OK. You’ve read all the hype but still don’t believe that the Atkins Diet is worth considering? First, let me say that before you begin this or any diet, consult your own doctor. Now, if you’d like to read some of the experiences of some real people who have been on this diet and lost significant amounts of weight, read this page.

If you would like to contribute your own success story, go to the Feedback Page. Type “Success Story” in the subject line, and let us know how great you’ve done.

Best of success to you all.

–Mark

 

Joel B., age 30’s.
Mark,
Thanks for your support and encouragement on my road to better health using the Atkinsâ?? Diet.
You were right on every count. The diet is easy and has worked better than any other program that I have ever tried - and I have tried plenty of them.
This diet is funny. I eat at restaurants a lot and this diet actually causes me embarrassment. I go out and while the other guys are ordering oatmeal, they stare at me and must think, “No wonder heâ??s fat - look at the size of that deli omelette!”
Although this program is completely the opposite of everything that I ever learned about nutrition, (in spite of my weight problem, I have studied a lot about nutrition) and Dr. Atkins is clearly a heretic, but my limited research confirms that low carbohydrate eating is the way to go.
And here is the best news. I have empirical evidence that proves the good doctor is right: Besides losing almost 30 pounds in about 5 weeks, I just got my blood counts back. And my blood lipids have dropped like a rock. Cholesterol, LDL and Triglycerides are all down by at least 15% in just one month - some much more.
This is a program that I will stick with for a long time. How can you not? Itâ??s fun, easy, and the proof is in the pudding.
Regards,
Joel B.

Sheng C., age 40’s. My neice, 20 years my junior, gave me a book on July 3, 1995. It was the single most life-changing thing that has ever happened to me. I am a healthy woman now.
I have always had a weight problem, fluctuating wildly as a child, an adolescent, young adult and mature woman. I grew up in an atmosphere of shame, never “looking right”, never really being able to wear what everyone else wore,and most often dateless. Some of the shame was self-inflicted (in retrospect I have certainly learned that one’s self worth is far more than one’s physical appearance) but the candy I was pelted with when I got off the school bus was definitely coming from outside of myself!
When I had my first child, I gained 55 lbs. on top of the 150 lbs. I weighed when I became pregnant. My baby weighed 7lbs.10oz. I had ALOT to lose. I went on saying, for three years, “Well, but I just had a baby!”, until I was pregnant again - the starting point this time being about 175lbs.
But round and pregnant is sweet and everyone is soooo nice to a woman who is carrying a child and I just reveled in that and enjoyed my M&M’s and milkshakes several times a day. When I gave birth, I outweighed my 6′4″ husband.
Three years later, just before celebrating the 4th of July 1995, I read the book. I was psyched. I worked up an outrageous binge for the 4th of July and on the 5th, I began the diet.
I was 200 lbs. on July 5th and 5 months later, having committed totally to the plan, I had lost 80 lbs. I went from a size 18/20 to a size 6/8.
That was 4 years ago.
I still wear a size 6/8. I never felt and continue to never feel deprived. This way of eating is now second nature to me. I am rarely tempted by those who eat differently, although I do allow myself a treat once in a while. If I begin to feel out of control, I put myself right back on Induction and in a few days, my body is back to normal. My blood sugar stabilized, my stomach problems disappeared and my cholesterol went down significantly.
I have fought with those who oppose this diet and I have cheered on those who have asked my advice. I am thin and beautiful and proud. As the old cliche says, “If I can do it, anyone can do it!”

 

Sue S., age 40’s.
Well, I started the diet on June 17th, 1998 along with my sister. We decided to do something! I have since lost 91 lbs and have about 45 to go. I will continue to lose but the rate is going MUCH slower but that is ok. I got rid of so many physical problems very fast. I think that this WOE has been a lifesaver for me.

 

Rachel, age 30’s.
Almost a year after my daughter was born, I felt tired all the time. I had a hard time getting out of bed in the morning. I was close to seeking professional help for depression. I was drinking 4-5 Pepsis a day and stuffing myself with candy each afternoon. I was also unhappy with my weight but knew I could not face another low fat diet. Then, I found Dr. Atkins on the View. One of the cohosts said she’d lost 7 lbs. in a month–eating bacon, scrambled eggs, and bacon cheeseburgers. I was fascinated! I went to the bookstore and got the book and started reading and saw a glimmer of hope. I started Induction the next day. I could not believe how much better I felt in just a few days of not eating sugar. I didn’t realize how much it was messing up my body. I started this WOL on 4/15 and my success story is:

1. Depression is gone
2. Energy is back
3. I’ve lost 17 pounds and have gone from size 12 jeans to size 6 jean shorts (couldn’t believe they fit when I bought them the other day.)
4. I feel better than I have in years and am now actually interested in starting to work out and have joined a gym. (always hated exercise; had no energy; it didn’t give me any because my metabolism was so screwed up.)

I’d like to shape up a little more and get into the 120s, but I’m not stressing about the last few pounds. I feel so much better on this WOL that I would continue even if my weight stayed the same.
Best,
Rachel

Lori, age 40’s.
Hey Mark…first off, the greatest success story is your board! What fun and what an inspiration. My experience with Atkins has been, for me, a tremendous success. I have Cushings, which in turn has rendered my throid inactive, and I’ve developed Poly/ovary disease. In a nut shell, my body overproduces the growth hormone, and tons of estrogen…that means additional insulin.
Something about the diet and the reduction of insulin just seemed to make sense for me. After 8 years of low fat diet and exercise (with very little success) I’ve now managed to lose 35.5 pounds in less than 3 months. I’m no longer napping in the afternoon, I feel tons more energetic, and I don’t have the mood swings that I once did. People always have told me how much energy I had..it was really more of a hyperness that I think directly related to the carbs I was consuming.
My stats are: 5′5″ - 250-215-145 (started 4-5-99). My biggest success isn’t just the loss, it’s the way I feel. I’m now taking in about 40-45 carbs a day and I’m still losing, my meals are very balanced, I don’t think I’m giving up anything - it truly isn’t a diet for me, but a WOL.
I really think the board is what kept me motivated, especially in the beginning, I appreciate your efforts - sorry this is so lengthy,
Lorri

 

Marshall G., age 30’s.
I have had weight problems since I was in the 2nd grade. In college, I got up to 245, down to 200, up, down to 170, then here came the baby. I gained more than my wife!!! She was eating for two, and I was eating for all three of us. In a 5′10″ frame and 225, that 245 mark didn’t seem too far away.
I tried a low fat/low cal diet with success, but always felt like I was missing out, and the food was awful.
When I started back in Feb 99, I thought I had about 20 pounds to lose, and wanted to get rid of it in the quickest way. Well, I lost the 20, and found myself wanting to stick with it, not just for the weight change, but my general qualtiy of life. Until you experience this way of eating, you will never understand what kind of control sugar and flower has on your health. I used to feel tired all the time. After a big meal, I needed a nap. Never again. I’ve got more energy than when I was in high school, and I’m wearing a smaller waist size to boot.
The fatigue is gone, my blood work has never been better, and I have never felt more in control of my life and physical well being than I do today. Someone has finally shown me how to let me be in charge of my body, instead of my diet. Thank you Dr. Atkins, and thank you Mark for generating this site. You will never know how many people you have touched and given support to by maintaining this forum.
Marshall G.

A few more, Short & Sweet:

Debi, age 40’s. I’ve been doing the carb thing for a week have lost nine pounds.. i feel great.. my clothes fit… and my dr says this is the diet for me. . .

 

Ray, age 40’s. I have been on Dr. Atkins diet for 9 weeks and have lost 28 lbs and I have only 6 lbs to go to reach my goal.

 

Christina W., age 30’s. I started your diet 4 weeks ago which it was June 10, 1999 which I’ve lost 17 ponds and 13 more to go.

If you have a success story to tell, let me know. Just click here for the Feedback page. Write “Success Stories” in the subject line and let us know how things have gone for you.

Best of success to you all!

–Mark Wild