It is my goal to post here

[mainecyn]

I have decided to only go 10 more lbs to 145. Is that considered pre-main.?

[reader]

Hi, Cyn...

I think so. Since you already reached your goal, and chose to lower it, I would DEFINITELY say you are on Pre-Maintenance, as you DID reach the goal.

Now, your task is to find out IF your NEW goal is where you belong. You need to ADD CARBS, gradually. Up those carbs a few, maybe even 5. IF in a week you lost a tad, keep that up.

This phase is S-L-O-W and DESIGNED to be. Don't get discouraged. For example, suppose you get "bottled up" for some reason. You COULD gain 2 pounds on the scale. DID you gain 2 pounds? OF COURSE NOT! So don't panic.

Plan to lose, say no more than 1/2 pound a week as you add carbs. Or maybe only 1 pound per month! Who cares? You ALREADY reached your goal...you are just "testing the waters" for a "lower goal."

You ALREADY ARE A TRUE ATKINS SUCCESS!

It is a NEW mindset, to go from a "losing mode" to a "testing" mode to a "maintaining mode". You are in "Testing" so add those carbs.

What fun it will be to find out just "where" your carb tolerance is, without the pressure of "losing a single pound more", because truly, you do NOT need to. Goal 1 is ACHIEVED! the pressure is now off...goal 2 is simply a "nice to have" in the long journey along the way.

Toni

[reader]

Well, it's been since January of 2009, over 13 months and I AM HERE! One pound to go, as of last week...adding carbs, so maybe have gained a pound, but that's what this phase is all about! I'll be 130 and hopefully UNDER soon, and plan to maintain for the next 6 months. Then, maybe entertain 125...still have those "Over 65 flabbies" to face!" [I MUCH preferred to deal with the over-40 flabbies! Seemed like I lost them easier! LOL! Oh, well!]

I am so grateful to everyone...thanks to the best online buddies a person could have!



Toni

[reader]

To all who aspire to pre-maintenance...it is MUCH HARDER than Induction and OWL!

Wish me luck!

Toni

[chantyl03]

Good luck Toni!

[Buffenie]

You've got it, Toni!

[reader]

Thanks, my friends!

I HATE one pound from goal! It leads to obsession and dichotomy...on one hand LOSE that pound (stay close to Induction and DONE!)...the other hand "the object is to INCREASE carbs and push that CCL!

Folks, my scale is dizzy, day to day, from the fluctuations! One day 135, one day 132...the 131 is a distant memory!

I am SO glad I am in NO RUSH and have NO TIME limits!

My best to you all!

Toni

[Diana]

Toni,

I think your weight lose is terrific!
How long did it take to lose it?

[reader]

Thanks for asking!

I lost the bulk of my 35 pounds in 5 months. The first 28 pounds.

There was a time just after starting Atkins that my knee swelled bigger than a softball...turned out, after 4 horrible draining episodes and being on cortisone to be "gout" of all things! Meds (steroids) stalled me. No worries...that passed.

At about 5 months in, less than 10 pounds from goal, I upped my carbs, as suggested, and became a snail, BUT a slowly downward snail! I decided to NOT care about losing fast anymore, but finding a way to live with the plan. I added, as an example, low carb tortillas, Dreamfields's pasta, wine...so I could see how my future life COULD be...and I lost, so slowly, but lost, a few more pounds.

Since I am on low-carb FOR LIFE, taking things slow is NOT a concern. I like wine...I did NOT drink a drop of alcohol for 6 months, and now enjoy my wine, but I know it is "empty" carbs/calories for me. It is simply my only treat as I maintain and get to goal.

My best to you as you find YOUR way through this challenge! I hope you adopt Atkins style eating as YOUR "WOE" - "Way of Eating".

Toni