Fatigue? Check. Irritability? Check Check!

[ShanIAm]

I'm detoxing from carbs and sugar and I have become stark raving mad! But luckily my friends and family don't have to deal with it because I've been sleeping all the time! LOL

Whew, this is tougher than I thought. I love eating eggs, meat and some cheese but darn if I don't want a bag of chips and dip right now!

I just finished Day 3. Less than 20 carbs a day. Since January I have been following a low calorie, low(er) carb plan. I'd allow myself around 150g of carbs a day. But for the past month or two, ever since my HS reunion which was a big motivation to me losing weight, I have slacked. I got "too comfortable" and my eating got consistently worse. I haven't gotten on the scale in about a month (gotta love denial) but I know I have gained at least 5-8 pounds.

I decided to carb detox and follow the Atkins WOE for a while.

Has anyone used Atkins for a short period of time (a month or two) just to carb detox and lose a little bit of weight before switching back to another plan such as WW? Or in my case, low cal/low carb? Or should I just give up the ghost and admit I have a carb problem and Atkins needs to be a lifelong commitment? Is it bad to switch back and forth and do one month on Atkins and one month off? And by off I mean low calorie but more carbs (150-200g a day).

Thanks for any insight you may have!

[JerseyGyrl]

Originally Posted by ShanIAm

Has anyone used Atkins for a short period of time (a month or two) just to carb detox and lose a little bit of weight before switching back to another plan such as WW? Or in my case, low cal/low carb? Or should I just give up the ghost and admit I have a carb problem and Atkins needs to be a lifelong commitment? Is it bad to switch back and forth and do one month on Atkins and one month off? And by off I mean low calorie but more carbs (150-200g a day).

The beauty of Atkins is, the Induction phase (20 or less carbs a day) is not the only phase of the plan. There are 3 other phases. As outlined in the book, (Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution 2002 or prior editions) you slowly begin adding foods in 5 carb increments until you determine your personal carb threshold. Everyone is different, some can consume over 200 carbs a day and lose/maintain, some require much lower levels.
For me, low carb is a lifestyle committment and has been for 7 and a half years. It works
All the best to you!!

[sararay]

What she said

I just want to add my experience. I can maintain with some low carb fruit, some whole grains as long as I don't eat sugar, however if I want to LOSE I have to get below my carb level for losing (read Atkins book, 2002 edition like she said) which for me is about 25 net carbs per day as long as I stick to the induction food list, but yours might be different.

So as long as you are OK with losing for a month then not losing (much if any) for a month then try cycling back and forth, but first read the book and when you understand the process of finding your carbohydrate level for loss and maintenance you might change your mind.

good luck!