CarriNixon - First, thanks for starting this thread!!!!

It (Atkins and low-carb) really isn't eggs and bacon and cheese every day -- that is such a huge misconception about low-carb diets that so many people have because it seems that is how it is always presented.  

Anyone who tells you Atkins is about eating as much bacon, egss and cheese as you want has no idea what they are talking about!    I'm not pushing Atkins, I think everyone needs to find what works for them, but I like to clear up misconceptions about what the plan is.  I guarantee a lot of people would be shocked at what the real Atkins entire plan (there are 4 phases, not just the first phase which everyone knows about) looks like and if they looked at the food diaries of those people who have been successful long term.  I regularly eat a lot of veggies, fresh berries, flax, even oatmeal on long run days, and all this is within my Atkins plan.   

The plan has actually helped me understand why my body reacts the way it does to foods, why I was always hungry before on other weight loss plans, and what I can and cannot eat to keep my blood-sugar/insulin response in control.  I have never been healthier and I see my doctor every 6 months for a full physical (I have one tomorrow!).

I have seen lots of diets mentioned here. What worked for my wife was first taking out some refined foods, then slowly cutting things she knew was bad for her. It took a year to really get where she needed to but now she is rolling along perfectly thanks to the slow changes she made. It ended up becoming a lifestyle change and that was what made all the difference.

I was afraid of starting and failing again.  That's what I've always been good at.  But I've noticed that things are different this time -- I'M different this time.  I'm doing it for my own reasons and nobody's pushing me.  My first day today sucked in my eyes because 20 years ago I was a runner.  But that was 20 years ago.  I'm 46 now, been on the couch for a decade and a half, and gained crazy weight.

So once I understood that my motivations for weight loss and health this time are MY OWN and this is in MY TIME, I felt okay with it!  I've had bad days Sunday, Monday and Tuesday this week with regards to my weight loss program and fitness portion.  Not disastrous but bad enough that I"m not happy with it.  In the old days, this would've been my excuse to quit.  "Well, you 've blown it, may as well go back to sticking your head in the fridge and your butt on the couch."  But this morning I realized I LIKE how I've been feeling doing these programs -- the walking and the weight loss (today's the first C25k day) -- and I also realized I had a good reason for being messed up the last 3 days (an unexpected death in my immediate family) so I gave myself permission to forget the bad days and just jump right back in today.

From your last paragraph, you sound like so many of us who've gotten to the point of taking charge of our lives -- that means success!

Carrie,

Let me echo what  brpssm  said. My wife and I never feel better than we do on Atkins. ( Or Low Carb in general)  So many people never read past the "Induction phase"  or worse they read about the "Fast Fast "  which is only used for people with EXTREME metabolic resistance.  But read the whole plan, the whole book, and decide . Lots of whole foods, lean meat  high fiber , no refined foods... 

A 5 oz grilled chicken breast, Spinach salad  ( with a small amount of dressing)  Apsparagus  ... that is an Atkins dinner.  Show me a doctor who says that is bad for you .

Our only problem with Atkins , as with any diet, is it is easy to get lazy . It is expensive and time consuming to cook and eat real meals.  Doritos, McDonalds and a bottle of soda is cheaper and WAAAAYYYYYY easier.  It's hard to eat well and keep interested.   But when it's right , low carb feels sooooo good.

Carrie....

In my opinion, Atkins is not a healthy diet that you can maintain for life.  I know a guy who did it and almost died from kidney failure.  Looks great, but is sick as a dog.  I did it about 10 years ago for 2 months and was nauseated from eggs and meat and cheese and all that fat.  Don't even ask me what my bloodwork was like.  Atkins may work in the short term, but it's not something your cardiovascular system should have to deal with for decades.

In SB, you can eat all the veggies you want.  You can work in fruit and grains after the first 2 weeks...and the first 2 weeks go fast.  For breakfast this morning I had a big green salad with celery, avocado and viniagrette, and when I got to work I had a ham sandwich on whole grain bread.  Breakfast does NOT mean eggs and bacon every day.  One morning I had steamed broccoli and tilapia fillet.  Many mornings I sautee asparagus with garlic and salt in olive oil.  Sometimes it's chicken breast with green beans. There are SO many things you can eat.  Steel cut oatmeal, too.  Whole grain cereals with skim milk.   Your body DOES need carbs.  It's just HEALTHY, natural carbs.  

Really, when we're hungry in the morning, does our stomach "prefer" one type of food to another?

You can't reasonably expect to take off in a matter of weeks what it has taken years to put on.  And the healthier you feel, the more energetic and clean you feel because you're not stuffing yourself with Big Macs and French Fries, sugary pop and cookies.  I don't want any of that in my system now.  I'm a lot more limber than I was, too, so exercising is easier because what I'm eating is better and my body is way more in synch.

There's no shortcut...just do it.  That Nike saying used to annoy me, but now it's my mantra.

Shopping for food is easier, too, because your NO list is large enough to avoid entire areas of the grocery store.    You can do it!  Millions already have.

Amy

Atkins does give you results.... I had a friend lose 80lbs. But its not a forever thing.... but to be fair most diets aren't. I think the reason a low carb lifestyle works for some of our friends on this thread is because they use portional control and moderation.... the key to ANY diet.

I'm glad your husband has a sense of humor....