I'm starting over again. I went on the Atkins diet years ago, lost 40 lbs. in 2 months and like a dummy went off of it...why, I couldnt tell you.

Trying it again but I feel confused about "Net Carbs" I dont remember hearing about them before. Should I stay away from the low Net Carbs and only stick with the actual low carb foods?

I started back on it Thursday the 1st of March and by one week I lost 6 lbs. But weighed in again today (friday) and gained 1 lb back. I know your not supposed to weigh every day but I had little to eat Thursday and was hoping to see a reward. And I do know you have to eat to keep your metabolism going.

I guess my questions are;

1- Actual carbs or net carbs which should I follow.

2- How long do I stay on induction?

3- I noticed a lower appitite the third day and a boost of energy the fourth and fifth day. Is that normal?


Thanks in advance for any help I might get.

1> Actual Carbs - fiber = net carbs. Sugar alcohols are a different breed of net carbs and cause problems for some low carbers, skip them for now.

2> 2 weeks for induction.

3> Yes, it's weird isn't it? Eating this way keeps you full longer, gives you more energy and as an added bonus you lose weight.

I read a lot of posts from people who have left only to come back. I'll let them be the scouts for me, seems they all say the same thing. Weight comes back pretty easily with the added carbs.

Welcome back, don't diet. Eat... but eat right.

Well, believe it or not, your post here actually gives a couple of clues as to why you went off of this woe (way of eating) when you had so much success...

First is your use of the term: DIET; the more you look at this woe as a "diet" (or the 4-letter 'd' word as we like to call it), the less likely you will stick with it long-term. Many of us long-time LC'ers will tell you that this has to become a decision for LIFE. If your body responds negatively to carbs and sugar and responds positively to this woe, then you have your answer! You need to make this a LIFESTYLE, not a diet.

Secondly, you state that you don't remember hearing about "net carbs" before. Well, they are nothing new and this tells me that you may not have read the book before starting this woe last time... Too often people rely simply on the information they find on this board to help them make the switch. This board is a great tool for SUPPORT and encouragement, but you REALLY need to read the book (of whichever plan you are following) so that you will better understand the how's and why's of this way of eating.
If you get a good grip on the benefits of this woe and WHY your body is better off eating this way, you will be much more likely to stick with it. I encourage you to get the book today and read it. MY favorite for best explaining this woe's processes is PROTEIN POWER by Drs. Michael and Mary Dan Eades... Even if you decide to do Atkins or another plan.

I truly wish you the best of luck!

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Summer

Summer's right. This has to be a lifestyle, not a diet.

And she's also right about the Protein Power books. I've followed the Atkins plan for a long time, but the PP books have the very best explanation of the science behind low carb that I have ever read.

Wishing you much success on your low carb journey!

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Nita

Back in 2000 I purchased the Atkins book and read it. I do have a problem of when I read a book I couldn't tell you what it said a day later. LD..I don't know???


I know what net carbs are but it seemed as if (or I didn't do enough research) I didn't see the snacks such as chocolate bars and the other goodies. I remember seeing the Atkins flour (cant remember what it was called) for pancakes and bread. One other time trying low carb I would drink some low net carb shakes and had some low net carb bars, I guess my body didn't react to well to the sugar alcohol or something because it didn't work at all.
I figure I would just stick to actual carbs and I cant go wrong. I know I need fiber but I will not subtract the fiber grams from my daily carb intake.

Lawbooks, check out my thread (Question?) on "100 Forum" and see if you think this a good start for new way of life.

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Restarted 1/01/2009
Restart weight 345
1st Goal- 315 by my 41st B-Day (May 4th, 2009)

Personally, I found weighing myself everyday is key. It helps me understand how I ate the day before effected my weight. I'm rarely surprised. If I'm really bad, I gain 2-3 pounds. It takes me 2-3 days to lose it. I've "ate bad" about 4 times since I started in January and each time it was either 2 or 3 pounds.

If I stay the course, I either gain a pound.....gain a half pound......don't change....lose a half pound.....or lose a pound. I can eat almost exactly the same thing for 5 days and get 5 different results. (My scale weighs in 0.5 pound increments).

But over the course of a week, I lose maybe 2 pounds. Not bad. I'm 6'2" and 214 pounds now and started at 229.

At the end of the day.....the scale should never be a surprise.

Hello, Time.

You are safe subtracting fiber from carbs; only the eariliest versions of the Atkins plan did not do this. Fiber, while it is a type of carb as I understand it, is simply not processed the same way as other carbs. The "treat items" you mentioned, however, are most likely subtracting sugar alcohols as well. That IS much more risky. There is a fine article here by Andrea, the site founder, about sugar alcohols that should help clear up the confusion.

For most people, the more natural foods you eat, the better you will do. Fewer people have problems with the shakes than the bars (which I've seen stall out countless people), but either way, if you stick to real food, you can't go wrong.

Most people stay on induction 2 weeks. That's enough to get things going, and you get those lovely benefits you've already noticed from ketosis-lowered appetite and increased energy. That tells me you're doing something right already!

But do please be aware that this isn't like a slot machine-sometimes your weight loss comes unexpectedly; sometimes, other factors will slow it down. sometimes you lose inches without losing the pounds on the scale. it's very organic and your body works in it's own way. if you find daily weighing is discouraging you, don't do it! always have lots of ways to measure progress-how your clothes fit, measurements, energy levels, appetite, etc. weight is only ONE measure of progress, and probably not even the most important.

be sure to approach the whole thing in a way that feels good and supportive for you. a positive attitude is something you can't afford to compromise. good luck!

peace out.

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