Coming off of Atkins

BryonyKate

I have been on Atkins at less than <30g NET carbs a day for 5 months now and hate it. I want to go back to my sort of typical healthy eating and I think I will start 5:2 as well. I was eating vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, legumes, sometimes some wholewheat bread or pasta. The reason it wasn't really working for me was because I was having one too many "off" days lol I'm in my third ear of university so had a few too many nights out followed by 3am trips to McDonalds and then mindless hangover eating. But that won't be happening anymore as I graduate next month so will be back on track! (with the odd treat here and there of course)

Question is, how slowly do I have to make the transition? A lot of people say you can jump straight in as long as you keep within a deficit. People often say they regain all their weight plus more when they stop eating low-carb but surely this is because they overeat and eat tons of junk food? I can't see that happening if you keep within a calorie deficit? Any insight would be great

ninerbuff

If you've low carbed for a substantial amount of time and then reintroduce them, you WILL gain some weight back due to the influx of glycogen and water storing in the liver and cells. It's temporary though if you're staying in calorie deficit.

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thavoice

The time I stopped it I did what you described and went to my old way of eating.

I know the program had some way to slowly add back more carbs into the diet.

I would think if you switch to a simple caloric deficit you will be just fine.

I started on that 5:2 and found that the 4:3 be much easier to manage with great success.
GOODLUCK

BryonyKate

ninerbuff I understand I will gain some waterweight, but would I be able to shift that in a couple of weeks? I mean in terms of fat gain, how much could I expect?

Thavoice I think I may do 4:3 instead of 5:2 I've read a lot about JUDDD and it really appeals to me!

Anniebotnen

ninerbuff I understand I will gain some waterweight, but would I be able to shift that in a couple of weeks? I mean in terms of fat gain, how much could I expect?

Thavoice I think I may do 4:3 instead of 5:2 I've read a lot about JUDDD and it really appeals to me!

You should not gain any fat as long as you stay at a deficit with your calories. I would gradually introduce more carbs into your diet the way you are supposed to when you transition to maintenance, but perhaps a little quicker than suggested by the Atkins program. That should minimize any sudden water gain, which could be a bit discouraging.

BryonyKate

ninerbuff I understand I will gain some waterweight, but would I be able to shift that in a couple of weeks? I mean in terms of fat gain, how much could I expect?

Thavoice I think I may do 4:3 instead of 5:2 I've read a lot about JUDDD and it really appeals to me!

You should not gain any fat as long as you stay at a deficit with your calories. I would gradually introduce more carbs into your diet the way you are supposed to when you transition to maintenance, but perhaps a little quicker than suggested by the Atkins program. That should minimize any sudden water gain, which could be a bit discouraging.

yay that's what I was hoping to hear haha. But if I add the carbs in quicker than the program suggests, why would this minimize water gain? Wouldn't that make it worse? also how hard/easy is it to lose water gain?

stuffinmuffin

You could just follow the MFP programme of having a daily deficit and maybe if you want to avoid bloat, limit your carbs initially e.g. avoid refined carbs but get plenty of veg and follow that programme through to success and fruition?

I think maybe doing the 5:2 is just throwing yourself into another fad diet, especially if you are eating at a deficit the other 5 days?

MFP really works - trust me. I've been maintaining for over 2 years and eating whatever the hell I like. I believe there are no quick fixes for long term success.