See... those people need to becareful. I lost alot of weight back in the day (correction, alot of FAT). I lost over 20lbs of FAT out of highschool. I learned to eat right and exercise. Dont get me wrong, I will eat like hell sometimes, but I work out enough now that it wont make a difference. But,... I hate the word "Diet". If someone goes "on" a diet, then by nature it is an impermenant thing, and someone will have to eventually come "off" a diet. With any diet then, the chances of gaining weight back are really good.
Atkins... dangerous as hell. Its one thing if you are a bodybuilder and you eat enough where your body is properly supplied with nutrients... and then decide to increase protein and decrease carbs. If thats the case, you are properly using exercise to max the effects of the protein...
-People trying to lose wieght with the Atkins diet are taking risks. First off, ask most people who go to the gym alot. Majority of people in good shape (especially athletes like runners, bikers, etc.) consume about 60% or more of their daily calories in Carbs. It is fuel for the body. It will keep you going. People who learn the differences in eating right and wrong will find the good carbs to keep their bodies toned.... Atkins people are cutting ALL carbs. This not only depleted the greater majority of energy used by the body, but it can make you severly fatigued. People on the diet think that by reducing the carbs, they will reduce the sugar retention and lose calories and fat. NO F'N WAY!! Its a lazy a$$ solution, and a cop out for exercise.
-What really happens- The body starts to realize that their is a depletion of carbs and starts to go after protein (more than fat) as its main source of energy. The body only uses so much, so the Atkins amount of protein builds up and can actually damage your kidneys!!! GOOD TIMES!!! So then the protein that burned (some of which is muscle, and which naturally weighs alot less than fat) can make some seem 20lbs lighter on a scale!!! AWESOME!!! But... why not break out a bodyfat calculator and test yourself! I bet a ton you havent lost much fat.
-Post Atkins. Great, it worked, lost alot of weight by not working out... Diet is over. First most people are really good, eating right. After a few weeks the amount of carbs increases and the body is shocked by it. The sugar and calories add up, and fat comes. The body only appears to be gaining a couple of lbs, but the metabolism was never increased by the diet... so fat continues to build. Months later - Joe Shmoe's diet is out the window. Muscle has suffered and weakened, body fat percentage has actually increased and physical performance is down. Not to mention he missed out on months of eating delicious french bread pizza!!! Its a crock of poop if ya ask me (or 90% of trainers!!!)