Need Help Getting Back On Track

[BronxGirl78]

Hi All,

I have been successful on Atkins in the past and lost a good amount of weight. Short of my goal I went back to my old habits and introduced white sugar and flour back into my life. Needless to say, I'm on my way to gaining all of my lost weight back. I don't want to so I've made a decision to make this life change permanent.

I'm on my 5th day of Induction and have already lost 4 lbs. My concern is that after 14 days of Induction I will lose too much weight, as odd as that sounds.

My question is must I complete the 14 days of Induction before moving on to OWL or Maintenance?

I appreciate the advice.

BronxGirl78
Started Atkins April 2005

[officerlockstock]

Re: Need Help Getting Back On Track

Hey BG,

Like you I had some success with Atkins in the past, but as a result of a number of things (hurting my back, returning to school after the summer etc) I fell off the wagon, and gained back 35 of the 55 pounds I lost.

I started again in the summer (although I never did a full 14 days of induction) and wasn't super strict.

Anyways, I re-started a strict Atkins again a couple of weeks ago, but had a couple of massive cheats. I restarted induction after my last cheat and have been cheat free for 8 days now.

On to my thoughts...

I think you should do the full 14 days. Alot of the 4 pounds you have lost is water (as your glycogen stores have been depleted -- and thus you are retaining less water). The weight loss will no doubt taper off as you proceed further into induction. The amount of weight you'll lose in induction also depends on the total amount of weight you need/want to lose.

Me, when I started induction I wanted to lose about 30 pounds. Thus far I've lost about 9 pounds (in about 2 weeks -- including two very bad cheat days early on -- thus the extension of my induction).

Anyways, the reason why you should do the full 14 days is as follows. Inductions purpose is to get your blood sugar regulated (i.e. to end the insulin spikes, which cause you to have cravings for sugar/carbs etc). Once the insulin levels are well-regulated you can slowly introduce the proper carbs (i.e. move on to OWL etc). I think the full 14 days is important mentally as well -- as you get used to monitoring what you eat, planning meals, etc.

Best of luck. and hope this helps.

Scott

[2big4mysize]

Re: Need Help Getting Back On Track

how much weight do you need to lose total?
the purpose of the 14 days was to introduce you to Atkins eating, get you in ketosis, regulate blood sugar, and give you a chance to learn your body type and CCLL based on the 14 day weight loss.

you have already done that learned that.

if you are in ketosis then you can move to OWL. Ihave to assume you know your CCLL and you know your foods reactions so you could add your rungs one week at a time watching for any new to you reactions until you get within 5 pounds of goal and then move to premaintnenance

if you are close to goal now since you wanted to moive to maintnenance you can move there and do as Dr Atkins tells us to if you get thet 5 pounds back you return to induction and get back in ketosis. then you clean up your act. but you are not supposed to be eating your carbs so low you are losing weight in maintnenance. Did you mean premaintnenance?

[BronxGirl78]

Re: Need Help Getting Back On Track

Anyways, the reason why you should do the full 14 days is as follows. Inductions purpose is to get your blood sugar regulated (i.e. to end the insulin spikes, which cause you to have cravings for sugar/carbs etc). Once the insulin levels are well-regulated you can slowly introduce the proper carbs (i.e. move on to OWL etc). I think the full 14 days is important mentally as well -- as you get used to monitoring what you eat, planning meals, etc.

Best of luck. and hope this helps.

Scott

Thank you Scott! Yes this does help. My situation was similar to yours. I too made some big decisions at end of the summer (i.e. ended my relationship, decided to go to law school, and went back to my old job=really stressful.) Instead of viewing the 14 days more physically I will view it more mentally as you have suggested.

if you are in ketosis then you can move to OWL. Ihave to assume you know your CCLL and you know your foods reactions so you could add your rungs one week at a time watching for any new to you reactions until you get within 5 pounds of goal and then move to premaintnenance

Thank you too 2Big! This was actually my problem. I was so eager to lose the weight I stayed on Induction too long reached my goal and then all of those things I mentioned earlier happened and I just forgot about Atkins so to speak. I don't know my CCLL or how different foods affect me and yes I did mean Premaintenance.

With everyone's help though I'm doing it right this time. Stress or Not!

BronxGirl78
160/140/130 - Maybe 125!!!
5'4"

[cleochatra]

Re: Need Help Getting Back On Track

Hello, Bronxgirl! Hi, Scott! Nice to meet the both of you!

I'm sorry you're going through so much stress!

What really puts it all into perspective for me is this:

Even when you're so thin you have to run around the shower to get wet you are still going to have stress. Learning to deal with it NOW is what is going to determine your long-term health and well-being for the rest of your life.

People tend to think, "ooh! When I'm thin my boss will like me, there will be no death or illness and my money problems will no longer exist." That's not planning for long-term success. That's setting us up for disappointment. Weight loss isn't meant to solve the world's problems.

I mean, even when you have a butt so tight you could bring three foreign nations together in peace and awe, there will still be 3400 other warring nations ready for bear and ready to cause you more frowny lines.

The plan is to start making life-long changes now, acknowledge there will always be stress and prepare for those times as best you can, knowing you can handle them.

[BronxGirl78]

Re: Need Help Getting Back On Track

LOL! Thanks Cleo! Laughing my way through helps a lot too! I've underestimated support.

BronxGirl78
160/140/130 - Maybe 125!!!
5'4"

[Chris]

Re: Need Help Getting Back On Track

LOL! Thanks Cleo! Laughing my way through helps a lot too! I've underestimated support.

Underestimating support is, perhaps, one of the biggest mistakes we can make. Previously, I lost 62 pounds, and I KNOW it wouldn't have happened without all the support from the great folks on this board. Drifting away from ADBB was a SERIOUS mistake on my part -- one which resulted in a regain of 27.5 pounds! I've learned my lesson, and I hope you have as well. This is where we need to be!

Lest I forget, a big warm welcome to both you and Scott. ADBB is THE place to be, and STAC is the club to be in. We're so glad you joined us!

Oh, and don't worry too much about Cleo. That girl is totally, completely, profoundly off her rocker and around the bend. You'll get used to it!

[BronxGirl78]

Re: Need Help Getting Back On Track

Thanks for the welcome Chris and YES I have learned my lesson!

BronxGirl78
160/140/130 - Maybe 125!!!
5'4"

[officerlockstock]

Re: Need Help Getting Back On Track

Thanks for the warm welcome and sage advice Chris and Cleo. Bronxgirl -- hope things are going well. Chris: I agree, this board is very helpful -- I found the support to be invaluable the first time around.

Anyways, I made it through 2 full weeks of cheat free induction. I'm planning to stay on induction for another week, before moving to OWL (I'm looking forward to re-introducing large flake oatmeal for breakfast). I'll probably stay away from pasta, rice, potatoes and bread for a while. Christmas will be a little tough, and I might have a couple of moderate cheat days, but I think I'll return to induction on Jan 2 to ensure that I get back on track.

[Elizellen]

Re: Need Help Getting Back On Track

Anyways, I made it through 2 full weeks of cheat free induction. I'm planning to stay on induction for another week, before moving to OWL (I'm looking forward to re-introducing large flake oatmeal for breakfast).

congratulations on 14 days cheat-free

Make sure you read up on how to OWL in the next week - as oatmeal won't be 'legal' till the grains rung in several months time

[cleochatra]

Re: Need Help Getting Back On Track

Way to go, Scott! You rock!

[Terry]

Re: Need Help Getting Back On Track

14 days cheat free!!

Thats great!!!

[officerlockstock]

Re: Need Help Getting Back On Track

Thanks for the congrats everyone (and for the heads up on oatmeal). I'll have to re-read the OWL portion of the book.

Happy holidays everyone -- and good luck keeping on track.

Scott