Gaining it all back

[jessica129]

I've been on induction for what seems like an eternity. I've lost a total of 22 lbs but I still have another 20 to loose. I'm 145 and want to get to 125. I've read the Atkins book and I know this isn't meant to be a short-term 'diet'. It's supposed to be a lifestyle change and what not. I, however, do not want to be on it for the rest of my life. YES, i know you can eat a lot of "good" foods but the idea of counting carbs and watching everything I eat is not enjoyable in my opinion. I don't intend on going off and completely ruining everything I just accomplished. I simply want to be able to eat a sandwich or have waffles for breakfast...normal people food. Some of you are really hardcore about this way of life but I have to be honest...I only went on it to loose weight quickly and I don't want to stay on it. I tried cheating while on induction and I didn't gain all that much weight. I figure that if i get down to 120, cheat and gain a few lbs, i'll still be okay with my weight as long as i dont go past a certain number.

i hear all these horror stories of people going off atkins and gaining 60 lbs. That's almost impossible. I could just eat normally and not allow myself to go over a certain weight and if i do, i can just go back on induction. Is yo-yo dieting really as bad as they say?

[moulin]

Hello Jessica

My interpretation of Dr.Atkin's book is moderation,once your weight and health has returned.

Historically we were not designed to consume lorry loads of refined foods.

I've been on Atkins for 2 weeks and went to a meeting last week for work, the buffet arrived and it struck me that it was almost entirely made up of refined carbs, this is not 'normal' food.

It's some thing we have done, as a society, to ourselves.

I think moderating your carbs from day to day and the 5lb rule is a good way to go.

In any other walk of life, if you were doing some thing that was making you feel ill and exhausted you would stop doing it, this is exactly how I feel about a high carb diet.

I think that a modified Atkins, as you suggest is probably the right choice for you.

[cmcole]

Because you've not reached the level of maintenance, by your own admission, you perhaps haven't grasped the fact that this is really a lifestyle change.

As the previous poster stressed, your point of view may change once you've continued on your path to the weight loss you desire.

I know that having reached the maintenance (or even pre-maintenance) level, I can, if I wish, have some of the items you mentioned.

However, I know how my body feels when I have too many carbs, and I try my best to stay away from processed foods altogether. So, although I don't have to count every carb that enters my menu if I don't wish to do so, I am concientious about my choices, and I still choose whole, unprocessed foods over the highly advertised, mystery ingredient choices out there.

You may change, and then again, who knows? Each person is different, and attitudes are sometimes hard to overcome. However, rather than deciding that this is "your final answer", continue with the program through to the weight loss you desire, and re-evaluate your responses then. Atkins for Life gives you the freedom to choose to have those items occasionally (not daily). It is just that you may not want them quite as much when the time arrives.

[2big4mysize]

if you go off your Atkins and back to eating the style that got you bigger before you will gain weight again. If you eat so that your cals taken in are less then your cals expended by all bodily functions you wiill lose weight Dr Atkins progean gives you blood sugar controls which you will lose going off at goal, and the metabolic advantage of it taking more energy to get your Atkins program eating to energy then it does eating a higher carbohydrate plan you will lose those extra calls being used up too.

[BikerGoddess]

Maintenance is just 'a healthy diet'. Fruits, veggies, whole grains, dairy, et al. Yes, it's going to take some effort to stick with that, given the overabundance of convenience foods and overprocessing.

No one is going to tell you that you can never have a sticky bun or Godiva chocolate. However, if you don't want to end up needing to lose 45lbs again, you're going to have to practice some moderation. That doesn't mean you have to count carbs the rest of your life, either. You'll know by maintenance what you can eat without gaining weight. And if you start creeping up, you'll know that you need to cut back some.

I totally agree that it's no fun having to watch what you eat all the freaking time. However, none of us have the ability to take away the repercussions of eating too much. Would that I could...

I will suggest, though, that it might be easier on you if you reconsider what constitutes 'normal people food.' Have a sandwich, but make it with whole grain bread. Have fruit for dessert. Stop thinking you *deserve* any kind of food treat (and use non-food ways to reward yourself).

Just keep in mind that your normal eating habits landed you up where you are now once. To me, the small sacrifice of a little extra effort in planning my meals has a huge payoff - I'm still a size 4 a year later.

Laura

[Perry]

In my experience, most of the people gaining back their weight did not do Atkins correctly. They used Induction as a somewhat rapid weight loss plan and followed it right through to goal weight. Then, they mistakenly assumed that when they went back to eating 'normal' they could just "Induct" themselves for a few days and return to their goal weight.

If you follow the plan as written to the end and then use 'moderation' from then on you will experience the success that the previous posters have.

I've been at goal weight for nearly 1 year (1 more week to my anniversary date) and I only did it through discovery of my CCCL and trigger foods. I also remain active and watch my weight nearly every day. I do not feel as if I'm deprived.

Best of luck. Hope this thread helped you understand Lifetime maintenance better.

[SparksTSA]

It all comes down to calories. Once I reached my goal weight I began to keep up with my calories more than counting carbs. I still only eat 100% whole wheat bread and use soy flour for baking and frying. I don't eat potatoes, rice, or pasta . I never really liked those anyway. I try to keep my calorie intake between 1500-2000 per day. Do what works for you. Eat healthy and don't endulge.

[stargaze]

this might help you!!

jessica129 :wave

hey why don't you go to this website... it might motivate you even more... it helps me.... www.sugarfreesheila.com

give it a try... :joy

[stargaze]

i know

i know that my ticker says that i haven't lost any weight but i did the first time i was on this diet...

i lost 10 pounds in only 4 months(granted i only have 20 to lose it's going to take me longer)... but then i was at a stall and i got upset so i went off of it... it wasn't the right thing to do.... i went off for 3 days and i was sick the whole time.... but you may be different...

but just to let you know i did gain back my weight and i'm back at 135 and back on induction trying to lose 25 pounds to meet my goal...

[Slingnmom]

Every diet is a life style change as it has been stated already. Commitment to staying a certain weight is the key. Also remember you don't have to deprive yourself of the things you like or love. MODERATION is always the key!

[ted26]

I have just come off atkins and after 1 week have continued to lose weight by switching fat with carbs.

My carbs are up and fat is down but my diet is much more varied with such things as bread and crackers included.

I still use what i have learnt from atkins and i believe this is the key to success when you hit goal.

Eat a balanced diet when you hit goal and i am pretty sure you will be ok :yes

I owe alot to the late great Dr.

[BikerGoddess]

Eat a balanced diet when you hit goal and i am pretty sure you will be ok :yes

Everyone has to do what's right for them, but I am curious why you don't see Maintenance as a balanced diet.

Laura

[ted26]

I think you have misunderstood my post bg as i cant see where it refers to maintenance as not being a balanced diet !

[sunshine_gurly]

x

ok, so what sort of foods are acceptable to eat when i have reached the last stage of this diet? im still pretty unclear ... can i re-introduce chips & potatoes etc and if so how much am i allowed?

[BikerGoddess]

Maintenance is essentially the rung of the OWL ladder where you don't gain or lose weight. You can have whatever you had in OWL plus generally the next level. If you're were lucky enough to still lose at the top rung, then you would increase your amounts.

Realizing that we live in an imperfect world, Dr. Atkins allowed for treats in Maintenance. There were a couple of methods mentioned, but what I do is 'save up' my carbs by eating more of an Induction menu for a day or two, then splurging.

Certainly, if you have the discipline, you can just add in moderate amounts of higher carb foods. Be careful you don't get carried away.

ted26, it sounded like you were saying that you went off Atkins to a balanced diet. My apologies if that wasn't what you meant.

Laura