Do you think this would be wise?

[Zarabelle]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

It's important that you do what is right for you. If you feel cravings and it could make you cave in then that is the time to stop!
Good luck in whatever you decide to do. x

[blueberrylady]

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 =]

What you are describing is the same thing as moving up the rungs of OWL, only in a disordered way. Why not just do OWL?

[not2late]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

I second blueberrylady on that.

OWL Phase is an organized Atkins phase whereby you increase your carbs and expand your food choices to include carbs---yes even the occasional order of French Fries.

I know there are folks who think Induction is the ENTIRE Atkins Diet and they are forever condemned to eating 20 net carbs and just the foods on the Induction Acceptable Foods List until they lose all their weight. Just like I know there are people who are too scared to move to OWL, so they try all these weird things like having cheat days and going back to Induction.

OWL Phase isn't hard to do.

The first rung of the Carb Ladder is more Induction vegetables. So you add 5 net carbs of whatever Induction veggie to your pre-existing Induction menu. The carb ladder includes nuts, fruits, starchy veggies, legumes, and grains.

IF you do Atkins the proper way---that is, the way Dr. Atkins wrote it---there is no need for "cheat days", carb cycling, etc. to "jump start" your weight loss because you will be eating at your individual carbohydrate level and you will be eating foods not allowed on Induction. Therefore, you will be losing at a consistent rate and no need to rev up anything.

[chubbyroman]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

I'd just like to add to this if I may....I cheated over two days last week, mostly beer, but then a bit of a binge to cure the hangover. I gained 2lbs, by the next day, but as of today (4 days later) I've actually lost 5lbs! It's probably not a good idea long term, but it at least proves that if you cheat, just jump back on the wagon and you wont undo all the good you've done.

[hopejoy]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

I had a day last week where I had a 'cheat' day, I ate the breading on some chicken wings, brown rice, 2 pieces of bread, and then (spiraling down) some chocolate covered pretzels. Then got back on the program right away. Well, I gained almost 5 lbs in 2 days and it took another 5 to get it off again. I don't recommend it at all. I also read about the carb shock triggering a loss, but it didn't work at all for me. Everyone is different. I agree, it's easier to do OWL. Straightforward, easy. Good luck, hope it works out for you.
liz

[NOWandTHIN]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

Thanx for all of your support! I started writing out a bunch of rules to customize my carb cycling to make sure I stayed on track and it seems like a very good plan. I haven't tried it yet but I will let you all know how it goes. I did 'cheat' for the 1st time and I some how broke through those same 3-4 pounds I've been gaining and losing the past 3 weeks and I FINALLY believe I will reach 30 lbs lost!

[basketballbelly]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

Hello, you look fantastic in your picture, I am the same weight as you (well I'm 269) I am not cyclying but I'd love to keep in touch, I find so few AA women low carbing. Have you converted any of our traditional foods to low carbing? I want to work on that when I reach OWL.

Good luck on the carb cyclying, I've heard great things about it, I did try it years ago but I simply do not have the strenght not to over do it...I'm starting a strict induction on Saturday (I've been lowcarbing since mid-Feb and not really lost anything) so I am going to clean up my menus.

I'd love to have a buddy on this journey.

basketballbelly

[clogger]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

I don't get it . Atkins is working for you. You've lost 28 pounds so far. That's an average of 2.75 pounds per week. That's great! Why don't you at least try OWL before trying something non-Atkins? There are so many people who successfully lose weight as they move up the rungs of OWL. If you're not sure how OWL works just read the thread a previous poster recommended and ask questions and we'll help you through it.

At least give what is already working for you a try...

[Zarabelle]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

Hi Hun

I just wanted to let you know that I had a cheat meal (not day) last Thursday. It was my birthday on the Tuesday and I went for an Indian meal on Thursday (one of my favourite cuisines). I had three beers, a mouthful of naan bread and half a portion of onion bhajee. I ate less than I would have done normally on Atkins. I gained FIVE pounds and still have not shifted 2 of them a week later so have really set myself back. It honestly wasn't worth it! I wish I had not done it. I think there is room for a cheat meal in maintenance but before that, you risk setting yourself back.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do xx

[NOWandTHIN]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

Basetballbelly I would LOVE to be your buddy! Unfortunately I have not discovered any 'soul food' recipes as I am pretty busy with work and school. However, I have tried out a few of Lindas recipes from her website. Most of them were pretty good. I'm sure u might like the Mock-a-foni & cheese (I believe thats what it's called). I wish you much luck on this journey and will be sure to keep in touch. Remember, I'm as new to this as you are but I'm still here if u need me.

Clogger I understand what ur saying "if it aint broke, dont fix it." I was simply frustrated because originally I had lost 25lbs the 1st 4 weeks! and somehow 2-3 weeks after that my total was still 25 lbs! I wasn't stalled or anything I just kept gaining and losing the same 5 lbs and was begining to be discouraged. However, this past weekend while visiting a friend @ college, we ate @ her skools caf and let me tell you it seemed as though they had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING atkins friendly. Maybe if it was dinner time I could've had sum meat and veggies but all they had was pizza, hotdogs, burgers, cereal, sandwiches and other crap loaded with CARBS. So, I had a ham & cheese sandwhich on wheat bread and was sure I'd knock myself out of ketosis as each slice was 16g but when I weighed myself the next morning I had FINALLY gotten past 265. I wouldn't be completely honest if I didn't admit I had sum fried rice when we went to the mall which had peas and carrots in it which made it even worst...I had 2 pay for it whether I ate it or not so I got it with the intention of saving it for my friend but wound up eating it myself don't worry, I'll never do that again. Long story short it seems like things are moving along again because this morning I was @ 261.8 and although I've 'cheated' I've managed to bounce back quite nicely (I don't see that as an inventation to eat junk like candy, cakes or even potatoes and think I will have the same results) After I'm done with this extremely long post I'll head over to the OWL threads for info as I am very confused. I trust those of u on this board and so many of u have instructed me to go to OWL so that's what I will do. especially since I've breezed past those dreaded 25lbs lost.

Zarabelle Thanks for sharing ur experience! It has cum in the nick of time as my birthday is on the 21st of this month. 1 of my all time favorite places to eat is/was Houlihans...I'd alway get the stuffed chicked breast (its stuffed with cream cheese) with garlic mash and broccoli and for desert I'd get a Kamakaze Brownie (its a HUGE serving of chocolate brownie with a scoop of icecream on top garnished with whipped cream, chocolate sauce and a cherry its so big it comes with 2 spoons! that should've been my clue not to eat them by myself) I was planning to have either my favorite entree OR my favorite desert (cuz there's no way I cud allow myself to have both) as a treat....I'm starting to re-think it. I've worked too hard to lose this 29.2 lbs to screw it up on 5 minutes of pleasure. Yeah...I think I'll skip it thanx.

P.S. Sorry for the extremely long post

[basketballbelly]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

Good morning! Have you decided to do the cycling? Have you begun yet? Will you do strict induction and then cycle? I've been on other boards where this has worked so well for others, I personally just do not have the will power to go off and then back on, I've proven that to myself over and over...When do you weigh in? I'm really excited to see this work for you!

basketballbelly

[NOWandTHIN]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

I haven't tried it yet because I am confused....everyone keeps tellin me to go to OWL so I don't know yet. I've bought a book on carb cycling I going to read it before I start. Judging by this weekend I believe it'll work if I stick with 'good' carbs such as fruits and higher carb veggies (except potatoes of course and corn, peas, and carrots very sparingly). When u tried carb cycling what types of foods did you eat? you can't use cycling as an excuse to binge on 'bad' carbs...

[Kathi22]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

I think this is a big mistake. You are either Atkins or you aren't. There is no modification. Good luck - and watch your sugar levels as you yo-yo your body.

[NOWandTHIN]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

I understand what ur saying about yo-yoing but I've researched carb-cycling ALOT as I have the Atkins diet and they both make sense! Thing is, our bodies do have a tendency to get used to things and they begin to work less efficiently. Basketballbelly is a prime example (no offense) shes losing alot slower this time around because her body ha been thru this already...when ppl go on low cal diets their bodies go into starvation mode and holds onto fat instead of burning it. they cycle their calories by having 1200 one day and maybe 2000 the next to keep their metabolisms on its toes to keep burning calories. the same works for carbs. ur body wont have a chance 2 get used to it.

[Zarabelle]

Re: Do you think this would be wise?

Hello again

I wish you a happy birthday for the end of the month I am glad that my mistake has put you off having a cheat meal for your birthday x

I think if you go on to OWL, you will be adding more foods and more carbs anyway and then could carb cycle/cal cycle without cheating maybe? For example, if you get to the point where you usually eat about 1600 and 30g carbs (like me), you could occasssionally eat 15g (mainly veg) for a couple of days and lower cals and then 30g for a few days and higher cals? I may even try that myself

You are doing so well!!! Keep up the good work.

Zx