Is it really that easy to gain weight post-Atkins?

*Michael*

Silver Member
I read a lot about how people 'pile the pounds' back on once they go back to eating 'normally' post-Atkins (assuming you don't follow the OWL/maintenance phases).

Is this true? I mean, any more true than when you stop any other other 'way of eating' plans like Cambridge, Slimming World etc?

Obviously you can't go back to eating cake made of pasta 24/7 but is the body particularly sensitive to carbs post-Atkins? I'm guessing you can't gain weight back in weeks that took months/years to put on originally?

Cheers!
 
Not an expert but I can't see stopping Atkins as different from stopping any other diet. If you take in more energy than you're burning off (by gluconeogenesis from fat, or any other metabolic process) then you will store the excess as fat.

I could see that there could be an immediate weight gain of several pounds as the glycogen stores you've depleted fill up again with their accompanying water, but that would be in the first day or two - after that if you eat sensibly (whatever that is) you'll be out of ketosis and back to taking your chances with the above equation. Nobody's going to pile on weight by magic or anything. ;)

Are you thinking about maintenance now Michael? You've done so well.
 
Hey Water, thanks.

The numbers say I've done OK (not as good as all you guys tho!) but if you saw me with my top off (sorry, wasn't trying to scare you!!), there's still a bit to lose. I think I'll advance to mid-high OWL and see how I get on for a couple of weeks.

I agree with you on the water weight, Water :). I just couldn't see why everyone seems so sceptical about keeping the weight off long-term once you relax the rules. I'm not in any hurry to put it back on and will be watching the scales like a hawk!

I quite like the idea of experimenting a bit. Maybe like Dukan Diet, doing low-carb/medium carb days/weeks. I like how Jim uses several inductions per year.

I think I'm rambling...
 
Hi Michael I'm definitely no expert but I foresee when I get to my ultimate target then I'll probably watch the scales more closely as I increase my carb intake until I find the "correct" carb level that I can have whilst maintaining. I think like with every diet maintaining the loss is harder than losing!
 
Hey you're only 3lb off target so you sound like an expert to me!! I hear what you're saying though.
 
Hi Michael, I use induction as a tool to get below posted weight when I know a splurge is forecast mate.

As to your original question, I think that if anyone goes back to their old way of eating, you'll pile the weight back on, no matter what diet you were following.
 
hello :) put it this way. i had 3 weeks off diet after dukan and gained about a stone!
 
Hi Michael, I use induction as a tool to get below posted weight when I know a splurge is forecast mate.

As to your original question, I think that if anyone goes back to their old way of eating, you'll pile the weight back on, no matter what diet you were following.

From what I've read on here, I really like your approach to weight management. Seems really sensible.

hello put it this way. i had 3 weeks off diet after dukan and gained about a stone!

Woah! I hope that's the result of a MASSIVE blowout!!!...?
 
Woah! I hope that's the result of a MASSIVE blowout!!!...?
not really just eating carbs! pasta is evil!
 
I know, I'm carbophobic I'm sure.
 
Me three!
 
Yep - I'm developing a serious aversion to carbs.

Wellll......unless they're in the form of diabetic chocolate - those carbs, and only those, are good. ;)
 
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