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To cheat or not to cheat -- that is the question.
Earlier today, I responded to someone's journal. I am pasting my comment in my own journal as a momento - a landmark - to show "You've come a long way, baby!"
Some people have the view point that a "chosen cheat" will suffice; others hold to a more strict view "No - unacceptable!". I personally choose the latter. My own personal opinion stems from reading Dr. Atkins materials and other resources. When you eat a controlled-carb diet it changes the way your body's engine works. You totally switch from burning carbs for fuel, the body's primary source for fuel, to burning stored and dietary fat. This is a huge undertaking/adjustment for your body. And when you treat yourself to a "chosen cheat" for a day, it totally whangdoodles your engine -- you stop burning fat for fuel and revert back to your body's first preferred source of fuel - carbohydrates. Then to switch again, in a few days, because "I had my fun and now I'm ready to eat healthy again"...woah - it is another shocker to the system and can really damage one's metabolism.
Another fall-out from the chosen cheat is that once-dormant cravings resurface...and energy plummets. Most who follow the Low Carb WOE testify that they *feel* so much more energic. No more spikes in blood sugar that cause mood swings or energy stalls. Choosing food off-plan definitely causes all this to resurface. The thing that helps me the most is remembering that it takes four days for the contraband food to exit the body - -and it could take anywhere from 5 days to a few weeks to enter ketosis again. That's a long time. To me, the cheat is just not worth it...
What I love to do is find (or create) low carb options which replace the contra-band food that I used to enjoy eating. Today, I feel very satisfied - I love my food options - I'm not bored with it one bit...and I've been eating this way for almost a year. :)
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1442 kcal
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Fat: 83.48g | Prot: 60.23g | Carbs: 59.93g.
Breakfast: water, Muffin in a Minute, butter, melon. Lunch: green pepper, onion, lettuce, cucumber, tap water, My Vegetable Beef Soup, tap water. Dinner: water, beets, Turkey and Vegetable Casserole. Snacks/Other: string cheese , walnuts, melon. more...
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 Comments
I am so proud of you for your commitment to the Atkins WOE over the past year! You are seriously a role model for the many newbies roaming around this site still feeling their way through induction. I do want to weigh in on this just to provide some perspective...carb cycling plans are commonly used in the bodybuilding community to cut fat while preserving/building muscle, & if they were truly damaging to the metabolism, they would not be effective at cutting fat. They are most effective when the macro targets are specifically calculated for the dieter based on her lean body mass & what her workout is going to look like. If I follow my own plan as written, I am eating low-carb through the week with a high level of protein to support the weightlifting. Unfortunately, the 60g of net carbs I eat every day isn't quite enough to allow me to progress with those workouts over long periods of time, so if I'm on-plan, once a week I replenish my glycogen stores with just enough carbs to get me through another week. Assuming I take in limited fat on this day, I will store little if any new fat. That said...I haven't been following my program to the letter. Guilty, lol. You're definitely right that the high-carb, high-fat, processed stuff triggers cravings & in general should be stayed away from. Just wanted to share that when done properly, carb cycling can be a very effective way to lose fat. Have a wonderful day dear!
12 Aug 11 by member: kstubblefield
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Hi Ladies, I actually agree with you both, I think what works for one person doesn't work for another. We are all made different ways. I know I try not to go off plan, but I don't work out as much as you do Kat so maybe for me to do the higher carbs during the weekend lets say would make me suffer a lot longer like Evie says to get back to losing the fat like 5 days or more. So whatever works and you are both great proof that there are many ways to do this. We are all on our own path. You are both a great inspiration for newbies and oldies alike. Keep up the great work. Thank you both.
12 Aug 11 by member: Yvonne19
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Great job Evie. You sure have come a long way and I am so proud of you. May you enjoy all the successes. Much love.
12 Aug 11 by member: kmartin
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You have come a long way baby! And look at you go!!! 50+ lbs gone forever! And all kinds of habits broken or changed in a direction that works for you, your body, and your new lifestyle! That is all priceless!!! I personally agree with all of the above. How I do it, might much closer resemble how you do it, Evie... but while working out at the gym, I have had long conversations w/ my trainer friend about carb cycling. I'm just (seriously) afraid to do it. The last thing I want is to gain. And for someone at my weight, and with my workout routine in mind - I would have to 're-learn' a whole new way of eating on that one cheat day. He (the trainer) highly recommended only the top tier spectrum of the Atkins Carb Ladder. Upping your carbs w/ only those 'healthy carbs' during your spike day. I may try it... just haven't decided yet. But I want these last 5-10 lbs off... and it often takes me 3-14 days to get back into Ketosis after being kicked out. The problem w/ hanging around Maintenance and wanting to still lose... is you justify stuff much more easily. What really bothers me is when the new folks 'jump into the deep end of the pool' without even realizing they have no idea what they are doing. Then the pendulum swings the other way and they starve themselves for a week at something like 800 calories and 3 carbs. That's not gonna work for you either! LOL!! Anyway... love you much, so proud of all you've done... and keep up the fantastic journey! Thanks for continuing to be here.. always enjoy seeing you online. Much Love.
12 Aug 11 by member: jsfantome
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Great input Kat, Yvonne and Paula! Thanks for chiming in! And thanks for the cudos, lovely Keli. I appreciate you all and the ongoing support and friendship.
12 Aug 11 by member: Evie1010
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Way to go Evie and I totally agree. I've done some planned cheats and felt so crappy that I don't want to do it again. I know all about the blood sugar spikes and drops and neither are healthy or safe. Keep up the fantastic work in your WOE/WOL. HUGS:):)
12 Aug 11 by member: LauPug1
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Hey Laurie, so glad you stopped by. How are you, hon? Things going ok with the fam? Glad you are doing so well -- you in your skinnier size 12s! So excited for you, girlie! Love ya
12 Aug 11 by member: Evie1010
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It's really nice to be able to get back here too. Everything is good here, just really busy. Yes, I am still in the 12's so far. Hopefully I will be able to stay there. It sure has been a long haul, but well worth every bit of it. Hope all is well with you too my friend. Talk soon. :):)
12 Aug 11 by member: LauPug1
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Evie1010's Weight History
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