Hello all.

[hammer45]

Hello everyone, I am new to this board but not to the LC WOL. I have been on Atkins and have lost about 52 lbs in the past year and have a long way to go yet.
I am wondering how close this WOL is to Atkins and if any of you have tried both of these plans. Please comment.

Hammer

[Shadow]

Welcome, Hammer :). For a brief write up of the differences, there is a pdf file here (http://72.32.36.211/forum/showthread.php?t=71).

I'm afraid other than that I can't contribute anything ;). I read Atkins but it wasn't for me. I've been a low carber for close to 4 years and it's been PP/PPLP the whole time.

[Mitra]

I did Atkins for a week or so before I found PP. Apart from allowing a few more carbs in the early days, the difference it made to me was that, as a veggie at the time, I wasn't getting anywhere near enough protein. It was only because of the minimum protein requirement in PP that I started making real efforts to include protein in my diet.

[Billie]

I did Atkins along time ago. The programs are similar in nature, but the science and the support here is pretty extraordinary. The induction phase is somewhat different or was and we try to look at other things that support good health, not sure what not to eat but why. For example transfats comes to mind, or why a raspberry has such a bang for the buck.

[gator8me]

Welcome Hammer ~
My first forey into LC eating was with Atkin's. I was very successful, went from 265 to 170 in about 14 months. I was NOT successful in maintaining that weight loss. I regained 30 pounds. I tried to redo Atkin's but with no success at all. I looked into Protein Power and it just clicked with my brain. Yes, they are similar but PP is more about a way of life than ATkin's is. I think alot of it is the way it is presented by the Dr's. and by those that have been doing it successfully here for so many years.
Personally, I will sing the praises of Protein Power way of living forever.
Hope this helps ~

[protein-girl]

Hi I also started LCing by reading Atkins and it really helped me to get started by following the induction.

However as soon as I read PP and PPLP it made sense and I understood the science behind it better. I think any LC book is helpful and braodens understanding but PP is unbeatable when it comes to information. For me the greatest thing was understanding the role of protein and understanding the role of nutrition in metobolic disorders. Once I "got that" I was no longer following a diet I was making a lifelong lifestyle change....

PG

[Thedabara]

I too started on Atkins. I read the book cover to cover. After one month I was hooked. I knew LCing was the way for me to eat forever. I love information though, and when I heard about PP and PPLP I bought those books too (as well as some others). I read those cover to cover too. There seemed to be more recent scientific info in PP, and PPLP. Then again, Atkins wrote his book in the early 70's. I find both ways of eating very compatible. I tend not too lose unless I saty right around 20 ecc a day. That being said, now that I do PP (and have for 2 1/2 years), I make sure to get in my minimum protein as well. That is never very hard for me...I love meat! :D The only caveat to say combining the 2 are that I, personally, only subtract fiber to get my ecc or net carbs. Any sugar alcohol or glycerin etc.. I count. If I don't, I stall ( or I did when I was trying to lose weight). I hope this helps.
Jenny

[hawk]

I like the natural foods list on PP (purist approach). Atkins had no such separation. The health benefits were more pronounced in PP than Atkins. I have a ton of allergies and cannot eat artificial foods, preservatives,nitrates,MSG,sugar alcahols, artificial sugars,aspartame. The Atkins shakes and bars give me horrible headaches. The recipies incorporate many of these things.
When I began PP I felt so much better. I have RSD and have had wonderful results on this diet compared to Atkins. The emphasis is on health, not just weight loss. I am more concious of what I am putting in my body now. Before I ingest anything, I ask "is this worth it?"

[gitfiddle]

There's little I can add except agreement with what has been said. I need to know why I'm doing something and PP tells me. I lost a lot of weight on Atkins in the early seventies and I don't think this way of eating will conflict with what you're doing. The support you get on this board is tremendous.

Hope you stay around and check us out!:)

[Shadow]

I will admit that I did not like the list telling me what I could/couldn't eat if I followed Atkin's plan. That was the first thing that drew me to PP - nothing was forbidden, as long as it was accounted for :). I guess I just don't like being told "no" :p!

[miralin]

I've read a lot about both, and other LC lifestyles, and while it was a doctor (*big grin*) who originally directed me to PP, several years ago, I've found that it really suits my lifestyle best.

The only real big thing I found with Atkins that is an issue for me, is that the books I have seem very OK with reliance on what I call "faux food" like reduced carb baking mixes and stuff like that. It may work for some, but I'm too hypersensitive for it to work for me. I'm pretty all or nothing, and I just can't tolerate a lot of processed/manufactured foods.

All that being said, ultimately you have to find what's right for you, and what will work well with your lifestyle and personality, I think. Asssuming the path there isn't unhealthy, I feel the ends will justify the means.

(Oh, and hi everyone!)

[Nean]

I started on Atkins last May. Did really well for a while, but got bogged down in frankenfoods, saving all my carbs for a sweet at night, etc. PP appeals to me with 1) minimum protein intakes (my labs for years showed I was low in protein - scary) 2) use it or loose it carbs (makes much more sense biochemically) and 3) as above, you want 7 skittles, or 2 french fries, you can have them.

PS - I'm new here. Was on a more Atkins focused board. Love the scientific knowledge and focus on health that I'm seeing here.