Do you think this would be wise?

[NOWandTHIN]

I was talking to a co-worker who's an avid gym goer about my diet when I 1st started (about a month ago) and he mentioned something that I'm contemplating...he says a friend of his who is a body builder does low carb but on every 1st and 15th of the month he has ONE carb over-loaded meal (like an entire pizza!) and then goes DIRECTLY back on the diet and watch the pounds MELT off! What has spurred this question is a thread started by rockon who stated he did a CLEAN induction (from what I've read) and lost virtually nothing but the 3rd week still following his diet he's had 2 beers, 1 glass of wine, 3 bananas, a tub of yogurt, a ball of vanilla ice-cream, 3 bars of choc, a spoon of rice, a bag of wine gums, 2 slices of bread with marmalaide, a teaspoon of pickle and a delicious half pint of cider! and the weight starts to fall off over night!

I am not asking because I am weak willed and want an excuse 2 cheat cuz I have been on this diet a lil over 5 weeks and have not cheated ONCE. It just makes sense cuz once the body gets used 2 something whatever your doin slowly loses its effect right?...isn't this why so many ppl lose so much within their 1st week? I know its supposed 2 slow down but my weight fluctuates (and no I dont weigh myself everyday) and I get discouraged... PLEASE DONT YELL AT ME!

[blueberrylady]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

Congrats on going 5 weeks cheat free!

As for the man who ate all those carbs and lost weight, I'm not sure that's exactly how it happened. I bet eventually he had a gain, maybe a big one! Also, he's a bodybuilder and probably has massive muscles and a fast metabloism and can handle eating like that, but I doubt if it would work for you.

Having cheat days doesn't work for 2 reasons. #1. They are often very hard to stop and you end up gaining back what you've lost. And #2. They switch your body back to burning carbs instead of fat and you have to go through induction again. IMHO, it just isn't worth it.

[jennbeingme]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

Short answer- I don't know....
I have read articles where people change the amount of calories eaten in a day in order to shake up their metabolic system and keep the body "alert" and willing to shed the pounds instead of adapting to lower calorie amount and holding on to what you give it. e.g. stay on a 1200 calorie a day program for 5 days then eat 2000 calories on day 6- or to eat 100 calories a day less than the previous day for 4 days, then start increasing calories for the next 4 days etc....
Honestly- the only stories I've heard of people doing this are "friends of friends". No one I actually know has done this intentionally.
Personally- I don't like it. It sounds like a system that can too easily become a platform for excuses.

[NOWandTHIN]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

Thanks!

I planned 2 stay on extended induction for as long as possible partially because I want to lose faster and partly because I am confused by OWL. Im reading the book, I restarted the chapter but I'm still at a lost! Induction is simple...I could have this but I cant have that so I stick 2 what I know...maybe I could shake my system up by going to 30g carbs one day then 20g then 25g? IDK...its hard for me 2 get above 15 most days...

[Chiddlebop]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

My friend lost 105 lbs on Atkins in 8 months. She followed it very strictly...but every second Friday she treated herself to Fastfood and Ice Cream for supper. It didn't affect her weight loss, but she said it was like giving an alcoholic a drink. She found it extremely hard the following morning to start the program again. But she did I wouldn't have the same will power! I would take that into consideration!

[liv]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

Always be careful about what you hear second hand. Who knows what the real story is? People tend to get it wrong when they retell it. Also be careful about what you read on the net sometimes (and that includes here). There are trolls out there. People will make claims just to get others going. Happens every day.
A few years ago on a low carb board (not this one) one person became very popular for her advice. She kept telling people that she lost weight by cutting carbs and fats and told other people to do the same. Some did and eventually destroyed thyroids, metabolism and some developed eating dissorders. The person who gave this advice was after many requests posting pics of her self but some people started to question these pictures. and when someone eventually found her and took her picture, it turned out she was still a very large woman. The pictures she had posted on the net turned out to be Russian mail order brides. She is now being sued.
Any ways use your noggin. That is my advice.

[blueberrylady]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

For a better explanation of OWL than what's in the book, go to the Atkins Phases forum and click on Ongoing Weight Loss.

I found the book to be confusing too and that's why I didn't make it to goal the first time I was on the diet, but the forum made it easier to understand. Good luck.

[NOWandTHIN]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

Chiddlebop, 105 lbs in only 8 months sounds PHENOMINAL 2 me...I am very sure if I cheated that no matter how HARD it is, I will be back on the bandwaggin AS SOON AS I SWALLOW THE LAST BITE!!! The reason I know this is because ONLY I know the rediculous amount of temptation I've had these 5 weeks. Im young and I live alone so I have company all the time...company who I tell to bring their own meals because Im on a diet and doubt that I will have anything they want. These ppl show up with everything from McDonalds to pizza hut to chinese! which is my fave and I have resisted ALL of their offerings INCLUDING CHOCOLATE!

How often do u move up a rung in OWL?

[pipee_pl]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

ok- I am going to disagree with the others, just because I have read a few books about health and nutrition and weight lifting.
What your talking about is the Leptin response. Basically being strict with your diet for 6 days then on the 7th having an over eating day based primarily on carbs which kick starts your fat burning mode There are many programs based on this- Body for Life is one, The Truth About 6 Pack Abs- this is another.
The Leptin in your body has similar effects to insulin- I am not in health care so I don't know exactly but there is a vast amount of info on the web to see.
I have also considered this- at this moment I am going to hold off- I have finally gotten my eating habits under control and I think it would cause a landslide effect. Perhaps when I am finished with induction I will consider having a "free meal" maybe a few slices of pizza and icecream for dessert- but at this moment I am not going to.
Also I plan to watch how much weight I lose during induction- if I hit a stall- I may consider a day of additional carbs from fruit (we just got some strawberries- they are hanging out in my fridge waiting for my kids and do they smell good!!)
But I know what your weight lifting friends are talking about- it is called Leptin Response.

[sadie147]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

It's really easy to say you'd jump right back on the wagon, but I know from my years on this board we hear all too often "i thought I would get back on right away, now here I am x lbs heavier, x months later" etc etc.

There are legitimate carb and calorie cycleing programs out there. You need to follow them properly (which would not be Atkins)in order for them to be healthy. 'carb loading' on ice cream, alcohol, cake etc is far from that. Any program should be promoting whole grains, fruits etc in order to get those excees carbs. I've read Tom Venutos e-book and he does promote this, but only with healthy foods.

I wouldn't recommend attempting this yourself without any guidelines..it could possibly cause you alot more problems than benefits.

Really, do you really believe that eating an entire pizza is in any way a healthy thing to do?

[NOWandTHIN]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

Thanks to ALL of u for taking the time to respond! A special thanks to Pipee pl for putting a name to it lol. I guess I will research it now that I know what it is...and Sadie147, No I dont believe eating an entire pizza is healthy and I hadn't planned on going That farwith the carbs. I meant by eating stuff like fried rice or maybe sum fried chicken....if I ate pizza it wud b like a personal pan or something. A scoop of ice cream...1 bar of chocolate or even some fruit!

[AllThings]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

I know what you're talking about.

I'm also a member of bodybuilding.com and my uncle is a long time weight lifter. They call it refeeding. Staying on a strict diet and maybe every two weeks, for one or two days, eating twice what they normally eat.

You have to remember that anyone who eats like that only 2-3 times each month and only gains muscle and it works for them probably has a level of discipline that most people don't. Obviously, they know how to turn themselves on an off as they should.

Once you get to the point where you are a certifiable "bodybuilder", one day of "cheating" isn't going to mess you up completely as opposed to a casual exerciser or someone whose "stop eating now" mechanism isn't as refined.

[Sharon_Wants_Help]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

When it comes down to it there's really only one reason why most of us are here: WE CAN'T CONTROL OURSELVES AROUND CARBS!!!! And so putting it simply: While yes, it does work, it's not right for us. A previous poster was absolutely dead on. It's like an alcoholic taking a drink.

To put it in Dr. Atkins's words, it's "the kiss of death".

[sadie147]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

Sadie147, No I dont believe eating an entire pizza is healthy and I hadn't planned on going That farwith the carbs. I meant by eating stuff like fried rice or maybe sum fried chicken....if I ate pizza it wud b like a personal pan or something. A scoop of ice cream...1 bar of chocolate or even some fruit!

I'd stick with the fruit. forget pizza, fried rice, fried chicken, ice cream and chocolate. You see, this is exactly my point, if you aren't using healthy carbs, which none of these are...then IMO it's not a wise or healthy thing to do. This is why I'm saying if you are going to do a plan like this, you are wise to follow a healthy one.

I'm going to agree with Allthings as well..I think unless you are seriously bodybuilding this could backfire.

[NOWandTHIN]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

I just did some research on carb cycling and I'm understanding the plan ALOT more now. I just purchased a book as well and I'm planning 2 give it a try. For those of u who are concerned I understand why, I've have it ALL wrong! I'm still not gonna be allowed to have pizza, fried rice and sweets while carb cycling (this is not y I was interested cuz like I said, I have not cheated once) but I will be introducing carbs that are still considered healthy on my higher carb days such as nuts, sweet potatoes, and fruit! these things are carby but I doubt they will cause cravings. I've read so many ecstatic testimonials from ppl who have stalled for MONTHS and dropped 2-6 pounds their first week of carb cycling! After my 1st week I will be sure to post results! Thanx guys and happy low carbing =]