Atkins vs. regular diet

[Taleigh21]

My friend who is overweight thinks she wants to start working out. Fine. But she thinks it is a good idea to do the "Induction" phase of the Atkins diet to shed the first few pounds then switch over to a 5-6 meal a day program, like Body For Life suggests.

I think that she is wasting her time doing Atkins (2 week Induction phase--less than 20 carbs per day!) then going over to BFL (eating normally with a sufficient amount of carbs).

What do you think? She wants to lose the quick weight by eating next to no carbs, but then by switching to a low fat, low carb high protein BFL diet, she is confusing her body.

What do you think? What does this do to one's body?

[goliath]

if she is new to the lifestyle (and be sure she understands that fitness is indeed a lifestyle) something like BFL would probably be better because you don't feel as restricted. i have seen a lot of people succeed with atkins, but i have also seen a lot of people fail. if she just wants to drop a bunch of water weight, sure - do the induction phase - it won't hurt her....

[Taleigh21]

i once did atkins, it was not for me. I felt like crap, and felt gross eating the bad food and butters and oils associated with high fat, low carb diet. I think that the atkins is great for people who need to lose tremendous amouunts of weight and that can do little or no excercise because of their weight.

But will floating/changing from one eating method to another screw up her body?

[playthegame]

Check this out...It might be a little easier for her to stick to...

http://www.avantlabs.com/page.php?pageID=159&issueID=15

[trip]

No, changin things up will not screw up her body.

Need to realize everyone responds differently. I'm always low carb, and yes sacrifice a little bit of energy, yet I feel ten times better due to insulin sensitivity issue. think better feel better etc.

Been doing this on and off for 25 yrs., mostly more on in last ten.

Like goliath said it is a lifestyle. And if she wants to try atkins, have at it, some people do fine, some don't, you never know might be the right thing for her.

I've found low carb 5-6 meals a day is optimum for me over time, so those two together might be the ticket for her.

Now, getting 5-6 small nutrient good meals, and getting them in everyday, well, lol, that's another story.

You're concern for your friend is cool.

later

[RebelAngel]

An NHE approach with lower carb days and bi-weekly carb ups is nice too. I get great results like that.