Customer Reviews

Atkins for Life: The Complete Controlled Carb Program for Permanent Weight Loss and Good Health

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As many people know, losing weight is often times easier than keeping it off. Atkins addresses this issue in his latest book, "Atkins For Life".

The book "Atkins for Life" is an excellent resource book. It is filled with practical advice and tips on how to make your low carbohydrate weight loss a permanent success.

Over the years Atkins name has been maligned and sneered at as he pioneered the idea that its not the fat in our diet that makes us fat its the excessive amounts of carbohydrates we have been consuming. The low fat diet was presented to Americans as the best way and the healthiest way to lose weight. However, recent research has revealed the low fat diet to be a miserable failure. As the fat has been taken out of the diet carbohydrates have been added in their place and many Americans have become obese and unhealthy. Dr. Atkin's proposal that eating less carbs can lead to weight loss and better health has been vindicated.

The Atkins weight loss method is a 4 step approach. Phase 1 INDUCTION is where you limit your carbs to 20 grams per day to jump start your weight loss program. Phase 2 OWL or ONGOING WEIGHT LOSS allows you to slowly add back carbs until you discover the amount of carbs you can eat and still lose weight.
Phase 3 PRE-MAINTENANCE has you slow your weight loss by adding in more carbs so good eating habits become ingrained. And in Phase 4 LIFETIME MAINTENANCE you learn to enjoy a wider variety of foods and maintain your weight loss. This book "Atkins for Life" discusses each of the phases but is mainly concerned with Phase 4 LIFETIME MAINTENANCE.
You can learn what to do to lose weight with this book, but for in depth information, you would be better off selecting "Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution".

This book covers in great detail how to maintain the weight you have lost. Part One: A Lifetime Plan recaps the Atkins program. It includes information on the diet, the effect on your body, putting it into practice and how to benefit from exercise. Part Two: Eating for Life teaches you how to get your kitchen in order, and gives thirty meal plans with carb counts. It includes twenty meal plans for special occasions. 125 recipes for success are also given.

YES you can eat carbohydrates. You can have bread, cake and pizza or even wine. The key of course is knowing how many carbohydrates your body can handle each day without gaining weight. And using techniques to get the most bang from your carbohydrate buck. These techniques are taught in the book. For example if you crave bread Atkins has several pages of information to help you make the best selection. Breads are ranked on their ability to effect your insulin levels. There are also tips on how to enjoy bread without overdoing it such as eating the crust only. Atkins shares techniques like this for a variety of foods.

Comfort foods are a big issue for many. Atkins tells you what to choose or what to substitute. Eating out is another area covered. Best choices at different restaurants is given in detail. Atkins also includes mental tips to help you avoid backsliding.

Key to the book is the detailed menu plans given for 4 ranges of carb levels at 45g, 60g, 80g and 100g . Just adjust up or down so you are at your level (which you learn from his diet). Meal plans are simple and include snacks. A sample day for a 60 g plan would include 1 slice lemon zucchini bread, with an egg and ricotta cheese for breakfast. Meat loaf with whole-grain bread and salad for lunch.
Jerk shrimp with pasta or collard greens for dinner and 1/2 cup of cantaloupe for a snack. Carb counts are given so you can substitute as desired.

Crab Deviled Eggs, Cherry Muffins, Mixed Berry Shortcakes, Pinwheel Cookies, Roasted Chicken and Feta Cheese Wrap, Chocolate Souffle and Southwestern Style Pork Fajitas are among the 125 recipes. Recipes include nutritional information, but are not pictured.

The 370 page book also includes self tests and quizzes to help you stay on task. My favorite part of "Atkins For Life" has to be the success stories. There are a number of remarkable stories in the book with black and white photos included! Very inspiring!

The book "Atkins For Life" makes living a low carb life in our high carb world easier and enjoyable! I highly recommend it!

This book is a superior elaboration on Dr. Atkins' earlier diet books, and is well worth owning and reading. The Atkins diet, quite simply, works as advertised. This book explains how to manage the diet, and it is easy to read and understand. Please note that I am nobody's medical expert, nutritionist, or doctor. The comments here are those of a layman.

As I explained in my review of one of Dr. Atkins' earlier books, in my experience this diet works precisely as Dr. Atkins says. I am a busy kind of guy (attorney) just like many of you. For me, a diet has to have two elements: I can't go around feeling hungry or weak while on it, and it has to work relatively quickly.

Well, this diet does both. I can now wear clothes that I had never thought I would be able to wear again. In fact, I am now at the same weight I was at when I was in college. I literally never feel hungry now that I am on this diet, even at mealtime, and I go through the day never feeling that ghastly weak, craving feeling that a low-calorie regime entails. This was vitally important to me--during the day and frankly all the time, I simply must feel energised. This diet provides that in spades. When I tried the low-calorie approach I was constantly thinking about food. Not on this diet. On this diet you are in control--you are not ruled by your desire for food or looking forward to the next meal.

As far as results go, all I can say is that results exceed all expectations. I'm back to where I was before I decided that there was a problem. I'm wearing suits I simply couldn't wear before I went on the Atkins program. Suits that have hung in my coatroom, staring balefully at me, for the past several years.

I was on this diet for 7 years back in the 1980s and finally went off it in the late 80s because weight ceased being an issue in my life (the diet worked so well). I now see that going off of it was a mistake. I won't be repeating it. This diet is not really a diet. It is a way of life.

The only downside to this diet is that you really have to watch what you order in restaurants. Restaurants love to put carbohydrate sauces and dressings on everything, and you have to watch that. However, this book tells you how to manage this problem. I eat in restaurants every day and I manage fine.

Some reviewers talk negatively about the diet and imply that this diet involves chowing down on large amounts of high-fat foods. Not so. Sure, you can have real cream in your coffee and you can enjoy that nice steak. The difference is that if you do it on this diet you will not gain weight. It is as simple as that. You can have salad and certain other green vegetables in reasonable quantities. Frankly, I probably eat a better variety of green vegetables and salads than I did before I went on this diet. The Atkins program mainly involves cutting out bread, sugary cereals, and yes (alas) most fruit. The few sacrifices it involves (and they are few and well-compensated) are well rewarded by the amazing improvement in one's body, and in the way you feel. This is a great program well-explained in this book.

If you are having trouble managing your body weight (and who, after age 40, is not?) this book and the Atkins program deserve your attention.

This book is a perfect companion book for those who have reached the pre-maintenance and maintenance stages of the Atkins Diet as outlined in the New Diet Revolution. It gives you all sorts of new and improved recipes and tips on how to keep going even when you feel burnt out on "dieting". It even has four different meal plans based on the amount on carbs you can safely eat and maintain your ideal weight. They can be easily mixed and matched to give you an idea on a day when you don't really have time to think about what to fix that day. It's very comprehensive, gives you good suggestions on what to order when you dine out, and reminds you of the health benefits you may already be receiving thanks to your success.

And when I say I have had success, I truly mean it... Believe it or not, I did lost almost 80 pounds on the diet, am keeping it off and loved it so much, I wrote in to tell him about it.

Still don't believe me? Check out the back cover of the book and the testimonial on page 82 (It's actually my story)

I am a physician. All my professional life I was steeped in the disinformation regarding low fat diets. And I kept getting fatter and fatter and fatter.

Then a friend told me about Atkins. At first I scoffed, but I went out and bought the book anyway. I bought it and read it BEFORE reading the reviews on this site. I wish I had read the reviews first because that alone would have provided the motivation I needed to get going.

I went on the induction phase of the diet for two weeks and lost, I kid you not, 16 pounds! I then attempted, more or less successfully to stay on the induction for 8 months over which time I lost a total of 55 pounds.

I am still loosing and will stay on the diet until I reach my target weight of 175 - 180 pounds. Another 20 pounds or so.

I actually find being on the induction diet easier than trying to modulate my carb intake. I am a carboholic and am just more comfortable avoiding them altogether. It takes 7 - 14 days to rid yourself of your carb craving. BUT, don't cheat. Read the book carefully and adhere to it meticulously. You will loose weight.

Now there are those naysayers who whine that they can't stay on the diet or that they feel too deprived. And maybe the diet isn't for everyone. But if you love to eat, hate to count calories, and want an approach that WILL work and more importantly that you CAN do - this is the diet for you.

I've resigned myself that I must eat like this for the remainder of my life. Actually not quite as draconian, BUT if I want to stay fit I will have to cut down drastically on carbs.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention. I feel great. No more post meal energy crashes. And I feel 20 years younger. I honestly had forgotten how easily I used to move around.

I can't wait for the next 20 to come off. And I KNOW that it will. Don't listen to the nattering nabobs of negativity. Go for it. Just do it!

Good luck.

In my view, this book should be seen as a sequel, not as an introduction to the Aitkin's diet. In other words, it is a book to be used after having completed the diet itself, and with a full understanding of the underlying principles. For newcomers wishing to evaluate the diet, the book, 'Dr Atkins' New Diet Revolution' is a necessary first read. (It is very easy for the uninformed to do their own version of a diet and then complain that it doesn't work.) Furthermore, anyone referring to Atkins as a 'high-fat diet' can hardly have read any of the books or visited the website. And to claim that the diet is committed to saturated fats is a serious error.

Those who fail to achieve results are given clear directives, in earlier books, on the scientific investigations that should be carried out to discover the reasons, such as allergies, medication, thyroid deficiency or sensitivity to arachidonic acid. However, for those who find the diet to be unsuitable after strict testing, it is well to remember that no single diet can cater to 100% of the population. In other words, like our fingerprints, our biochemical profile is unique - a fact borne out by Roger J Williams Ph D with his theory of biochemical individuality (Ref. his book 'Biochemical Individuality.')

Nevertheless, there is no question that the Atkins diet can be life saving, especially for those, who, like myself, are extremely carbohydrate sensitive, a fact I discovered the hard way. But my doctor said that she has never seen any patient reduce their blood pressure as rapidly as I did (over four weeks) when first going on this diet, thus avoiding medication. And contrary to the previous reviewer, my blood picture has markedly improved. In addition to this, there are doctors in my country who have applied a controlled carbohydrate regime to themselves, keeping a close and critical eye on their blood picture. They have all reported dramatic improvements in all respects.

Unfortunately, negative reports on the Atkins' diet give highly inaccurate versions of the first level to describe the entire regime, failing to mention that it is not a 'one size fits all' as the diet must be tailored to one's personal metabolism. This, of course requires mental discipline, something not attractive to those who want to lose weight without effort.

I would highly recommend this book for those who have succeeded on the Atkins' diet, and who are now ready to move on to lifetime maintenance. It is a marvellous reference for those who correctly understand the principles of the diet. For those just beginning on the regime, it is a book to regard as ample motivation and to look forward to with pleasure.

This book is intended for those who have already completed their weight loss program. Yet is is filled with practical advice useable at any stage of the Atkins Nutrition Management Program. This book helps further debunk the myth that the Atkins approach is about eating nothing but meat and cheese. Further scientific evidence is presented which supports the Atkins approach. In fact, Atkins spends a considerable amount of time discussing which vegetables and other carbohydrate-rich foods have a minimal effect on blood sugar, and which don't. About the only "permanently forbidden" foods are the high sugar ones. Personally, I found the practical advice for substitutions especially useful. For instance, instead of sugar-rich ice cream, you can have some blueberries smothered with heavy cream or a little sour cream.

My husband follows the Atkins diet; I'm the one who does most of the food shopping and cooking for the whole family. We both find "Atkins for Life," which focuses on maintaining the weight loss you have achieved through a low-carbohydrate diet, to be a big help. It reviews all the phases of the Atkins diet, but if you are just starting out you are better off with "Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution." This book gives detailed instructions for transitioning from the rather extreme meat-and-cheese-based diet to a more balanced plan that includes higher carb vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes. Whether you want to count carbs, learn about the science behind the diet, use lists of foods to eat "regularly," "in moderation," and "sparingly," or follow sample menus, this book has it all. Also included are tips for restaurant eating and substitutions for home cooking, as well as many recipes. The role of exercise is emphasized too. I'm not wild about the recipes (sugar substitute, yuck!) but the food lists provide guidance for preparing Atkins-friendly, well-balanced meals for the whole family. Like some of the other reviewers, I found the constant "selling" of the Atkins plan and products to be a turn-off, but my husband liked reading the success stories and uses the products so I guess there really is something here for everyone.

In this newest and final book by the late Dr. Atkins, all excuses for not being able to follow Atkins are eliminated. You can follow Atkins irregardless of HOLIDAYS or ETHNIC background. You can still enjoy the foods you love while losing weight on a high protein/low carb program.Also, did anyone else see the press release by the AMA citing trans fats as the real culprits in causing health and overweight problems, not the fats as found in the Atkins program? More credibility for the Atkins program!The Atkins program can help anyone lose weight,feel better and live longer.

Dr. Atkins has really spelled out his program for newbies and experienced Atkins/low-carbers. This book goes over the plan step-by-step for those new to eating this way. It also offers some excellent suggestions/recipes for low-carb pros to keep them going, help avoid pitfalls, get back on track when derailed, and keep it going for life. He details how to start out in either Induction (20 grams or less) or Maintenance, depending on your needs. I think this book goes a long way in explaining how well the Atkins plan can serve you for the rest of your life - not just as a weight loss tool - but for permanent good health. It goes into great detail about how to calculate your levels of carb grams in order to jump start weight loss, or for on-going weight loss, pre-maintenance and maintenance. It's really an eye opener for so many who have been misinformed into thinking Induction IS the Atkins plan, which it's Not. Dr. Atkins explains in more detail than ever how to gradually increase your carb intake with veggies and healthy, whole carbs, based on your lifestyle and your body's needs. He more strongly than ever before stresses the absolute requirement to add exercise to your plan, and he does well to dispel the myths with fact about low/carb-conscious living and its awesome health benefits. I highly recommend this book, as well as the new and updated "Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution". I am so glad Dr. Atkins lived long enough to see all his hard work and life's dedication Finally being recognized and praised. I am currently reading "Protein Power" by Drs. Eades, and so far it's a very good addition to my low-carb library. I'll do a review of it as well, as soon as I'm done. Hope this helps.

As many people know, losing weight is often times easier than keeping it off. Atkins addresses this issue in his latest book, "Atkins For Life".

The book "Atkins for Life" is an excellent resource book. It is filled with practical advice and tips on how to make your low carbohydrate weight loss a permanent success.

Over the years Atkins name has been maligned and sneered at as he pioneered the idea that its not the fat in our diet that makes us fat its the excessive amounts of carbohydrates we have been consuming. The low fat diet was presented to Americans as the best way and the healthiest way to lose weight. However, recent research has revealed the low fat diet to be a miserable failure. As the fat has been taken out of the diet carbohydrates have been added in their place and many Americans have become obese and unhealthy. Dr. Atkin's proposal that eating less carbs can lead to weight loss and better health has been vindicated.

The Atkins weight loss method is a 4 step approach. Phase 1 INDUCTION is where you limit your carbs to 20 grams per day to jump start your weight loss program. Phase 2 OWL or ONGOING WEIGHT LOSS allows you to slowly add back carbs until you discover the amount of carbs you can eat and still lose weight.
Phase 3 PRE-MAINTENANCE has you slow your weight loss by adding in more carbs so good eating habits become ingrained. And in Phase 4 LIFETIME MAINTENANCE you learn to enjoy a wider variety of foods and maintain your weight loss. This book "Atkins for Life" discusses each of the phases but is mainly concerned with Phase 4 LIFETIME MAINTENANCE.
You can learn what to do to lose weight with this book, but for in depth information, you would be better off selecting "Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution".

This book covers in great detail how to maintain the weight you have lost. Part One: A Lifetime Plan recaps the Atkins program. It includes information on the diet, the effect on your body, putting it into practice and how to benefit from exercise. Part Two: Eating for Life teaches you how to get your kitchen in order, and gives thirty meal plans with carb counts. It includes twenty meal plans for special occasions. 125 recipes for success are also given.

YES you can eat carbohydrates. You can have bread, cake and pizza or even wine. The key of course is knowing how many carbohydrates your body can handle each day without gaining weight. And using techniques to get the most bang from your carbohydrate buck. These techniques are taught in the book. For example if you crave bread Atkins has several pages of information to help you make the best selection. Breads are ranked on their ability to effect your insulin levels. There are also tips on how to enjoy bread without overdoing it such as eating the crust only. Atkins shares techniques like this for a variety of foods.

Comfort foods are a big issue for many. Atkins tells you what to choose or what to substitute. Eating out is another area covered. Best choices at different restaurants is given in detail. Atkins also includes mental tips to help you avoid backsliding.

Key to the book is the detailed menu plans given for 4 ranges of carb levels at 45g, 60g, 80g and 100g . Just adjust up or down so you are at your level (which you learn from his diet). Meal plans are simple and include snacks. A sample day for a 60 g plan would include 1 slice lemon zucchini bread, with an egg and ricotta cheese for breakfast. Meat loaf with whole-grain bread and salad for lunch.
Jerk shrimp with pasta or collard greens for dinner and 1/2 cup of cantaloupe for a snack. Carb counts are given so you can substitute as desired.

Crab Deviled Eggs, Cherry Muffins, Mixed Berry Shortcakes, Pinwheel Cookies, Roasted Chicken and Feta Cheese Wrap, Chocolate Souffle and Southwestern Style Pork Fajitas are among the 125 recipes. Recipes include nutritional information, but are not pictured.

The 370 page book also includes self tests and quizzes to help you stay on task. My favorite part of "Atkins For Life" has to be the success stories. There are a number of remarkable stories in the book with black and white photos included! Very inspiring!

The book "Atkins For Life" makes living a low carb life in our high carb world easier and enjoyable! I highly recommend it!