How should I "ease" off Atkins for a camping trip?

[Enchantedraisin]

It looks like you are really close to goal so just be prepared for the setback. You will probably gain some pounds back and in my experience it has taken me up to 2 weeks to lose the weight I gained after a cheat. Sometimes that makes it frustrating and hard to get back on track and a lot of people never do.

I wouldn't "ease" into the cheat because that is just more days you aren't sticking to the diet and like the others said it won't help you not to feel yucky if that is what will happen. If you are going off for those 4 days then be good up until the point you go and start back up the second you leave. That way the damage is not prolonged even more.

I'm not too worried... I guess. I'm prepared to gain some weight back. But I *really* am going to try to be somewhat decent about it. I will not stuff myself with carb crap, maybe a few things here and there. And I can always have the burgers and hot dogs with no buns. I actually like it.

I just know that there will be a bag of chips laying around and I'll just HAVE to havea couple... or maybe a smoore or two. Heh, I'll try not to go overboard.

I'm just gonna go back on the day after I arrive back.. and stick with it after that, no more camping trips for the summer, this is the only one.

Thanks for the advice and being friendly, THIS is what I'm talking about!

[shelbyquinn03079]

No problem. That's why I posted because I saw the posts getting heated-lol. I myself have posted questions in the past and even in the "low carb other than atkins" and got some pretty stern answers.

There are definatly hard core atkins folks who never stray and that is what works for them and helped them get to goal. They don't mean harm when they are stern I believe. Just full of passion.

The board does have plenty of people who have made mistakes or slipped and still done well. There is even a topic on it somewhere.

They are just trying to keep you from going off for good. It happens a lot like I said. After my experience I realized if I am going to post a question then I have to expect all of the people's opnions which is fine. There are so many people with so many different experiences you are bound to find someone or several going through whatever you happen to be going through. Have fun on your trip and good luck getting right back on track.

[John_Morse]

My stomach never gets upset when I return to eating carbs.
I do get heart burn and reflux. And my heart pounds from the sugar rush, and I generally feel like crap physically and mentally, but I wouldn't worry about any serious consequences just for the trip (you might stay close to the bathroom though!)
Just get back on the wagon as soon as you get back.

If you plan some things you may even be able to do less carbs than you think while camping, but that don't mean relaxing by the fire with a bag of chips :yikes

[Enchantedraisin]

If you plan some things you may even be able to do less carbs than you think while camping, but that don't mean relaxing by the fire with a bag of chips :yikes

:joy

teehee

[Oreo]

Enchantedrasin, While there are some people who really never "cheat" go off plan - there's plenty that do "cheat" and go off plan but will never admit it here.

You will feel some bloat w/ the foods you mentioned but not as bad as you would if you had eaten a big potato or rice.

It is only 4 days, might even do you some good - but just don't go over-board and re-focus, get right back on track when you get back.

FYI- you probably won't gain any "real" weight- the scale will go up because of water weight- and you can lose that in 3-4 days the same amoumt of time it will take you to get back into ketosis- you will be set back a week but your only 10 lbs from goal anyway- Enjoy yourself and have fun

[love2beeamom]

I guess it would also depend on what exactly you are planning on having?As far as real food goes, I go camping often, and I basically stick to plan, since we eat alot of grilled meat and stuff while camping. I have the hotdogs, hamburgers, chicken, etc.. and like you, I really don't care about he bun. I have had a few chips before without any serious problem. I also moved through the OWL rungs before going, so I could snack on fruit and nuts if I felt like snacking..you actually could move through the rungs to grains and have some bread too, if you wanted. So, unless it was just alot of really sugar filled stuff you were gonna have, I would say you should be fine, although everyone responds differently to what they eat. I get my sweet fix from some SF chocolates when I go camping and it keeps me happy. Just try to drink your water to help flush out whatever you eat, get as much exercise as you can, and definitley hop right back on plan ASAP.. I too agree, that I wouldn't "ease" into it cause that would just be more days off plan, in my opinion.

Have a great trip.. I am camping again for July 4th weekend, and am so looking forward to it!

[BreakfastSurreal]

maybe you can try to take some beef jerky and stuff for snacks? and cheese sticks! and if you do decide to carb it up, take some TUMS! with you! You might get heartburn.

[LindaJay]

WARNING! DO NOT take SF chocolate (or other candies) if you have not tried them out in the privacy of your own home in close proximity to your bathroom! I am not kidding about this! I actually ate three (count them, three) SF jelly beans to help get the prep started for my colonoscopy! Many people have serious lower GI problems from SF candy, and I would not want you to find yourself in the middle of nowhere suddenly needing to release the entire contents of your lower GI system!!!!

Other advice -- I went to Yellowstone not long after I started, and basically took a couple of bages of LC chips (yuck! Skipped those!). I avoided the chips, etc. and make very cautious choices. I didn't eat any sugar (took some LC bars and ate only pieces of them!). I did skip up to nuts, and brought along some almonds, since they pack easily. I had a little but of potato along the way. Basically, if you are working out really hard, then you will probably burn up extra "good carbs" -- but staying away from the "junk" (lots of chips, candy, etc.), as much as possible is always a good idea.

For me, I am TRYING to change the way I eat forever, since I know that with any "diet" that as soon as you go back to eating the things that made you fat, you get fat again. Not rocket science! Some people can eat a cookie or chip or candy here and there, and it doesn't trip them up forever. For others, one thing leads to another, and they are up several pounds, and can't quite get back on track.

You've heard a range of opinions and experiences -- you will find out what works for you and what doesn't. My experience has been that a chip or two here and there, a couple bites of potatoes, etc. and I'm fine. Even a couple of bites of a "special" dessert (a couple of times a year!), and I'm OK. BUT -- I can't even take a taste of a really good cookie or brownie -- those two things set off something that make me want them all -- and it is a struggle that I do not fully understand, and would have never predicted.

So, cheating is a risk. The question for you will be "is it worth it?" at the moment -- then later, "was it worth it?" Sometimes, the answer is yes, and sometimes it's no!

[Momtofour]

Take some Imodium with you in case you have a reaction on the other end. That is what happens to me if I have sugar. Have a great time!

[ttdriver]

I guess I don't understand why people who are intent on NOT CHEATING are viewed as perfect??

Nobody is perfect 100% of the time, but that has nothing to do with your level of commitment to this WOE. If you want to cheat, that's up to you. You do it, you deal with the fallout. But don't assume people who have decided NOT to cheat are perfect.

Those of us who are more committed to sticking with it don't have any attitude .. we just have decided it ain't worth going off track for a moment's pleasure. Thats our prerogative.

If you want to cheat, then that's up to you. But be forewarned, there will be consequences. You have to decide if those consequences are worth it. To me, they're not, but we're all different.

Betty

[Goldfinger]

My only adivce is to be careful. Prior to this go around with Atkins, I had "dieted" 5 different times, losing between 50-100 pounds each time. The biggest mistake I made (and I made it every time) was to go off the "diet" temporarily. I can assure you that every time I did this, my diet was over and I started to rebound to the point where after 6 months to a year, all the weight was back on. I just lost the mental willpower (and I have A LOT of willpower), and even though I knew I was gaining the weight back, I could do nothing to stop it.

There comes a realization for all of us here eventually that "diet" and "cheat" are words that should not exist within one's vocabulary. This really is a lifestyle change. I realized this when I started Atkins last November. There are no more "diets" or "cheats" for me. That's just the way it has to be.

The beauty of this WOL is that it IS sustainable in the long-term. I am not perfect, but I know that I will make it.

[FightingTheFight]

This kind of mentality that you are embracing, and your so called supporters is a dangerous and treacherous road to follow. Its called "Crash Diet Mentality".

I personally don't care what you do, and maybe its ok to think this way for someone with such little to lose, but for the majority of people who have alot to lose, this kind of thinking is literally dangerous for your health.

just know that there will be a bag of chips laying around and I'll just HAVE to havea couple

I mean what is that? You have to have some chips? That sound like you living to eat instead of vice versa.

The hardcore followers such as myself are on this board. don't be suprised if you post a question about something we really despise and expect to get a pat on the back.

We are here to help people who are really struggling, not help make excuses.

[Effie]

There comes a realization for all of us here eventually that "diet" and "cheat" are words that should not exist within one's vocabulary. This really is a lifestyle change. I realized this when I started Atkins last November. There are no more "diets" or "cheats" for me. That's just the way it has to be.

I agree with this, but I'm going to twist your words on you!

If you are having a planned cheat, like this camping trip, and you know you can control it, then do it. It sounds like you're not gearing up for some huge carb blowout, you just want to eat in moderation. I think that's very respectable. We have to make due with what we have. This is what I consider success, and that is truly making this fit with your lifestyle. Does it really feel natural to have to pack your own cooler full of string cheese for 4 days?? :nono You might end up eating low calories, or burning off what you're eating, and you could even come back lighter than when you left! The only time I thinking "cheating" is bad is when it's uncontrollable. You have a bad day and you eat a half a box of crackers. I'll never say that's ok, but a s'more on a camping trip with friends and family? I say go for it, and have fun!

[Enchantedraisin]

WARNING! DO NOT take SF chocolate (or other candies) if you have not tried them out in the privacy of your own home in close proximity to your bathroom!

HA HA HA. Actually I've had it before! Russell Stover candies are the DEVIL!!

[not2late]

Re: How should I "ease" off Atkins for a camping t

So I have a camping trip coming up starting July 7th until July 10th. I really would like to take a short break from Atkins, then resume after I get back.

I know most of you would be strong enough... and will probably say "why not stay on Atkins THROUGH the trip?"... well, this is seriously the highlight of the year for me. It's with my boyfriend's family, and extended family and friends, I would like to enoy myself without a single worry... and it would be much too hard to eat low-carb on a camping trip with them (they are carb fanatics).

Anyway, that said, there is no way I can be convinced to stay on Atkins for those 4 whole days.

I thought I would give myself a week ahead of time to "ease" off Atkins so that my body won't freak out or anything. I also would like to avoid constipation and all those bad things.

Does anyone have a good idea or plan I should follow? Should I give myself more than a week, or less than a week?]

I am still re-inducting and haven't moved up the rungs yet. What I thought I should do is quickly move up the rungs within a week... so then I would still be eating healthy, and Atkins-like and wouldn't put my body into shock.

Any ideas?

You had a 30 pound weight loss goal, according to the stats in your siggy. And you are currently 10 pounds from goal. By this time, you should have been in OWL and even beginning Pre-Maintenance.

Moving up the rungs "quickly" is tricky. Depending on how your body reacts to the foods you have re-introduced, you might stop losing weight and/or you might have some of the Blood Sugar Instability symptoms listed in the test in Chapters 12. Some of the Blood Sugar Instability symptoms include dizziness, stomach bloating, tiredness, sleepiness, moodiness, difficulty concentrating, etc.

Good luck to you whatever you decide to do.