Okay here it comes: FAT FAST/Kekwick diet. (don't beat me up, lol)

[Dolphin]

I did the fat fast and was thinking about doing it lately. Although I lost 11 pounds in my 2 week Induction, technically I'm not supposed to.

I did it before and whew its no joke!!!! In one week I lost 10 pounds, but as quick as I lost it I gained it all back because I fell off the woe altogether.

Have anyone tried the Fat Fast/Kekwick diet Dr. A talks about in DANDR? If you did can you share your experience here? Negative or Positive. Thanks.

[not2late]

I've never tried it, but your experience is common with the folks who aren't metabolically resistant to weight loss.

The folks who do have metabolic resistance, the Fat Fast does work for them, in that it does get them into ketosis. But they still have to work their butts off in order to keep that Fat Fast weight loss and to lose more weight. About 2 1/2 years ago, we had a member here who was severely resistant to weight loss due to various medical conditions. She had to cycle the Fat Fast and Induction in order to lose 1 pound of weight.

The common misconception is that the Fat Fast will "boost" your weight loss or "revv up" your metabolism. It really doesn't do either if you aren't severely metabolically resistant.

JoanOH had a post about 2 years ago detailing her experience with the Fat Fast. I don't know if it's still here, but you can do a search for it. Basically, she found that it affected her energy level (none) and her mood (became more short-tempered and easily frustrated). And like you whatever she lost, she gained right back after returning to Atkins.

I'm adding this because every single time we get a Fat Fast thread, there are always people who want to know more or who want to try it. So here is summary of Dr. Atkins criteria for a proper candidate (Chapter 25, DANDR 2002).

In DANDR 2002, Dr. Atkins wrote that the Fat Fast is for the people who are severely resistant to weight loss. It's not to "speed up" the rate of your loss because you believe you are losing too slowly.

According to Dr. Atkins you can be severely metabolically resistant to weight loss for a number of reasons. But you have to rule out any weight loss "stallers" that can be reversed or alleviated.

Before considering doing the Fat Fast:

1. Did you follow the book exactly during Induction and still didn't lose any weight?

In other words, did you only eat what was listed on the Induction Acceptable Foods list, followed the rules of Induction, exercised, took your vitamin supplements, etc. ? If you didn't do any or all of these things, your lack of weight loss might not be due to metabolic resistance to weight loss at all and you should really consider doing the diet properly before considering to do the Fat Fast.

2. Did you go to your doctor to have tests done for the following: hyperinsulinism, thyroid problems, and yeast overgrowth?

If any of these things apply to you, then your doctor should be able to give you treatments to help you with these problems and once these problems are solved your weight loss, typically, will improve.

3. Are you on any medications that can interfere with your weight loss?

Dr. Atkins cites anti-arthritis medications, steroids, hormones (birth control pills, HRTs), anti-depressants, diuretics and beta-blockers as some of the medications that can interfere with weight loss. If you are on any of these medications, you should sit down with your doctor and try to figure out if any alternatives can be given to you instead.

If you have gone through this list and have ruled out these things with your doctor, then Fat Fast might be an option for you.

Fat Fast isn't for you if:

1. You "cheated" through your Induction phase by not strictly following the Rules and/or eating foods not on the Acceptable Foods List or not in the quantities allowed during Induction. Those "sneaks", "cheats", and "one bites" can severely derail weight loss in some people.

2. You are losing weight and want to "break a stall".

3. You want to "speed up your metabolism" to lose weight faster.

4. You want to lose weight faster.

[adreliluc]

I tried the fat fast about 2 months ago because I couldn't break out of my stall... I did it for one week and though I lost weight I felt TERRIBLE and as soon as I went back to regular induction I gained the weight back plus some taking me from 185 back to 205... Of course after the fat fast I couldn't get enough nuts so maybe that's why I gained so much back.. .lol.
Though the idea is very tempting to go back on it to lose weight as fast as possible I know it'd be a mistake. I don't want to get into the cycle of losing the same pounds over and over again - getting squishier every time!

[cristylp]

I tried the fat fast once too. I wasn't losing as quickly as I thought I should be, my losses had slowed. I tried it for one week, I think I only lost 4 pounds and the next week I ended up with those 4 pounds back plus two more.

It's not worth it!

well you like it when I am honest ..so I am going to be...I have no clue why anyone would want to do that to themselves?????

there is so much wonderful food out there!!! eat baby eat!!!!! do not deprive yourself or this will not last!!!!

[cristylp]

I think it looks like one of those "quick fixes" that we ALL know doesn't work, but it lures people in. It was a long time ago when I tried that, and you're right, Heidi... it's so silly when we can eat wonderful food and lose weight when we do it like we're supposed to.

[Dolphin]

Originally Posted by Heidi3

well you like it when I am honest ..so I am going to be...I have no clue why anyone would want to do that to themselves?????

there is so much wonderful food out there!!! eat baby eat!!!!! do not deprive yourself or this will not last!!!!

That's right girl!

[LC_Dave]

Thank you not2late for posting that.

I would venture to say that it would be very rare for people who try the fat fast, to have actually followed that advice given by Dr. Atkins.

To most it's about the quick fix.

Because I think the type of metabolic resistance that is was designed for, is extremely rare.

In fact I have never come acorss someone who fits that bill.

And this is from a guy who gains wait just by looking at candy. (Hmmm I have to stop looking! )

[BeccaResRN]

The closest thing I have ever done to a far fast was when I ate tuna with lots of mayo every day for lunch and kept things as simple as possible like burger with cheese and mayo but no extra condiments, salad with vinegar and oil, broccoli with cheese, cauliflower....wait I guess thats not fat fast just strictist induction. I really think the temptaion of fat fast is one of those things where superfast weight loss is too good to be true. Better to stick to the plan ...I guess unless you are extremely metobolically resistant.

2 things I disagree with when it comes to Atkins ...one ...yeast as an excuse for obesity and all the ills that people seem to blame it for .....sorry to all you faithful I STILL think it is a load of crap......and two the fat fast...no matter what the reason for doing these two very restrictive diets ..it is self defeating and I can not imagine it will last anyone...especially people who love to eat good food...very long...we can blame anything we want on being overweight ..but pure and simple...if you are heavy it is because you are eating more than you are burning ....eat a wide variety of fresh WHOLE low carb foods in reasonable amounts..avoid processed or prepackaged food ..even/especially anything marked "low carb" . move your asss and drink your water..climb the rungs of the OWL ladder adding foods but being aware of the quantity you are eating .....you can and will loose weight!!!

of course if you still want to blame yeast or metabolic resisitance go for it!!! or if you want to make this a quick fix and not a lifetime of good food and a nice body....then go for it .....but the reality is in the science and even though I think Atkins was a brilliant sexy man ..metabolic resistance and yeast I find hard to choke down ....

OOOXXX