Depressed & Can't Get Off Atkins

[what_to_do_123]

I have been doing an Atkins-ish diet for 2 years now. I was an obese 26 year old at 240 pounds and I am now a more respectable 28 year old at 165 pounds. I have not been able to move off induction phase as my tolerance for carbohydrate seems to be about 25 grams a day. After a year of following it religiously I substituted my bacon and eggs breakfast to a carbo-rich muesli (at my Doctor's advice) and was pleased to find that it didn't affect the weight loss. I have also kept up a regular exercise routine of short (15 mins) jogging 3 times a week. I now have a muesli breakfast, salad lunch and meat and greens dinner. Time has come to be able to re-introduce some very basic carbohydrates back into my diet, but my body just won't accept it. If on any day I stick to my healthy routine and add half a small bowl of rice for dinner, I will wake up the next day 2 pounds heavier. Same if I have half a piece of cake or a small biscuit - whatever I introduce over 25grams a day comes back the next day as 1-2 pounds extra. This has now become personally depressing as it appears I will either gain back all of my weight, or can never ever eat more than 25grams of carbs a day. Neither of which are healthy, and causing me severe distress and depression. What to do?

[Revelation 911]

to a carbo-rich muesli (at my Doctor's advice)

a wise move - I didnt and suffer from a nasty spastic colon now

If on any day I stick to my healthy routine and add half a small bowl of rice for dinner, I will wake up the next day 2 pounds heavier. Same if I have half a piece of cake or a small biscuit

I noticed the same thing -chart it out daily and if youre like me, youll drop to your pre-rice weight the second day -

The hardest part though is setting my ethnicity aside - Its hard being italian and having to pass by pasta when it is so ingrained culturally

[Revelation 911]

oh - and welcome newbie

[Bicyclist_Barbara]

I am so relieved to find another person that has not been able to have more than 25 carbs a day and maintain. I actually have not been able to loose on more than 20 carbs a day. I would love to chat with you more about this. Please email me ( bchapnick@lycos.com)

I am 59 yrs old. Been on Atkins since mid Aug, 04. Never lost more than 1 lb a week and was on a plateau for 2 months. Total weight loss was from 197 to 184. Not much. I am 5'9" and extremely active. Bicycle, xc ski, spinning classes, yoga. I lost my first 10 lbs on a high carb diet. Then went on Atkins and lost the other 13 lbs. But I need to drop more and I just cannot take off any.

I need to transition off this to something like SouthBeach diet which is lower fat, lowere calories and lower carbs. Its a difficult question you are asking and you are not alone in your search for a answer.

[glockmom]

you CAN get off Atkins, I did. I'm 25 & started out at 175lbs and dropped down to 138lbs in about 6 months with Atkins. I'm now at 136lbs and have been off atkins for about 2 months. What worked for me may not work for you and may not be recommended by any doctor, but like I said it worked for me. I didn't lose all of that weight just to gain it back and I was really missing my chocolate cake at times. So it took me about 2+ weeks to totally transition, so be patient. Basically you gradually go from Atkins to introducing some more healthy carbs (like vegetables) but not going over 1000 daily calories. It regulated my weight, and as you introduce more carbs you still need to watch your calories. Then when you feel your at a comfortable carb level, you can gradually increase your calories. Now I can eat my baked potatoes, bread, in proportions. But I did this to transition to eating healthier overall and still get the complex carbs needed to satisfy my carb need. Good luck.