Atkins Diet Quick Hits: How to get off a low carb diet without regaining all the weight...

[TheMissKatrinaxxx]

Hello, this is Katrina again.

I am just wondering whether I can spend just a week in phase 2, 3 and 4 (one week for each phase) without gaining weight back? Keeping in mind that by phase 2 I would have lost the weight I needed (stayed on induction for 2 weeks - didn't have much weight to lose). Thanks!

[bowulf]

@TheMissKatrinaxxx It may be difficult to find your exact CCLL and ACE with only a week in either, but if you are within 5 pounds of goals, that is essentially the only plan left. Mind you phase 4 is the rest of your life phase. Check out my Maintenance (Phase 4) -- how to prove everyone wrong video for more info.

[HairloungeNmore]

Really great vid Kent. I have found this the easiest plan to follow. For the fact that it has lowered my blood pressure it keeps me going. I do add some cheat days though..but really nothing over the top. I have lost 24lbs ..been on this 4 months. I do wish it was more...but I will take it for now.

[ckrtom2]

Thanks for sharing these tips. Very helpful because this seems like a subject which no one would want to talk about. By bringing it out in the open and doing a video on it, the dialog and thinking process for people can begin.

[cherilynmonroe]

Let's see, how do I get off Atkins without gaining the weight back? Bwahahaha..SELF CONTROL and a hell of a lot of SELF CONTROL..Or, glide straight into OWL. People, it's true think Induction is FOREVER. I don't know how many times I had to explain to folks and family it's for Fourteen days; much better than grapefruit and brown rice for three months aye? Keep up the good work Ken, and what's your last name again? ..heee

[bowulf]

@cherilynmonroe :-) People take such a short sighted view of what Atkins is. If I could change one thing is that they would realize this before starting what would be just another in a string of fad diets, but I can't harp too much as the first time I started I had no clue either.

[cherilynmonroe]

@bowulf I miss Dr. Atkins.

[coquizyo09]

Your still such an inspiration to me :) especially since you've been on atkins sooo long and helping us with your recipe videos :) thanx

[em23]

i was fortunate when i was deployed because i was able to be on atkins using the dfac. it made the difference.

[bowulf]

@em23 Yeah I was foruntate to when I was active for only 6 weeks, eating at the DFAC was no problem for me either at Fort McCoy. Sure some breakfasts they failed to put out any meat options, but usually lunches/dinners usually had some hamburgers or hot dog options. I could imagine though 28 days in the field with only MREs would be near impossible, and frankly I might have had other concerns at that point.

Where were you deployed?

[em23]

@bowulf pm sent :)

[alphacause]

Atkins, like other carb restricted diets like the Paleo diet or the Protein Power diet, are not diets but lifestyle choices, which need to be sustained life long. To ask how do I get off the Atkins diet and not gain the weight back is like asking how can I stop washing my car, and yet at the same time ensure that it never gets dirty when I drive it. It’s a silly question. People, who want to get off Atkins or something similar, aren't treating it as a lifestyle, but a quick fix.

[bowulf]

@alphacause I agree. If one commits to doing Atkins or low carb, they should fully realize what they are committing to doing. This is the reason I try to make them understand what it implies, but sometimes I have to answer the questions from those who stumbled their way into the lifestyle and want to undo it.

It was my goal to lay out an approach for how they can redecide whether I agree with their decision or not.

[bowulf]

@alphacause Using your car analogy, it would be similar to telling the off-roader (aka diabetic or person who abused carbs in the past) who hates the pain of washing of his car to potentially stay out of the ditch or avoid the mud (donuts / pizza) in the future. They'll eventually either learn that the washing of cars is worth it or might choose a different hobby.

[lizard26]

I am reentering Atkins induction faze. I started yesterday the day went well. I plain on staying on induction for 2 weeks. I have been reading that I need carbs so I can workout? I am an intermediate level of fitness and workout 5-6 days a week. What are your opinions and tips on working out while on a low carb diet. Thank you in advance =)

[bowulf]

@lizard26 As for needing carbs to exercise, I would not necessarily agree with that statement. I have ran marathons, did HIIT, lifted weights on ketogenic (50g or less) level of carbs each day. My level of carbs once acclimated has had no impact on my exercise. That said, this is not a zero carb diet.

Check out my exercise is non-negotiable video for more info, but realize in the first couple weeks you'll be acclimated to a new energy source. Your workouts may be a bit tougher initially.

[mrbunzer]

Ken: I think you just ensured many people will rethink about going off the diet as you explained some of the negatives about carb diets. Also, I am surprised you refer to Atkins as a diet, which infers a start and a stop date and not a change of eating habits and lifestyle.This could be dangerous to some people as they think Atkins is only a short term tool which will allow them to return to their old ways as soon as they lose the weight leading to unhealthy yo-yo-ing. See Oprah

[mac21268]

@mrbunzer -- if you've read Dr. Atkins book you'd know there is not a "stop" date. He presented it as a change in lifestyle and permanent way of eating.

[bowulf]

@mrbunzer The whole diet versus lifestyle name thing is a non-issue to me. Like I mentioned, there is no "after Atkins," and it is a diet in the same way vegan or a lion's diet is a diet. It is way to eat or live. A lion typically doesn't think each day, "am I going to eat a gazelle or eat a flower?"

The people using the diet as a fad diet or lose weight then hop off approach might not ever watch this video, but I hope it serves as one more thing to think about as they weigh the decision.

[meshkat19]

such a great video! a topic that i had removed from my brain. going to war or military probably leaves you with no options....

Hope for the day that there is no more military and guns in any country except to protect our planet ;)

[bowulf]

@meshkat19 I look forward to eventual recoming of Christ that would mean swords could be beat into plows, but we'll see. Until then, I am appreciative of them who continue to serve as I did and sacrifice certain freedoms (like what to eat) to protect mine.

It is my hope that others when they decide to go to this way of living or diet understand their decision more fully. It's like the contracts that my kids sign -- I just want them to understand potentially what they are agreeing to first.

[dalv11]

thx man! Useful vid!

[bowulf]

@dalv11 I hope its usefulness is lessened by more people sticking on a low carb diet rather than deciding to hop off, I recognize there are times when people just can't continue for whatever reason.