Last year I had several clients who stubbornly started on the Atkins diet despite my warnings. I immediately saw almost profound results in her weight loss. I reminded them that it was the water weight loss and warned them about the stress on the kidneys and the risk of high cholesterol.
During this time, I was mastering my yoga practice as a complete vegan, but found that my immune system had been deeply compromised and I was currently on my third cold for the fall season.
Atkins reappeared in the media due to the results of a new study indicating lowered cholesterol. I went back to the Atkins book with a more open mind and decided to give the diet a try. I liked the opposite view of the current WADA position on the low-fat diet, which seemed to be producing a growing obesity society. Atkins’s view of sugar as the culprit for getting fat, not getting fat, made sense and the extra work of all protein for the kidneys … is benign. I wanted to use her diet as a tool to completely get rid of sugar.
I started with the high protein, low carbohydrate diet aspect. When I reintroduced animal protein into my diet, I could feel it getting stronger and the colds finally stopping. I also saw my muscular bellies begin to open and swell again. The cold of winter was not as painful as it had been during my vegan diet.
Then I mustered the courage to start incorporating fats into my diet, including bacon, egg yolks, cream cheese, heavy cream, whipped cream, and even bacon crusts. On a daily basis I marveled at having eaten these “forbidden foods” only to wake up the next day lean and lean. I couldn’t believe this, result! I loved eating all these foods so familiar but banished since … childhood.
I was in full swing eating the high-fat, high-protein, low-carb diet at the time the photos were taken on my website. I felt strong, but I had no energy !!! My walks on the beach were lethargic, I had to push myself to go the extra mile. I was thin but felt like a beached whale. My love affair with Atkins continued for a few more months. I followed their prescriptions religiously.
Eventually I had to add more carbs, I needed more energy. By carbohydrates I mean vegetables, salads and whole grains. At this point I regained the total of two pounds that I had lost with Atkins. Body fat went from 16% to 18%, my energy was better. After 7 months, I decided it was time for a blood test and, to my horror, I found that my cholesterol, which had always been around 150, had skyrocketed to 300. Fortunately, my HDL to LDL ratio was still on a healthy level. Because I forced myself to exercise, I kept my HDL levels high.
I immediately started drinking hot lemon juice with cayenne pepper every morning to cleanse my blood. Now I have thrown away all the high fat foods and once again I am back full circle towards moderation and balance. A balanced diet. It takes a little more discipline, but my energy has returned and I can now eat the same meals as my husband, so dinner prep is simpler. My weight has not changed since I gradually introduced carbohydrates. I avoid “white foods” at all costs, flour, sugar, milk. I drink unsweetened soy milk. I avoid food in packages, boxes, and bags. I feel a thin layer of fat, but it’s okay, it’s winter, I need it, and in summer, the heat always melts it. I completely cut off sugar and alcohol to keep my blood sugar low.