I've been about 10 pounds away from goal for three weeks now. (I'm used to pauses, so I know that the weight loss will start back up again in 2 weeks, max.) I don't want to race through these last several pounds. To stay patient I've been telling myself that regardless of how long it takes, the pounds will come off eventually.

Now that I know I won't be at maintenance for several more months, I find that I'm wanting more variety. The only higher Atkins wrung I'm interested in is "other fruits", but 5 carb increments of those other fruits would be tiny! I want more than that. At this point I have no desire to learn a completely new, detailed plan (especially since I'm still planning on maintaining with Atkins).

So... My question to you all (especially those of you who've done Atkins) is do you think it would be alright for me to follow the condensed version of PP as outlined in "The 30-Day Low-Carb Solution"? I won't mind losing a bit more slowly...I just don't want to gain or stall indefinitely.

Personally, I have no idea how its going to affect your loss. It might be good to shake things up and see if you body responds and switching plans, or adding in new foods may do just that. On the other hand, it may take much more effort or much more time to reach your goal, regardless of your plan.

As for me, I've had the "last ten pounds" hanging on since May, so it may require more than just watching carbs: some folks need to reduce fat, or increase fat, change thier exercise plan, add exercise, limit calories (but not too much) or a dozen other things that folks reccomend. I'm also considering stopping when I reach my "size" goal rather than a number on the scale. I think I have more muscle that I did before, and that may factor in to the number on the scale.

If you are very carb sensitive, you may not be able to eat more than 5g of carbs from fruit.

You're right. I was thinking about this. I moved to the berry rung of Atkins in mid-August. I have a 5 carb serving of berries no more than twice a week. Even with that small amount my weight loss has stopped.

This was my second attempt at adding back berries. The same thing happened the first time, so I went back to induction for a while and then eventually climbed the rungs and tried again.

I love berries, but I guess I just can't have them until maintenance. In that case, I'll stay on Atkins and give up on the fruit for now.

Thank you both for your help!

the one webpage version: http://www.frot.co.nz/dietnet/reviews/proteinpower.htm

Maybe it's your total carbs rather than the berries that is stalling you. Have your carbs been creeping up lately? Personally, I have to stay below 20 carbs or I stall. I try to stay between 10-15 carbs per day.

Maybe you can add berries if you cut your carbs in a different area. I know I can add cottage cheese from time to time without stalling, but I have to keep my total carbs at below 20.

Have never tried berries yet, but if I do, I know I will not just be able to ADD them in...I will HAVE to cut elsewhere.

I agree... I have always been able to have blueberries, even on Induction as long as I eat them in place of the other carbs I would have eaten, vegis, I have indeed done this, eaten blueberries with heavy cream, sometimes frozen ones in the chopper with the heavy cream makes a wonderful ice cream! But then I do forgo my vegis for that day opting for the fruit instead in order to not stall my weight loss... I always eat them with some sort of fat though to slow the glycemic inpact.

I count net carbs, so I never thought about total carbs being the problem. I think you're right though. I looked through My P.L.A.N. and my total carbs are usually under 25. On days when I had 5 net carbs of berries, the total jumped to over 35.

Between my other carb sources (veggies, cheese, nuts) and berries, I'd choose the former. A few ounces of berries is not worth the high total carb count for me.

Thanks for pointing out the issue of total carbs! I'm not sure why I didn't think of it.

Personally because I am soooooo sensitive to carbs I don't dare count net carbs (especially if I'm getting close to my limit for the day) or I would be on a permanent stall. lol