The last 10-15 lbs. - switch to Atkins?

[wienerin]

Hello friends,

I've been a member on here for ages, but when I first tried Atkins I was eating compulsively and simply switched from overeating sugars to overeating sugar free things - needless to say, it didn't work.

That was over a year ago. These days, I'm eating sanely, have been following a plan that's low-carb, and resembles Atkins Pre-maintenance. I've been eating this way for over a year now, losing 50 lbs. My normal daily diet consists of mostly veggies, meats, and fats. I don't really eat processed foods, certainly no bars and the like. No nuts, either.

The thing is now, I've been losing weight this way - very slowly, but it has come off. Now I'm only 10-15 lbs. away from goal, and for three months, nothing has moved. I'm afraid this may be as far as eating this way will take me - I'm 128 lbs. on a 5'2 frame, really want to get into the teens, but I'm not sure if this way of eating will be able to take me to a "good" figure, rather than just an "acceptable" one.

I'm seriously considering going on Atkins for the rest of the weight. But if I do that... being that I already eat low-carb... would it be advisable for me to do Induction? Or, to ask the question differently, where *should* I start? I have the book, I've read it, and I have been on Atkins before so I do know what I should be doing in each phase. The question is just, which phase to begin with.

I'd appreciate your insights... thanks!!

p.s. the plan I've been following is called Greysheet, in case you've heard and have an idea of what it's like. Very structured.

[wienerin]

Re: The last 10-15 lbs. - switch to Atkins?

I thought I'd include a sample menu of what I'm eating now, to give you an idea of where I'm coming from.

Breakfast
1 cup yogurt
1 cup strawberries

Lunch
4 oz. meat
1 cup cooked cauliflower, broccoli, or brussels sprouts
1 cup raw veggies (celery, carrots)
1 tbs. mayonnaise

Dinner
1 egg
2 oz. ricotta cheese
1/2 cup cooked butternut squash
2 cups raw vegetables (broccoli, cabbage...)
3 tbs. fat, i.e. oil or mayo

That's pretty much what I eat, and I tend to stick to the same things every day. It's not induction, but it's certainly low-carb... again, what do you think? Should I simply stick to this and give up on getting "fashionably" thin? There's just still that layer of fat, smaller but still there, that I'd love to get off. And yes, I do exercise (cycle to work & back, total about half an hour, lots of hills).

Thanks
Susanne

[matawguro]

Re: The last 10-15 lbs. - switch to Atkins?

With the remaining 10-15lbs. I doubt switching to Atkins will get you to goal faster. Usually, 10lbs away from goal is done with the pre-maintenance stage where weight loss is intentionally done at a dead crawl.

If you're considering switching to Atkins, you might want to start with a two week clean induction then head straight to pre-maintenance.

[BeccaBoo]

Re: The last 10-15 lbs. - switch to Atkins?

I'd suggest increasing your exercise intensity. Cycling is good, but your body has obviously acclimated and you need to really build those muscles and hit the cardio hard for the last 10-15, your body REALLY does not want to let go of it's reserve at that point.

Of course, I LOVE to pump iron, so I'm a little biased . But you'd be amazed how your body changes if you hit the weights, or do some other equally intense strength training.

[Rubysugar]

Re: The last 10-15 lbs. - switch to Atkins?

I am with Robbie and Bec, building a little more muscle will up that metabolism and it wouldn't hurt to do a 2 week induction just make sure you are in ketosis and then go to pre-maintenance, or heck, climb the owl rungs just for kicks. And congrats on that 50 lb loss, that ain't hay! Doing great!