moving on?

[Shannon767]

When can you move from OWL to Atkins for Life? Also, when in OWL or Atkins for Life, does one have to eat the foods listed in the book or can one eat low-carb foods as long as they don't go over their max allowed carbs in order to not gain weight?

[cmcole]

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that Atkins for Life is more like Maintenance, where you are not striving for weight loss, per se, but for maintaining the loss you have already achieved.

By the time you reach that stage, you should know what types of foods to eat, and can make your menu quite diverse. Of course, you are less likely to be adding back all the things that are less healthy for you - white flour, processed foods, etc.

Dr. Atkins said an occasional swerve from the plan (like, perhaps a small piece of birthday cake) can be incorporated into your menu, but should not be a daily occurrance, and should be a planned indulgence (base the rest of your day's menu, allowing that indulgence).

[Betty]

Absolutely right. You want to maintain your goal weight, and continue to eat healthy. You can allow a small indulgence now and then, but it is best not to make it a habit, lest you slide down that slippery slope. I think the menu is so varied at maintainence level that I really don't need those things. I ate a small amount of ice cream at my granddaughters birthday party a week ago, but could not finish the serving as it was to sweet and I just could not handle it.

EDIT

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