cheating or even go off atkins? (without weight gain?)

[not2late]

Follow the Diet as Dr. Atkins wrote and you'll be very surprized at what you can and cannot eat, by the time you are in Pre-Maintenance or Maintenance Phases.

I think what happens is that we have a tendency to think that Induction is the ENTIRE Atkins Diet and that Maintenance Phase is exactly the same as Induction Phase. Read through the book and it's plain to see that On-Going WEight loss Phase isn't Induction, that Pre-Maintenance Phase isn't Induction and Maintenance Phase isn't Induction. If they were, I doubt I would have ever bothered to go on Atkins.

If less of us thought that way, I've no doubt Atkins would have a better reputation than it does and there wouldn't be so many lies and myths about Atkins out there.

The best and safest thing to do is to just go through the Diet as Dr. Atkins wrote and see what our bodies are capable of doing. I've seen too many people do their own thing, not lose weight, then blame the Atkins diet for not working. Likewise, I've seen too many people stay on Induction get bored, fall off, then complain that Atkins is too restrictive to do.

[azzurri.love]

thnx guys.
its just hard to say no to ppl especially if they surprise me with a birthday dinner/cake or invite me out to dinner with them. it feels like i always have to be rude and turn them down, and they may feel like im alienating them or something.

[not2late]

Go out to dinner! There's no reason to stay at home like a hermit.

When you choose your foods, choose them in accordance with your Phase of Atkins.

It always infuriates me that heavy people are expected to eat every morsel of food and to never turn away any food presented to them. Yet, it's completely acceptable that skinny-thins can eat a forkful or two and turn up their noses at every dish---and people think they are being so elegant and health conscious. Horsefeathers!!!!!

I remember when I was at my heaviest, skinny-thin people would dish up these huge servings for me, while they take a tablespoonful for themselves. And they still do---especially the ones who knew me when I was huge. When I eat (IF I eat it), I just tell them I've eaten as much as they had and am completely full.

YOU are important and YOUR health is important. You are much more important and valuable than a piece of cake or a piece of bread can ever be. Think about yourself for a change. .

[azzurri.love]

i would liek to go out for dinner some times but i just never quite know what i am or am not allowed to eat. especially at restaurants when they use many hidden carbs in their foods to add extra flavour and such.

[liv]

Some restaurants have websites with menus. I like to check things out in advance and think about what I can order and what kind of questions I need to ask. I've found restaurants to be a learning process. I've had a few bumps but overall I know more about what I can and cannot do where. If this is something you really enjoy just start researching and figuring out what are possible. Most places are so helpful when you explain that you do not eat starches and sugars.

[not2late]

Ditto to what liv wrote. Also, order the most basic thing on the menues---grilled or roasted meats and steammed veggies. Don't bother with sauces----unless you are absolutely sure how they are made.

[Magicsmom]

Originally Posted by azzurri.love

thnx guys.
its just hard to say no to ppl especially if they surprise me with a birthday dinner/cake or invite me out to dinner with them. it feels like i always have to be rude and turn them down, and they may feel like im alienating them or something.

If someone surprises you with a cake, there is nothing at all wrong with saying "I can't have that, but you all go ahead and have a piece". My friends and family just say, "Great! More for us!" You'd be surprised how gracious people are about accepting our dietary limitations. Before you know it, your friends will accept your WOE and you won't feel like the odd person out anymore. I've had to tell my MIL a gazillion times I cannot eat spaghetti. I hope she finally gets it, but I am not counting on it. As for going out to eat, there is usually something you can order no matter where you are. Don't be shy and ask the server how things are made if you have any questions.

Cheating for me is a slippery slope. Dr. Atkins wrote that it's the kiss of death, and he knew exactly what he was talking about.

[azzurri.love]

i hear that! i was feeling kinda hopeless from my diet earlier and i definately cheated in a a bad way. i just hope this doesnt keep happening. i was hoping that if i did cheat it would be the occasional brown rice or piece of toast but like i said, i was pretty low tonight. so i ate 2 chocolate croissant!!
has this happened to any of you before? how did you bounce back?
i find that when i eat something as sinful as that its tough for em to find the will power to stop completely and get back on track...especially with my weight loss being at a complete halt at the moment (which isnt helping with the encouragement)

[PHAT Beth]

You know the carzy thing? I had the same mentality as you not too long ago. This is about my 3rd month of this lifestyle. I found that once I started moving up the ladder of foods I could eat, I really have no desire to binge on carbs... and this is from the girl who used to eat gas station cheesesteaks for breakfast and pride herself on being the "chubby girl". THe appetite suppression is great, and once I really started to lose a noticable amount of weight, it just seemed pointless to make it stop for something I don't *really* want. There are so many nice things you can eat, and substitutes for a lot of the old foods. I bet you can find low carb foods in Italy. You might be suprised.

[sallyseachange]

Hi... I agree with what many have said here. You'll almost certainly be surprised at how you feel about those carby so called "treats" once you're at maintenance and have come through the OWL rungs.
I never thought I'd give up pasta and pizza, and I live in Italy. I've lived here for over thirty years. Yet it happened.
Along the way (and by reading this board), you'll find many fantastic substitutions too (though probably, your desire for even those substitutions will wane with time).

Regarding your Italy holiday... I don't want to blow my own trumpet or anything, but a good while ago (years!!) I wrote an short piece for one of the ADBB Newsletters on doing Atkins in Italy. Here's the link, in case you're interested: (Newsletter - ADBB Winter 2007 newsletter has been released)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard....ADBB+Newsletter

Best wishes on your Atkins journey, and your Italy journey, when the time comes!

Edited to add: Whoops! I just notice the date of the start of this thread. Sorry I got here so late!