I'm really struggling. I've been doing Atkins induction and mostly love it ... But here is where I struggle. If I give in and eat something off plan or go totally off track & eat an entire weekend of carbs, I'm out of ketosis & up 7 lbs. Back to where I started. I'm not willing to only calorie count because I like how my cravings disappear, my mood levels out, I lose weight quickly, etc. when I'm eating very low carbs. Would it be hurting my weight loss if I counted calories and carbs, but rather than worrying about staying at 20 g and staying in ketosis? Does anyone just stay low carb, like 50 or so grams of carbs & still indulge in an alcoholic drink, fruit, bread, etc every so often without feeling like you've ruined everything & gain 5 lbs overnight??

Ketosis works through depletion of your glycogen stores, the sudden weight gain of 5-7Lb is mostly glycogen being restored. it's lean weight so don't be overly concerned about it.

Low carb dieting can still offer benefits without going all the way to ketosis, I'd say give it a go.

That's the sucky thing about cheating, it always seems to derail you for a few days.

I count carbs and calories, but I'm still mindful of staying at the 20 net carbs. If your not counting calories and you are eating a ton but few carbs you may not lose as fast. I am an advocate for counting both so you are more aware. It's up to you what you want to set your level at or what works for you personally.

Maybe try something less strict than Atkins? South Beach allows a lot more carbs (they don't describe it as a low carb diet, though it is compared to the regular WOE). Or Protein Power - also allows inclusion of fruit etc. That way, you don't feel like you're cheating. I feel that feeling like you are cheating is detrimental to long term compliance because you get into the cheating/not cheating mindset. This has to be for life, no point beating ourselves up all the time.

I originally started low carb by following the insulin resistance diet. There's probably more info somewhere but basically, I never had more than 30g carb at a meal and matched that with 15g protein. It made a huge difference to how I felt and was a good start for me to eventually cut down more. If I ever, for any reason, went off low carb, I'd go back to that way of eating. The premise is, if you want something carb-y, match it to protein to slow down the insulin response.

Thanks ladies :-) Awesome advice. I'm taking today to really examine what plan is best for me. Great suggestions! I'm staying lc ... That much I know lol!

I do what Stephanie does, I count both carbs and calories. It works for me and the weight is coming off.

Another diet you might be interested in is the gi diet. My doctor actually recommended it to me when I was pregnant to help with weight gain (I didn't listen and gained 60 lbs!)

It's all about choosing low gi foods and I believe there is calorie counting involved as well. I was thinking of using it for maintenance later on, I love how I lose on Atkins so I'm sticking to that right now.

Hi Stephanie I was thinking about maintenance as well. I'm going to google the gi diet as well. I'm going to stick with atkins until I reach my goal weight and I may do the gi diet. I was already looking at products to order that are low carb. what do you think about all these low carb products. do they work or cause stalls or is it worth it? I know sometimes we wll want a piece of cake LOL

globetrotter, I am staying away from them right now. I know the Atkins bars and shapes stall me.

The gi diet has green, yellow, and red foods. Green you can eat as much as you want, yellow sometimes and red you are supposed to stay away from. I'm sure if you were following that diet you could find a way to make a healthier version of cake. I know I'm dreaming of cake lately but I won't go there. I cheated with some chocolate I got for Valentines day and it's taken me a week to start losing steadily again.

Great info ... Thanks :-)

Stephanie you know I never been a fan of the atkins bars and shakes. I tired them once and just didn't do anything for me. I really don't like sweet things, I'm more of a savory person, like potato chips LOL if anyone knows of some low carb potato chips please let me know LOL

Globetrotter ... Me too!!!!! My biggest weakness!

LOL @ FatToFitWife. I've searched high and low for low carb potato chips.. when I see a can of pringles my mouth starts to water LOL but I will say I'm good with my cravings which is only potato chips and I told myself I'll be able to eat them again one day soon.

By the way guys (a drum roll) my weigh lost for week one on atkins is 6.6 pounds woohooo and I'm really dancing like the carrot

I didn't exercise at all this week. I do walk during the week but that is all together 1 hour.. I'm very happy but next week I will exercise at least 2 days a week maybe 3.

Woo hoo!!!!! 6.6 is amazing!!!!! Be proud, girl :-) So awesome!!!

Thanks FatToFit, I'm definitely happy about my weight lost.. woohoo it just has confirmed for me atkins is the way to go for me. Some people don't have success with atkins and others do, my motto is do what's best for you.

still looking for low carb potato chips LOL