Hi, Beth. I've been on both Atkins and also low-calorie (which I'm doing
now). I also had about 100 lb to lost, and I'm glad to say 47.5 lb are now
gone, after 25 weeks of calorie counting.

I also found Atkins extremely limiting. Plus I'm losing lots more with a
low-calorie plan than I ever did on Atkins, even after well over a year on
that program!

To avoid hunger, I do several things:

1. I added exercise to my diet. Even just 20-30 minutes a day really helps
because you can deduct those exercise calories burned from your daily limit
and eat more! :)

2. I have a "bonus" system of 1,000 calories per week which I can use on
those days where I want to eat some more. It really helps psychologically in
avoiding the feeling of there being a strict daily limit.

You  might want to also check out the Weight Watcher's "Core" plan. If you
liked the "non counting" feeling of Atkins but want more variety, Weight
Watchers Core might be just what you are looking for. You can eat from all
these foods until satisfied without counting calories:

   http://lerner.net/diet/wwcoreplan.htm

Good luck!

doug

On 11/25/05 10:52 AM, in article Y7uhf.146$OO6.117@news01.roc.ny, "Beth M."
<northwoodscares@yahoo.com> wrote:

If you want to lose weight, and not be hungry (as you state above),
you can try low carb that you report was effective at that for you.

If your objective is to lose weight, and eat your favorite foods, but
be possibly hungry, you can try "eating less", which will also work.

I am skeptical about you being able to find something that would make
you not hungry and let you eat a good amount of carbs.

i

In addition to the Weight Watchers core plan, you could also check out the
South Beach Diet.  Personally I think Weight Watchers is a great plan
though.

You chose the diet that works for you. A diet on which you feel overly
hungry will not likely work; neither will a diet on which you feel
overly deprived. But you might want to actually read one of the Atkins
books. Most libraries have at least one.
--
Matthew
Slow and steady wins the race.

Most people in your situation just need lifestyle changes which can be
kickstarted by dieting.  I don't like Atkins, I feel that it limits
essential things in your diet and probably isn't that great for you.
It is also one that is easy to jump off the bandwagon on if you do
chose to have a small dessert to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Here are just a few tips from me:
1.  Choose whole grain products (whole wheat pasta, multigrain bread,
etc.)  Don't eat white.  Limit potatoes, but they are okay
occassionally.

2.  Use a smaller plate, or lessen the current portions you eat.  By
doing this, you are cutting daily calorie intact.  Don't have seconds,
treat yourself to maybe a dessert a week, or some fruit any time.  For
lunch, I take only one sandwhich container full of food, I also have
yogurt and fruit for 2 snacks a day during work.

3.  Exercise.  This is very important.  Whether you start with a walk
or an aerobics class, it is vital.  Work up to a comprehensive weight
lifting routine (which will increase your metabolism) and at least
20-30 minutes of cardio 5 days a week.

The main thing is to have fun doing it.  Don't make changes you won't
stick to, or the weight will come back.  You may inevitably be hungry
if you cut out portions, calories, or specifiic foods.  Find a new
hobby or activity to get your mind off the hunger, drink a large glass
of water instead.

Good luck.

Id you think in terms of 'dieting" you will never lose weight. You also
need to remove this "I was 'good' today or I was'bad' today" way of
thinking about your food.  (That is one of the most idiotic things about
"dieters" that they boil down their eating habits to this "good
child/bad child" thinking. Very destructive.) You need to change your
entire lifestyle and learn to make better choices.  As to bypass
surgery...all it does it make you do what you should be doing in the
first place: eating smaller portions.  Why have yourself mutilated when
you can do it yourself?  And you ARE mutilating yourself BIG TIME!  And
there are nasty long-term effects, plus there are people who have
eventually "stretched" that little pouch enough to overeat again or who
have eaten enough to cause a rupture.  Read up on the negatives before
you go and do this.  It takes a while to change life-long habits, but,
in the end it will be YOU who is in control, not some outside force.
Those of us with a tendency to put it on have to be constantly vigilant
and learn to "eat to live" instead of "live to eat."  Some of the advice
you have already gotten about eating a balanced diet and avoiding
refined carbohydrates is very good.  Remember, if it's a gimmick, it's
probably not going to work for you long-term.
Anyway, PLEASE: get with a nutritionist, get out and walk and please
don't mutilate yourself.  We all know how hard it is to change our lives
and are in your corner.

Beth M. Wrote:

If your thyroid is under active you may need thyroid hormon
replacement to normalize your metabolism.

I have had great results using a strict Zone diet making sure that al
the carbohydrates are low glycemic.  This is very important i
controlling hunger.  By eating protein and some healthy fat at eac
meal along with complex carbohydrates you can have 3 – 5 hours of goo
energy and little hunger.  I still eat 6 – 7 times per day followin
the Zone formula.

I dropped 70 pounds doing this at a rate of 2 pounds per week.

http://www.antiagingatlanta.co

--
rvsmithmd

Hi Beth,

I also have an underactive thyroid -- Hashimoto's disease -- and have
been on medication for 5-6 years now.  You're right, the meds should
make it possible for you to lose, but you'll still need to follow a
sensible diet and get some exercise.  I lost over 130 lbs. in two
years by simply eating less and exercising more.

Personally, my choice was to avoid the sort of diet that omits or
drastically limits any food group (as Atkins does) and instead focus
on calorie counting.  I don't think there's a magic answer; you need
to find what works best for you.  It doesn't sound like Atkins is
something you can live with indefinitely.  (And I think it's best to
adopt a plan that you can follow forever, as you'll need to always
watch your diet and exercise in order to keep the weight off.)

Chris
262/130s/130s
started dieting July 2002, maintaining since June 2004

What are you planning for exercise?

The Warrior Diet will help with your thyroid.

The Glycemic Diet will help you not feel hugry but allows ample dairy
and fruit.  It also gives the the flexibility of eating high or
(moderately) low carb.

Again, the Warior Diet.

Good luck.