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 Atkins
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Laura Phillips Administrator Posts: 424 |
posted March 10, 2003 04:35 PM
   
Hey all, I started "doing Atkins" right after Thanksgiving (that's the low-carb approach to your eating habits). I've been thrilled with all the expected results - I have more energy, better muscle tone, and I've lost over 30 pounds so far. What I didn't expect was a dramatic improvement in my skin. My skin has gotten so much better during the time that I've been doing Atkins. I don't know if it's entirely attributable to Atkins, other changes I've made, or is just a lucky thing that would have happened anyway (and frankly I'll probably never know, as I"m not going to start changing things in my life just to try to find out). In addition to low carb eating, I'm taking a multi-vitamin supplement and an essential fatty acid supplement (two big pills a day). Plus I'm doing more yoga than I've ever done before. I'm also spending about 10 additional minutes a day in the shower just devoted to exfoliating my body (as opposed to just my face and hands, which used to be my sole daily attention - I used to save my body mostly for a once or twice a week long bath). So, any and all of that could have an impact too. But for some reason I tend to lean toward diet - probably because the change in my skin has been so dramatic and so closely linked to the time that I've been doing Atkins. Chandra - I know you've mentioned before that you try to eat more protein, and you think that helps. Atkins isn't high protein - it's controlled carbs(different focus)- but proportionally you end up with more protein in your diet. So maybe this tracks with your experience? Just wondering if anyone else has had any similar experiences. It's quite amazing to me - my skin is the best right now that it's ever been in my life (and it's the dead of winter and I haven't been on Accutane in years). Laura IP: Logged |
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pauline5 Member Posts: 836 |
posted March 10, 2003 05:02 PM
Hi Laura, Long time no see.....Anyway I second what you have just told us.....About 2 months ago, I decided to give a variant of Atkins a go.....while at the same time commencing a gym program.....and my skin was so pink and smooth, all the scale lifted, and I commented that my skin was better than it was when I was on tigason......I was using no exfoliating ointments....Just hot showers, and eating Tuna, boiled egg and cheese in a bowl for lunch....And cutting down on pasta and bread... I did try to eat more fruit even though I hate it, but I truly think that going to gym helped me to increase my water intake, (as I craved it)...Everyone commented on how wonderful it looked, and asked what I had been doing.... I have not been to gym for 3 weeks now, and my diet has sort of slipped back a little, and all the scale has returned with a vengence, and I am very stiff, prickly and immobile...... You have just helped and inspired me to get back onto this, and realise that it was not just a figment of my imagination, or some kind of coincidence... Bare in mind though, that we have just ended our summer....but my skin is never that good during other summers.... Can you recommend any websites which outline the foods to be eating for the Atkins diet, without me having to buy the book.... I do have 2 other books I bought recently, one is the Glycogen connection, which states that low GI level carbs are better... Anyway enough of that... IP: Logged |
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KatieCakes Member Posts: 117 |
posted March 10, 2003 05:55 PM
Hey girls..I was wondering..I cant believe the results from atkins..i was wondering if i should try lowering my carbs alot..but i'm like a stick figure*i'm not trying to sound rude but if i lose anymore i wont be visible because i have a really high metabloism) but anywho..do you think if i didnt try to lose wait but just lowered my carbs it might help my skin? Katie IP: Logged |
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pauline5 Member Posts: 836 |
posted March 10, 2003 06:07 PM
Hi Katie, Hehehehe, that is funny......Well, if I was you, I would kind of increase your protein, rather than lower your carbs too much.....At least the protein is replacing protein lost from your skin.....WELL I THINK THIS IS THE CASE....I am no expert here, someone can correct me if I am wrong.... I think the lowered carbs, makes people feel less sluggish, hence the increased energy, and reduced weight.....but I believe (my personal opinion) that the protein is what is helping the skin.... So perhaps give that a go, and don't forget about the water, and I think maybe my exercising, was increasing my blood circulation, and that might have had something to do with the health skin also....who knows which aspect is doing the trick.... Perhaps we could test an elimination theory, by just exercising for a few weeks, without the diet, and then diet without the exercise, and see which comes out better....if any, before combining the two... JUST A THOUGHT.... See ya later p.s. how have ya been anyway Katie? IP: Logged |
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Chandra Member Posts: 668 |
posted March 10, 2003 08:33 PM
Laura, So great to hear from you, it's been ages. Katie, I wish I had your problem! I used to then I hit 25 and all of a sudden instead of stick woman I'm definitely Rubenesque! As always, Paulie, you know I love you! I think I will try Atkins and let you all know what happens. I need to lose weight anyway. I know exercise has always helped my overall health, which has indirectly affected my skin, but not to the extent Laura's talking about so I really expect it's the diet factor. Sounds like another Bulletin Board unofficial "study." LOL! I'll keep y'all posted on the results. [This message has been edited by Chandra (edited March 10, 2003).] IP: Logged |
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Laura Phillips Administrator Posts: 424 |
posted March 11, 2003 04:13 PM
Hey ladies, I've missed you all! I've been so overcommitted at work, it's really compressed my personal life. So I'm again in the position of apologizing to all of you, for not being around. But it looks like you've been doing just fine without me For more free information about Atkins, I think the best place is their website: http://atkinscenter.com/ Pauline - Thanks to you too, for also reaffirming that this is probably a function of the diet. I've been wondering if I'm nuts (and just to not look a gift horse). But my gut is that it's the Atkins. Katie - Check out the Atkins info and see what you think. Part of the approach is understanding for you personally how many grams of carbs you can eat in a day and either lose weight or maintain your current weight. Your focus sounds like it ought to be on maintaining your current weight - but you may learn some tips on shifting your diet toward lower carbs? I'm not sure if it's the lower carbs that's driving the improvement in my skin. Chris (the hubby) is convinced that what's having the biggest difference is that I'm very consistently, and for some period of time, taking EFA (essential fatty acid) supplements. Part of Atkins really stresses taking both a multivitamin and an EFA supplement (I take the Atkins brand of EFA - it has Omega 3, 6 and 9 in it). As far as my skin goes, Chris thinks it's the relatively high level (compared with what I've ever done in past) of EFA supplementation that's making the difference in my skin. When you were doing Atkins, exercising, etc. Pauline and saw the improvement in your skin, were you also taking any kind of EFA supplement? Would be interesting to know if you saw a similar phenomenon as I have whether it was with or without EFA supplementation. Again, there's a number of things that have changed in my life other than just a lower carb diet (the supplements, lots more exercise, etc). Maybe it's some combination of all this stuff? Maybe the key is some factor that I'm not even aware of/considering? Definitely do not know...but wanted to put it out there to you guys to see what you thought. Laura IP: Logged |
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pauline5 Member Posts: 836 |
posted March 12, 2003 07:37 AM
Laura, Firstly for some weird reason, I keep on beginning to write your name as GLORI....I think it is because when I first joined, I was impressed by Your, Glori's and Chandra's...dedication to this site...I AM NOT LEAVING OUT LES HERE....LOL....Oh **** , or KEITH.....I was just focusing on the female names..... Anyway to answer your question....NO, I HAVEN'T BEEN TAKING ANY ESSENTIAL OILS, OR VITAMINS WHATSOEVER, AT THE TIME OF JOINING GYM, DRINKING WATER, OR CHANGING DIET... I truly think it was a combination of summer, gym, LOTS OF WATER....and Increasing my PROTEIN FOODS..... I forgot to mention that Daniel and I are pretty much vegetarian.....The only meat we eat, is in takeaway food....LOL....hardly real meat Hey?..... Anyway, I decided to start eating meat with our plate of plain STEAMED vegetables....Mainly chicken, either casseroles, or snizels.... And LOTS OF EGGS.....I tried to have 1 egg per day, as I read that unless someone has real high cholesterol problems, then eggs are not as big as a problem as they have been painted..... When I go to Uni, I take a tin of tuna, and an egg and microwave egg cup, so I can cook it at school.....PROTEIN, PROTEIN, no Bread, although I am a bread addict, I eat about 6 slices of toast per day.... Regards Pauline. IP: Logged |
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Keith Charsha Member Posts: 466 |
posted March 12, 2003 10:13 AM
Hey people, I did the atkins diet about 3 years ago, just before I met Bev. I lost about 30#s, I think it was cutting out all the bread and potatoes(starch), dairy products(mostly cheese and milk)and eating mostly green veggies, plus my favorite, lots of meat. I drink almost exclusively water only but my eating habits have slipped and I have gained 10#s in the last 2 years. I was going to the gym 3 times a week back then also but due to my accutane related skeletal problems I am not able to do that anymore. I never noticed a difference in my skin but I don't pay much attention to it anyway. Laura, it is amazing that your skin is doing so well in the middle/end of winter, perhaps it is the supplements you are taking, I never took anything but a multivitamin. Katie, the whole thoery behind the Atkins diet is to eat things high in protien and low in carbs(starch and sugars), this makes your body burn more of its fat storage rather then burning the carbs you would be taking in. Since you are already thin maybe you should look at the atkins maintenance diet or just try the supplements Laura has been taking. It's hard for me to tell whether or not a diet is effecting my skin, one warm day can make me break a sweat and if it lasts long enough my skin gets soaked through from the inside out causing my skin to go into a peeling mode, like I'm in now. Since exercise is out at this point, maybe I'll try the diet again and the supplements you mentioned. One word of caution for all of you, WATCH YOUR CHOLESTEROL, mine went way up while on the atkins diet. Keith. IP: Logged |
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sonia Moderator Posts: 65 |
posted March 12, 2003 11:38 AM
Hi Everyone, On the subject of diets, we've discovered that my daughter's ichthyosis is actually the cause of her liver not being able to metabolise fats (she suffers from neutral lipid disorder check out http://www.scalyskin.org/content.cfm?ContentID=102&ColumnID=14 for more info). In short she is going to be prescribed a diet where of moderate carbs, low fat and the main source of fats being medium chain triglycerides (these fats bypass the liver and are absorbed straight into the bloodstream upon consumption). The simplest form of indication of neutral lipid storage disorder (or DCS) is a blood test which indicates the presence of lipid vacuoles in the white blood cells. If you have this, then further investigation is necessary. Whilest having DCS is a major worry (there are only 27 recorded cases in the world) at least we know that there are definate things we can do with the diet which has improved the skin greatly in all the tried cases. I've kept the post pretty simple here, but if anyone would like more info, please let me know. Best regards to all, TTFN, Sonia IP: Logged |
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AdamsDad Member Posts: 42 |
posted March 12, 2003 11:18 PM
Hey Laura -- Here's my theory. I think the diet has played a big part in the change. As we all know the skin is the largest organ in the body. It takes a LOT of internal energy to build it, maintain it, repair it. Complex carbs, are very had for the body to process. That's why it can so easily increase weight if excercise isn't present to help burn them off. Now that your body isn't working as hard on one process, maybe it's devoting more (and proper) resources to your skin. Anyway, congrats on doing well with the diet. And congrats on surviving another midwest winter. Take Care, Mark IP: Logged |
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Elise Member Posts: 28 |
posted August 27, 2003 12:22 AM
Hey Laura and everyone, I had the same experience on Atkins. My skin was at it's best. For me it was not the supplements because I had done that plenty and had not seen much difference. I don't know either what about it makes it work so well but it did for me. I got ill and had to go off it for a while but you have inspired me to start again. My husband (also named Chris) has been on it for several months and is skinny for the first time in ?????? too many years. Hope all is well with all of you. ------------------ IP: Logged |
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pauline5 Member Posts: 836 |
posted April 28, 2004 03:11 AM
Hi Everyone, I just had to bring this topic to the fore...it is 12 months old now... Les reminded me of it...Can any of the newcomers tell us their opionions of this diet, and give Les and I some tips on the dos and don'ts... We are both desperate for help and support here... I have to get some weight off...I am starting to seize up, and not walking too good or too far now... It is very interesting topic, and I have just started getting back into it... please tell us your successes and/or failures...and give us some good tips...and also if it did remarkable things for your skin too.... Regards Pauline. IP: Logged |
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threerxli Member Posts: 515 |
posted April 28, 2004 02:51 PM
I dont know if I count, I dont have ichthyosis, but I did a modified atkins diet to lose weight due to my severe asthma, when I have extra weight It makes it harder to breath and catch my breath. I added more protein and less carbs. I cut out breads, and pastas. But I did not cut out carbs from fruit, veggies or milk. Well the results after a year, I started at 172 and now I weigh 140. Doctor documented and all. I also cut out little things like drinking coffee black instead of adding cream, milk or sugar. I switched to ground turkey instead of hamburger. Chicken breasts, pork tender loin... I never really felt deprived, if I did want pasta I ate a small portion, and I ate ice cream at least 4 times a week..bryers butter pecan and hersheys syrup. Either way it has worked and stayed off. This worked for me, because I just couldnt live on an absolutely carb free diet...but reducing crackers, bread, buns, biscuits, potatoes were my biggies. Oh yes and chasing three kids, something I couldnt do as well with the extra weight..I definatly think that helps me maintain. SMILE I cant believe I posted my weight online. IP: Logged |
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pauline5 Member Posts: 836 |
posted April 28, 2004 11:15 PM
Threerxli: Of course YOU COUNT...Ichthyosis is a side issue to the weight really...but the benefits are great for our skin too.... WOW...thanks for all your input, that really helps alot...I was not going to cut out the fruit stuff like Aitkin's suggested....Seems dangerous to me... Thanks heaps for your ideas... Great stuff, gives me inspiration to get to it.... Love Pauline. Hope Les is reading this...Stick to it Les.... IP: Logged |
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R Member Posts: 218 |
posted April 29, 2004 02:16 AM
I tried the atkins diet for about 2 months and had to walk away from it. I just got too many headaches and just felt really tired all the time. Before the atkins diet I ate a basic semi typical US junky diet. But before that I was vegan for 2 years and due to my job I ate mainly organic healthy foods and it didn't improve my skin either. I incorperated alot of liquids into my diet and my skin still remained the same. The only way my skin improved is when I started working out at a gym and had access to a sauna. After excercising 3 days a week and about 15 minutes in the sauna my skin never felt better. I don't have access to a gym or sauna these days but I've had alot of success by just taking long baths and eating smaller portions of meals. About 6 meals a day, cutting out alot of acidic types of food as well as eating alot of vegetables. That's just my experience though. Atkins to me will always remain a fad diet. It's not the kind of diet you should be on for an extended period of time. Colon cancer is one of the most leading causes of cancer in the US due to the excess amount of meat we eat that has carbon cooked into it due to the cooking process. Atkins himself had two heart surgeries and weighed 273 pounds when he died. I worry about fad diets especially one's so drastic as this. Putting your body in ketosis is the same as starving it. IP: Logged |
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Les Avakian Moderator Posts: 474 |
posted April 29, 2004 10:33 AM
Hello Everyone I just wanted to thank you for your informative posts on the Atkins diet. I am in my 7th day of Atkins after listening to my doctors instructions about the need to shed weight.Ive become a salad junkie, but the results are beginning to show.I would like to know if anyone had side affects. I have increased my fluid intake to help excrete the increased proteins.My carb intake is nil while I am in the two week induction period.Did all of you keep the weight off and have you continued your weight maintenance?Any advice would be appreciated.Thanks everyone. Central Cal Les IP: Logged |
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Danusia Member Posts: 63 |
posted April 29, 2004 02:54 PM
Guess what? I'm trying to lose weight too -- 10 lbs. by my birthday on Aug. 10 to be exact, as I've got a bet going with a friend. My approach is going to be a modified Atkins diet, sort of what threexli describes above, except that I'm also going to try to incorporate a lot more water. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it'll work since I don't see it as drastic or anything, more of a lifestyle change. Wish me luck! The winner gets treated to dinner and a movie. IP: Logged |
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