For more years than I care to think about, I have been overweight.  Moreso at some times than others, but without a doubt, for as long as I can remember, I have been fat.

NB:  For those of you who have a problem with the term "fat", I refer you to my next discourse entitled "On PC Speech".

I didn't believe in diets.  They all seemed to say the same things, and require the same activities and sacrifices, and they all seemed to be quick fixes.  Now, those people who know me will be among the first to tell you that how food tastes is fairly important to me -- if it doesn't have taste, I don't want it!  I also don't believe in quick fixes, either.  So, I went along my merry way, my weight fluctuating, and my waistline never really getting smaller.

Then, over the course of almost a year, I watched a very close friend of mine drop over 100 lbs on the "Atkins Diet".  I saw what he ate -- we went out to dinner together at least once a month, and the difference in him was painfully obvious!  So, on a whim, I picked up Dr. Atkins' book and read it.

It was the best $6.95 I had spent in years!

I started the diet in August 1999, and weighted over 360 lbs.  It is now March 2000, and I am just over 300.  As I pointed out to a co-worker:  There is no greater incentive to continue a diet than results!  Yes, I went off the diet during Christmas -- but not all that badly.  Same at Thanksgiving.  Here are *my* reasons for why I have stayed on it as long as I have:

1:  I enjoy what I can eat.  My appetites have always had a carnivorous bent.  A former co-worker of mine had a shirt which read "PETA -- People for the Eating of Tasty Animals".  I agree with that statement.  I have nothing against vegetarians -- so long as they don't try to force me or anyone else to eat something that they think I should be eating.

2:  This is not a quick fix!  It's outlined pretty clearly -- this is a lifestyle change!  Yes, I miss good pasta and good bread and the occasional candy bar.  But in all honesty, the lifestyle change is one that more people could probably stand to make.

3:  Results!

Of course, Dr. Atkins has many detractors.  I have read many of the articles in the various newspapers & magazines which have decried this diet.  Personally, I don't buy into the quasi-conspiracy theory he lays out in his book, but all the articles seem to mention the same things:

No fruits or vegetables??!!??  The Horror!!!:  Read the book again, people!  In your first two weeks, the only carbohydrates you take in are from:  VEGETABLES!  For the next several weeks, the carbos you take in are from:  VEGETABLES!  These yahoos need to read things a little more closely.

Lack of Vitamins:  Guess what, folks?  Dr. Atkins acknowledges that too!  And then he tells the people on the diet to take a good multi-viatmin supplement!

Fat??!!??  Fat is BAD!!!:  OK, we all know that fat is needed for the human body to function, right?  No one here is trying to deny that.  But correct me if I'm way off base here:  sugars are complex caarbohydrates, right?  Which, if taken in and not used, get stored by the body, right?  Where is it stored?  Fat cells, right?  If fat cells are taken in and not used for storage (because of a lack of excess carbohydrates), what then happens to them? Answer:  They leave the body as waste material.  What, then. is the problem?

Potential of Kidney Problems:  OK, yes, this diet (especially the early stages) acts as a diuretic.  You do need to increase your fluid intake.  Dramatically. Oh, but wait!  That's addressed in the book, too!

OK, so what have we learned so far?  That every one of their concerns/complaints has been addressed by Dr. Atkins!  This says to me that either a:  these people have not read the book completely, or b:  they are intentionally taking things out of context.  Now, personally, I never assume malicious intent when stupidity is a reasonable explanation.  You make the call.

My final thought on the subject:  If you wish to try this diet, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you buy his book Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution and read it completely.

Legal Part:  Nothing on this page should be construed as a threat or challenge, explicit or implied, to anything Dr. Atkins has said, written, or produced.  I cannot thank Dr. Atkins enough for what he has done for me and my friends.  Find his web site here.
 

Back to Rants