will give it 2 stars. I feel it is too severe and that most people on it know this and adjust their eating accordingly.

Good luck with any weight loss program! For me, it's eating sensibly, keeping bad fats down, and trying to limit the junk I eat. It seems to be working as I haven't gained an ounce in years. :)

Thanks for reading and considering my point of view. And, if you are on Atkins, I wish you success and health!