This post marks the end of my Atkins Diet experiment. It won’t be my last Atkins Diet post here as I am taking a week or so off the dieting and while that is going on I have quite a few more things about Atkins that I’d like to tell you. Then we’ll get into the next diet soon after that.

At the end of last week I had dropped down to 66.5kg and as of this morning I weighed in at 66 kg exactly. So I lost another half a kilo, or just over a pound. I started the Atkins Diet at 70.8 kgs so my total weight loss over the 4 weeks on the Atkins Diet Induction Phase has been 4.7kg or around 10 lbs.

10 lbs over 4 weeks is an average of 2.5lbs per week though as we saw the weight fell off in week 1 then the rate slowed right down despite exercising.

On the Body For Life diet I averaged just under 2lbs of fat lost per week so the Atkins Diet was more effective in my experience - and I did less exercise on the Atkins Diet too.

It’s also interesting to note that I lost almost 7 lbs of fat in the first week and then the weight loss really slowed down considerably. I lost 3 pounds of fat in the 3 weeks since then - averaging only a pound a week - a figure I easily beat on Body For Life.

However I also feel it is very limiting and due to the lack of free days, the high-fat regime and the limited range of acceptable foods I could only stick to the Atkins Diet a short while.

If trying to lose weight from scratch I personally would recommend going for the Atkins Diet Induction Phase for as long as you can stick to it properly (2-4 weeks) then go onto the Body For Life diet which is far “nicer” to be on.

Popularity: 35% [?]

The last few weeks have been a little difficult. I had to go away on a course for 3 days where they served nothing but “crap” to eat which threw out the diet dispite my best efforts (I took grilled chicken, salad etc with me but then ended up having to go out to dinner every night with other people on the course).

Also we went to a party on Sunday which resulted in me eating all sorts of things I shouldn’t have.

Not great. But the results haven’t been as bad as expected. I honestly thought I would have pretty-much returned to my original weight when I started, but that’s not the case.

To give the Atkins Diet a fair test I shall be carrying it on for one more week as whilst this is officially week 4, the temptations over the last few days have meant that I feel I have only done a week of Atkins over the course of the last 2 weeks.

So carrying on for one more week will lead me to having done a full 4 weeks of Atkins.

On the last Atkins Diet weekly update I weighed 66.9 kg. This time I weigh 66.5kg. So I have managed to lose 0.4kg or about a pound in 2 weeks. Not great, but I still managed to lose weight rather than putting it on.

Interestingly on the 20th of September, after my course, my weight had increased to 68.2 kg, and now has dropped down to 66.5kg so having put on a kilo while at the course I have actually lost almost 2 kg in the week since then. Therefore if it weren’t for the rubbish I ate at the course I would likely be as low as 64 kg this time.

Stay glued for the final Atkins Diet weekly update next week where I will reveal a “final” photograph and my end statistics together with a round-up of how I have found the Atkins Diet.

Popularity: 21% [?]

Welcome to the end of week 2 on the Atkins Diet - what is typically the end of the “Induction Phase”.

My new weight is 66.9 kg or 10st 7.5 lbs. That means that in the last week I have lost an additional 1 kg. That’s 2lb more of fat gone which is reasonable but not too exciting after last weeks 2.9 kg. Yes, I lost 3 times the amount of weight in week 1 than week 2.

It still means I have lost almost 9 lbs in 2 weeks on the Atkins Diet but I want to keep things moving along.

I think the reason for my reduced weight loss is twofold:

1) I have gotten a little more comfortable with the diet and haven’t been quite as strict as week 1. Processed meats in the form of ham etc. have snuck in a tiny bit because it makes eating so much easier and checking back on the nutritional guidelines there were some extra carbs this week.

2) Even Dr. Atkins himself mentions that the Atkins Diet is very good at getting rid of water from your system and so your greatest weight loss is likely to be in week 1.

I have carried on my 2 weight lifting sessions, 1 HIIT run this week but after the slow down I intend to continue the Induction Phase for the next two weeks rather than considering entering the OWL phase.

This is safe to do and is entirely down to you when you choose to change onto the next phase. Due to my wanting to test this diet out as fully as properly and shed those excess pounds as quickly as possible I will be carefully ensuring no processed foods sneak in, I will be counting carbs and we will see how I do next time.

So I will continue to Induction to the end of the test month. I am really pleased with how things I going, I fine fine, I’m losing weight and eating well. In week 4 I plan to let you know some of the meals I have been enjoying so you can see how varied your diet really can be on the Atkins. I will take the best of our creations and let you know the recipes - so stay tuned!

Here are the pictures side by side of me since I started the Atkins Diet - the day I started in the white, today (2 weeks in) in the jeans. Can you notice any difference? Where has the 9 lbs gone from?!

Popularity: 22% [?]

Wow - what a crazy week it has been!

My very first on the Atkins Diet finishes today. Sorry I posted the intitial posting a few days later than I should have but we are now backj on track regarding posts.

So how have I found my first week on the Atkins Diet?

Tough, is the answer. Unlike many people I have heard from I didn’t feel sick. I didn’t get constipated. And my breath didn’t stink. But cutting out all those staple carb sources like pasta, bread, cereal and potatoes has been very, very hard.

You don’t realise how much you rely on carbs until you have to cut them out. It really has taken some getting used surviving on meat, eggs, cheese, salad and vegetables. It makes it *very* difficult to eat out as you have constantly order things without this or without that. “I’ll have the steak please but no potatoes or fries just a salad”. “No, just water, thanks”. And so on. I have felt a bit daft a few times in the last week.

I also became very lethargic for the first 2 or 3 days on the diet - that same feeling when you have a cold coming and it just takes the edge off life but it only lasted a while and was quite probably the shock of my body wandering where all the carbs (and my energy drinks) had gone. It was like it took my body chemistry a few days to equalize.

But equalize it did and now on Day 7 of the Atkins Diet I feel fine. I have got my energy levels back. I’m already getting used to the new diet and whilst I wasn’t sure if I’d last the course over the first few days, I stuck with it (again, having a blog with an audience who are expecting you to stick it out helps as a real motivator!) and am now finding it reasonably easy.

If you decide to go on the Atkins Diet though let me warn you from my own experience that those first few days aren’t nice at all. Just keep moving forward and you’ll be fine.

I will start to introduce you to some of the meals I have been creating over the last week in some posts so keep your eyes peeled if you’re considering the Atkins Diet. None of these (as far as I’m aware) are from the Atkins Diet recipe book. They’re just things I tried out and a few cam out well.

So, now I’ve told you how I’m feeling and how I;ve coped what you really want to know no doubt is how much weight did I lose?

Good question.

I kid you not I nearly passed out when I stepped on the scales this morning. I couldn’t believe what I saw.

Last week - 70.8 kg or 156.25 lbs.
This week - 67.9 kg or 149.5 lbs.

I lost just under 3 kg or 6.75lbs. That means I lost an average if a pound every single day over the last week! A pound a day! Wow!

On the Body For Life Diet I averaged just over 2lbs of weight lost a week so I shall be interested from this to see how the Atkins Diet averages out over the next few weeks.

No picture this week but I will mention what exercise I did in the last week as Dr. Atkins stresses that you *must* exercise when on his diet. I went for one HIIT run (for more information see my HIIT page on Squidoo) and had two weight lifting sessions.

I ate bacon and eggs from breakfast *every morning* and I lost a lb a day.

Bring on Week 2!

Popularity: 38% [?]

I have now begun the Atkins Diet so it’s time for the “before” details (as of 28/08/07 - I’m a few days late posting them).

Well, truth be told, I have put on some weight since earlier on in the year. I’m living the good life with a new girlfriend and a new apartment and have been being a little bit lazy. That is all now changing - indeed my girlfriend is also wanting to try the Atkins Diet with me so that is going to make things much easier!

Starting Weight: 70.8 kg (11st 2.25lb)

Popularity: 29% [?]