I don't know if this works for everyone but it did/does for me. And this is the place to share all your experiences right? Well, I did a 24 hour cheat and then went back to healthy Atkins eating and it kick started my loss again. I don't know how to expalin it, a jolt to the body's system? I don't know. I did not gain during the 24 hour cheat. Funny thing is the 24 hour cheat made me almost sick! But it worked so I may do it again in another month. Has anyone else done this?

I do it all the time, but I am building muscle now and need to do it.

Though I haven't intentionally cheated yet while doing Atkins, I've had days where I would up my carbs to maintenance level and sometimes it would cause me to drop a pound or so. Just be careful on those cheats not to trigger any serious cravings and don't cheat on any sugary foods.

well, i almost made myself sick since it had been a little over a month of eating healthy so i doubt I do it again soon. If i do it in another month - I will eliminate the icecream because it was after that when I didn't feel well.

Cheating or "refeed" worked for me last year when I was in a stall. The problem was I had trouble getting back on the right track.

Thanks for sharing,
Kat

Do a search on "refeed" and you will find lots of information on it and Leptin.

"I do it all the time, but I am building muscle now and need to do it."

Why? I am progressing with the weights better than ever-- the main carbs I get now are from vegetables. How hard is your workout?

my work out is pretty hard. I have a weight lifting class 3 days (3 hours) a week and i run or do elliptical 2 to 3 miles the other 3 days and I actually do rest one day which still consists of some form of wimpy excersize, but I am addicted.

There are plans that incorporate a free day...I think Body for Life does that.... It says it resets your hormone levels and keeps you from going off and staying on track... I usually do this but have a CAD type meal which makes me feel so much better.... I really can't explain it but my body does better on higher carbs...

what do you mean by cheating? do you mean eating loads of sugar in 24 hours and then starting atkins again makes you lose weight?

I am curious also Katie,
What constitutes a "free day"?