Fell off the Wagon (atkins related)

The reason you "fell off the wagon" is because you're trying to do a restrictive diet. Simply cut down on portion sizes and track your food so that you're in a slight* Caloric deficit.


* I don't know how much you have to lose, but a 1/2 to 1 lb per week goal, which would mean 250-500 Cals per day deficit, is reasonable for most people.

IMHO, you are doing the right thing ditching Atkin's... it might work for the short term but it's not sustainable, as you have discovered. As you already know you should exercise and you are here (on MFP), I think you are doing everything you need to IF you follow the program. One of the things I liked about the MFP plan is that nothing is off the table, you can have it... just log it. Take care and don't forget to breathe.

The reason you "fell off the wagon" is because you're trying to do a restrictive diet. Simply cut down on portion sizes and track your food so that you're in a slight* Caloric deficit.


* I don't know how much you have to lose, but a 1/2 to 1 lb per week goal, which would mean 250-500 Cals per day deficit, is reasonable for most people.

Ditto. I was on atkins like last month and felt like crap. Now, I eat carbs mostly coming from fruits but yea I eat carbs and don't stress it. I try to balance my meals and do exercise now. Please don't do diets, just do calories in and out. There is no secret and macros are important in a sense but calories is what gets the long term results. Think about eggs and bacon over fruit? Can't be good for your heart and when I was on it, I felt chest pressure. Hey, do what makes you feel healthier. 3500 kills a pound of fat, so that's all that matters.

dalesd

do you intend to eat that way for the rest of your life? i'd much rather focus on learning to eat healthy then following something strict like that forever...and because atkins is certain restrictions you are more likely to gain the weight back when you go back to "eating normal"

Here a re a few thoughts on making MFP work.

Super Foods
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/dsjohndrow/view/if-you-have-to-eat-use-super-foods-193350

Not So Healthy Healthy Foods
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/dsjohndrow/view/foods-that-are-not-as-healthy-as-you-might-think-207984

The Atkins Wagon...
Officially off the Wagon :embarassed: I'm thinking of not doing atkins for awhile, I have been trying to do it since January now and can't stick with it, I just get tired of eating the same old thing, I know it works because I did lose 50 lbs 4 years ago but for some reason I just can't stick to it, I watched the Biggest Loser yesterday which did motivate me to workout but if they can lose weight by watching what they eat and excercising then I should be able to as well, Right!? I have never had much luck with WW or eating "healthy" which is why I have been desperately trying to do atkins, I think I am gonna take a day or 2 off and read my biggest loser fitness book, I just don't know what to do besides exercise..BTW-Thanx for letting me vent, my Fiance' just doesn't get it and thinks its so easy to lose weight, he's skinny :grumble:

STRESSED!!! :huh: :noway:

I really love the benefits of cutting carbs, so I just simply decrease them in my diet. Rather than extreme reduction I try to keep it below 40% of my calories. Which naturally encourages me to eat more protein, which I have trouble eating for some reason, it's never something I crave really.

I was just simply counting calories until I hit my first plateau, then I did some research, determined my TDEE and decided on a low carb diet to try and get me over the slump. I started to lose again immediately, even though I'm eating 200-400 calories more a day. ... and exercising less because I'm injured.

Don't focus on the motivation you have lost before, and focus more on how much closer you are getting to having the right, sustainable lifestyle for you. Maybe try easing back into less carbs, and just focus on steps rather than just throwing yourself completely into something you are worried you might just fall out of.

You can do it!!

There are a lot of people who do an Atkins type diet for life and don't find it restrictive at all, if you like those foods. Most of the people who do Atkins actually have improvements in cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure just like eating any other diet and losing weight. The thing about low carb is it's definitely not for a short-term fix. It has to be a lifestyle change you are willing to do forever or you will just gain the weight back if you go back to carbs. If you get bored with it or don't feel like you could eventually stay with it for good, I wouldn't do it either! That's a lifestyle change you have to be committed to!!

dalesd

do you intend to eat that way for the rest of your life? i'd much rather focus on learning to eat healthy then following something strict like that forever...and because atkins is certain restrictions you are more likely to gain the weight back when you go back to "eating normal"

First of all, this *is* healthy. I eat lots of vegetables. My bloodwork is excellent.

I see no reason to go back to a high carb lifestyle. When I reach my target weight, I'll keep eating the same, just more.

As a long distance cyclist, I don't want to give up the advantage of a ketoadapted metabolism.

I fell off the healthy eating wagon and gained just as much as when I fell off the low carb wagon.

Eating this way is only as repetitive as you make it - it just takes practice and enthusiasm to get it right!

Personally I am more likely to binge on a "healthy eating diet" because I end up choosing 90% carbs (all fruit and wholegrans) thinking so long as i'm under 1500 cals then it's all number crunching - but 9/10 i go over those cals because the more carby crap i eat the more i crave and i don't lose weight because i'm on a constant binge mission!

I you honestly think low carbing isn't for you then that's fine - but i wish people wouldn't blame the diet itself when it's the person who "failed" not the eating plan.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do though x