Hi Rhythm!
So great to see you again!
When I used Atkins to lose my pregnancy weight (3 times) over 20 years ago.....I was able to keep it off for many years until I was put on medication in 2005 and gained 60 lbs. from it (which I have now lost, thanks to Atkins!). But during the maintenance phase, I did have a bit of difficulty figuring out just WHAT I could eat and which things I still had to avoid in order to not stir up cravings.
Induction is such an organized and strict way of eating and it's very easy to remain regimented on it.....and it can feel like a kid let loose in a candy store when you go on maintenance. To me, induction was very comforting....I knew exactly what to eat and what not to eat....so simple.
What really helped me during maintenance (and is helping me now) is that I made this rule for myself: If I gain 5 lbs., I have to go back on induction and lose it/I cannot gain more than 5 lbs. without dieting it off. It really, really helped me....gave me some structure/rules back again. It was much less stressful to know that I would not careen out of control....much less fear and apprehension.....because it can take a bit of time to learn what new foods work well for you and which ones to avoid....but during this trial and error phase, things could get out of control before you know it. But this rule really worked and I was successful for many years with it.
deena