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

[not2late]

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

See, that's exactly what I'm talking about. It's the sort of "we're all doomed, we might as well accept it" attitude that I see far too much of around here. Why even bother losing weight at all? 90% of us are just going to gain it all back in a year! In essense what you're saying is that once you gain weight, you're pretty much screwed because you're never going to lose it and keep it off unless you count every carb and every calorie for the rest of your life. Not very inspiring, is it? I can't be bothered to investigate those statistics because it seems highly unlikely that I'm constantly exposed to people offline who have lost and kept off weight for years and years. Most of whom are individuals who believe the Atkins diet is centered around eating steaks and mayonaise all day. Statistically speaking, I should know more fat people who have tried and failed over and over again. But that's not the case.

I think I'll go with my way of thinking and hope I have the physical and mental ability to lose and keep my weight off without keeping my fat clothes. Thanks.

Here's the study:
Grodstein, F., Levine, R., Spencer, T., Colditz, G.A., Stampfer, M. J. (1996). Three-year follow-up of participants in a commercial weight loss program: can you keep it off? Archives of Internal Medicine. 156 (12), 1302.
http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/con...ct/156/12/1302

Twelve percent of the subjects maintained 75% of their weight loss after leaving the diet program, 57% maintained at least 5% of the loss, and 40% gained back more than they had lost during the diet. The frequency of exercise after the diet program was the strongest predictor of weight loss maintenance, while television viewing predicted a gain

Translation: you're kidding yourself if you think you can go back to your old lifestyle and think the pounds will stay off.

Sorry if it upsets you, but those are the facts. Better to be upfront about the truth than to lie about it just to feel better, imo.

Those people regain it because

1. They return to their old eating and lifestyle habits. It's only makes sense that the diet/lifestyle that made you fat to begin with will make you fat again.

2. They never learn to modify their eating and lifestyle behaviors while they are losing weight. Too many people think that once they reach their goal, they can sit back, stuff their faces with food and not gain a single pound. Sorry. But the mere fact that we are fat and can easily gain weight shows that we are exceptionally efficient at making and storing fat.

I agree the stats are dismal, but that's the way it is. And it's totally your choice to either be the "rule" or be the exception.

[n0matter]

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

It seems like every time I explain my weight loss endeavors and exactly HOW I came to be overweight in the first place, you completely dismiss the "how" portion of it. It really is an important part of the story! I will re-iterate: Because I stopped exercising approximately 2-3 years ago and continued eating what I considered to be normal size portions and foods(ok, they weren't healthy but for the purposes of this discussion, lets assume they were healthy enough), my metabolism slowed and I slowly started to gain weight. My cummulative weight gain during these years was right around 50lbs. The longer I avoided exercises, the faster I started to gain weight. According to your statistics, I was already the exception even at 27. I should also consider age as a factor in my personal equation though I think we can agree that the difference between 20 and 40 isn't at all comparable to that of 27 to 30.

So...I believe that it is quite possible that I may return to a way of eating similar to that of when I was 27 and not gain weight, providing that the level of exercise I participate in is also proportionate. This isn't to say that I plan on stuffing my face with crap and running ten miles/week just because I possibly CAN when I reach goal. What I am trying to illustrate is that it is quite possible for myself, the original poster and any number of other countless millions to lose weight USING Atkins and then maintain weight lost OFF Atkins.

Bren, thank you for the reminder, I know where I am and I understand that the boards main priority is to focus on discussion around the Atkins diet. However, I don't see how discussion pertaining to those currently participating in the diet who some day play to deviate from it is irrelevant. Personal experiences and goals aside, this guy wants help with just such an endeavor. Whether or not it has worked for others is relevant, yes, but I don't agree with the approach that he should be shunned or discouraged with statistics and negative feedback about trying another WoE.

To me, trying to emphasize the need for a positive atmosphere here and then at the same time saying what can be interpretted as "Well, if you want to discuss other ways of eating, even though you're on Atkins NOW, you should take it somewhere else" seems self-defeating.

[SkaPaladin]

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

Well, I agree, and I disagree... But, if you have it already set in your head that you are going to come off of it, then by all means. It is your decision. But, I still wonder, what is the specific reason for wanting to come off Atkins? Is it really just for a little drinking after Rugby? Or is it the pasta and pie that you are no longer allowed to eat?

Well, either way, if you say that exercise can keep you where you are, then do it. I'm not going to lie, if I could go back to eating pasta and pie like I used to, and maintain my current weight, I would do it in a heartbeat. Just, do us a favor, and keep an eye on your weight, and your measurements. Don't let yourself slowly creep back to being overweight again.

And should you ever feel the need to come back to this WOE, I will welcome you back.

[not2late]

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

It seems like every time I explain my weight loss endeavors and exactly HOW I came to be overweight in the first place, you completely dismiss the "how" portion of it. It really is an important part of the story! I will re-iterate: Because I stopped exercising approximately 2-3 years ago and continued eating what I considered to be normal size portions and foods(ok, they weren't healthy but for the purposes of this discussion, lets assume they were healthy enough), my metabolism slowed and I slowly started to gain weight. My cummulative weight gain during these years was right around 50lbs. The longer I avoided exercises, the faster I started to gain weight. According to your statistics, I was already the exception even at 27. I should also consider age as a factor in my personal equation though I think we can agree that the difference between 20 and 40 isn't at all comparable to that of 27 to 30.

So you've proven it: stop exercising and continue to eat "normally" = weight gain. So you either increase your exercise or you modify your eating habit or both---it's as simple as that. But once you slack off with either the diet or exercise, you might as well pull your fat clothes out of the closet.

If your metabolism has slowed and you're only in your 20s, I hate to tell ya, but it most likely won't pick up when you're in your 30s or 40s. Your 20s is when you are allegedly at your physical peak. After that it all goes downhill because your organ systems slowly begin to deteriorate due to wear and tear.

So...I believe that it is quite possible that I may return to a way of eating similar to that of when I was 27 and not gain weight, providing that the level of exercise I participate in is also proportionate. This isn't to say that I plan on stuffing my face with crap and running ten miles/week just because I possibly CAN when I reach goal. What I am trying to illustrate is that it is quite possible for myself, the original poster and any number of other countless millions to lose weight USING Atkins and then maintain weight lost OFF Atkins.

Again, the complete Atkins diet includes eating fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, natural fats and proteins, in addition to exercise. Induction isn't the entire Atkins diet. Most diets, including the DASH Diet, have you eating a variety of foods, like fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, natural fats and proteins in addition to exercise.

Bren, thank you for the reminder, I know where I am and I understand that the boards main priority is to focus on discussion around the Atkins diet. However, I don't see how discussion pertaining to those currently participating in the diet who some day play to deviate from it is irrelevant. Personal experiences and goals aside, this guy wants help with just such an endeavor. Whether or not it has worked for others is relevant, yes, but I don't agree with the approach that he should be shunned or discouraged with statistics and negative feedback about trying another WoE.

The original poster asked how to move into a higher carb diet and he was told by Elizellen, Dessertthorn, Jarcher, Dots, Ska, Iyamama (Sarah), LC Dave, Analog, and others to move to the higher carb phases of Atkins. Others posted for him to not give up or drop the diet. If they had been truly "negative", I highly doubt that he would have replied

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.

The statistics speak for themselves. If you define "support" as with-holding information or lying, then ADBB is the wrong place for you. Lying to protect delicate egos or exaggerated self-esteem only encourages delusional ideations and neurosis.

Support is not the same thing as "enabling". If you seek to find people who'll lie to your face in order to preserve your feelings, more power to you.

To me, trying to emphasize the need for a positive atmosphere here and then at the same time saying what can be interpretted as "Well, if you want to discuss other ways of eating, even though you're on Atkins NOW, you should take it somewhere else" seems self-defeating.

A positive atmosphere is a truthful one. If you don't like the stats or the personal experience of someone else, by all means ignore them, but don't willfully mislead someone under the guise of promoting "a positive atmosphere".

BTW, I'm taking off my "Moderator-Hat" right now in order to tell you this. I know you get some kind of weird psychological gratification portraying yourself to be the "bad boy rebel fighting society" and the B.S. associated with that and that you post things specifically to agitate this board. I know this because I've been observing your posting habits. I also know that you have a habit of this behavior on other boards. What's funny is that I predicted you would jump into this thread and you proved me right.

So just know---we're on to you.

[Barbde]

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

BTW, I'm taking off my "Moderator-Hat" right now in order to tell you this. I know you get some kind of weird psychological gratification portraying yourself to be the "bad boy rebel fighting society" and the B.S. associated with that and that you post things specifically to agitate this board. I know this because I've been observing your posting habits. I also know that you have a habit of this behavior on other boards. What's funny is that I predicted you would jump into this thread and you proved me right.

So just know---we're on to you.

WELL SAID MEGS!!

[n0matter]

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

Keep the moderator hat on, please. I can't believe that you think you're doing me a service by basically rewording exactly what I just wrote. Except, of course, to enlighten me about metabolic evolution(again, I'm 30 and was on the edge of 28 when I started gaining weight...I really don't think the organ breakdown has progressed all that much in the last two years). I've never known someone to so selectively pick apart a post, choose what they wish to focus on and then reply as you do.

I glean no "weird psychological gratification" by participating on these boards. I'm not here to argue, really. You might notice that I was attempting to give the member helpful advice when you jumped in and beat the **** out of my post. It sounds like you were just waiting for the opportunity judging by your little prediction. And from what I understand, you are in absolutely no position to psycho-analyze.

Just out of curiosity, why would you want someone around here who derives such sick, twisted pleasure from getting a rise out of the other posters? Is it an official ADBB experiment? Are you trying to see how long you can last before someone who so freely calls people out on their BS or just differs from your opinions in general gets to you enough to take administrative action? Don't do me any favors. Spy away on my other board exploits(which are far and away completely non-related to dieting)--google is a close friend of yours, I'm sure. But don't presume that you can read into my psyche any more than what I give you work with about my diet habits on this board.

[Lisa M]

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

Dave said it well.


I hope you find your way back to the board and seek more information about how to move up the rungs of the OWL with Atkins. You've done an awesome job taking care of you, don't stop now

Best wishes on your decisions and journey

[Bren]

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

I do believe the original members post has been answered. And, I hope something said on this thread has helped in one way or another. This thread has now served it's purpose and I think it is time to locker up!

HAPPY LOW CARBING EVERYONE and lets move on to agree to disagree and maintain a respectful atmosphere. Most important lets get on with helping people on their weight lose journey!!