Stopping Atkins

[esac]

I didn't have much weight to lose. I started at 179 and in less than 2 months I am down to my goal weight of 155 (Actually 153 as of today). I knew going into this that I was not looking for the Way of Life. This may be taboo here, but I have decided that on easter sunday I will be ending my atkins career. By then I would guess i'd at least be down to 150 which is even below what my goal was. I am exercising regularly and generally feel good about what i've accomplished.

My question to everyone is, has anybody discovered a graceful way to stop atkins. I obviously am not going back to the behaviors which caused me to gain weight in the first place (overeating, being inactive, etc.). By easter sunday I should be right before the oats and grains rung of OWL. However I have heard that if you decide to eat something like a bagel after being on atkins, the moment it touches your lips you gain 5 lbs, and the moment you swallow you gain another 5 So is there maybe a good way to reintroduce carbs back into your diet to prevent this? Maybe 5 carbs a week at a time like OWL, but not restricting the types of foods you can eat?

Any suggestions appreciated.

[Checkers]

I would say just eat almost entirely whole foods. I eat whole grain rice for my grains and really can't eat bread. My diet consists of meat, veg, fruits/berries, legumes, nuts, whole grains (not made into any other product) and limited dairy. I use fat for cooking and don't restrict, nor try to add extra fat into my diet. I love my food choices and I'm making better meals than ever. I have tried LC tortillas and they make my blood pressure go through the roof. If you really just try to make the right food choices you should be able to eat pretty normally. Maybe make healthful breads more of a limited treat and only have some if it's an integral part of a meal?

[SugarFreeSheila]

How I stay on maintenance? Imagine how an OB GYNO would advise a brittle-diabetic, wheat-allergic pregnant woman to eat - essentially, I just stick to the perimeters of the supermarket and eschew processed foods, as well as diet sodas unless I am dining out. It's not "alternative" or a nuisance - just healthful and cautious!

[WarOnTypeII]

Congrats on reaching your goal.

From my experience everytime I've decided to not pursue Atkins WOL, the weight didn't get put on automatically. In fact the weight took less time to come off than it did to put on really. When I think about it.

My problems have always been not paying attention to myself and getting concerned at a 10lb weight gain or a 20 lb weight gain.

If you pay attention to yourself, you might just be able to moderate your intake of certain foods that aren't considered "Atkins Friendly".

I'm so far away from even considering that this time around though, but like I said. I did an interpretation of the Atkins diet and lost about 40-50 lbs in about 8 months.

It took me close to two years to put it back on. But I wasn't "eating whatever I wanted when I wanted" I was just mixing in foods that the Atkins diet doesn't allow. And I was working out, if not just lifting heavy weights, on a regular basis.

So. That's my story.

Congrats and good luck, just remember if you get in a bind, it seems Atkins worked for you and you know what to do.

[sadie147]

there are going to be alot of things that determine this. Not everyone that puts a bagel to their lips gains 5lbs . I have had whole grain bagels in maintenance without any issue. But i made sure I went thru the rungs, and i know that wheat is not an issue food for me. I'd highly recommend at least finishing the rungs, determining your ccll and your trigger/problem foods before you jump off of the atkins wagon.

No matter what you are adding back, i would definately take it slow, and see how your body reacts. I can occaisionally eat things like french fries as long as it's not often, without issue, but I can't eat anything with sugar in it. Obviously someone like Sheila can't eat wheat, whereas I can. It would be nearly impossible I think for any of us to tell you what will happen, or what you will be able to tolerate as everyone will have a different reaction.

[iwillbethin]

Read the book and go through the rungs. Dont just jump off!

I did and look what happened!

[LuckyD]

My suggestion for you is stay away from processed foods and try and really limit your sugar intake. Use what you have learned on this WOE to make healthy choices. Drink just as much water if not more and keep up the exersize.

[SugarFreeSheila]

Obviously someone like Sheila can't eat wheat, whereas I can.

To clarify: Maintaining at around 90-110 grams of carbohydrates per day, I could easily incorporate low-carb bread products and allow them into my menu; however, I choose not to because I get my fiber and folate from other sources. I am used to not having these commercial products, and simply have no use for them at this juncture.

[sadie147]

Originally Posted by SugarFreeSheila

To clarify: Maintaining at around 90-110 grams of carbohydrates per day, I could easily incorporate low-carb bread products and allow them into my menu; however, I choose not to because I get my fiber and folate from other sources. I am used to not having these commercial products, and simply have no use for them at this juncture.

Sorry I just took your 'wheat allergic' comment to mean you can't have wheat . I know many people have allergy issues with it. I actually don't eat many commercial 'low carb' processed wheat products either. i stick with oatmeal, wheat bran and other full grain breads instead. I couldn't live without my steel cut oatmeal!

[Scooterjam]

Congrats for reaching goal, just remember a little of this, a little of that, = right back where you started from. I myself would read up on maintenance most definately, and do it the right recommended way. I mean, seriously, you lost the weight you wanted to lose following the direction, why switch half-way through the game. Just my 2 cents.

Best of Luck! Life is Good!