The thread title sounds really bad, I'd just like to put a disclaimer that I was -NOT- trying to starve myself on purpose.
I've had an emotional few days and as a result I haven't eaten much for about three days...well, literally about nothing. I'm feeling better and I want to get back on plan but I have a fear that I messed my body up and now I'll gain weight the moment I start eating again. I'm doing Atkins, and I just feel like after not eating then loading up on low-carb, high-fat foods my body will freak out and pile on the pounds. Is this irrational? What should I do?

Hi there!

Yes, I think you're being irrational. I'm sorry you have been so upset that you couldn't eat, but if you go back on Atkins where you left off, you will not automatically balloon up to huge size.

Likely you will gain something just because your body has been under the stress of not eating, but just ignore that. In fact, don't weigh for a few days so that you can get yourself back into the groove without the added stress of looking at the scale.

Eat healthy. Eat what you're supposed to. Follow the Atkins plan as written.

Jay

Your body simply doesn't gain weight that way. Sure, if the first few things that you eat are high in sodium, you might retain water and it might scare you when the scale goes up, but it will all even out, eventually. A day or two of not eating is not going to make you gain weight like crazy.

I'm sorry you're going through a hard time, but find a way to eat what you can. Healthy eating is not just about losing weight, but helping you through stressful times too.

If you're that worried about it, I would wait a few days before you weigh yourself again. If you do go up a tiny bit, hopefully after a few days it will go back down and you wont even know the difference if you keep away from the scale for a while.

Okay, thanks for the input. I was afraid that I threw my body out of whack and now I would gain as soon as I started eating. I went back on plan today.