moving on from atkins

[xcape101]

hey, ive been on atkins on/off for about 3 years and has really worked for me but im at a point when im getting sick of it and im thinking of stopping arond october when i start university.
im sick of protein and miss stuff like fruit and im not just talking about the odd berries and nuts you can have on atkins but proper fruit.
the one thing that is kinda worrying me is that a lot of people say as soon as you stop the carb control you start putting weight back on even if you follow a 'calorie controlled' diet, so im getting really paranoid that as soon as i eat a banana or potatoe my body will start to gain weight.

anybody know any good ways of making the transitions from a carb to calorie lifestyle?

thanks

[tickletussler]

Sorry I hate to say dear, you're not supposed to "stop the carb control". If you think you could just go back to the way you used to eat once you reach goal, you're very mistaken. May I ask why were on/off for the last 3 years? Did you put back on because you stopped doing the Atkins WOE?

In 3 years, if you haven't even reached the fruit rung, then I'd like to ask what you've been doing with yourself? No offense intended, but your post sounds to me like what my colleagues say to me, and they don't know anything about Atkins. It sounds like you haven't read DANDR properly and not try to follow through the 4 phases of Atkins as best as you can. I don't know what your history has been with Atkins, but I'm wondering if you have given it a good proper go.

Anyway, having said that, I would like to wish you well in your transition from low-carb to low-calorie...
(somehow I have a feeling if you go low-calorie, you'll end up being hungry and may put on any weight you've lost...)
Hope you do come back to Atkins!

[BikerGoddess]

Yup, there are four phases to Atkins and really the only things left out for good are refined starches and sugars. Heck, Dr. Atkins even made allowances for those, once in a great while, if you can handle it. (Some people can't and will backslide, but others can have occasional treats)

Both bananas and potatoes are on Maintenance. You do need to understand that both will increase your blood sugar more and faster than anything you ate on Induction, and that it's the corresponding rise in insulin that can lead to problems. If you're insulin resistant, then you'll be more likely to gain weight. If your insulin rises too fast, your blood sugar will drop too fast and cause cravings (among other things).

If you eat in such a way as to keep your blood sugar relatively stable and your overall calories around the level your body needs to function, then you won't gain weight back. Fat does not affect blood sugar and is one of the main reasons it's around 65% of your daily calories during Induction. Helps you feel full (so you don't eat too many calories) and doesn't impact your blood sugar (bringing your insulin response in line).

Carbohydrates turn to blood sugar from very fast to not so fast. The more 'complex' it is (refering to the molecular structure), the slower it turns to blood sugar. The slower your blood sugar rises, the slower your insulin rises, meaning you have less insulin in your blood at any given time. This is good.

Fats help slow the absorption of carbohydrates, thereby leveling that curve as well. Whole grain bread with real butter is perfectly acceptable in Maintenance, given that you watch your portions/total calories. Fruit and cheese is a great snack. A small potato with a fat and protein meal is fine once in awhile.

It's tired, but moderation is key here. Small portions, and not every meal. I even have chocolate once a month - I just learn to make allowances for it.

There's no need to quit completely, just figure out how to work it into something you can live with.

Laura

[Jake]

I agree with everything thats been said so i'll just add my personal experience. Having been on maintenience for months now i've learned that you can eat pretty much anything (of course in moderation) once you've "climbed the rungs" so to speak.

Having been on Atkins for 3 years you should be at the point where you had been adding everything back in. Everyday I eat fruit and anything from watermelon to apples without issue. You should experiment a little with some fruit and see if it causes you to gain before totally dumping Atkins. Whatever you choose to do I wish you luck but give Atkins a shot here.

EDIT

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