What do you miss?

[Slapshot]

To answer the question posted...I MISS (AND WILL MISS)......CHINESE FOOD!

Yes, I know there are other types of Chinese food available on an Atkins WOE, but Stir Fried Beef and vegetables will never be the same as General Tso's chicken and a couple of egg rolls dipped in duck sauce.

[liv]

Originally Posted by ShannonK

So, I am not sure what I want to hear. I guess I know you can't tell me that "Sure, you can have that beer whenever you want..."

But, can you tell me... "Yes, when you reach goal, you can have that beer or those fries, along with your steak, as long as you do it in moderation and only once a week or so and include it in your CCLL?"

I am not on maintenance yet - sort of gliding into pre-maintenance I think. But I certainly have decided for myself that there is not going to be anything that I cannot eat. (unless I am allergic) But I will have to trust myself that I will learn what my limits are. So yes I might wish I could go back to eating chocolate bars for breakfast again - But after putting on tons of weight doing that I realize it was not worth it. On Atkins OWL I have learned that I can have chocolate - just in limited quantities and if I am going to maintain - I have to stay with limited - but it is a big help to me to know I can have it.
I think for my personality it would not be very helpful to go through life with a long list of no-nos or unnecessary deprivation just to prove my will power. I may just end up with some kind of vulcanic explosion if I go there
I am still working on working this out though.
Good luck to you Shannon. Did you work your way through OWL? I have loved/am loving OWL. It is like being allowed into the candy store again but this time with a plan.

[FLdoodette]

Interesting thread .... I crave anything with tons of sugar in it; it's only recently that I've really been missing it. I have R-rated dreams about chocolate fudge cake! And, being a natural couch potato, I resent having to exercise; but it is key to getting the weight off and keeping if off ... pleh.

In a perfect world, I would be able to sit at my computer all day, drawing, chatting and blogging, with a big ol' chocolate cake beside me so I could stick my face into it periodically and scarf down a mouthful .... ah, well! In the real world: Salad and salmon for lunch, no cake . HOWEVER ... I love being three sizes smaller, so there is that.

[Georgiana]

Norah, salmon with veggies actually sounds delicious!

I'm only in OWL Rung 4, but I don't think I miss anything. In fact, when I first tried berries, I thought they tasted incredibly sweet -- something I didn't realize in my high carb / low fat eating days. I believe that if I ate a "real" dessert these days, I would find it grossly sweet. I'm not tempted to try...

I have a small portion control issue with nuts, but if I plan my meals and avoid mindless snacking, I can stay within 1 oz per day and they don't stall my weight loss.

Shannon, if during OWL you discover that beer and fries do not give you blood sugar symptoms, then there is no reason why you couldn't have these foods during OWL, Pre-Maintenance or Maintenance. Unlike on other diets, there is no reason to feel deprived on Atkins. This is why you have to progress through all the phases, see which foods you can handle and find satisfying substitutions for those you can't.

[sadie147]

I'm in maintenance and will agree with the others that have pointed out that once you reach maintenance, you can have your fries and your beer in moderation if you don't have issues with them. It's extremely unlikely you can do this every day obviously, but there is no need to deny yourself for the rest of your life.

I have found in maintenance, as long as i exercise regularily, I can allow myself the occaisional treat, such as fries, pizza (i usually aim for wholegrain crust when i can but not always an option), without any ill effects. Without regular running I probably could too..just not as often (I usually have a higher carb meal about once a week).

I also have a few corona lights, vodka coolers (s/f) and mixed drinks with s/f mixes on the weekends without any issues (not all at the same time of course LOL).

If you view this woe, or any for that matter, as a burdon and a life-sentence of never being able to enjoy some of your favourite foods again, you will not be successful.

This is why I was never succesful with Weight Watchers....it was like a punishment of foods i hated for me that never seemed like it was going to end.

[Ashleye233]

when i reach my goal i think ill have a SMALL amount of vanilla icecream (my fave food in the world) lol gl to you on ur journey!

[IrishIrish]

The list of what I miss by remaining with Atkins as a WOL far outweighs the list of things I don't miss.

[ShannonK]

I really appreciate all of the responses. I have done Atkins before as I might have mentioned and very easily reached goal - pretty much on induction the whole time. Very terrible mistake. I am trying to do things correctly this time. I am trying to identify all my triggers and that beer/ fries thing is a big one. Not that those are my favorite foods, but when I am "tempted" by anything, I have to remember that it is okay to give in "a little bit/ in moderation" and it doesn't mean that Atkins no longer works for me. Sigh.

I know this way of eating works. I will be coming back to it, but I am currently trying to work through this issue so I don't fall off and on as I have done in the past.

[mcarr36]

First off, you will have to know the exact amount of net carbs your body will maintain on. That is why you will slowly add carbs (5 at a time) and find your "magic" number. I am very carb sensitive and I maintain on 25 carbs a day. Everyone is different. I have been able to enjoy low carb beer from time to time. Miller Lite and Ultra are very low carb. I do not miss anything. Maybe that is becasue I have been low carbing for so many years. I guess I don't remember what sugar or white flour tastes like. Also, I never think about what I can't have. I always think about how happy I am to have the foods that keep me so slim and fit. Imagine, staying thin eating butter, steak, eggs, cream and cheese. Awesome!

[ShannonK]

I am on rung 5 now. I was just starting out when I originally asked the question and some things have really changed for me. For example, I now know that I will never go back to sweets. Hello? Have you had a truly good strawberry lately? It is HEAVEN!

Also, even though I am on rung 5, I haven't had that beer yet. I am still a little nervous about what might happen. I did have a glass of wine last Saturday and it was divine, BUT hard to quit. Hmm... might be a trigger for me, but I am gonna keep trying.

I also think it is going to be really nice to add in the whole grain breads. There is a bakery right downstairs from my house. DH always gets some in the mornings and says, See, if you weren't doing that weird diet, you could have some of this... I can't wait to get to rung 9 and show him!