Is it Possible?

[ErinRachel1021]

So I'm going home to see my family on the east coast in August and would like to shock them all. I'm at day 10 of induction and have lost 9lbs. I would like to lose as close to 60lbs by mid-August as possible. What is the best way to achieve this without remaining on induction the entire time? I miss fruit and nuts dearly and don't think I could last that long without some lovely Cali strawberries.
My boyfriends concern is also my health and that after having been in an induction type phase for that long that my system will go into shock afterwards when I start to include more rungs.

[dreamof145]

Re: Is it Possible?

HI, welcome. So happy you've decided to join us. August is three months away. In that amount of time - you can definitely shock your family. I don't know the amount of pounds you'll lose (as all of us lose individual amounts). But...I do know that if you remain on the program, exercise, drink water and take your supplements that you will look and feel awesome by the time you go to the reunion.

If you'll read the book (Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, edition 2002) you'll see that induction is at least two weeks. This is to rid your system of cravings and get your body burning fat in the highest capacity. After the two weeks, if you want to move on to the OWL rung, then do so. It would be a good idea for your BF to read the book too so he can ease his mind and know that this WOE is perfectly safe. I stayed on induction for the first year and then moved on to OWL. I've never felt better in my life.

Best of luck. Keep us posted on your progress and especially how the reunion goes!!

[ErinRachel1021]

Re: Is it Possible?

I should also have posted that I have read the 2002 edition of the book and my bf is learning by proxy through me. I told him that I read of some people staying on for 2 years and that it really is okay.
As for the induction, my plan is to stay on it until I lose 20lbs then go on a sort of "loose induction" and allowing myself a serving of fruit or nuts each night.
I've already also established that I have a relatively low metabolic resistance as I've lost this 9lbs in 10 days without exercise (the exercise will come very soon). So I guess I'm trying to get a best guestimate of if this could happen.

[ErinRachel1021]

Re: Is it Possible?

p.s.
My boyfriends is doing Atkins with me and is also here on this board. His handle is n0matter.

[Barbde]

Re: Is it Possible?

Hi Erin. Welcome aboard.
Can't give you a guestimate on the possible pounds lost because that is so individual.
However, my advice would be to stop putting off the exercise. Get your butt out there and MOVE it. At least start walking. It makes a huge difference.
I stayed on induction for a long time, mostly because I was afraid to move up the rungs. But moving up the rungs helped immensely and kept me on track because I didn't have to miss foods anymore.
Another thing, you will need to take your measurements and stop focusing on the number on the scale. I have only lost 34 pounds. But I have gone from a size 18/20 to a size 10! And I just started working out harder with weights, (I have worked out since day 1 almost, to some extent). Anyway, started working at the gym and Gained 5 pounds but lost 5% in body fat. So it's a strange thing, I know. And I sometimes still struggle with the fact that the scale is not moving. But I am seeing my body morph, so I am good with it.
By the way, as far as healthy. I started because my doc told me to, chlorestoral was horrible and I was a stroke waiting to happen. Last check a few months ago, I was in the excellent range for all the tests!
Good luck to you and the BF!!

[Elizellen]

Re: Is it Possible?

.
As for the induction, my plan is to stay on it until I lose 20lbs then go on a sort of "loose induction" and allowing myself a serving of fruit or nuts each night.

I would suggest NOT changing to a 'loose induction' but moving to OWL as soon as you start to feel restricted by your induction choices.

Once you have moved through the first 4 rungs of OWL you will be able 'legally' to include more veggies, dairy, nuts and berries without the slightest feeling of guilt.

Reading the board I have noticed that one thing that often sends people into a cheating downward spiral is adding the occasional 'cheat'.

So why risk that happening to you when you can follow the plan as written instead.

The second phase of Atkins IS called 'ongoing weightloss' and is really the MAIN part of Atkins where we learn how to eat in the real world so we can maintain our goal weight for life after induction.

[ValidRouge]

Re: Is it Possible?

Go ahead and move into OWL. I did induction for 4 weeks, the first two with slipups and the second two were clean. Then I moved into OWL. My weightloss actually picked up and I've lost 53 lbs since January 2 this year, (so just over 4 months).

Being able to eat the higher rung foods added so much variety to my diet that I don't miss anything at all.

Go for it!

[ErinRachel1021]

Re: Is it Possible?

I'm fine with going into OWL but I honestly don't care about being able to consume ANY of the other rungs than fruit and nuts. I believe you're allowed to skip rungs, no?

[dotsamantha]

Re: Is it Possible?

Yes, you can pass certain rungs if they aren't going to be a part of your diet. if you don't drink then you wouldn't do the alcohol rung. There is some great advice about the rungs in the owl forum as far as how long to do each one and so on. Just remember to keep counting and adjusting yuor proportions as you go if you want to do it right.

[not2late]

Re: Is it Possible?

You can skip rungs during OWL. Some people skip the alcohol rung. In fact, Dr. Atkins removed the alcohol rung from OWL in his last book, Atkins For Life, citing that people spent their carbs on alcohol rather than eating nutrious foods.

The one rung I do not recommend skipping is the first rung which adds more Induction vegetables to your diet. Vegetables tend to have more fiber, more vitamins and minerals than fruits, grains and nuts. Moreover, some people have trouble with fruits and nuts when they get to OWL.