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**not2late** · June 27, 2006, 09:58 AM

Re: coming off ATKINS. I need help......

Originally posted by rnjk4982

I know, I know.......i really shouldn't.

My reasons are this:

In the 6 months i have rediscovered my love for exercise. I now exercise 5-6 times a week (1 hour or more at a time). It is a hobby now, whereas before it was always a chore.

I have stopped eating "junk food", and no longer have the cravings or the inclination to start again. I like my new body, and i feel so much better. My knees no longer hurt climbing stairs.....which is a good thing since i live on the 10th floor and no longer use the lifts.

Now, compared to some of the people on this site, i've lost no where nearly as much weight. (in the last 6 months i've lost 50 lbs. 280 down to 230) but i desperately want to keep it off. I've heard all the horror stories of how lots of people who stop Atkins put all the wieght back on.

Rest my fears, common sense dictates, if i eat well (ie...balanced, low calorie and low fat diet) and exercise as i am now (roughly an hour a day) the weight will stay off?? So what is the best way to come of ATKINS?? Do i just stop, or ween mysef off?? How is it done??

PS....i know i haven't posted here too often, but the info i have gained and the encouragement i have gained on a daily basis has been inspirational.

Come on guys, how can i come off Atkins, live a healthy life and keep the Pounds off???????????????

How far along are you in your Atkins?

Did you stay on Induction or did you do it the way Dr. Atkins said to do it and begin adding healthy foods like fruit,veg, legumes and grains? If you did it the way Dr. Atkins said, then "coming off Atkins" isn't really necessary because you are essentially eating a macrobiotic-type diet that's low on junk foods and/or non-nutritious foods.

Keeping off weight for any diet is the same: you got to exercise and you got to eat moderate amounts of healthful foods. If you start eating the diet that made you fat and/or begin slacking off with your exercise, the chances are you'll regain all your weight (and more). It's no secret that as we get older our metabolisms slow down, so you need to be incredibly mindful of the amounts and types of food you choose to eat and keep up the exercise.

Good luck to you!

**Austlyn** · June 27, 2006, 09:59 AM

Re: coming off ATKINS. I need help......

Sadly I am not sure anyone can help you with this. If you keep following the plan moving threw the stages it should become a much more balanced diet. I think the reason you have only lost 50lbs is because you have much much more muscle now than when you started I bet you lok great even at 230. Because I have noticed that I do not look the same losing the weight this time and sadly it is the lack of exercise have more children and no job now. I would encourage you not to give up. It is working! Also I would say to you maybe someone could help critique your menu as to help you have as sufficient weight loss as possible!

**rnjk4982** · June 27, 2006, 10:09 AM

Coming off ATKINS. I need help......please!!

I know, I know......i shouldn't.

My reasons:

-I have rediscovered my love of exercise. In the last 6 months i have been exercising for an hour or more each day (be it Gym work or walking)
-I have a love for my body now, not in the way it looks but in the way it feels. My mindset has changed. I no longer want to have the "junk food" option but would be more than happy to take the healthy alternative.

Now, compared to some of the other people on this site, i've lost nowhere nearly as much weight.( in the last 6 months i've gone from 280 pounds to 225 pounds). The thing is that i desperately want to keep it off. I've heard all the horror stories of people who stop Atkins, a large percentage of people put the weight straight back on.

Rest my fears, common sense dictates, if i eat well (ie...balanced low calorie, low fat diet) combined with an hour or so a day of exercise,......the weight will stay off right???? How is it done???

Come on guys, how can i come off Atkins, live a healthy life and not put the pounds straight back on?

Ps....I know i haven't posted here much, but i look and read most days and the info and encouragement i have gained has been inspirational.

**jarcher** · June 27, 2006, 10:52 AM

Re: Coming off ATKINS. I need help......please!!

55 pounds in 6 months is an extremely good result! Exercise will help.

With any weight loss program, you can't just abandon healthy habits once the weight is gone. If you go back to eating junk, eating at odd intervals and not getting some exercise you'll probably gain weight. Atkins does not end when you hit goal. It continues forever.

If it does not work for you and you are going to get off it then please do switch to something else healthy. Any healthy diet with exercise is better than bad eating habits.

May I ask why it is you are thinking of switching? Do you feel ill? The reasons you listed don;t seem incompatible with Atkins. I'm not sure you'll find something else that knocks nearly 10 pounds a month off and even if you did, it's probably not good for you anyhow.

**dotsamantha** · June 27, 2006, 10:59 AM

Re: Coming off ATKINS. I need help......please!!

Have you considered other carb concerned woe, such as South Beach? ADBB has sister boards at www.lowcarbbulletinboard.com and www.sbdbb.com . if you are dtermined to go a different route, there are other carb related options. If it's the restriction of this woe that is making you want to try something new, I'm wondering what phase you're in right now. Induction is very restrictive, but as you get into OWL and pre-maintenance, your food choices are infinite.

**Elizellen** · June 27, 2006, 11:00 AM

Re: coming off ATKINS. I need help......

I second not2late's comment that Atkins done by following the 4 stages as described in DANDR will be a 'balanced diet' to follow for life. After all - if your body can cope with legumes, starchy veggies and whole grains in moderation, what 'healthy' food will you be omitting?

Work your way up OWL and premaintenance and then eating at 'maintenance' phase will be a way of eating you could stay healthy and fit with, especially if you continue to exercise.

**bilowi** · June 27, 2006, 11:00 AM

Re: coming off ATKINS. I need help......

I have quit the plan several times and all I can tell you is that every single time, the pounds come back and the out of control eating comes back. As soon as I get that taste of carbohydrate I'm like an eating machine, it's my addiction

**IWannaBeThin** · June 27, 2006, 11:08 AM

Re: Coming off ATKINS. I need help......please!!

Originally posted by rnjk4982

I know, I know......i shouldn't.

My reasons:

-I have rediscovered my love of exercise. In the last 6 months i have been exercising for an hour or more each day (be it Gym work or walking)

Exercizing and Healthy eating are the main focus on Atkins Diet...this would not change....I don't really understand your post

-I have a love for my body now, not in the way it looks but in the way it feels. My mindset has changed. I no longer want to have the "junk food" option but would be more than happy to take the healthy alternative.

I don't understand this comment about "junk food" option. I have actually come totally off of junk food since I have been on Atkins. I have been eating more healthy than I ever have on any diet with greater results....Maybe you should post your menus and the experts can see them and comment.

Rest my fears, common sense dictates, if i eat well (ie...balanced low calorie, low fat diet) combined with an hour or so a day of exercise,......the weight will stay off right???? How is it done???

If you go back to low calorie and low fat diet, then the glycemic level will go up in your blood and cause weight gain...as in the first few chapters of DANDR.

Anyway, would you reconsider??? This is a very healthy eating plan and you have had Fantastic results!!!

**lisaj** · June 27, 2006, 11:54 AM

Re: coming off ATKINS. I need help......

You said "if i eat well", YOU ARE eating well on Atkins. Its not something you stop, its something you progress in, until you are on maintenence. Balanced diet? Ever try the Zone? Incredibly hard to eat 40/30/30. Low calorie? Atkins isn't high calorie, my fitday intakes are around 1300 a day. I weighed myself this morning, i weigh 3.5 pounds more than you do, I cannot imagine quitting now. You said, I know, i know, i really shouldn't. You are correct. You shouldn't. Try moving up rungs, or adding more variety to your meals. Just don't quit.

**SkaPaladin** · June 27, 2006, 01:19 PM

Re: coming off ATKINS. I need help......please

How about this.

Instead of quitting, why not just try to integrate a little bit of the food you are giving up this WOE for, and see what it does to your body? Surely, you're reason for giving up Atkin's is because there is a food that you want to eat. It's either starchy, or not good for you at all, because Atkin's is all good for you.

If you must, then cheat, but I recommend that you stay on this WOE. What reason, exactly, would you want to get off of Atkin's anyway?

"Common sense dictates..." but human nature will consume you.

**choeve** · June 27, 2006, 01:52 PM

Re: coming off ATKINS. I need help......please

I lost 36 pounds in 4 1/2 months right before I got pregnant with my daughter. My first ob/gyn told me to go off Atkins it was not good for the baby. My baby is now 2 years and 4 months and I am just now getting close to back to the weight I was before then. And my knee pain came back with a vengence and every time I fell off the wagon between then and now my knees always hurt worse off Atkins and the knee pain is much less when I am on Atkins. Just a word of warning you might not just get your weight back that you lost you might also get your pain back??

**iyamamaschke** · June 27, 2006, 02:45 PM

Re: coming off ATKINS. I need help......please

If you follow the WOE the way Dr. Atkins intended you will be adding in Most of the Foods you miss rather then the Carbage as we like to call it around here Basically Junk. I am at a stage now where I enjoy Porridge every morning Sadwiches made with real breat, fruits berries, dessert ETC, everything you would ahve on a Low calorie low fat WOE only better. I would say to Buy the Atkins for life book really and see all the wonderful choices you have you don't have to be limited in what you eat you ahve to be smart about adding it in. The reason for theslow addition is to not overload your body so it goes nuts with cravings, my fear is if you just jump off that will happen and I would Hate to see that. Add in some really great food, some fruits some Whole grains go to the recipe board and rediscover why you fell in love with Atkins in the First place.

Sarah

**ttdriver** · June 27, 2006, 03:23 PM

Re: coming off ATKINS. I need help......please

I am not at all sure WHY you feel the need to come "off Atkins".

Betty

**rnjk4982** · June 27, 2006, 04:21 PM

Re: coming off ATKINS. I need help......please

Some interesting points.

The main reason i want to come off Atkins is so that I can lead a non-restrictive diet. Although i'm 230 pounds now, i play lots of Rugby and am quite fit. My BMI is 22 and so i naturally have a big frame. Over the last few years (age 22-33) i have lived the typical good life. Eating out 4 times per week and drinking a lot of cider / beer. (typically 350 callories per pint ((568ml)) 10 pints on a night out 3 - 4 nights a week!!!). I'm not naturally an overweight person. My metabolism is fast and so the only reason i can blame on the weight gain (5-6pounds a year for 10 years) is lack of exercise and way, way to many calories.

Hence the Atkins diet has served a purpose. It was a quick fix that works. In the process i have learned to like the old me again, i feel so much better. Furthermore in the last 6 months i have really learned to love exercise again. I've alway had a good level of fitness but have just been overweight due to sheer indulgence. I was in the Royal Marines in the UK which is pretty hard core stuff for 4 years. (left due to bad knees) It's the longest and toughest training for any NATO force (48 weeks). On passing out I was 210-215 pounds,....my point is that my fitest ever i was only 15 pounds ish lighter than i am now.

I play Rugby lots and the season of Rugby involves drinking....lots of drinking. Atkins and Rugby are not compatible....hence, other rubbish aside, one has to go. Sorry Atkins!!

I will stay at my chosen weight and let you know how it goes!! If i put weight on....i'll train harder and eat less calories.......wow, i may even cut down on the alcohol.

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coming off ATKINS. I need help......please

coming off ATKINS. I need help......please

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