Atkins low carb success question

watkins1980

I was curious who has stuck with Atkins or low-carb for more than a few yrs w success? Do you think low carb like Atkins can be a good LIFETIME way of eating without getting bored? Can it be sustainable? I did lose 80lbs on Atkins in 2005 but never went through the phases and gained all the weight back.

vingogly

I take away from programs like Atkins what is of value to me, and follow what I'd call a reduced carb diet. The essentials for me are reducing sugars and simple carbs, eating more foods like nuts and avocados for the fat they contain, portion control, stopping when I'm full, and logging everything. I've used Atkins or South Beach phase one as kick start when starting weight reduction mostly to get myself off the carb habit. For me, reduced carb can be a permanent lifestyle -- but I couldn't do Atkins maintenance for the rest of my life.

The key in your post is "never went through the phases". All these programs involve gradually transitioning into maintenance, and I think what I've learned is that incorporating lifetime changes is the real key to success. I've realized this time that I'll probably need to log my food for the rest of my life (not just while I'm "dieting") for the insight and accountability it provides.

If you think a lifetime of Atkins would be boring, it probably will be. Why put yourself through that?

watkins1980

vingogly wrote: »

I take away from programs like Atkins what is of value to me, and follow what I'd call a reduced carb diet. The essentials for me are reducing sugars and simple carbs, eating more foods like nuts and avocados for the fat they contain, portion control, stopping when I'm full, and logging everything. I've used Atkins or South Beach phase one as kick start when starting weight reduction mostly to get myself off the carb habit. For me, reduced carb can be a permanent lifestyle -- but I couldn't do Atkins maintenance for the rest of my life.

The key in your post is "never went through the phases". All these programs involve gradually transitioning into maintenance, and I think what I've learned is that incorporating lifetime changes is the real key to success. I've realized this time that I'll probably need to log my food for the rest of my life (not just while I'm "dieting") for the insight and accountability it provides.

If you think a lifetime of Atkins would be boring, it probably will be. Why put yourself through that?

I totally agree. Life is too short to be put through the rigorous restrictions Atkins would have on me personally. Being Italian and loving pasta, and bread, etc would make it hard. I think my wife summarized it best when she told me I should count my calories, and try to do a variation of Atkins by eating less carbs, but not doing Atkins all over again. I will start trying that this week. Thank you for your response!

yarwell

watkins1980 wrote: »

I was curious who has stuck with Atkins or low-carb for more than a few yrs w success? Do you think low carb like Atkins can be a good LIFETIME way of eating without getting bored? Can it be sustainable? I did lose 80lbs on Atkins in 2005 but never went through the phases and gained all the weight back.

I've been doing it since 2010. If you followed the phases properly you end up with a maintenance diet with a carb level that suits you.

Personally not had a problem with variety, and I dislike pasta and other starchy filler foods like rice.

watkins1980

yarwell wrote: »

watkins1980 wrote: »

I was curious who has stuck with Atkins or low-carb for more than a few yrs w success? Do you think low carb like Atkins can be a good LIFETIME way of eating without getting bored? Can it be sustainable? I did lose 80lbs on Atkins in 2005 but never went through the phases and gained all the weight back.

I've been doing it since 2010. If you followed the phases properly you end up with a maintenance diet with a carb level that suits you.

Personally not had a problem with variety, and I dislike pasta and other starchy filler foods like rice.

What is your daily carb limit? How much have you lost and maintained since 2010?

sault_girl

I've had success in the past, and am having success now, with keeping carbs around 30-75g/day.

I have to avoid wheat because I get crazy wheat cravings and some other unpleasant results eating wheat (nasal allergies, depression, hunger), so avoiding wheat alone really keeps the total carb count low.

I lost a lot of weight the first time I went low carb, then I fell back into eating wheat/bread/pasta when I was having a stressful time, and much of the weight came back, but I'm back on track now.

I couldn't stay super low carb (less than 20g/day) for an extended period of time.

sault_girl

I should also say I don't buy any "Atkins" products, I just try to keep it to real food - I cook mostly everything from scratch, vegetables, meat, dairy and some nuts/berries.