Livin' La Vida Low-Carb
While some of them realize I am still livin’ la vida low-carb and will be for the rest of my life, there are others who wonder what I am doing now “after” being on the low-carb diet to keep it off.For the life of me, I can’t seem to grasp why I would ever abandon this way of eating that has produced such incredible weight loss results just because the weight loss phase is completed. If it helped me lose those 180 pounds, then surely the Atkins diet can help me KEEP IT OFF for good, right? Why wouldn’t I keep eating this way forever?
It is funny that Jimmy took the opportunity to write about this yesterday. Yesterday also happened to be the day of Laura’s 6 months blood work. (no word on the numbers yet) The doctor, who usually is a good personable doctor, seemed convinced that Atkins “while a great way to jump start your weight loss” didn’t lead to long term success as people regained when they got off the diet. My wife (the Atkins superstar or has at least heard me preach long enough) zips back “that’s the problem they got off the diet. It’s not meant to be that way, it’s a lifelong journey,” she replied.
The doctor went unphased by her reply, and then warned of the dangers of uric acid and gout. Is it back to that detraction again? My wife knows better. Before Atkins, my number was 7.9 or borderline for getting gout. (I was only drinking Diet Dew at the time.) Since Atkins and understanding the necessity of water, my numbers are in 5′s for my last two tests. The rules of Induction specifically state you must drink 64oz daily, and ADBB (Atkins Diet Bulletin Board – the best Atkins support forums on the ‘Net) recommendation is to drink that 64oz plus another 8 oz per 25 pounds you wish to lose. Needless to say, if you are doing Atkins as prescribed and with healthy kidneys before, you are in no danger of getting gout.
My wife did say the doctor seemed to linger a bit longer than he usually does. She and I wonder if it has anything to do with how fantastic (my words not hers) she looks. To sum it up, if you stick with the lady that brought to the dance, you’ll be just fine. Low carb and the Atkins WOE got me to goal, and it will certainly help me maintain it.
Totally agree. I have been off and on Atkins for years. Quick weight loss and quick weight gain if you don’t stay on maintenance. It is a way of life … but not a bad one.
Comment by Tomorrow We Diet | July 26, 2006