Weight gain after Atkins?

[starsight]

Ok, I've been meaning to start Atkins for awhile but I keep putting it off... Well, I'm going to Haiti with some of my church in December and I was wondering if I were to start Atkins now and I go off of it for a week while in Haiti, am I going to gain weight back from that? I've always heard people say you gain the weight back as soon as you go off of it. I'm not sure what kind of food we're going to be eating there but I can't take my own... and I'm sure it'd be a lot less fattening than the stuff I'd eat at home if I were to go off of it. Would being off it for one week really be that bad if I go back on it right after?

[FwL]

Each time I've gone off (twice before) I've immediately gained back the 10 or so pounds I lost during induction.

Now... I went off for more than a week, so who knows. You might just gain a couple of pounds and have to get them back off the next week or two.

By far the biggest concern will be getting back on plan. Many in your position have had the best intentions and just never seem to make it right back on. A couple of years later they're saying, "Why, oh why didn't I just stay on the diet?"

[susan423]

I've gone on vacation for a week and usually gain around 12 pounds. The good news is if you get right back on plan, that weight usually goes away quite fast.
By the way, you are going to gain weight no matter what plan you're on if you go off of it. It's not unique to Atkins

[pagliaccia]

If you want, you can move through the rungs of OWL before December, and that way you'll have many more options without having to go off-plan.

[EmDee]

yes, you will have a slight gain from the retained water right away...but don't let that stop you from starting Atkins now! When you come back and resume the plan, you will drop that water weight again.

If you are trying to decide whether to start now or after you go....start NOW. Now is always a good time to make positive changes in your life!

[chadcs]

I think the last reply hit it on the mark. During the first part of induction you "burn off" the glycogen in your muscles. Glycogen holds a lot of water which is released as the glycogen is used up. This is part of the reason you see a quick drop in the beginning.

When you go off Atkins you build that glycogen back up and retain that water again.

So it might be better to say you will gain some weight but not necessarily fat depending on the time you are off Atkins and how you eat while off of it.

[not2late]

Originally Posted by pagliaccia

If you want, you can move through the rungs of OWL before December, and that way you'll have many more options without having to go off-plan.

That is the best strategy.

The cuisine of Haiti is a mixture of French and Carribean. So you should be able to find something to eat...especially if you move to OWL Phase.

[stacy3477]

You're getting great advice! OWL is a great option. Just for reference...I went off for about 4 days last month. I gained about 5 pounds and it took me about 10 days to get back in ketosis and get that five pounds back off.

[msanjelpie]

btw - how much do you weigh and how much do you have to lose?

[mizski]

Originally Posted by starsight

if I were to start Atkins now and I go off of it for a week

Isn't the main goal of Atkins to eat healthy permanently? This isn't just directed at the OP but I continually read posts of "when I go off Atkins" as a plan...as if it were some sort of sub-phase.

As I read DANDR, the main point is to get healthy by always eating good foods. The main point is to change our eating styles so we no longer go crazy at the dessert buffet or eat foods with vacuous nutrients. And that translates to always being able to eat healthy everywhere and whether on vacation or at home.