[Zdfjpbth]

Hi
I am fairly new to the low carb diet. My weight loss is fairly minimal. I wished to lose 20lb and have so far lost 7lb (next weigh in Sat) I am actually enjoying the diet and not finding it too difficult to maintain at the moment.(Missing the puddings a bit!) This week is my fourth week on it. I understand that my weight loss will be slower as I have less to lose(no weight loss last week) but when should I start to introduce a few carbs back into the diet? Should I wait until I have lost my full 20lb? Do you long timers never eat carbs? Do you never have bread, rice, flour, potatoes EVER?? Or are you just very careful now and perhaps only have them occasionally and are very aware of them?
What about fruit and dairy products? If so should I only eat wholewheat? What about Gluten free products are they any better? I looked on the packet and it still seemed to have a high carb content. So many people tell me this diet is bad for me! (except my husband who is loving the slimmer me and all the lovely meat I have been preparing!)
I do wonder whether I am eating too much fat?
I think I just need some help on where to go from here! I read somewhere that when you get within 15lb of your ideal weight you should start to introduce them back but when you only have a little to lose should I stay on 20 net grams or longer.
If your body is in ketosis does that mean it is working whatever the scales show? Mine definitly is. Also have not managed to fit any exercise into the scheme of things yet so I am sure that will aid the loss!
So many questions sorry!!

[Brainpole]

You really need to read the book.

[Zdfjpbth]

I have read the book actually but I am interested in other peoples experiences once they reach their goal weight. Do they never eat carbs or do they eat them sometimes not others. For example bread. Will you never eat it again or will you have it sometimes. I thought the whole idea of a forum was to exchange experiences and ideas?

[Brainpole]

The forum is geared towards that.. Why don't you read some of the older post and I am sure you will find answers to some of your questions in them, and clearly if you read the book you would be somewhat clear on some of the questions you are asking.

Also.. I am not a big bread fan so I don't miss it.

Have a great day.

[Stoniaanapy]

OK, my 2 cents. Close to goal - 1 to 3 pounds for the last several weeks as I have been trying to add in good carbs.

First, I have eaten "carbs" all along. Carbs of all kinds as I moved through the rungs. There was never such a thing as you ask, "Do you long timers never eat carbs? Do you never have bread, rice, flour, potatoes EVER?? Or are you just very careful now and perhaps only have them occasionally and are very aware of them? What about fruit and dairy products? If so should I only eat wholewheat? What about Gluten free products are they any better? I looked on the packet and it still seemed to have a high carb content."

I am a long-timer, if over one year counts. I cannot EVER see me eating chips, donuts, cake, pie, brownies, candy EVER...not EVER! For me, this is NOT a diet...it IS a WOE (Way of Eating.)

I guarantee, IF one goes back to potatoes, white rice and pasta they WILL gain what they have lost BACK! Include a LITTLE of lentils, beans, brown rice and the lowest carb bread that can be found...OK, once you are at goal and in maintenance.

That is the TOUGH LOVE facts.

Hope it helps you. STILL, READ THE BOOK! OWL and pre-maintenance gives you the guidelines.

My best...

Toni

[Zdfjpbth]

Thank you ladies for your replys. It does all help to add to my knowledge. Looking back I now I can see I have been eating too much carbs. Not particularly cakes etc but lots of pasta and mashed potato. Typical woman who got married and started to eat a portion the size of her husbands! Actually even he has cut down on the mash now I am not eating it at all.
The Atkins book I have got was lent to me by my brother in law. It is from 2003. I presume that is the main book. I have ordered a carb counter book from Amazon which I hope will help me along with the carb counting because Atkins is limited and very Americanised. I was just interested in the gluten aspects as I know of a few people who have done wheat free diets and had similar success. Anyway I have lost another 2lb this week after nothing last week so I must be doing it right so far but I was just planning ahead so I know what to do next as I am almost too frightened to introduce anything back in yet. Anyway I have another 11lb to go yet before I need to worry!

[topcasinobonua]

If you're going to add some carbs back, do it slowly and stay away from the breads and starchy vegetables as long as possible. You don't want to see a little bit of carbs set off cravings for a ton of sugary food. Start with some nuts or extra veggies. An avocado has healthy fats and is delicious (to me). I only have the occasional low carb tortilla or slice of low carb bread, and in the extremely rare occasion that I find myself eating things I'm really not supposed to, the water retention, indigestion, and sluggish feeling I get afterwards is enough to make me swear off whatever it is that I shouldn't have eaten. Feeling like poo afterwards is not worth the few moments of gratification I might get from eating junk.

Good luck with your loss!

[Zdfjpbth]

Hi Ollie

Well I have just done a strange thing and know what you mean. I have had a sweet & sour chicken(no rice) using a bought S&S sauce as the children wanted it and wanted us all to eat the same thing. Far too many carbs but have cut down all day just for this! Now I used to really love this but it was soooo sweet I could not believe it. I have to say I did not really enjoy it at all and now have a grumbly tummy. Roll on bacon & eggs tomorrow morning. Not only that but I feel hungry. So all in all I feel it was a good lesson learned and I wont do that again in a hurry!

[Stoniaanapy]

I'm glad your senses are catching up with your plan...I found it easier and easier to just "say no" to pure empty carbs when my "senses" changed.

My best to you!

Toni

[bataovady]

Gosh Merlot... I cant wait to get back to "normal" eating...

My plan is to simply use the low carb diet to drop weight "easily" compared to other "methods" (other than liposuction ). Gained all my weight when I gave up smoking...

[Ocqljudq]

blue - i love when you're around

[topcasinobonua]

I agree with Blue, as soon as you go back to eating your old ways you'll see some regain. BEEN THERE, DONE THAT! And "yo yo" dieting isn't good for you either. But you might be suprised how easy it can be to make it a lifestyle change and keep it going long term when you start adding back more of the good for you carbs.

I hope you see some progress towards your goal, but the race to stay healthy has no finish line.

[bataovady]

Blue - many thanks for the advice... Like many that give up smoking I gained 2 stones... eating/snacking instead of having a smoke and my taste buds came back with a vengance...

One stone came off without much effort but the last stone is taking too long... my reference to "normal" eating really was just calorie controlled sensible eating...

Yes I have bought all the books (yet to arrive through the door lol) Yes I am a gym junky but the gym doesnt help you lose weight physically... just mentally as its an important part of a fit and healthy lifestyle...

[Stoniaanapy]

We all just have to find our way through the maze...for me, it is "stick with the guy that brought me" - Dr. Atkins. My age and activity level tells me NO PIZZA EVER AGAIN. That's just the way it is.

Toni

[zuhraliyana]

Toni.........
NO PIZZA EVER AGAIN????? Ouch....My house is sort of gaming central and pizza and Mountain Dew are in abundance all too frequently..the thing that's saved me is being able to eat only the toppings and learning to toss the crust...I catch some flack from my son for "wasting" the pizza...but it works for me...as long as I use moderation in the number of slices I de-top and consume....
Add to that the spaghetti squash taking the place of the pasta..and life is good....
Seriously...there are SO many healthy alternatives available...and the things that don't have healthy alternatives we end up, for most of us, not missing at all.....
Lynn