Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Introduction:
Using the Atkins List:
Questions concerning the Atkins diet:
References
What is the Atkins Diet?
The Atkins diet is a low carbohydrate diet that has been proven to be effective in weight loss while not counting calories. The diet can also alleviate or prevent many ailments that are created by, or aggravated by high carbohydrate diets. A full explanation can be found in the book - Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution.
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Do I need to purchase the book?
No, you do not need to purchase the book, but it is highly recommended that you do. The book is a complete reference to the diet, and is extremely informative as to both why and how the diet works. It is a great reference you will refer back to many times. To not purchase the book, would be like trying drive to a new vacation spot without having directions.
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Where can I get the book, and how much does it cost?
Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution can be purchased at almost any bookstore, or over the Internet at most on-line bookstores. It has been one of the top best sellers for many weeks. The list price is only $6.99, but many stores sell it at a discount.
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Why create an email list?
Tom, the list founder started the list after he tried the diet and went from 250 to 185 in about 5 months. It made a complete change in his life, and he wanted to share it with others. Since then, the list has grown tremendously, and it has become a lifeline for support to many on the Atkins diet.
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Who owns the mailing list?
Tom is our founder, and Jim is currently the owner. Jim can be reached by sending an email to owner-atkins@cuy.net.
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Who sponsors the mailing list?
D'lites of Shadowood is the list sponsor, and they offer many of the products that Atkins dieters use. Check out their products, and try to support our sponsor whenever your can.
Please take a moment to visit their website.
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Using the Mailing List
What's the difference between the Traditional and Digest format?
The Traditional format will send every post to you as a separate email. The Digest format will periodically send you an email with all the posts since the last digest was sent to you. The digest is usually send 3 or 4 times a day.
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How Do I change from one list format to another?
The best way to change is to subscribe to the new format you want, and then unsubscribe from the original format.
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I forget how I originally subscribed to this list
There are two ways to subscribe to this list.
1. Go to http://tom.cuy.net/atkins/join.html and enter your email address under the subscribe section.
2. Email majordomo@cuy.net and include "subscribe atkins" or "subscribe atkins-digest" (without the quotation marks) in the body of the message (not the subject).
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How do I remove myself from this list?
There are two ways to unsubscribe to this list.
1. Go to http://tom.cuy.net/atkins/join.html and enter your email address under the unsubscribe section.
2. Email majordomo@cuy.net and include "unsubscribe atkins" or "unsubscribe atkins-digest" (without the quotation marks) in the body of the message (not the subject).
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How do I post to the mailing list?
If you send and email to atkins@cuy.net, it will automatically be sent to everyone subscribed to the list.
If you are replying to a message, your email program will automatically send you response the above email address. If you are responding to the Digest Format, you may need to cut and paste the subject and text from the part of the digest you are responding to.
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How do I send email directly to someone who subscribes to the list?
When you receive your email, or digest, the email address of the person who posted the message is in the beginning of the message. You can cut the email address and paste it into the TO: or CC: section of you email.
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What are the rules on posting?
There are not any strict rules to posting, but here are some general guidelines.
- The list is for encouragement. Encouragement is what people need when they are changing their way of life, so please, be careful not to unnecessarily criticize others.
- Tom, the list founder, has asked that there would be no commercial posts, other than posts about the list sponsor www.lowcarb.com. This is not to say that you can't mention a product another vendor may have, for it is important that all valuable information is freely exchanged, but don't post obvious solicitations. The list sponsor is what keeps us all together by providing this indispensable email list.
- When replying to the list, please only include the pertinent part of the original message. Please delete the rest of the original message. The Digests becomes rather large, and some subscribers have trouble opening the digest when it gets too big.
- Try to send your messages to the list in plain text. Rich Text Format, and HTML are not interpreted when the list is read in digest format.
- Don't send attachments directly to the list since they won't be interpreted properly. If you need to send attachments to someone, send it directly to the individual's email address.
- Do not to use the words "Subscribe" or "Unsubscribe". These are reserved words for subscribing and unsubscribing from the list. Most likely if you use these words, the email will be rejected and sent back to you.
- To keep the Digest format from getting too long, send "Thank You" responses directly to the person who responded to your question and not to the list, unless what is in the "Thank You" response still provides interesting information to list subscribers.
- Lastly, if you have a question or input, post it. You'll be surprised at the number or responses you may receive.
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What do all the abbreviations mean that are used in many of the posts?
AS = Artificial Sweetener
BTW = By The Way
DANDR = Reference to the Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution Book.
DH = Dear Husband (or Dumb Husband)
FWIW = For What Its Worth
HTH = Hope This Help
IMHO = In My Humble Opinion
IMO = In My Opinion
MIL = Mother In Law
LOL = Laughing Out Loud
ROFLMAO = Rolling On The Floor Laughing My A__ Off
SF = Sugar Free
SO = Significant Other
TOM = Time Of Month
WOE = Way Of Eating
WOL = Way Of Life
YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary
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What are the numbers next to, or under everyone's name?
Starting weight/Current Weight/Target Weight Atkins Start Date
Example:
Jane Doe
150/137/120 8/1/98
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I have a question I'd like to post, but I feel people might think I should already know the answer?
On this list, an unwritten policy, is that no question is a dumb question, even if the answer is in this document or if it has been answered a hundred times on the list. Everyone on the list is willing to answer your questions regardless of how simple or stupid they appear. However, if you still feel uncomfortable posting your question, you could try emailing someone you trust from the list directly, reading this FAQ document, or referencing the DANDR.
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Questions concerning the Atkins diet
Is it true that you do not count calories?
Yes, it is not necessary to count calories. Most people however eat close to the same calories or even less on this diet than before they began. Since this diet is higher in fat, than a typical diet, your body tends to feel full quicker. Yes, fat is denser in calories than carbohydrates, but if you eat less in quantity, then your total calorie intake may be the same or even less. The policy on this diet is "If you are hungry then eat"! Be careful not to take this however as a license to eat, just don't be hungry. Some people however do eat more calories than before starting the diet, and still lose weight.
There are a number of people who still count calories as a gauge. Some want to make sure they are not over eating (which is hard to do on this diet), while others are rarely hungry and they want to be sure they are getting enough calories to be healthy.
The key to this diet is the total number of carbohydrates you are eating, not fat, protein or total calories.
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I was told this diet is dangerous for diabetics
This diet can be extremely dangerous to Type I diabetics, but can actually help Type II diabetics by helping regulate insulin levels. Many diabetics have been able to reduce, or even eliminate their medication. Check with your doctor before starting this diet, and before reducing any medications.
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What are Ketosis sticks, and where do I get them?
Ketosis sticks are urine-testing strips that determine if you are in ketosis. If they turn color (somewhere between pink and purple) you are in Ketosis. The strips can be purchased at most drug stores, one name brand is called Ketostix. You may need to ask the pharmacist. The sticks were developed for testing Type 1 diabetics. A supply of 50 usually costs less than $10.
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Do I need to buy Ketosis sticks?
No it is not necessary to buy the sticks. However, one of the keys to the diet is being in Ketosis. To be able to confirm Ketosis is always a moral lift. Also, when switching to the Ongoing Weight Loss and Maintenance parts of the diet where you start to increase your carbohydrate intake, the Ketosis sticks will be able to help you determine where your tolerance level for carbohydrates is. NOTE: If you are having trouble losing weight on this diet, the sticks may be able to confirm that you are not in Ketosis, giving you immediate feedback to why you are not losing weight.
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Why aren't my Ketosis sticks changing color?
After restricting your carbohydrates to the Induction level of the Atkins Diet, it usually takes two to three days for your body to go into Ketosis, so be patient. If you are past the two -three days, and still not in Ketosis, check more closely to the number of carbohydrates you are eating. You may be eating more than you think. Many foods you don't suspect have carbohydrates lurking in them. In addition, the Ketosis Sticks are sensitive, and should not be touched. The package should not be left open, and the Sticks should be replaced if the package has been open for more than 6 months. If you are doing everything right on the diet, but the sticks will still not change color, try a fresh pack of sticks.
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What is Ketosis?
Ketosis is the term used when your body cannot fully metabolize fat due to a lack of carbohydrates in your system. The unused portions of the fat cells are called ketones, and are removed from the body in the urine. Ketosis is a signal that you are breaking down your fat cells.
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Are vitamin supplements required?
Yes, if you are not taking a strong multivitamin, which is close to the recommended vitamin/mineral mix in Dr. Atkins' book, you may experience cramping and other side effects.
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What is a Stall?
A stall is a term used when someone stops losing weight for an unusual length of time.
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What if I'm stalled?
Stalling can be caused by many factors, and many factors are still unknown. If you are stalling, it is recommended that you confirm you are still in Ketosis using your Ketosis testing sticks. If you are in Ketosis, and feel you are still losing inches, continue the diet as normal, the weight should follow. If however, you still feel you are not progressing, or you are not in Ketosis, you can try some of the following:
- Make sure you are drinking enough water - see next question for more info.
- Are you taking enough vitamins?
- Make sure you are eating enough calories, and not starving yourself. Eating too little could be the number one cause of a plateau.
- Eliminate caffeine if you haven't already
- Eliminate artificial sweeteners from your diet
- Eliminate dairy products - i.e. cheese
- Exercise
- Increase the total fat in your diet
- Add additional supplements to your diet such as Omega-3 Fatty acids or L-Carnitine that help in the metabolism of fat.
- Eliminate medications - Make sure you check with your doctor first!!!!
- Try going back to the Induction level of the diet
- Try a Fat Fast
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Do I need to drink water, and how much water should I be drinking?
It is important to drink a lot of water. As your body breaks down fat, it is important to flush the unused ketones from your body. A general rule of thumb is 64oz plus 8 oz for every 25 lbs. of weight you want to lose. Another approximation is to divide you body weight in half. Both methods of determining the amount of water to drink will make sure you are drinking enough. However, if you are thirsty, or not sure if you are drinking enough water, then you are probably not. Drink more. You can't drink too much water.
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What is the Induction Diet?
The Induction diet is just a small part of the full Atkins diet, and Dr. Atkins recommends using for the first two weeks of the diet. It's intended to rid your body of all unnecessary carbohydrates, and put you body into Ketosis. You also will lose weight the fastest during this part of the diet. The Induction diet is two week of eating less than 20 grams of carbohydrates a day. It is essential that Vitamin supplements are used. For specifics, please refer to Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution.
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What is the Ongoing Weight Loss Diet?
The ongoing Weight Loss Diet or OWL, is used following the two week induction diet. It allows you to increase your carbohydrate consumption to a level that still keeps you in Ketosis. The number of carbohydrates allowed depends on the individual. Have Ketosis testing sticks will help you monitor you body to see if you have fallen out of Ketosis. If you have, then you must reduce your Carbohydrate consumption.
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What are the Maintenance and Pre Maintenance Diets?
The pre maintenance diet is started usually when a person comes within 10lbs of their goal weight. It is the diet that allows you to slowly increase your carb consumption until you are no longer losing weight. The idea is to reach this level of carbohydrates as you reach your goal weight. The Maintenance Diet is what you are on for the rest of you life. During the Pre maintenance diet, you found where you ideal carbohydrate intake is. That is how many carbs you are allowed during the Maintenance diet. Part of the maintenance diet is to also monitor your current weight. Our bodies change over time, and your tolerance level for carbohydrates may also change causing you to lose or gain weight. If you lose weight, you can always increase your carb intake. If you gain weight (5 lbs or more from your ideal weight), then it is time to go back onto the Induction diet, where you can easily lose the weight in a week or two. The nice part of the Maintenance diet is that you can cheat from the diet (in moderation), and if you gain some weight, you know you will lose it rather easily
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What is a Fat Fast diet?
Dr. Atkins recommends the Fat Fast diet for hard core metabolically resistant patients. It's designed to push your metabolism into Ketosis, fast. It's a 1000-calorie a day, 90% fat diet. You divide the food into small portions, and have them at different times of the day. Dr. Atkins suggests dividing 1000 calories into five 200-calorie portions, and have it at 7am, 11am, 3pm, 7pm and before bedtime.
SUGGESTIONS FOR 200-CALORIE PORTIONS ARE:
- 2 oz of sour cream, containing 1 tbs. of caviar, served on 3-4 pork rinds.
- 2 deviled egg halves, server not in the whites, but on pork rinds.
- Graham Newbould's Pate for Royalty (2 oz.) served on the soya bread.
- 2 oz of chicken salad made with triple the usual amount of mayo (of ham salad, egg salad, shrimp salad.)
- 1 oz of the above in a half avocado
- 1 oz of macadamia nuts (or walnuts, or other nuts that fit the 90% fat criteria.
- 2.5 oz of whipped heavy cream, artificially sweetened, and with ground vanilla beans
- 2 oz of cream cheese
WARNING! This diet is extremely hard to do. For the first day or two you may feel a bit lethargic. So think twice about doing it. It is also recommended that you not continue for over a week because it has not been tested for long-term use. If you are not having trouble losing weight on the induction, or ongoing weight loss diet, the Fat Fast is not recommended
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References:
Dr. Atkins' Website
Dr. Atkins' FAQ
Home Recipes Links FAQ Atkins Books
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