Cheating and Induction

[Alexa]

Hello STACers!

I don't know if I qualify for STAC but I thought you guys would be best placed to point me in the right direction. I started in Sep and stayed pretty much on plan until Xmas. Over Xmas I was at inlaws and it would have been a huge effort to stay on plan and though I did start too, I gave in and ate pretty much whatever drifted my way for 2 weeks. I'm not making excuses, it was my decision. Anyway after 2 weeks of eating rubbish I got back to induction. I wanted to check whether this is the right course. Previous to this I was on the wine and spirits rung and still losing (though not quickly) on 30g carbs per day.

Am I right to revert to induction? I ask because once I got over the induction flu I was way hungrier than I was before and also I exercise far more vigorously now than I was when on induction before. In my 2 week fling with sugar and bread I gained a terrifying 8lbs.

Also I have major problems with not cheating, always because of social events which means my progress is sporadic to say the least. Is it dangerous to be going in and out of ketosis?

Any thoughts gratefully recieved,
Baarb

[julirama723]

Re: Cheating and Induction

I do know that constant changing back and forth from fat-burning to glucose-burning can really put stress on your body. For example, if a person "does Atkins" during the week, and goes on a carb-fest every weekend, that would be an example of extreme switching (can you believe I actually know a person who did this!?!?!?) It is frowned upon, because I believe each time you do it, your body becomes more resistant...?

If you truly did have all the rubbish you wanted for 2 weeks, I would say, yes, re-start induction, but perhaps only for a couple days, a week tops. Then progress through the rungs again, visiting each one probably for a week or two until you get the the rung where you left off.

I believe that if you were losing at 30g, after you know you're in ketosis, you should be able to start eating your 30g again and be doing wondrously.

Oh, and Baarb, of course you're welcome here, fellow KickAss TriAth master!

[Alexa]

Re: Cheating and Induction

Hi Juli,

Oh dear, as I feared. I don't go off plan every weekend, but if I'm honest I don't think a month has gone by where I don't slip up at a social occasion - usually for just one meal.

I think sticking with the induction a week and then working up would be do-able, it would be great not to have to inch through the rungs as slowly as last time. Also, I obviously need to work on the sticking to plan socially.

Thanks for the advice, and BTW you are burning through the miles in the Triath!