I posted this on Atkins forum, but no-one answered, so I thought I'd try here:

Okay, I need some reassurance and help so that I don't cheat. I need to see real results, even though I know the real answer, in order to convince myself to never cheat again. I thought a good way would be to collect data from those who have/haven't cheated and compare that data.

The question I am wanting to ask:

Starting weight / How much weight have you lost / in how many weeks, and / did you cheat a little (occasional bowl of popcorn, piece of bread), a lot (whole days of ice cream, bread and potatoes), or not at all.

I'll start it off:

235 / 15 pounds / 8 weeks / a lot

(what does this ^ tell you already )

Thanks in advance for the assistance with my "study"

208 / 13.5 / 12 weeks / none

249/38/13 weeks?/a little more than a little, a lot less than a lot. LOL.

~Angi~

302 / 76 / 24 weeks / none

178 pounds/ 26 lbs /2.5 month/ no cheating.


It's important to remember those with the most to lose will lose faster. Don't compair your progress with others as there are many different varibles to weight loss.

I average around 2 pounds lost a week, with some weeks being 0 and other weeks being good. Some people can cheat and still lose weight. Often times though those people have higher carb tolerence levels and a bit better of a metabolism. Others who cheat gain or suddenly get sever cravings and end up cheating repeatedly. If higher carb things don't cause cravings, then I think some treats can be worked into your diet on occasion. Especially when you enter OWL, and premaintanance you can be amazed at how many things you can eat for 30 carbs, 40 carbs and so on. Moderation is the key though. I don't understand why some people plan a cheat, then instead of enjoying it they gorge so badly they end up feeling miserable for a few days. Not worth it in my opinion.

305 lbs./66 pounds vanished/ 5 months/ I could count the times I cheated with both hands .

To me, if you really think of it as "cheating" it will make ya feel guilty. When I first did Atkins I got through Induction no sweat. Then I started "cheating" so I forsake this WOE because of a guilty conscience. But I knew this WOE was the right answer to my health predicament. Two years later, here I am with 60+ pounds gone.

Stay strong and hang in there, we'll suppport YOUR JOURNEY!!!!!


David

220 / 40 pounds / 24 weeks / a lot

178 lb/19.7 lb/14 weeks/very rarely

194lbs/45 lbs lost/28 weeks/ occasionally.
I'm breaking a stall right now caused by cheating and not watching carbs by going back to induction. It seems to be working.

210/32 lb lost/24 weeks/occasionally

Sometimes I think mixing it up a little has helped me - kept my body guessing & not getting into a rut.

I already answered on the atkins forum - but dc is so right - the psychology of the thing can be so important! And ladybelle, like usual, is so smart - it really depends on the person and how it effects them and what stage they are at.

My first weekend on induction (was my 3rd and 4th day), I "gave in" and had a shot of espresso on Sunday morning, and sugarfree Jello in the evening. Because we're not supposed to have caffeine on induction, and nutrasweet is such a no-no, I considered these both "cheats" at the time.

Today, I had a beautiful perfect day with sausage and eggs for breakfast, tuna and lettuce for lunch, and salmon and brocolli for dinner. But I had ONE dorito (borrowed from a co-worker's bag). I haven't had a dorito in 2 months. This is one carb, and clearly below my limit. Now? I don't consider this a cheat.

164/10/8weeks/none

179/13 lbs lost/2.5 weeks (20 days)/none

This is funny for me as I had to buy a new scale which messed with my stats. The old scale showed my starting weight at 175 and that is where my stats came from. Well, my son dropped a free weight on my scale (during 2nd week of induction) and I had to buy a new one which showed I was 4 lbs heavier. So, the above stats are for the new scale..

265/10.5/3.5wks/no cheating

OK, I'm new at this obviously^, but I've got another question for those of you that have been doing this WOL for a while:

Does you body/metabolism "adjust" to the very low amount of carbs you are eating & then make it next to impossible to add any without gaining once you have lost the majority of the weight you were looking to lose?

That has been my experience in the past with low cal/low fat diets---now, I know this WOL is different, that's why I'm doing it but, I NEED to know if my body will EVER let me go above 20g carbs/day again without gaining weight!

I am just doing "Low Carb"--no actual plan, I don't allow myself anything that has more than 2-3 carbs/serving, and even "rounding up" things that have <1g carb, I am usually well below my 20g carb for the day. Based on my past experience---after losing 85 lbs on low cal/low fat diet--and gaining if I ate more than 700 cals/day!---do you guys/gals think that I may be being too restrictive? After all, I if this stops working, I can't cut back (on carbs) any further than I already am! Or, am I right on target?

Please help, I've got a LOOONG way to go and I want to do it right!!!

Thanks, Oh Wonderful & Informative Board!

[QUOTE=GirlGeek]I posted this on Atkins forum, but no-one answered, so I thought I'd try here:

Thanks in advance for the assistance with my "study"



148lb / 21lb lost / 10+Weeks / VERY little

Didn't cheat AT ALL during induction (stayed on that 3 weeks). Have only cheated a few times during pre-maintenance. I exercise faithfully EVERY day. Good luck!

Morgan