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Atkins review - not for cyclists!

So I thought I would wait a few days before posting my reflections. In that time I have returned to eating carbs, but in moderation. No longer drink caffeine and don't take sugar. I have regained nearly ALL the weight I "lost". I assume this is a mixture of fat fain, but is largely glycogen and water since the weight gain is so unbelievably rapid (literally in 2 days or so).

I've had a couple of blowouts for my birthday; afternoon tea at the Savoy and a Haagen Daas ice cream yesterday for my birthday. I have been good otherwise.

I won't be doing Atkins again, but here is an attempt to give a balanced review:

Postives
Negatives
  1. Breaking my caffeine and sugar addiction was akin to giving up smoking
  2. I supercharged my weight loss losing 4kg in 3 weeks. 88.7 to 84.7kg.
  3. More alert, slept better and needed less, more positive outlook and self esteem
  4. No hunger pangs, cravings for food largely disappeared
  5. Eating Bacon and Eggs every day was cool
  6. Started to appreciate and enjoy more healthy food choices (esp. salad)
  1. 4 days later I have re-gained 3kg, assume in glycogen and associated water retention.
  2. Hassle – you really have to be careful to avoid refined carbs since they are EVERYWHERE
  3. Constipation – despite psyllium and flaxseed I rarely scored higher than 2 on the Bristol Scale.
  4. Food boredom – really missed the occasional treat, fruit, youghurt etc
  5. Making a cooked breakfast every day was tiresome.
  6. No power on the bike mean't I didn't feel like riding (but weather and injury also didn't help)

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