From low carb to TDEE.......help please

ProgressNotPerfection32

Forgive me if this has been asked before......... I've been doing atkins for 2 years now and successfully lost 65 pounds. I know it's not a healthy lifestyle, but it worked for me. I've been stuck around this weight for 10 months and after lurking here, I have decided to switch to TDEE. now, big reason for the switch is I've started running no have been told TDEE is best overall. Problem is, I'm not sure HOW to make this switch without regaining 65 pounds. If I gain 5+ with this switch I will be devastated after 2 long years of hard work. Anyone have any suggestions on how to make it an easy, painless transition? I'm terrified of regaining............

Chokis

THere is nothing wrong with keeping your macros close to what you had in low-carb. Just do something like Fat 50%, protein 30%, carbs 20 %. You can do it at whatever TDEE minus % you'd like. It's just in MFP you have to subtract the fiber from the overall Carbs.

SirBonerFart

You will probably gain 5+ lbs in water weight so I'm not sure what to tell you

Try to not focus on the scale weight

trisH_7183

Forgive me if this has been asked before......... I've been doing atkins for 2 years now and successfully lost 65 pounds. I know it's not a healthy lifestyle, but it worked for me. I've been stuck around this weight for 10 months and after lurking here, I have decided to switch to TDEE. now, big reason for the switch is I've started running no have been told TDEE is best overall. Problem is, I'm not sure HOW to make this switch without regaining 65 pounds. If I gain 5+ with this switch I will be devastated after 2 long years of hard work. Anyone have any suggestions on how to make it an easy, painless transition? I'm terrified of regaining............

Sorry I can't help,but lots of people on here will. Just wanted to say congrats on your weight loss. You've done great!

Cheechos

THere is nothing wrong with keeping your macros close to what you had in low-carb. Just do something like Fat 50%, protein 30%, carbs 20 %. You can do it at whatever TDEE minus % you'd like. It's just in MFP you have to subtract the fiber from the overall Carbs.

I'd like to second this. I used the IIFYM calculator to get my TDEE because I wanted to try IIFYM, but their recommendations were super extreme for me, so I just put in my normal ratios (50 fat/30 protein/20 carbs) and put it at the mildest fat loss % they had. It doesn't have to be scary! Your diet should be all about what you're comfortable with. :]

BigGuy47

TDEE is a combination of a specific calorie amount (based on a calculation) and a consistent exercise routine.

Calculate your calorie goal, exercise consistently and then give it 4 - 6 weeks. Keep an eye on your weight. Make small adjustments to your calorie goal if you're not losing or gaining, etc. The calculation is an estimate. Over time you can dial in the calorie goal to meet your specific needs.

Inconsistent training or poor calorie tracking will undermine the process.

Briargrey

Good for you! I lost 86 pounds on Atkins then plateaued, then got depressed, then gained it all back over the next several years, so this time, when I restarted, I went with healthy, balanced eating and exercise. I think, for me, with Atkins, because I was so heavy, I could get away with eating bacon and cheese and crap and not feeling hungry and still lost, until I hit a point (obviously 86 pounds in for me) where that was too many calories, and I didn't recognize it or have the extra willpower to figure it out and change then. I'm saying this so you can NOT BE ME! Don't look at this 10 years down the road and go argh!

So figure out your TDEE and the calorie intake you're going to have. Keep tracking everything on here. Worry less about the carb piece of it and ensure you're getting good fats and proteins and not exceeding the carb amount (at least not by too much), but really worry most about the intake -- just keep it where you've set it and start moving more. And then, DON'T WORRY if you gain 5-10 pounds at first. Yes, it will suck. However, your body is adapting. And everyone's body responds differently to different things. Just don't let that brief period of potential gain sucker you into depression and then gaining more. If, after 4-6 weeks you're not losing again (or you're looking at more than 5-10 pounds before then), adjust your intake in small increments and up your exercise or change it up.

The key though is not to freak out and get down about a brief fluctuation and let it ruin all the awesomeness you've done!

ProgressNotPerfection32

Good for you! I lost 86 pounds on Atkins then plateaued, then got depressed, then gained it all back over the next several years, so this time, when I restarted, I went with healthy, balanced eating and exercise. I think, for me, with Atkins, because I was so heavy, I could get away with eating bacon and cheese and crap and not feeling hungry and still lost, until I hit a point (obviously 86 pounds in for me) where that was too many calories, and I didn't recognize it or have the extra willpower to figure it out and change then. I'm saying this so you can NOT BE ME! Don't look at this 10 years down the road and go argh!

So figure out your TDEE and the calorie intake you're going to have. Keep tracking everything on here. Worry less about the carb piece of it and ensure you're getting good fats and proteins and not exceeding the carb amount (at least not by too much), but really worry most about the intake -- just keep it where you've set it and start moving more. And then, DON'T WORRY if you gain 5-10 pounds at first. Yes, it will suck. However, your body is adapting. And everyone's body responds differently to different things. Just don't let that brief period of potential gain sucker you into depression and then gaining more. If, after 4-6 weeks you're not losing again (or you're looking at more than 5-10 pounds before then), adjust your intake in small increments and up your exercise or change it up.

The key though is not to freak out and get down about a brief fluctuation and let it ruin all the awesomeness you've done!

Thank you! I've watched my aunt lose 100 pounds, and now regain 80% back, on Atkins. My 65 pounds was great but I can't keep up the unhealthy eating. Sounds like you are doing really well!!! I hate change and it scares the poo out of me, especially when I know what has worked before. Fingers crossed that this works for us both!!

ProgressNotPerfection32

Anyone else have any words of wisdom for me? I'm really struggling with letting go of watching carbs so closely right now and so fearful of regaining everything.