Atkins and Low Carb Weight Loss
Atkins and gaining
Hi Raynetta,
The same thing happened to me! I reached goal after RNY in July of last year (140 lbs), then dropped below goal to 135 lbs. Then I decided to get into maintenance and chose Atkins as my way of eating. I rather quickly went up to 138 lbs, then back up to 140. I was OK with this as I felt I looked better at 140 and many people told me the same. Then, over the last couple of months, I started going up more. I dropped my already low daily carb level from 25 net carbs down to induction level of 20 net carbs a day. Not only did I not lose, but I gained more, until I was up to 146 lbs. I am now 145 lbs. I LOVE the Atkins way of eating, but I realize I've been overindulging in fats, which may be why I've gained and not lost. It seems I replaced my old tendency to overindulge in carbs with overeating fats (especially butter - lots of it). I rationalized that since fats are GOOD and very much allowed on Atkins, that I could eat as much of them I want with no regard to the amount of calories I was eating.
I wish I had some suggestion. For me, I'm going to have to go back to old fashioned calorie counting and lower my caloric intake because it's way too high right now.
The same thing happened to me! I reached goal after RNY in July of last year (140 lbs), then dropped below goal to 135 lbs. Then I decided to get into maintenance and chose Atkins as my way of eating. I rather quickly went up to 138 lbs, then back up to 140. I was OK with this as I felt I looked better at 140 and many people told me the same. Then, over the last couple of months, I started going up more. I dropped my already low daily carb level from 25 net carbs down to induction level of 20 net carbs a day. Not only did I not lose, but I gained more, until I was up to 146 lbs. I am now 145 lbs. I LOVE the Atkins way of eating, but I realize I've been overindulging in fats, which may be why I've gained and not lost. It seems I replaced my old tendency to overindulge in carbs with overeating fats (especially butter - lots of it). I rationalized that since fats are GOOD and very much allowed on Atkins, that I could eat as much of them I want with no regard to the amount of calories I was eating.
I wish I had some suggestion. For me, I'm going to have to go back to old fashioned calorie counting and lower my caloric intake because it's way too high right now.
Michelle 
(OH member since 2004 - new user name)
HW 285 / SW 270 / GW 140 / LW 135 / CW 185
RNY 6/8/2009 
Starting size 26/28, now size 12/14
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." -Hebrews 13:8
What is a typical daily menu for you?
Are you consuming bacon or sausages. Some contain high amounts of sodium. Maybe you're retaining water?
Also I find if I eat too much dairy, cheese and whipping cream, it also stalls me. I try to limit it to one to two ounces daily.
Are you eating what are considered Frankenfoods? Again too much of these foods can cause stalls or gains.
Are you consuming bacon or sausages. Some contain high amounts of sodium. Maybe you're retaining water?
Also I find if I eat too much dairy, cheese and whipping cream, it also stalls me. I try to limit it to one to two ounces daily.
Are you eating what are considered Frankenfoods? Again too much of these foods can cause stalls or gains.
Plus an additional 42.2lbs pre op! Starting weight 300lbs. 
Hi Raynetta --
It is true that some people really stick strictly to an Atkins-type plan, and still manage to gain. You're right, it's not fair!
My suggestion is, try tracking absolutely everything for a few days, and see what you find.
1) make sure you are getting enough protein;
2) make sure you are reducing your net carbs to <20
3) when calculating net carb grams, be sure to count sugar alcohols and other alcohols;
4) make sure your caloric intake is at least 1200/day
5) see if perhaps your intake of calories overall is too high
Atkins is not the only low-carb diet; also, t here are some people whose metabolisms are not suited to it. Atkins tends to be low-carb, moderate protein, and high fat. In general, the fat tends to subdue appetite, but some people will, in fact, go overboard on the fat and intake so many calories that they do, in fact, gain.
Please come back and let us help you fine-tune, if you would like!
It is true that some people really stick strictly to an Atkins-type plan, and still manage to gain. You're right, it's not fair!
My suggestion is, try tracking absolutely everything for a few days, and see what you find.
1) make sure you are getting enough protein;
2) make sure you are reducing your net carbs to <20
3) when calculating net carb grams, be sure to count sugar alcohols and other alcohols;
4) make sure your caloric intake is at least 1200/day
5) see if perhaps your intake of calories overall is too high
Atkins is not the only low-carb diet; also, t here are some people whose metabolisms are not suited to it. Atkins tends to be low-carb, moderate protein, and high fat. In general, the fat tends to subdue appetite, but some people will, in fact, go overboard on the fat and intake so many calories that they do, in fact, gain.
Please come back and let us help you fine-tune, if you would like!
Interested in low-carb nutrition? Thinking of trying Atkins? Want to try high-fat and/or high-protein eating? Whether or not you have had (or are thinking about) WLS http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/atkins/
