Long term success with Atkins Diet?

Question

I've been on an Atkin's diet twice in the last 5 years, both with success, but I cannot stay on the diet or keep the weight off when I stop the diet. Has anyone stayed on it for a year? or kept the weight off for a year after stopping the diet. Thanks

Answer 1

I was on Atkins for nearly three years. When I stopped eating the Atkins way, I regained all of my weight over the next 18 months -- but when I say " I stopped eating the Atkins way", I mean I *really* stopped. I gradually went back to fast food, and chips, and sweets -- the whole nine-yards of what not to eat.

I'm about to go back to a modified Atkins again beginning in January.

I've been working with a nutritionist for the past 3 months trying to identify a way of eating that I can follow, and that lets me lose weight. She is pretty open-minded for an RD, and had to agree that following a "standard" low-fat, reduced-calorie diet just wasn't working for me. We're going to try a modified Atkins program, sort of half-way between Atkins and South Beach.

Her take is that Atkins-like programs can be very effective for some people, but that you have to find a way to keep the diversity of food higher than is generally found in a strict Atkins program. For example, she wants to see more fruit in the diet that is strictly permitted.

We'll see how it goes. I'm going to do full induction for the first two weeks, then see what happens with a few more carbs than the "real" Atkins program calls for.

Answer 2

Have you just done the Stage one of Atkins? This is where you only consume 20 - 30 grams of carb per day. This is the initial stage of the diet and not for lifetime.
What you need to do is work out your carbohydrate tolerance level by gradually building up your consumption of carbohydrates.
When you reach this level where your weight stays stable but does not increase, this is your carbohydrate threshold and where you should be.
Atkins will empower you to control your carbohydrate consumption. Find your comfort level and stay there. Don't see that as a diet but as a way of life.
On 100 grams of carb a day I still lose weight, so it doesnt take much of a change in diet to keep the weight off.

Answer 3

The problem with Atkins is that as soon as you get off of it the weight all comes back.

For years I was on it and when I quit worrying about the diet I gained 100 pounds and then some in the space of about 2 years.

Answer 4

I have. For a break, I go low calorie for awhile. I still have that "last 10 pounds" to take off, but I've maintained my weight in a 5 lb. range for 3 years now. Believe me, though, I monitor it carefully. Even so, I allow myself a splurge or two. I just go back to eating the right way after I splurge.

Answer 5

Reduce your current stress. Your stress hormone cortisol can be activated by extremely low-calorie diet programs, intense training, lack of slumber and day-to-day worries, which leads to a spike in glucose levels with your blood. More worryingly, it can bring about blocked arteries and fat build up around your internal organs, putting you vulnerable to diabetes and heart disease. The one prescription for this is to… chill out.

Answer 6

I lost 30lb in 2 years and I've been keeping it off. The key to maintain your weight is to weigh yourself every day so when you gain a pound or two, you will see it right then and you can adjust the amount of food you eat for next few days.

Answer 7

Always start your meal that has a salad. It'll fill you in place, making you eat less on the actual meal, and it's way fewer calories than typical deep-fried or maybe cheesy apps.

Answer 8

Set up reminders on your personal computer or phone every hour to encourage you to ultimately get up, walk around, in addition to stretch.

Answer 9

Go shopping! Make a promise to yourself that whenever you reach your desired weight and also dress size, you’ll reward yourself to be able fabulous frock you’ve been eyeing way up. It’s amazing how tangible goals could get your motivational juices flowing.

Answer 10

Wear comfy shoes so that you can take meetings for a walk as an alternative to sitting at a desk.