In the first two weeks since I started Atkins, I have lost 15 pounds.  This is remarkable as every diet I have tried since undertaking Atkins 6 years ago has failed.  You see, six years ago I weighed 228 pounds and wanted to lose weight before our wedding. In the six months leading up to the day we exchanged vows, through Atkins and an eventually pretty decent exercise routine I lost about 40 pounds.  At that time I went through the first two phases of Atkins, but more or less abandoned the plan at phase three after the honey moon.  Slowly over the next few years, I added back weight, and then I hit a wall about two years ago as my metabolism changed right about the time I turned 41. Then two weeks ago after our vacation I tipped the scales at 234.

At 43, I was putting myself at high risk, not just due to the weight, but because I had developed a few other issues that when combined with being overweight can spell trouble.  Earlier this year in Readers Digest I read an article based upon a study of American men and their health, broken out by decade.  The statistics that scared the crap out of me were for the 40s and 50s.  If in your 40s you are overweight and have high blood pressure, you put yourself at risk for cardio problems. Then, in your 50s if you were overweight and suffered high blood pressure in your 40s and still experience both, the likelihood of having a heart attack and developing a cardio disease is just a matter of time.

Bothered by this to the point that I dwelt on the numbers daily, I went on a calorie count and cut out all fat.  I had mild success, but felt miserable. Headaches, dizziness, not sleeping well, etc. After I abandoned that I tried the Belly Fat diet, where you only worry about sugars, and keep track of carbohydrates.  Again, mild success, but I ended up putting all of the weight lost back on while food binging over a couple of weeks.  Something had to give.

That’s when I decided to try Atkins again. Since 2004, not much has changed, but a few things have; you still reduce your daily carb intake to 20 grams a day, but the type of carbs you consume have really been scrutinized. Along with the protein, I eat a healthy salad every day, and nutrient rich vegetables as a side for dinner. I also no longer eat any of the Atkins processed diet bars or snacks. And more importantly, there is a bevy of data from research that confirms what Atkins always purported: it is healthy, and it works.

I’m not sure how much longer I will remain on Induction phase one. Certainly another two weeks, perhaps four.  I sleep well at night, my knees no longer ache (they have been bothering me for about the last 3 years), and I don’t get sleepy in the afternoons anymore. But once I do more on to phase two, then I’ll start adding back foods that allow increases of five grams of carbs per week until I get closer to my goal weight. Lose another nine pounds and my first goal weight will be achieved. Then I can go from cardio happy walking everyday to adding some muscle building exercises into the mix. I plan to be there by June 15-20^th.

If you consider Atkins, I would highly recommend you start with the new book, New Atkins for a New You: The Ultimate Diet for Shedding Weight and Feeling Great. See for yourself the science behind what has only worked for me.