How to plan to go off low carbs for several days?

[pasdebourre]

I'm in my 3rd week of induction, and three days into "strict" induction (no caffeine, no bars or shakes, eating only from the approved foods list, etc. as my weight loss has been very slow). I decided to remain in induction in order to try to lose more weight. However, I will be attending a family reunion in New Orleans in late Oct, where I know I will eat carb-heavy foods. I'm not worried about portion control, but I am worried about shocking my body and becoming ill by the introduction of carbs. Should I eat more carbs the week or a couple days before induction, in order to prevent shocking my body and avoid feeling sick? If I do this, will I gain back weight? I'm thinking about this in part because I've read elsewhere on the boards where people ate something like "normal" pancakes and had racing heartbeat. Thanks to all for the advice.

[not2late]

I can say that the mods and old-timers here won't support your decision to go off plan, but it's your choice.

As for how to go off plan, I can only tell you what I did when I had to go to a 1 week work-related symposium out of town. I extended my Induction for 4 months. I knew that I had this symposium in the horizon, so I moved from Induction, and into OWL phase. I stayed on the First Rung of OWL to find my CCLL (Critical Carbohydrate Losing Level). When I did that I moved to the second rung (dairy) and I ventured alittle into the 3rd rung (nuts) and 4th rungs (berries). By doing that I was able to stay on plan during my symposium, I learned my CCLL and I was able to vary my menues.

I did not retreat back to Induction after I moved on from it.

As for gaining weight....it depends on a number of factors including but not limited to:
1. Your carbohydrate tolerance level.
2. Your sensitivities to foods.
3. The amount you eat.
4. Your activity level.
5. Your current general health.
6. Pre-existing medical problems.

No one here can absolutely guarantee that you will or will not lose weight, because that depends on those factors and others.

[julirama723]

Would it be possible to not eat the carb-heavy foods? Are you saying that you're planning a cheat, or afraid that you will?

Option 1--If you don't want to eat the carbs, bring food with you that is acceptable, or go grocery shopping once you get there. A family reunion is about seeing loved ones, not eating food--so your family should be ok with your healthy choices. Plus, you'll continue your weight loss, and feel healthy!

Option 2--if you do want to eat the carbs, I would slowly add them back in before you go, so it's not so much a shock to your body. Try to eat healthier carbs, like whole grains (perhaps LM carbs). Yes, you will gain weight. But don't let this stop you from a healthy lifestyle. One day off the low-carb wagon does not mean give up entirely. )

The choice is yours to do what you wish, but really think about what you want to do, and be 100% sure of your decision. If you choose Option 2--begin induction after your carb-filled meals. Just warning you, you will probably feel sick as your body adjusts to no carbs again. Hope this helps and was non-judgemental!

[Desertthorn]

We all react differently when we suddenly do high carbs and to guess what will happen to you would be just that, a guess. But some folks get really sick and to be sick when your partying would be ashame
I understand where you are coming from as if I were going to New Orleans and faced with my families cooking, I would be sorely tempted. I think that my advise would be to stick as close to WOE as you can, fill up on veggies and salads, eat lots of protein and fat and try to avoid the dessert table. If you can't, take one bite or two cause you might find suddenly the sugar is toooo sweet. Drink lots of water and enjoy your family. (You also might find others who are dieting who you can join up with)
Have fun and let us know how it turns out.

[pasdebourre]

Meg, how quickly did you move through OWL as you prepared to travel? Did you do each rung for a week, a couple days, one day? Thanks for your advice.

Originally Posted by not2late

I can say that the mods and old-timers here won't support your decision to go off plan, but it's your choice.

As for how to go off plan, I can only tell you what I did when I had to go to a 1 week work-related symposium out of town. I extended my Induction for 4 months. I knew that I had this symposium in the horizon, so I moved from Induction, and into OWL phase. I stayed on the First Rung of OWL to find my CCLL (Critical Carbohydrate Losing Level). When I did that I moved to the second rung (dairy) and I ventured alittle into the 3rd rung (nuts) and 4th rungs (berries). By doing that I was able to stay on plan during my symposium, I learned my CCLL and I was able to vary my menues.

I did not retreat back to Induction after I moved on from it.

As for gaining weight....it depends on a number of factors including but not limited to:
1. Your carbohydrate tolerance level.
2. Your sensitivities to foods.
3. The amount you eat.
4. Your activity level.
5. Your current general health.
6. Pre-existing medical problems.

No one here can absolutely guarantee that you will or will not lose weight, because that depends on those factors and others.

[pasdebourre]

Yes, I plan to "cheat." That's what I meant by carb-heavy foods. I know it will be extremely difficult not to cheat when I am surrounded by my favorite foods prepared by loving relatives (who will be miffed if I don't eat some of it) in a city famed for its wonderful cooking. (As an aside, the cooks are preparing a reunion meal despite the fact that they are living in FEMA trailers, having lost everything to Katrina. I don't know where you grew up, but my family's reunions are about food.)

I plan to eat small amounts rather than go crazy. I know I will return home and get back to healthy eating, and I'm less concerned about gaining a few pounds than I am about getting sick. Thanks very much for your advice.

Originally Posted by julirama723

Would it be possible to not eat the carb-heavy foods? Are you saying that you're planning a cheat, or afraid that you will?

Option 1--If you don't want to eat the carbs, bring food with you that is acceptable, or go grocery shopping once you get there. A family reunion is about seeing loved ones, not eating food--so your family should be ok with your healthy choices. Plus, you'll continue your weight loss, and feel healthy!

Option 2--if you do want to eat the carbs, I would slowly add them back in before you go, so it's not so much a shock to your body. Try to eat healthier carbs, like whole grains (perhaps LM carbs). Yes, you will gain weight. But don't let this stop you from a healthy lifestyle. One day off the low-carb wagon does not mean give up entirely. )

The choice is yours to do what you wish, but really think about what you want to do, and be 100% sure of your decision. If you choose Option 2--begin induction after your carb-filled meals. Just warning you, you will probably feel sick as your body adjusts to no carbs again. Hope this helps and was non-judgemental!

[2big4mysize]

adding back the extra rung one veggies should be easy unless you are going with soem dairy skip that one and then add nuts. that should give you healthy foryou snakcs while traveking. why you would want to jump off your atkins is byond me

you can low carb most stuff there except those baggetes. you can have crawfhis and gumbo just ask ofr no rice in yours. red beans will be a rung 6 food but if you skip the rice you should be okay there too but have a sald and some beans not a whole meal of them.

you can mix you illegals that will be legals when you get there in small amounts with your legals and be an OWLer evxept for the sugasry stuff.

when low carbers jump off and add back 100s of carbs in a meal then their body will react to the sugar like a diabetic's does that was the racing heart thinker encurred.


move to OWl, based on your 14 day induction weight loss and your nedded to lose pounds you should know where your CCKk is from the charts in DANDR stay below that and all you will be desling with is possible food carvings from some food you consume wheich metabolically you shouldnb't have.

[pasdebourre]

In terms of going off Atkins, I guess I don't see it as a failure. I lost 20 pounds on a routine, low-calorie diet and only moved to Atkins when I plateaued during my third month of the low-calorie diet. I was hoping induction and Atkins could get me going again. I only have about another 15 pounds to lose, and I feel comfortable in trying this three-day reunion experiment, in terms of my long-range goals.

[MommaGlass]

Pasdebourre, I get what you are saying, I myself just came off a Atkins "break" if you will. I have no guilt either, I mean, even if I lost no more weight, at 120 lb loss, I am a success. But, definitely practice damage control and above all else, make it worth it. By make it worth it, I mean, don't let yourself eat just cause eveyone else is, just do it when you are hungry and don't waste your space on crackers or plain bread or mundane things, just dig in on the bits you can't get anywhere else. I know LA food and I know how good it can be, but as 2big said, have the gumbo, skip the rice. Don't eat regular old bread. Have some andouille, very little of the boudin, that's alot of rice in that sausage. Beignets are awesome but that much starch and suger could send your system into a yucky shock. Load up on the crawfish, even if it's just for me!!! *winks* Definitely try what Megs was saying and most certainly HAVE FUN!!!

[k5commando]

I have to say I'm with 2big on this one. Not to sound preachy or anything but it just seems to me that this way of eating is a lifetime change and if you plan on eating healthier on this plan you'll need to learn to handle all food situations. I don't think I've been in more that 2 situations in the last 2 years I've been on this plan that I havn't found something to eat that has for the most part been on the plan and I've been on up to 2 week vacations from Hawii to Alaska and everywhere in between without gaining a pound. Hopefully your not like the majority of us on this plan who most likely wont know when to stop after the "just one bite" or " it'll be ok this one time" thoughts kick in. As for the relatives getting hurt because you didn't eat their way I'd say they need to understand why your doing what your doing and respect that. I deal with this CONSTANTLY! My mom is an increadible cook and still bakes me homade pies and bread at get togethers. She respects my way of eating but has the "just this once will be ok" mentality. That's how I got the way I was!

It sounds like your set on going off the plan no matter what so I guess if nothing else it will be a good test of your willpower! Good luck and I hope you have a good trip!