Am I the only one?

[Richt]

Personally I dont even want to eat any of those carb laden foods you talk of!

So I dont find it a problem at all. I can quite happily eat this way for the rest of my life.

Wow that sounds like Way of life. Maybe I could shorten it to WOL?

Rich ;-)

[not2late]

I'm actually quite envious of you. I think it boils down to two words
Moderation and Occasional. You don't seem to have problems with food if you can have one piece of candy or a bite of something and be happy with it.
I know myself and there are just some foods that I just can't bring myself to eat ever again because they are "trigger" foods. Foods that I can just gorge myself silly on. I'm a all or nothing gal so there are just somethings I'd rather never eat again, that to have a bite and go crazy wanting more.

As long as you keep things in check and go the occasional and moderation route....then more power to ya!

I can't say if I'll never have a piece of something or a slice of something later on down the road...but when I do, it will be with my eyes wide open and knowing that afterwards..its right back on plan.

Some people can't do that. One bite can lead to months of thousands of bites.

You're one of very few that has a grasp on things...and I think its great.

I one day hope, in the future, I can treat those "forbidden" foods such as they are..one time treats to have occasionally and in moderation. Until then...I am one of those who can go months...and years without it.

Just don't forget what you've learned on your Atkins journey. Know your limitations. And if you feel yourself slipping...you have the knowledge and power to do something about it!

My recent potato experience on OWL has proven to me that I am in control now. And that gives me more confidence that when I shuffle off to Maintenance, I'll decrease my chances of being the 9 out of 10 dieters who regain their weight in the year following reaching goal.

What's kind of weird is that I still have a potato in my kitchen, and I'm not at all tempted to cook it and gooble it up. In fact, I'm planning on having jicama and swiss chard for my meals today. I know in the beginning of my Atkins, I couldn't even walk past the potatoes in the vegetable section of the supermarket because I would start wanting them. Now, it's "oh, that's a nice looking potato. Okay, where are those turnips!" lol.

[sadie147]

M

y recent potato experience on OWL has proven to me that I am in control now. And that gives me more confidence that when I shuffle off to Maintenance, I'll decrease my chances of being the 9 out of 10 dieters who regain their weight in the year following reaching goal.

What's kind of weird is that I still have a potato in my kitchen, and I'm not at all tempted to cook it and gooble it up. In fact, I'm planning on having jicama and swiss chard for my meals today. I know in the beginning of my Atkins, I couldn't even walk past the potatoes in the vegetable section of the supermarket because I would start wanting them. Now, it's "oh, that's a nice looking potato. Okay, where are those turnips!" lol.

And I think that this control is gained by following the plan without planned 'treats/cheats'. I have had a few things in maint now, I've had potatoes, (wasn't the exiting event i thought it would be), I had a biscuit and some corn grits with my b'fast on vacation (ate it, enjoyed it went on with my day). My daily meals don't include these foods, I can have them on occasion if I want, I am able to contol my portions and I don't crave them anymore.

I now have complete control over my food choices and cravings now. Food doesn't rule me anymore. And this took time, and effort on this plan. the benefits of not cheating and being here where I am now, far outweigh having a snickers bar once a month. I really believe if I had cheated once a month I would not have the control I have now.

Like you I can now look at a bagel and say 'that bagel looks good, now where's my spinach and cheese omlette?' LOL.

[Buddrfly]

Not I!

I have not had the urge either. It's been 50 days since I started Atkins. i just can't see myself possibly messing up my good thing :no

[ciaobella]

You don't seem to have problems with food if you can have one piece of candy or a bite of something and be happy with it.
I know myself and there are just some foods that I just can't bring myself to eat ever again because they are "trigger" foods. Foods that I can just gorge myself silly on.

I totally agree with this...i used to think that it was "ok" to have something illegal (balsmic dressing, maybe a bite of ice cream, some nan with my curry) becuase i could just make up for it the next....welll the next day became the next two days which became the next week which....welll u all know how this goes....once i went off the bandwagon i really had a hard time getting back on....i am still struggling....so i have decieded that the only way that *i* can do this woe is to NOT CHEAT AT ALL, i have to deciede for myself what is more important that scoop of oreo cookie ice cream or having an increable sexy (and yes healthy too) body for the rest of my life?....thats just my own advice take it as you will :hug

[Hafsa226]

I guess I'm just having trouble why you posted this thread. I can't tell whether you are looking for someone to reinforce your behavior or if you are (please pardon my bluntness) bragging that you can eat these things and still lose weight.

I am not criticising you in the least, maybe I am just misunderstanding your intentions.

I will have to agree with {{Cleo}}, {{Kent}}, and {{Paul}}. I know that this is the way I will have to eat for the rest of my life. Cheating is not an option for me. It's like playing with fire. You said you used to be a total carbaholic. Well I remain one, even though no sugar or refind carbs have passed my lips for years. If I was an alcoholic or a drug abuser, I know that I could never have "just one drink" or "just that one syringe full of heroin". Carbs destroyed a significant portion of my life.

I am not bashing you. If you can have carbs and be okay, then I'm happy for you. But you specifically asked if we can live forever without them. For me the answer has to be YES, if I don't want to kill myself slowly.

[ttdriver]

I guess I'm just having trouble why you posted this thread. I can't tell whether you are looking for someone to reinforce your behavior or if you are (please pardon my bluntness) bragging that you can eat these things and still lose weight.

I agree.

I have to wonder, though, if you eat on plan "most of the time", and yet continue to eat what I refer to as 'crap foods' , what does that do to your blood sugar levels and over all health?

I see Atkins as a healthy way of life, far and away from the unhealthy way of life filled with crap foods. Seems to me, trying to live in both worlds is gonna come back to bite you at some point in time.

Betty

[AllieCat0817]

I think the best way to some it up is to think of this as a lifestyle rather than a diet. A true vegan doesnt have an occasional cheeseburger. Yes we can make mistakes, or mis informed choices.. and yes we may cheat do to addictions, cravings.. or just plain old enjoyment of eating certain things. But think of this as a lifestyle and your questions will make more sense.
Aloha
Paul

I really agree with Paul on this one, SCP. The alcoholic doesn't have the occasional adult libation without detriment to their lifestyle.

{{{SCP}}}

EZZAKLY!

[AllieCat0817]

and the whole 'food as a treat' thing, that GOTS to go! Food is fuel. A treat is a SMALLER SIZE ARTICLE OF CLOTHING (as an example).

[Hafsa226]

Amen Alliecat!

[ttdriver]

Yep, that 'entitlement' mentality is what got us fat to start with!

Betty

[bizzlekitty]

If you are not doing the plan according to DANDR, you are not really doing Atkins, you are doing low-carb.

Some people can get away with the occasional straying from the plan, or low-carb, having bread or sweets occasionally. If you have the power to do so and can stay in control of your eating, more power to you. Some people can't, and/or some people are more affected by these little things here and there than others.

A friend of mine eats like this and continues to lose weight. I also have to admit that I think she eats pretty unhealthily, as those occasional treats often end up being all she eats in a day or worse and she really doesn't have a lot of self control when it comes to turning them down. Her calories are fairly low and thus she loses weight, as most people will if they do not eat alot.

But as most here will tell you, they had better and long term success by avoiding those thing and doing things pretty strict.

The risk you take is that it may lead to additional cheats and/or falling off the wagon. I can't tell you the number of people I've seen coming back to Atkins because of this. By doing DANDR correctly, you minimize that chance by staying away from the things that may cause you to cheat and/or slow down your weight loss. Most of those who have had long term success do it this way.

I used to eat pretty carefully before Atkins, not alot to eat, low-fat, occasional hamburgers with bun and candy bars, but all I did was gain weight despite that. I had no real control over my eating. My body/metabolism is different however, and I have only found success in losing weight and changing my eating habits permanently with long term changes on Atkins and that is doing it by the book.

But if this way of eating works for you and you continue to lose weight and have self-control, good for you. It doesnt' work that way for everyone, and for those, thank God for Atkins.

[Streetcorner Philosopher]

I guess I'm just having trouble why you posted this thread. I can't tell whether you are looking for someone to reinforce your behavior or if you are (please pardon my bluntness) bragging that you can eat these things and still lose weight.

I am not criticising you in the least, maybe I am just misunderstanding your intentions.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Yea I guess that post was pretty conveluted. My point was my experience is (after just a few months) that as far as weight-gain/weight-loss goes, my body doesn't seem to be affected by small portions of carbs. The key for me seems to be PORTION CONTROL. And HOW MUCH I eat at a meal. Case in point...yesterday's food

Breakfast: 1 leftover chicken enchilada from Mexican Restraunt
Lunch: 1 Hershey bar
Snack : two handful of sunflower seeds
Dinner: grilled mixed vegetables
Late night snack: cottage cheese

Result: lost 1 pound

I'm certainly not bragging. Dont get me wrong. I'm just telling you how my body is. Also, to be fair, I work on my feet all day. And move around ALOT. So I'm sure that helps.

I seem to only lose weight on the days that I cut back my intake of food. Plain and simple. The days that I go hungry a bit are the days I lose weight. If I eat a good-sized plate of chicken and veggies for dinner and something similar for lunch, it's over. My weight probably will go up.

[Pam_C]

I just wanted comment on the fact you said the days you go hungry you lose. That is definately not atkins. Some days I make myself eat. I am never truly hungry when I eat right and I think that has helped a lot of us here stay on Atkins. You NEVER go hungry and eventually it will hender your progress if your body goes into starvation mode. Just thought I'd make that point. I hope you do well in any WOE you choose but you should not deprive yourself and go hungry! Good luck.

[bizzlekitty]

I seem to only lose weight on the days that I cut back my intake of food. Plain and simple. The days that I go hungry a bit are the days I lose weight. If I eat a good-sized plate of chicken and veggies for dinner and something similar for lunch, it's over. My weight probably will go up.

If you do Atkins properly, I guarantee that you will not gain weight..

I eat 3 square meals a day, of about 1400-1700 calories. I do not cheat, I'm on the berry rung of owl. I'm rarely hunryr and do not even snack. I have trouble eating enough most of the time, but I make myself eat enough (especially the veggies).

And I am losing weight. If I don't eat enough (skip meals or veggies) I stop losing weight.

If you are gaining weight on Atkins, it's likely you are not doing something right and this is a great place to ask and get support.

If you "lose" on the days you don't eat alot, it's likely that your body is actually dehydrated from lack of food/water, much like you would if you were sick.

I went through a period of skipping meals etc. in order to hopefully lose weight, and all I did is look like I lost it and regained it when I ate the next meal. I didn't feel good or healthy when I did it, and I was hungry more and I didn't overall lose weight. Once I went back to 3 meals a day, I began losing weight again.

Just what I have seen. If you wish to do a different program and it works, sure, but what are you going to do down the road when you haven't learned healthy eating habits?