Hmmmm - it's working - now what??

[Cogito]

Hi all. Ok, week two is now in the past and I'm down 20.2 pounds. I'm assuming that can't ALL be water loss.

I'm going to do two more weeks induction and then try to answer the "now what? question.

I've read OWL and yes, that's a possibility. But I'm wondering if anyone out there has tried to go to a more balanced diet. I've learned a lot about will power this past two weeks and I know the mistakes I made that packed on the extra weight over the past two years.

Now I do cardio 4 - 5 days a week, a few light weight work-outs and abs exercises. I walk and I bike each day. I will keep that up after induction because I have found I enjoy doing it.

I'd basically like to have a diet that included whole grain bread, occasional servings of brown rice and quineo, meat and seafood, fruit and veggies, and red wine. So what I'm asking is this - is there anyone who has skipped OWL and just gone for a typically healthy diet - without the 5 or 10 carb a week thing.

PLEASE don't ask if I have read the Atkins book or tell me to or quote from it. I'm really REALLY interested in those who tried their own path when they got to where they wanted to be.

Thanks!

[Grant]

Re: Hmmmm - it's working - now what??

I'm confused about your question. Reading it one way it sound like you are asking asking if anyone has gone from induction right to pre-maintenance/maintenance, is that right?

Reading it another way it sounds like you don't understand that on Atkins you do/can end up eating whole grain bread, occasional servings of brown rice and quineo, meat and seafood, fruit and veggies, and red wine and are asking if anyone has gone to a diet of eating those thing eventually but not necessarily right after induction.

[Grant]

Re: Hmmmm - it's working - now what??

By the way, well done on the weight loss so far. As a percentage of how much you lost on induction compared to how much you have to lose that may very well be a record. Certainly one of the highest percentages I've seen on the boards. Congratulations!

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Hmmmm - it's working - now what??

Why do you think that Atkins isn't a "healthy diet" from day 1?

Why do you think that the foods you mentioned above are the only "healthy" diet?

[liv]

Re: Hmmmm - it's working - now what??

I am on a very balanced diet. I eat meat and seafood and grains and red wine and lentils and stuff -
Good luck with your continued journey. You sure are off to a great start. Time to start adding in more veggies and other foods with carbs

[Cogito]

Re: Hmmmm - it's working - now what??

Thank you for the advice. Liv. After a little more time on induction, I'll do that. I have a two week period ahead where life is calm and I want to make a good sized dent in the 19.8 remaining pounds.

Grant, you got it in one. I guess I do want to go directly to maintenance, hoping that the on-going physical fitness plan (which I'm enjoying) will keep me where I seem to be getting.

The weight gain I experienced came from a two-year response to a traumatic and catastrophic event that sent me into a reclusive phase, during which I ate - a lot and badly. That seems to be in the past. I'm an amateur chef and a wine collector, neither of which impacted my weight before - it was two years of solace-snacking on OTHER stuff that did it.

My worry is what I've read from many MANY Atkins folk who found that they were - to a degree - trapped into a low carb lifestyle.

So, yes, do physically active fold go successfully directly to maintenance.

Atkinsgal, your questions are classic examples of veiled attacks masquerading as questions. Atkins is a diet, not a religion.

Cheers all - is it as cold everywhere else as it is in Toronto today?

[Georgiana]

Re: Hmmmm - it's working - now what??

I don't get it. Why don't you want to do OWL?

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Hmmmm - it's working - now what??

Atkins is a way of eating for life. If you think that's being "trapped in a low carb lifestyle", then it's pretty clear to me you've not read the book and that you are just "dieting", which is NOT what Dr. Atkins intended.

Good luck with your dieting journey, and I hope you can find a "healthy" lifestyle that is what you want.

[Cogito]

Re: Hmmmm - it's working - now what??

I've read the book. I've also read other books. Perhaps you should try that?

[Georgiana]

Re: Hmmmm - it's working - now what??

This is an Atkins board though, Cogito, and the advice given follows the book (DANDR 2002), as stated in our Mission Statement.

According to the book, the correct way to follow Atkins is not to jump from Induction to Pre-Maintenance or to Maintenance.

If you wish to modify the plan and do your own thing, you're on your own. Don't expect to find support for that idea.

[sham]

Re: Hmmmm - it's working - now what??

Welcome!
I totally agree with Georgiana.