Italian Mystery??

[bambinaUK]

So I just got back from spending 10 days in Italy with my husbands family.
I knew that there was no way I would be able to stick to low-carb while I was there, as his aunties would all be hugely insulted if I refused to eat their pasta and the fact that due to me not speaking italian it will be near enough impossible to explain why.

So I drank gallons of water and ate what ever was put in front of me and never accepted seconds. I have to say that eating lots of fruit & icecream was wonderful, but I really didnt love the pizza, pasta & bread at all!!!

As soon as I got back to the UK I got on the scales and to my stunned amazement I had gained only 1.5lbs!!!!!!!!! And im definitely not craving any of the carbs I have indulged in while we were there??

Two days later ive actually dropped 2lbs in weight and have switched back on to induction for a while. My husband made pizza last night and I wasnt even tempted, I just grilled my steak and had a small spinach salad and I was totally satisfied.

So strange experience, but luckily ive come out the other end of it....

[not2late]

Re: Italian Mystery??

You've been at goal for a while haven't you? I seem to remember you hit goal some time ago. Anyhow, it doesn't surprize me that you wouldn't gain "alot" eating those carbs.

The big difference between the Atkins weight loss phases and the Atkins weight maintenance phase is that during the weight loss phases you need to stay below your CCLL. During Atkins Maintenance, you need to stay around your CCML number. CCML is your individual carb level that you should not exceed in order for you to maintain your weight. It isn't necessarily the same number as your CCLL.

If you read through the Lifer's threads, some of them eat higher carb foods daily. Some of them, due to their exercise routine and their metabolism, can eat well over 100 net carbs daily.

You might want to post this in the Maintenance phase, so as not to give a false impression to the Extended Inductioners that they can "cheat" with pasta meals daily and still lose weight.

Also, in the book, Dr. Atkins said, you only need to drop back to Induction level carbs for a few days, then move back to your carb level. In fact, you might be able to get away with just dropping to your CCLL, rather than go through Induction. But again, post this in the Maintenance Forum, because the Lifer's will be able to give you better advice.

[america57]

Re: Italian Mystery??

I had to read your post because my 23 yr. old son goes to Italy several times a year, he works at film festivals there as an interperter. The film company pays for his flight, so he always stays longer and visits a friend there, her mother makes homemade pasta every day. I always laugh because if my son has acne on his face when he goes, he comes back with clear, beautiful skin. I think it's because they eat such fresh food and no junk.

[bambinaUK]

Re: Italian Mystery??

Thanks for the info not2late, if you want to move this post over to maintenance, go ahead and do so.

Im going to stay on induction for a week to 'cleanse' myself as I have to start training for a 10K (6.4 mile) race starting next week.

I think ive gotten so used to living low-carb that its hard to think of doing it any other way, I really enjoy the discipline of it all. Yes ive been at my goal for a while now, but I think im now ready to lose a bit more, I should think I will be doing it more with exercise now than with my diet.