Atkins Day 1 :

I have done the Atkins before. I did lose weight but it was very hard for me to stick to it. I gained it all back. I am now counting calories instead. That way I can eat from all the food groups and not feel so deprived.

Congrats on getting engaged recently. It should be a happy time for you with wedding preparations and the like. I have to say I am not a fan of the Atkins diet and if you only have a few lbs to shed it's not the best diet to be on. I know several people who've gone on this particular diet and there were lots of peculiar side effects, one of the worst being REALLY bad breath. Please do some research about the pros and cons and maybe think about something more sensible like a sensible eating and exercise plan which will give you gradual weight loss which will STAY OFF, unlike Atkins, when you come of Atkins, the weight will come back again. I found this info for you on http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/diet/atkins_diet/atkins.htm - please read it carefully and do a bit more research before taking it up. "Does the Atkins diet have any side effects? Unpleasant side effects can occur with the Atkins diet. To start with, burning fat results in the production of substances called ketones as your body enters a state called ketosis. This can result in bad breath, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, insomnia and nausea. Constipation may also occur as a consequence of avoiding typically high-fibre foods such as fruit, veg, beans, wholewheat pasta, brown rice, wholegrain breakfast cereals and jacket potatoes. When it comes to long-term side effects, many health professionals are concerned that the Atkins diet may have serious dangers. While the high intake of fat, particularly saturates, may increase the risk of heart disease, there are also concerns that the unbalanced nature of the Atkins diet may lead to nutritional deficiencies, which cause health problems in later life. For example, poor intakes of bone-building calcium (found in dairy products) may increase the risk of osteoporosis, while poor intakes of antioxidant nutrients (found in fruit and veg) have been linked with a host of health problems ranging from heart disease and cancer to premature ageing and cataracts. Some experts are also worried that high intakes of protein may cause kidney problems or weaken bones. Are there any other bad points? Because so many foods are off limits, the diet can get very boring with the result that many people give up after a short while. It’s also almost impossible to follow the Atkin’s plan if you’re a vegetarian as nuts, seeds, beans and many vegetables are banned in the early stages. Most experts also believe the Atkins plan fails to teach people about the basic principles of a balanced, healthy diet, which science irrefutably proves can help keep us healthy and free from disease." Good luck with the wedding preparations and the weight loss. x