Atkins? Again?

I lost 12 lbs the first week I did Atkins. I stopped bc I had trouble eating as much food as it told me too. Also have lots of friends that did the diet and gained all the weight back as soon as they quit.

Ugghhhhh because it's not a DIET! It's a lifestyle change, if you go back to eating the same crap you are going to gain back, same thing with counting calories, if you count calories and lose all your weight and then decide, cool, I'm there I can eat whatever I want you are going to gain it all back!

I'm doing Atkins now and love it! You need to do what's best for you and that you will be able to stick to.

For many people, its because Atkins=induction. Which is far from the truth. Atkins is basically an elimination diet that controls carbs, not a "low carb" diet. People who live on Atkins "after" the 2 week induction, eat dairy, rice, fruit, all vegetables, potatoes, beans, etc. These are people who seem to do better controlling their carb intake rather than eating tons of grains, but they still eat a varied diet. And its not a "meat free for all" either. Calories *can also* count on Atkins for weight loss. He said so himself. Looked at this way, there's no reason it can't be healthy. But if you don't need to do it, the fact that you have to watch carbs AND calories if you're having trouble losing, doesn't necessarily make it easier...its only easier if you find it to be so. Some do. Some don't.

But ask yourself, why didn't you stick with it? What about it made it difficult? Has anything changed between then and now? If you think you can stick with it, and you enjoyed it and got results from it. Why not? I myself liked Atkins because of its focus on finding, through elimination and staged addition, problem foods for *you*, not some generic person. I found out I was wheat intolerant this way. But rice and potatoes? No problem whatsoever. And that I could eat some sugar, but not very much. And that, for some reason, I did better with a little less protein, but more fat.

Atkins gave me permission to eat a little less protein, more fat, to eat rice and potatoes, and huge amounts of vegetables. That's my kind of Atkins. Personalized.

**I should note, however, that I don't think of myself as "on Atkins" any longer. I think that there are now better ways to think about nutrition and health than when Atkins came up with his plan. They are all in the same vein, but, they are more focused on optimal health rather than simply weight loss. Because, in the end, if you are thinking strictly about weight loss, the best diet is the one you can stick too and incorporate into the rest of your life.

Hmm. 20 grams of carbs for years is low. That's induction levels, not Atkins as he intended. Maybe that's why you gained so much when you went off it? I'm just speculating.

But, I think what I heard you say is that the mind is willing, but the body is resisting Atkins. So maybe you should work with where you are, rather than what use to be. Did you ever go through the rungs and figure out if there were any starches that were especially difficult for you? My life became alot easier when I could have rice and potatoes. Not just because I enjoy them (more potatoes than rice), but because its easier to share meals with other people, which for you includes a family.

Right now, I follow a diet where I don't count carbs, I just don't eat things thought to cause inflammation: vegetable oil (I use coconut oil), grains (except rice), sugar (although sometimes I do). And I don't eat rice more than once a day. My point isn't to tell you to follow "my diet," but just to point out that in the years between when you use to do Atkins and now, its not only you that's changed, the whole world of controlled carb eating has changed too. There *are alot* of other options. There is a middle way in between where you were and where you are, nutritionally. You just need to figure out which way will work for you.

Maybe I am being impatient but I had fantastic luck with Atkins 5 years ago. It actually became a lifestyle change. Since being pregnant and gaining 60+ lbs I was certain just eating healthy and exercising would do it but here it is over a month into it and I have only lost a pound. I am worried that my metabolism is :the exception" and has been slowed by years of crash dieting/no carbs. I am feeling desperate and wanting to start crash dieting again even though everything I have read on here has said thats a big no no. Any one on here feel that limiting carbs is healthy? If it sounds like I am asking for permission to do Atkins i guess I am!

My mom did a low carb diet when she started....but, she wasn't exercising either. If you are exercising, I wouldn't suggest it. Our bodies need the right kind of fuel to function properly. if you look online to find a metabolism burn quiz, it'll help you know what kind of burner you are and what you should be eating more of....protein burner, carb burner, or mixed. I'm a mixed so have to eat close to equal amounts of carbs and proteins to make sure that my metabolism doesn't crash. I hope this helps.

http://www.elizabethdane.com/MetaTest/meta_qst1.php

Moderation wins

I agree 100%!

According to MFP I'm allowed 235 (g) of carbs a day.
I usually have an average of 100 remaining when I
close out my diary. Somteimes more, sometimes less,
I don't even keep track. My total for today is 63, and that
includes having linguine with meat sauce for lunch.

I follow Atkins and have success. For me, Atkins is not about eating tons of meat, so much as it about cutting out refined and processed foods and sugar. You are not cutting out a whole food group--you get the majority of your carbs through veggies. Well, I guess you are cutting out a whole food category, Junk Food.
If you are serious about Atkins, I suggest that you read the book again. Give it at least a month, to see real results (not just loss of water weight), plus it took me about 3 weeks to get over my carb-addict cravings. Stick to the plan, don't cheat!
Good luck!

You have to find what works for you. If you don't want to go for full blown induction try seriously reducing carbs. Obtain all of your carbs from fruit, veggies, whole grains and skim milk. I am carb intolerant (diabetic) so I try to keep my total carbs under 60 per day only because my blood sugar doesn't allow anything else. For a healthy person I think that cutting all refined carbs is often all that's needed. Eating more quality, fresh foods is what is important.

If you can tolerate it, Atkins induction is good because it's like cleaning all the carbs out of your system and making you more aware of what you eat when you resume eating more carbs. I think it also help you discover that you really can eat more veggies which I think is part of any healthy diet. I never used to eat many veggies for breakfast. Now I eat sometimes eat a cup of veggies in the morning. It has also gotten me to eat more protein and fat which keeps me full longer. I used to eat 1 piece of toast for breakfast and then be starving within a couple hours.

I'm watching my carbs and my calories, plus exercising like a crazy person. I've had great results!

:happy: i do a shake thats a meal replacement (safe for kids 4 and up and pregnant moms) its a 90 day challenge that promotes a lifestyle change. i lost 18lbs in 90 days and 7.5 inches! You definatly need to see healthy as a lifestyle change