Atkins Question

[tiggerlover]

On Atkins, once you have reached your goal weight do you go onto a maintenance program? Are you allowed to eat carbs again or are you to remain carb-free forever?

Thanks!

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

From what I understand, you don't have to be carb free, but you'll always have to be low carb. I've read about and known so many people who gained all of their weight back once they went back to "normal" eating habits.

 

[wovenwonder]

Atkins is not carb free. The induction stage is only 20 grams of carbs per day. This is for a minimum of 2 weeks. After that time you can begin to add carbs back at a rate of 5 more per day [raised each week] until you find that you've reached your optimum level [you stop losing]. Many people that have alot to lose stay at or near the induction level for quite awhile. The funny thing is that I was a total carbaholic! Now that I haven't had them, I no longer crave them. [honest].

HERE is a good website that explains the ins and outs - A Beginers Guide to Lowcarbing. You will also find the 'rules of induction' on this site.

And HERE is a good site that covers 'Ongoing Weight Loss - The second stage of Atkins'.

 

[nativetxn]

You add unrefined carbohydrates back into your diet a small amount at a time until you reach a level where you begin to gain, then you back up a little.

The way Atkins explained it is that you lose the last few pounds very slowly so that you can discover exactly how many carbohydrates you can consume without gaining.

My husband will probably never be able to add white flour, sugar or cornstarch back into his diet, it wreaks havoc on his lipids and blood sugar.

I'm hoping and planning to never eat sugar or white flour again because I know it will make me crave more. This is my plan, I pray for strength to carry it out and I'm not kidding.

Wilgus eats most of his carbohydrates as strawberries, black berries, blueberries, salad, and low glycemic index veggies. We are both very content with this. About once a week I'll make low carb banana nut muffins and cream cheese frosting for a treat for him.

Atkins isn't for everyone, it <i>is</i> the best plan for the two of <i>us</i> though. I haven't seen my husband feeling this good since 1988 and that's the truth.

 

[bsnyder]

Originally posted by wovenwonder
. The funny thing is that I was a total carbaholic! Now that I haven't had them, I no longer crave them. [honest].

This is SO true!! I'm not sure how or why this works, but the less carbs I eat, the less I crave them.

 

[airhead]

I swear,flour and sugar are the worse things for me to have.
I'm with Nativetxn,once I have just a little,I want a lot!! I can't believe how much better I feel without eating flour/sugar! Most of all,I can't believe I don't eat them anymore!! I can remember sitting down to a loaf of french bread and margarine!! Wow!!
I have absolutely NO desire for those things anymore,which I find to be wicked strange. Maybe its like smoking ciggies. Once you quit and time goes by,you forget how much you like the taste and habit. Whatever....



CJ

 

[nativetxn]

I know just what you mean, airhead. I just don't want those refined carbohydrates anymore.

My husband says it is amazing how good foods actually taste now that the flavors aren't hidden by sugar and/or flour.

This plan is just good for him