Life on the Atkins Diet

About three years ago, I tried the Atkins Diet for losing weight. The Atkins Diet is a very low-carb, high protein regimen. I did lose weight- almost 60 pounds. I didn't feel hungry- in fact, my body completely lost any appetite for food, including "mouth hunger" and "the munchies" from indulging in another bad habit of mine, which I gave up last year. Additionally, the acid reflux that had been plaguing me for a few years was gone after just a few weeks of following the diet.

I followed the diet to the letter, not cheating, going through the two week "induction" period, of very low carbohydrate intake (almost NO carb intake, really), and tested my urine with the keto sticks every morning, first things, to make sure that I was maintaining ketosis. I got both the basic book about the diet and the Atkins Cookbook, and learned how to make some delicious food. I also used the Atkins Shake mixes and canned shakes, for when I was at work in the morning, and had to gulp down a quick breakfast.

The great thing was that the weight came off where I needed it off the most- in my stomach and abdomen. Many experts say that people who "carry" their excess weight in the belly are more prone to Diabetes than those who are equally overweight, but with an even distribution of excess poundage over the body. I was wearing clothes that I hadn't worn in a few years.

I was on this "funky diet", as my disapproving doctor called it, for about five months. I looked great and didn't feel hungry. What stopped me from continuing was pain- sharp, intense pain in my kidneys that started suddenly one day. I found out that kidney failure was a hazard of following this diet. I stopped, and the pounds came back with a vengeance- probably gained more back that I had lost. Despite taking a multi-vitamin and several other supplements every day, I became deficient in certain phytonutrients, including Vitamin C. The last few weeks I was following the diet, I had no immune system, and caught colds easily. I also still have a small lump in my left leg- whether it is a small gout or something else from the diet, I don't know. But the big thing was the intense pain in my kidneys, which got me to stop immediately.

I'm still looking for the diet plan that works for me. Over the years, I have counted calories, done Weight Watchers ( 3 times), just plain went hungry, and still haven't found a permanent solution. I think restricting carbs was the right track for me, but perhaps not as severely or not for so long a period of time.