As Atkins exits, other diet gurus rush to lead

[californiacasey]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8801155/
Atkins is not on the way out. Those of us who are sticking to the diet just aren’t buying the low-carb products. We are buying what the book told us to buy, meats, fish, eggs, vegetables, cheese, butter etc etc. We’re still around we’re just not buying into the lowcarb product way of doing it (which is not the way Dr. A tells us to do the diet).



Also, in my opinion, hordes of people decided to jump on the lowcarb bandwagon and started gobbling up all the low carb products, then once they realized they weren’t losing weight (because they weren’t doing the diet properly, although they most likely didn’t realize it or were too lazy to read the book) they stopped buying the products.



Ugh. I’m so glad everyone here is sticking with it, because WE KNOW IT WORKS for us.

Keep up the good work everyone!

[not2late]

Originally Posted by californiacasey

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8801155/
Atkins is not on the way out. Those of us who are sticking to the diet just aren’t buying the low-carb products. We are buying what the book told us to buy, meats, fish, eggs, vegetables, cheese, butter etc etc. We’re still around we’re just not buying into the lowcarb product way of doing it (which is not the way Dr. A tells us to do the diet).



Also, in my opinion, hordes of people decided to jump on the lowcarb bandwagon and started gobbling up all the low carb products, then once they realized they weren’t losing weight (because they weren’t doing the diet properly, although they most likely didn’t realize it or were too lazy to read the book) they stopped buying the products.



Ugh. I’m so glad everyone here is sticking with it, because WE KNOW IT WORKS for us.

Keep up the good work everyone!

The other night I went to dinner with some friends. This Atkins-bankruptcy thing was a topic:

Friend 1: Oh Megs, what are you going to do?
Friend 2: Yeah, now that the company is bankrupt, you won't be able to do Atkins anymore!

Blah blah blah....I had to tell them that people have been doing Atkins long before the company began peddling their bars, shakes, etc.

As Moochiecat said in another thread, we might get well-meaning (by annoying) inquiries about "What are you going to do now?" from people. My advice is to take a really deep breath (maybe two), smile and show them what you are going to do!

[cruiser gal]

My m-i-l called me the other day, frantic, telling me she heard on the news that Atkins was bankrupt, and that dh and I wouldn't be able to continue on the "diet". I called her back, and explained to her that we were not on a diet, but have learned from Dr. Atkins, a Way Of Life! Also that we don't rely on Atkins products, but rather wholesome, fresh ones! This will have absolutely no effect on us at all. We will continue the way we have been for the last 6 months following a healthy, nutritional, safe, Way of Eating! She was actually speechless, for a change!

[MissMel]

Ugh I know...my mom and I talked about it when it was first announced and we said basically everything that was already said. She and my dad did Atkins back in the early 70's and they certainly didn't lose weight buying products etc that is NOW being pushed to those trying to do Low Carb. The media exploits everything and so many just don't get it and those who just don't get often are the ones who go from one fad diet to another and never lose the weight for long term. Atkins works because as you said its NOT a diet its a way of life...a HEALTHY alternative to the other things out there in my opinion.

[ttdriver]

Yeah, I got asked yesterday what I was going to do now that Atkins is bankrupt. I said the same thing I've been doing for 4 years .. maintaining a 40 pound weight loss by eating REAL FOOD and by doing rigorous exercise!

DUMB PEOPLE!

Betty

[Perry]

Nice thread! And, great comments.

I'm a proud Atkins father. Through my example, my daughters (ages 15 an 18 ) have migrated to a low-carb WOE. I was especially pleased when the 15 yo. asked the 18 yo to saute some snow peas and zucchini in oil for her dinner as a side dish for broiled haddock. They actually set the table and made a wonderful side-salad with cucumbers/green peppers. What were they drinking? Water, of course! And the after dinner desert? Frosty's made from ice, blueberries, a bit of cream and splenda sweetener!

No better way to live, I tell you.

[Idamain]

If I may add my .02 on the matter.


A few months ago, I had a discussion with the local GNC owner who had all his low carb offerings on clearance. He pointed out that people are learning how to control their carbs without having to buy special foods. I think he had a good point.

If you look around, low carb stuff is popping up all over. Most fast food chains have something low carb. I have been seeing low carb sauces, ice cream and ice cream treats. It used to be that Atkins ice cream was the only low carb type, now there are a few. Well, a few are capitalizing on specific terminology designed to appeal to low carbers. Russell Stovers has developed candies that are lower in carbs; my local Kroger has a big display of that. Walgreens also carries a lot of it too.

Two or three years ago, if you were looking for low carb anything, you really only had one choice; an Atkins product. Now, you have more choices of a lot of different types of food.

I think that the Atkins company just lost out to popularity and success of the low carb lifestyle. There was enough market share in it to bring competition to the low carb arena. Atkins lost it's monopoly.

It was good for us, but not for Atkins.

I don't think it is that the low carb lifestyle failed. I think it is just that Atkins food products got overextended and didn't adapt to the changing market, competitive products and companies.

Unfortunately, there are those who will see this as an indication that the low carb lifestyle failed. My concern is that food product companies will see this, interpret it wrong, and stop developing low carb products.


My .02 YMMV.

[Iapetus999]

I'll see your $.02 and raise it $.02.

Um this is worth repeating over and over.
The reason so many people failed on Atkins/WW/SB/whatever is.....


DIETS DON'T WORK!

People tried some Atkins bars, ate some meat, didn't eat bread for a week...maybe even dropped a couple pounds...then saw a treat they had to have....and the diet was over. People will eat what they want to eat. And a lot of it if it's cheap. You can't just throw a book at someone and say "eat this way" and expect that to work.
People need a "reason" to diet. Like "If you lose 50 lbs you may live another 2 years" or "You will go blind if you don't control your blood sugar"

So what works? Work. Work works. (funny how that works)
But unlike a house you don't stop working when it's done. It's more like a job you do every day. You can find ways to enjoy that job. But if you don't work you won't get paid/reach your fitness goals.