Writes MKL: "This November will mark my one year anniversary of Atkins-style eating. While not carb nazis, my wife and I have cut out the bread, rice and potatoes and increased our protein and said 'what the hell' to fat. I cook (good husband) quite often from a great book, 500 Low-Carb Recipes, and have never eaten so much (used to skip breakfast and lunch) and have still lost weight.
"I am forced to use my 4th belt notch instead of the 2nd. Two days ago I buttoned up my old 30" waist Levis. Yes, I said 30 inch. There was no fat hanging over the edge. I just celebrated (well, acknowledged, anyway) my 50th birthday this past July. While neither of us were what anyone would call 'fat,' it's nice to see those abs again.
"One interesting aspect of this diet is that I hardly ever get heartburn anymore. Previously I carried a couple loose Tums in my pocket and always took one before bed just in case. I also had a bout with candida a year ago and that has not returned. Though I never had much trouble with allergies, I know people who have found that this diet eliminates many of the most common ones. I notice as well that I am not exhausted after eating. Pasta used to put me right out. I feel great, and my wife looks incredible (well, she always did, the little minx). Works for her, too, though she still drinks those kahlua and coffees. I, on the other hand, have 86ed the beer and now opt for the elegant martini. Doesn't hurt at all. Okay, sometimes a bit the next day.
"This diet works. But I must also add that there is another unhappy word besides 'diet' that must be applied here to really see the optimum results. That word is "exercise." By combining the elements of Atkins and a one-hour workout of crunches, pushups, fast-walking and weights, performed 3 times weekly, I now feel quite comfortable on our beautiful beaches, no matter how many 20 year old surfers are there. Sweet.
"We are not suffering. Tonight I am grilling a rack of lamb, which will be accompanied by fresh cauliflower in homemade cheese sauce and a spinach salad with feta, walnuts, bacon and raspberry vinaigrette. I have something nice in a Merlot to go with it.
"Thanks form doing your part to get your readers off the carbs. I really believe this will work for a majority of them and the best thing is that it really doesn't feel like punishment. Especially with a couple martinis."
