magpie-
Don't be discouraged. Part of the weight you gained back after stopping Atkins is water from the drastic diet change. I personally am NOT an Atkins advocate-I think it can be a very unhealthy way of eating. My main thing with Atkins is that I agree that you should eat adaquate protein and that SOME carbs should be cut down on (white flour, sugar, etc.) but not all of them-such as fruits, whole grains, and so on. I also believe that the protein should come from leaner cuts such as fish, poultry, and lean beef-and not cheese and bacon.
When people ask me about reduced carb plans-I tend to recommend South Beach instead. (It requires LEAN cuts of meat-no bacon, regular hamburger, etc. and allows healthy carbs like fruit, nuts, etc.) I just feel that for low carb-it is healthier than Atkins.
I do think that a more rounded, reduced calorie eating plan is the way to go for you. I think the most important thing for anyone on a weight loss journey is mindset. I think we all should stop thinking in terms of "diet" and think "lifestyle".
I was looking on Ebay the other day, and saw an auction for some exercise videos that I wanted-and the person said "I hit my goal weight, so I don't need these any more!" We'll just see about that in a couple of months.
Lifestyle change, lifestyle change!!!!
To lose the weight and keep it off-we have to change our lifestyles. We have to follow an eating plan we can stick to for life, and we have to continue to exercise regularly even after reaching our goal if we want to keep it off. It isn't just about being thin-it's about being fit and healthy.
A "diet" starts and stops. When we stop a diet, the weight will return. If we stop working out, the weight will return. A new lifestyle change is what it is all about.
The nutritionist is teaching you a way to eat that you can do healthfully for life. Trust her on this.
Don't be discouraged, you are going to be just fine!!!!
jess-welcome to the forum! The forum is split up here into categories-Support, Exercise, Recipes, and other various categories. You can post anywhere you want to-but try to keep your posts relative to the part of the forum you are posting in. It will become easier after a while.
There are some parts of the forum for specific eating plans-Weight Watchers, Atkins, South Beach, and so forth. If you don't see the plan you are following-go to general diet plans and there are plans listed there as well such as calorie counters (me!!!), LAWL, Jenny Craig, Eating For Life, and others.
Welcome!