My Atkins Long Term Plan-Am I Clueless?

[the2ofus]

I have a few questions that I hope you can answer because they are personal to me and not of a general nature. I have been following Atkins since the end of May I have lost 17 pounds and hope to lose maybe 5 to10 more.
I will admit that I have bought into some of “beliefs” of others on this board regarding fasts, low calorie/low low carb, and being anti -“frakenfoods” and to be honest it’s made this entire program less than desirable.
This is my plan to eat according to the latest information available that allows this plan to work for me. To eat my beloved white pizza once or twice a month if I desire it. To eat my lovely low-carb ice cream and candy when I simply cannot resist the monthly siren calls. On holidays and special occasions to eat what I want (even if its one meal) because they don’t happen everyday. On a cold winters day having a bowl of my “famous” baked potato soap because frankly I’d rather eat that once a year and mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving than eat mashed cauliflower even once a month. To eat “forbidden” foods if I want because I can control myself and I know saying to myself that I’m eating pizza tonight does not mean going hog wild today and eating whatever I want. Let me also say that not for one minute am I even remotely implying that these would be weekly or even monthly occurrences, well ok maybe the pizza BUT I hope you get my drift. So am I setting myself up for failure? Am I just not getting Atkins? Or am I on the right track for adapting Atkins into the rest of my life?
Thank you and have a wonderful day, Lisa
I just wanted add that I am grateful for the information you provide here!

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

Congratulations!

Not only for your success so far, but also for understanding what Atkins is all about. It is a controlled carbohydrate lifestyle that you personalize to meet your needs, not a menu that you follow to a ‘t’.

You are learning how to incorporate the foods you love once in a while, while still maintaining the weight you have lost and also still working to lose more to meet your goal. You may take it off slightly faster my denying yourself the foods you love, but why do that! You recognize that you can take it off slower while learning how to still enjoy your ‘holiday and special occasion foods’ on holidays and special occasions. This most certainly is the way that you can continue on the Atkins Nutritional Approach for the rest of your life.

Others may have a different interpretation of the guidelines, which is just the one that is best for them. They may have individualized their approach to eliminate ‘holiday and special occasion’ foods if they know they can’t control their cravings or include a controlled carb version of the foods if they cannot maintain on the real version. This is the meal planning that works best for them.

Congrats again and good luck on your continued success!

[Kimmer]

Originally posted by Atkins_Nutritionist
... what Atkins is all about. It is a controlled carbohydrate lifestyle that you personalize to meet your needs, not a menu that you follow to a ‘t’.

Isn't Induction fairly specific in rules ... especially now with the required net carbing, minimum calorie and fat ratio requirements, and limits on cheese, cream and bacon?

[Note: Underlining mine.]

[the2ofus]

Thank you A-N for answering my post! I just wanted to add that I followed induction strictly for 3 weeks and then began to "climb the carb ladder". I have only recently added the other food items, because frankly I missed them and I like them!
It is so easy on this website to caught up in others interpretations of Atkins. It is difficult to respect those who refuse to follow the simple rules of Atkins re: ample water and vegetables yet throw hissy fits when it comes to low-carb products or the emerging science regarding the evolution of "Atkins".
Thank you again-L.

[cheri]

Originally posted by Kimmer
Isn't Induction fairly specific in rules ... especially now with the required net carbing, minimum calorie and fat ratio requirements, and limits on cheese, cream and bacon?

[Note: Underlining mine.]

I don't think she is on induction Kimmer and from the title of the post... it is about Atkins in the long term and how to adapt the diet to make it livable for life. Even Atkins himself has always said you can have those little indulgences every now and then once on maintenance. And because everyone is different and we all know what works for one might not work for another (your milage will vary) that Atkins has and always will be a way of life that you have to personalize to your specific needs.