Slipping problems

[pdunn56]

Hi everyone,

I haven't posted in awhile; actually since I last posted I have lost approximately 19 pounds in about 5 weeks.

The question I have is this; I have been experiencing major carb cravings on a weekly basis; I admit that I have given into the cravings and strayed from the formula, so to speak, for a day, but then would immediately return to Induction. I actually thus far have not seen any significant weight gain at all; I read somewhere weight gain can occur if one reverts back to eating sugar/carbs. But I seem to be taking a "carb break" on a regular weekly basis. Is this a problem? The only thing I see happen is that the weight loss slows down, and I can't get back to ketosis. But I am not gaining it back. The cravings are tough to deal with when they come up, and I cringe at the prospect of how I am going to handle this when I go on my trip to England and Scotland on 10/16. Any words of wisdom or encouragement is greatly appreciated!!

Pam

[redfoxglove]

Re: Slipping problems

Hi Pam, I'm not that experienced yet with all this, I've only just started Rung 1 of OWL this last week. But you might want to give more information so that some of the more experienced can help you with insights. It sounds like you've gotten great results, 19 pounds in 5 weeks is almost 4 pounds a week. That's great.

How much are you expecting to lose? Did you do Induction and then progress to OWL? You say you immediately return to Induction. Are you on Extended Induction?

In my experience, eating more carbs than are justified by my Rung, or carbs that are not legal, stimulates carb cravings, and it takes me 2-3 days to get past those cravings. They go away after 2 days or so of staying on the plan. Legal carbs don't usually cause this problem b/c they don't stimulate an insulin spike, or less of one.

There's just not enough info in your post to give much of a suggestion. I'll just say that for me, due to some good coaching from Elizellen, I've decided to advance to OWL and start really learning how to add back the foods I really want, how to increase my carb count by doing so, and therefore to avoid the roller coaster of eating the "forbidden fruits" and then having the cravings, and then getting so far off plan that I can't figure out where I'm at or what direction to take...

For me, the only way this is going to work long term is if I teach myself how to include a variety of foods to match the varied circumstances of life. That way I won't get bored, I'll have legal treats to indulge in, and I won't feel deprived b/c "everybody else gets to" and I don't.

Maybe I'm preaching to the choir here, maybe these ways of going about it are what you are already doing. Your results show that there is pure progress going on. But something is causing you to go off plan...is it your method of doing it, or are there outside forces such as stress or whatever that are influencing your thinking?

[pdunn56]

Re: Slipping problems

Hi redfoxglove,

Thanks for responding. To give you more details; I started Atkins on 8/17; 232 pounds and as of last Friday, lost 19 pounds. I hope to lose a total of 80-82 pounds.

Yes I am on extended Induction for now. I agree that eating more carbs stimulates cravings, which go away after a couple of days, which is why I think I only have a real strong carb crave once a week (instead of daily as it used to be!) But why this is happening now and not before, I am not sure, however, it could very well be because of boredom. So maybe what I should be considering is doing the OWL stage. Though my real question is: is it possible to succeed on Atkins if you give yourself one day a week to binge a bit on carbs??

The other concern is that I really do want to try and control my weight gain while I am in Europe. Do you (or anybody) have any suggestions of what I can do while I am in England/Scotland??

Thanks again!!

Pam

[redfoxglove]

Re: Slipping problems

Pam, the easiest response first. There is a member on STAC, his name is Swordfish, he's from Scotland, and is a chef/cooking enthusiast. You might try to PM him for some suggestions about your upcoming travel.

As to the other question about allowing yourself to binge on carbs. Of course only you can decide but I'll give you my perspective. As with so many things in my life, consistency wins the day. I have enough experience with my behavior to know that if I get away with one, then I'll try two. If that seems to work, I'll try three. Pretty soon I'm way off the map somewhere without an idea how to get back without starting over from square one.

That just seems to be a waste of time. Why not be consistent with my plan until I have the new behaviors down like telling the time? I want my new pattern to be so well established it's like driving from here to work, almost automatic pilot.

Also, and this is just my perspective drawn from my own self experience, if I tell myself it's okay to binge once in a while on non-legal carbs, is that REALLY making a life change out of this?

For me, and this is me saying this to me, and if you overhear and it makes sense, then maybe it will work for you too. For me, it's far better to spend my time thinking like this: In 2 weeks I have a social event with pot luck where food is a big part of the celebration. Let's see, what kind of legal goodies can I prepare so that I'll be part of the party, and even if I'm "bad" and eat 3 instead of 1, they still are legal goodies so I'm not opening the door to stepping all the way back to square one!

See, for me it's more important to find ways of adapting to the new pattern than it is to try to go backwards. For me, it's more important to keep taking steps forward than to try to go back to something that I've proven over and over, just does not work.

So that's my perspective, and if you read around on these forums and see what some of the longtimers write, you may see that same sort of thinking. Also, you might benefit from reading or re-reading the book, in the front part of the book where it explains the scientific reasoning behind the method of the diet. It should give you some insight into why it's better not to go yo-yo-ing back and forth from controlled carb to anything goes.

I wish you the best in your journey, and I'm really excited for your trip and a little envious. I'm sure with some prior preparation (another big theme on these boards) you'll be successful. Have fun with it!

[pdunn56]

Re: Slipping problems

Hi redfoxglove,

You are more experienced that you give yourself credit and very wise. Those are words that I needed to hear. Thank you very much; it really helps to have that perspective!

So where do I find this Swordfish person??

Pam

[redfoxglove]

Re: Slipping problems

Look above where it says Members List, find the name and click on it, and I think you get an option to PM

[determined2shrink]

Re: Slipping problems

I have one question...

Do you want to lose this weight only to put it back on?

Atkins is about a lifestyle change. If you treat it like a diet it will just be a diet and as soon as you go off you will put the weight back on. I think atkins teaches you about feeding your body with what it needs and helps you set up good habits while you are losing so that you will be better off when you stop losing. During the weightloss part of the diet (while you are still motivated by the scale movements) you are better able to learn to pass up temptation then if you are at your goal weight.

I made it through a birthday party last night that had chips, cupcakes, stuffed pretzels, soda, and mixed drinks (adult birthday party) and it wasnt as bad as i thought it was. I had people pushing me to try this or "its just one cupcake" or "Come on you gotta have atleast one drink" and someone who tried giving me shots. I made it through and I couldnt be more proud of myself. I think once you learn to defeat the temptation you will have much more confidence that will help you get through the many temptations as the holidays creep up.

When the holidays do creep up just ask yourself...

Do I want to weigh 5 to 10 lbs more or less when this holiday season is over?

[Sueilp]

Re: Slipping problems

Hi redfoxglove,


The other concern is that I really do want to try and control my weight gain while I am in Europe. Do you (or anybody) have any suggestions of what I can do while I am in England/Scotland??



Pam

Hi I am originally from the UK and having done the Atkins a couple of times when I lived over there - I dont see you will have a problem. Depending on where you are staying etc you can easily follow Atkins at breakfast by having an English breakfast which basically consists of eggs, bacon, sausge, mushrooms, tomatoes. Usually it comes with toast but you can easily not have that. Whereever you go to eat you can always have salads. Most restaurants are VERY good at susbstituting stuff on the menu. For example if there are fries they are usually more than happy to change it to more vegetables.....so it is doable without a doubt.

The supermarkets also sell the low carb products too......

Sue

[pdunn56]

Re: Slipping problems

For Determined2shrink,

Thanks for that reality check; of course you are right; I needed to hear that!

And for Sue (Sueilp),

Thanks for the heads up on UK cuisine; it sounds very Atkins-friendly!! That's a relief!!

Thanks again for all your good advice and support!!

Pam