Any Former Atkins People -- and how does your post-op eating plan compare?

I was fairly successful a few years back following a pretty strict Atkins plan (LOL -- not a made up version with bacon fried in butter for every meal!).  And I lost 60-80 pounds -- well 80, but I was at that weight such a short time it doesn't seem fair to count it!  

The best I ever did on a WW (more balanced -- only bacon and butter once a week - LOL) was maybe 30 pounds.  And I'm talking about a starting weight in the 260 neighborhood. 

I see people here being successful with both a low carb approach and with a higher carb (what I call a more balanced) approach.  But since my biggest success was following a low carb plan before, I'm sticking to that approach for now.

What about you all?  Any low carbers previously who stayed low carb -- or who went higher carb and were still successful. 

I'm not talking about a cupcake a week or anything like that -- more like incorporating higher carb vegetables or grains.  

There are a variety of low carb bread recipes and mixes (Atkins, CarbQuick) and low carb torillas which I could fit into my plan in the next couple of months, but I'm worried that those will hold back my weight loss or trigger carb cravings. 

What's been your experience? 

Honestly, I don't think there is a diet you can name that I didn't try at one point or another, and most of them I tried at least twice.  I lost with all diets, but lost more with a lean protein low carb diet.  But this is not about following a particular diet for me.  I approached this very differently.  I chose a doctor that has the very best results I could find anywhere and I decide to follow HIS plan exactly until I hit goal.  I didn't wonder what would be better, or how much of something I should eat.  I just did what he told me and expected to get the results that he promised me I would get.  That is exactly what happened.  I put more pressure on him to deliver than I felt.  All I had to do is what he told me and nothing else.  It was rather liberating.

Thanks!  My doc has a good success rate, is a COE, etc., and I am following his guidelines (low carb, high protein) - but within my 40 carb a day limit, i could incorporate more variety in the future.  Basically, no raw veggies until the end of month two --  and a lot of caveats about "avoiding carbs" -- then the next page lists high fiber foods -- All Bran, Fiber One, Beans, Fresh Fruits, etc -- all of which are higher carb alternatives, but still "allowed".

I guess I'm struggling (or anticipating struggling) with anything besides meat and low carb veggies and worried about food boredom.  Then I worry about adding other types of carbs (grains, low carb breads -- no rice/pasta) will trigger the carb demons!  

Or maybe it's just that I am moving into the dreaded three week stall and looking for something to obsess about!   Or if I'm following the plan, it doesn't really matter how I get my protein or carbs, as long as I don't exceed my daily targets?

I never did Atkins per se,but i have found out post VSG that I am extremely sensitive to carbs,even whole grains,etc. I will gain every time I eat any and any of them set me up for craving not only more carbs but more of everything. it seems like when I eat carbs they make my sleeve hold way more of everything,even dense protein.

 

I have to stay well below 20 gms if i want to lose.

Not a former Atkins person, but I lost successfully (100 pounds) and maintained for 3 years on a high carb (but specific carbs only) food plan. Here's what it looked like: (the amounts seem ridiculous now)

B: 1 cup cooked whole grain or whole grain hot cereal (no refined grains, meaning no box cereal, no Quaker Oats, no flour of any kind), 4 oz protein (4 oz meat/fish, 2 eggs, 8 oz tofu), 1 cup low or fat free dairy, 6 oz fruit

L: 4 oz protein, 1 cup whole grains/8 oz potato, 2 cups vegetables

D: same foods and quantities as lunch

S: plan called it a metabolic adjustment, a before bed snack which was intended to keep blood sugar levels even over night- 1 cup dairy and 6 oz fruit

otherwise, nothing outside these specific meals, no sugar or artificial sweeteners of any kind

 

Not former Atkins, but my most success with dieting was WW about 12 years ago. I didn't do anything at all to limit carbs... I just stayed within points range, and even NOT staying in points range, I did very well. The best way to find out if something you want is going to trigger you is to try a bit of it. I find that I can have something carby in the evening (like quinoa with my meat) and not have any issues with it.

The reason I always went off diets was due to food boredom. I already know that about myself, so I am NOT eating the same things every day. I change it up very often. This is the way I am going to eat for the rest of my life, so I better make it enjoyable.

Thanks!  Maybe I'm worrying about boredom because I eat so little now, that a single meal is really three meals!  So I'm eating things that I like, and we eat out some, so I've taken to portioning out items and sticking them in the freezer.  That way I'm not having the same thing for three days until it's gone!

I'm only starting week four now, so I guess I am just having one of those obsessive moments!

In a former life I did Atkins, & a lower fat meat & egg plan. Lost both ways & my surgeons plan is 45 carbs I do lower, but honestly by the time I get my fluids in & my protein not much room for anything else. Don't get me wrong I have days wher I can do some slider higher carb foods just choose not too working on not using the food to deal with my emotions. On good days like I said no room for anything else & I have lost 80 lbs post op. 4 yrs ago I lost 80 lbs with low carb & regained it all. now have about 50 to goal & losing slowly , but losing!!

I did Atkins in my former life and was pretty sucessfull ...until I wasnt. My post op diet is pretty darn similiar. I eat protein first and at 7 months out that is about 2 oz per meal. I am "full" with no room for anything else. If I want a low carb veg I have it for a snack. No fruits. The big difference from pre op is that I log and track everything on mfp. With Atkins you really didnt have to do that. I keep my calories around 600/+60 protein/-40 carbs (usually around 20)/+64 oz fluid. I know I am not hungry and normally dont have many cravings. With more carbs it is harder for me. I dont know if I would have lost weight as quickly, if I ate more carbs or not. I have lost 152 lbs in about 7 months. A few of those were pre op. Ive gone from a size 24 to a 12. I dont want to change anything while this is working so well. I also have amazing energy and feel sluggish with more carbs. For me, this Atkins-ish diet works. I wish you much success!