THE PROGRAM: PHASE 2 Supporting You During This Phase

Here are some FAQs that you may encounter during Phase 2:

How do I get back on track after an “indiscretion”?

First of all, don’t beat yourself up. We all have moments of weakness, and maybe that plate of French fries your friend was eating was more than you could resist. Second, don’t play the game of “Well, since I’ve already messed up, I might as well go whole hog.” For the rest of the day eat appropriately. Don’t wait until tomorrow to get back on the wagon.

What’s carb creep?

Without realizing it, as you gradually add back foods, you may be consuming far more carbs than you think you are. This can make you complacent about your intake until your weight loss stalls. Once again, tracking your carbs and portion sizes should help you avoid carb creep.

Why have my cravings returned?

Usually cravings vanish by the end of the first week on Induction when you convert to burning primarily fat for energy. There are several reasons they may return. Women sometimes experience cravings a few days before their menstrual period. Going too long between meals or adding foods such as dairy products or peanuts may stimulate cravings. Stress can also destabilize blood sugar, triggering cravings for comfort foods. Adding a bit more fat, in the form of olives, half an avocado, or some cream cheese in a celery stick, can help you feel more satisfied, minimizing cravings.

Do I have to reintroduce all Phase 2 acceptable foods?

Of course not. If you don’t like yogurt or chickpeas or tomato juice, so be it. Or if a whole rung on the Carb Ladder holds no appeal for you, just skip it. There’s still plenty of variety inherent in the whole foods you can eat on Atkins.

Why is my weight loss erratic?

As discussed in regard to plateaus, your body has its own schedule and won’t share it with anyone. The important thing is to follow the program faithfully and the pounds will come off. Again, adding exercise helps some people lose weight, but not everyone. Be sure to take your measurements weekly. If you’ve lost inches, the scale is bound to catch up.

Why have I regained some of the weight I lost?

The reason we recommend that you not weigh yourself daily is that your weight can vary by as much as 5 pounds even within a day. As long as you’re following the program, you should see some weight loss every week or so, unless you’re on a plateau. If you stayed on track but gained a pound or two since the previous week, you’re probably retaining water or are constipated.