[dsjs]

I'm a new member and needing some advice. Hopefully I'm posting this question in the correct forum. I am thinking of switching from Atkins to another diet plan and not sure which plan to go with. My last 2 years of diet history has been a roller coaster. I was with Weight Watchers for years and loved it but slipped off and on track due to my own issues, not the plan itself. In August 2015, decided to try Paleo, hoping it would help relieve my migraine issues and lose weight also. I did lose 10 lbs the 2 months I was on it, but nothing changed with the migraines. October, I started Atkins and have lost another 5 lbs which is great, considering I had my Thanksgiving and Christmas goodies. I like the low carb idea other than the lack of fruits. Migraines have reduced because I have eliminated a lot of trigger foods. Paleo and Atkins are great plans and I like them, but they obviously are not working for me, I now have an intestinal bacteria from too much protein and not enough fiber and fruits. I am needing a more "balanced" plan like with low carbs and low calories and I like a plan that I can track and calculate my food. (I like Atkins because it's FREE!) Thinking of going back to the NEW Weight Watchers approach, but worried I will gain my weight back by adding in more carbs. I have 10 more lbs to reach my goal weight. What other ideas or advice do you all have? Thanks!

[LettuceDoThis]

The most important thing is to pick something you can see yourself doing in the long term, even after you get to goal. Can you be low-carb forever? Can you count points?

From what you wrote, it seems like you want to join Weight Watchers, but are concerned about the cost. I'm on WW so probably biased, but I think it's such a great plan. If the cost is prohibitive and you don't need a support network, you could try calorie counting (a million great free apps for that).

[Koshka]

Your body needs to hold a certain amount of water in it for the carbs you eat. When you eat low carb your body releases that water. If you increase your carbs your body will need to hold that water again. Neither the loss of water or the increase in water in either of these situations is actual fat loss. So, it really doesn't matter in the long run.

I tend to eat a lowish carb diet. I average about 100 carbs a day (about 70 net carbs) although it varies a lot and lately I've been eating a little more. If I drop my carbs down to 70 carbs a day for a few days I will drop a couple of pounds. But, when I go back to 100 carbs or more that weight comes back on. I know it isn't real. For fruit, I usually eat the berries -- mostly blackberries and blueberries and some strawberries.

I do follow Weight Watchers but also track my calories and macros on MFP. I like the new Weight Watchers plan a lot and find it very compatible with how I eat. You certainly can eat carbs on that plan although sugar costs more points on the plan. And, that plan is also very compatible with low carb eating. Basically the current plan allows you to eat anything, but penalizes sugar and saturated fat. On the other hand, it gives an advantage to lean protein.

[wholefoods4me]

DSJS....I'm on the new WW plan now, and agree with the idea of eating less carbs.
Most people mean STARCHES when they talk carbs. Fruits and vegetables are also carbs, don't forget. And whether you count points, or follow their Simply Filling Technique....you never have to eat carbs while on WW....certainly not the starches. You just eat more protein, healthy fats, etc. and count your points for those.

[Weightever]

Hi dsjs! If you feel otherwise comfortable with your current diet then why don't you continue what you're doing, just add a bit more fruit (and perhaps vegetables too) and have a little less protein? You said that you've had "too much protein and not enough fiber and fruits." This would solve that problem too: By adding fruit such as apples and pears you would increase your fiber intake considerably. It's OK to modify these diet plans so that they work for you.