Dr. advice

[cragsdale]

My doctor has advised me to quit Atkins and switch to a more low fat low calorie approach to weight loss. Now, I love this WOL. I'm not really wanting to change, but am willing to look at my options at this point. Now, I realize this board is partial to atkins. One of my first questions is this though. Let's say I continue to exercise, eat healthy fruits and veggies, low fat, and take it easy on carbs. Basically, a healthy balance diet with exercise. Will I gain all this weight I lost back and then lose it again? I realize I didn't get fat because I ate carbs. It was a lack of exercise and all around unhealthy diet that was a lot of pre-package stuff as well as refined sugars and junk food, plus an OVERINDULGENCE in carbs. If I did have to switch though, would all this hard work be undone? Any info would be helpful, as health wise I don't know whether I should listen to my doc or not and this answer will probably shed some extra light. Thanks all!

[Atkid]

Why does he suggest you switch? Has your bloodwork come back too high?

[not2late]

Originally Posted by cragsdale

My doctor has advised me to quit Atkins and switch to a more low fat low calorie approach to weight loss. Now, I love this WOL. I'm not really wanting to change, but am willing to look at my options at this point. Now, I realize this board is partial to atkins. One of my first questions is this though. Let's say I continue to exercise, eat healthy fruits and veggies, low fat, and take it easy on carbs. Basically, a healthy balance diet with exercise. Will I gain all this weight I lost back and then lose it again? I realize I didn't get fat because I ate carbs. It was a lack of exercise and all around unhealthy diet that was a lot of pre-package stuff as well as refined sugars and junk food, plus an OVERINDULGENCE in carbs. If I did have to switch though, would all this hard work be undone? Any info would be helpful, as health wise I don't know whether I should listen to my doc or not and this answer will probably shed some extra light. Thanks all!

What phase of Atkins are you on?

During OWL Phase, you do add more veggies, fruits, nuts, legumes and grains and your % fat calories decreases with those additions. In fact, most of us on OWL are eating about 5-8 servings of veggies daily, which is alot more than the USDA's recommendation of 5 daily servings. During Pre-Maintenance you eat even more veggies, fruits, nuts, legumes and grains.

[boonie stomper]

Am curious, did your doctor explain a reason behind that advice?

Different doctors sometime just advocate different approaches to weight loss. Mine said eat 1200-1700 calories per day with low fat, plus exercise, and prescribed Orlistat (Xenical), to partially prevent some dietary fat from being digested, and Phentermine (CNS stimulant) to suppress appetite & maybe boost metabolism. Did that for 6 months, lost 30 pounds, but had no energy & spent lots of money on followup visits & Rx refills. Then by standard procedure he stopped the Phentermine. I proceeded to gain 55 pounds in less than 6 months after that, before starting this WOE. This is certainly the easiest way to lose, and energy & motivation are not an issue as they were on the VLCD.

Of course, also the texts they usually see all report lousy statistics for weight loss & maintenance over time for the usual diets. They may not all understand Atkins.

[I lost it]

My doctor was so impressed with my results,he wants to understand the Atkins approach better.He said from the results he has seen, he feels a need to get up to speed on this way of life.He also agrees most doctors do not have a good grip on nutritional issues.

[cragsdale]

Basically, I think my Dr just doesn't like the idea of atkins. nothing seems to be wrong with me. Because he has no real reason I've seen, I'm inclided to disregard his advice. Especially since after I'm doing with extended induction I'll be eating the way he suggests anyway! Thanks for you input!

[Brook]

Has your doctor even read the book or one of the many other books on low-carbing? I'd be sure to ask the question before I invested much in his opinion. It's kind of hard to take someone's advice on something they know less about than you do.

I'm willing to bet you that he hasn't read the book, and if that's the case, I'd be sure to point out a lack of willingness to accept advice based on your doctor's sister's boyfriend's best friend's step mother's mechanic who heard what he knows about Atkins on Hard Copy. heh

[drosa75]

I was lucky, my new GP actually endorses this diet and gives out the book and sample menu's..

Its great when you have that kind of support.

I wouldn't totally disregard his advice but I would ask very specific questions. After all its your right to understand his thinking.

[ronnie114]

Originally Posted by cragsdale

Basically, I think my Dr just doesn't like the idea of atkins. nothing seems to be wrong with me. Because he has no real reason I've seen, I'm inclided to disregard his advice. Especially since after I'm doing with extended induction I'll be eating the way he suggests anyway! Thanks for you input!

So the doc is speaking to you from a place of prejudice and not from knowledge. Would you take the advice from someone in any other walk of life if they were giving you advice based on prejudice instead of experience and knowledge? I'm NOT saying to disregard him out of hand, I AM telling you to NOT follow his advice blindly. If the program is working for you and not causing blood test problems, then why would you just drop it?

Just my $.02.

[boonie stomper]

As much as some Doctors SHOULD be respected because of an honest commitment to helping others, an excellent track record of successful treatment and a dedication to staying up-to-date with the latest advances in medical science, ....
there ARE those out there with a serious hidden agenda of early retirement whatever it takes. This type will dole out prescriptions like toilet paper, especially the latest things to come out of the Drug Companies, to which are attached perks. They may also subconsciously WANT your continued business, and therefore put only minimal effort into solving the root cause of any ailments. Obesity can lead to a lifetime of ailments and ultimately a lifetime of treatment needs. Those office visits also take less of the Dr's time.
Sorry for being so skeptical but... that's how it seems to me.