[julirama723]

Cheating does not make "the diet" easier. It makes it harder.

First off, Atkins can't be called a diet--it's not a quick-fix solution to a lifelong problem. It is a lifestyle, a way of eating, that can be carried on indefinitely. The great thing about Atkins is that it teaches us about portion control, hunger vs. cravings, healthy foods, and how to listen to our bodies. By allowing cheats, we're not learning how to eat in a healthy way. Cheats give many people cravings, can throw a body out of ketosis, and often, since the results aren't seen right away, cheats give a person a false sense of security. They think "Hey, it's the next day and I haven't gained anything, I'll have another cupcake!" These are the people you see coming back after 6 months MIA, with 30 more pounds to lose and wondering why they ever cheated in the first place.

Sure, sometimes I want food that I know is bad for me. But that desire is less and less with each passing day, and now, I will have a yearning for a bad food maybe once a month. But I've worked my way up through all the rungs, as intended by Dr. Atkins, and the only foods I can't have are white flour, white sugar, white rice. So really, why cheat? I'm not missing out on anything.

After 9 months on plan with NO CHEATS, I don't foresee a cheat in my future. It's just not worth it.