How Long Is Extended Induction Recommended?

[sherryskj]

Hi yall!

just wondering for a woman my size, how long is it recommended to stay on induction? ive just read several threads about people staying on too long. while im pretty sure i havent been on too long since its just day 16 on induction, when do i stop? my thoughts were the same as that other person i read about. that i would stay on til the end. now i realize its very bad to do that and ill end up starting over with more to lose than now. so what is advised for me?

thank you.


hugs,

sherry
ps. since i cant as yet weigh on a scale it is undetermined exactly how big my size is. except my hip were 72 when we measured 4 days into induction.

[cincywbbw]

Re: How Long Is Extended Induction Recommended?

I've read that some people stay on it for months, I stayed on it for 3 weeks, but moved on to OWL because it is only 5 more carbs of veggies. I bounce back and forth between induction and OWl depending on how my BG's are, woo hoo 136 this morning.

[higgies]

Re: How Long Is Extended Induction Recommended?

I stayed on it for probably about 4 months. I still maintain a low number of carbs, but have added most of the OWL foods back in.

[julirama723]

Re: How Long Is Extended Induction Recommended?

I stayed on induction for about 6 weeks. Well that's not QUITE true. I did induction, then moved on to OWL, but still had issues with cravings, and food choices (I was eating shakes and bars) so I went back and did a clean induction (with NO frankenfoods) for 2 weeks, and moved right on to OWL.

I've heard that induction is safe for as long as 6 months, but unless you're VERY metabolically resistant, I would move to Rung 1 of OWL, which is just another serving of veggies. During induction I don't think I ever ate the full 20g a day (usually around 15 or 16) so moving to OWL Rung 1 finally put me at 20g carbs per day.

[not2late]

Re: How Long Is Extended Induction Recommended?

Hi yall!

just wondering for a woman my size, how long is it recommended to stay on induction? ive just read several threads about people staying on too long. while im pretty sure i havent been on too long since its just day 16 on induction, when do i stop? my thoughts were the same as that other person i read about. that i would stay on til the end. now i realize its very bad to do that and ill end up starting over with more to lose than now. so what is advised for me?

thank you.


hugs,

sherry
ps. since i cant as yet weigh on a scale it is undetermined exactly how big my size is. except my hip were 72 when we measured 4 days into induction.

Dr. Atkins wrote in the book (last sentence in Chapter 13)

People with a high metabolic resistance can benefit from doing Induction longer than two weeks because it gives them time to correct the metabolic imbalances they may have developed over time

So the next question is do you have a high metabolic resistance?

You find that out by looking at the charts in Chapter 13 of DANDR 2002. Was your physician able to weigh you before you began your Atkins?

Also Dr. Atkins wrote:

the degree of resistance to weight loss that your body shows correspeonds to your degree of difficulty in getting well into lipolysis. By definition, resistance to weight loss is resistance to lipolysis.

So I suppose, you could use how ‘easy’ it was for you to get into ketosis. If you didn’t use the ketostix, then you could possibly think back to when you began experiencing the physical signs of ketosis.

About staying on Induction until you lose all your weight….nope. Dr. Atkins wrote that the last 5-10 pounds of you weight loss must be spent in the Pre-Maintenance Phase. Before moving to Pre-Maintenance, you should go through the carbohydrate ladder on the On-Going Weight Loss (OWL) phase. There are 9 ‘rungs’ or steps on that Carbohydrate Ladder, if you figure to lose 1 pound per rung, then you should switch over from Induction phase to OWL Phase when you are at least 20-25 pounds from your goal weight.

A lot of people make the drastic mistake of staying on Induction until the very end. They don’t realize that the Dr. Atkins wanted us to go through OWL and Pre-Maintenance Phases because 1. We incorporate a wider variety of foods, which means we get a more nutritionally sound diet as we continue to lose our weight and 2. We learn about our bodies and how we react to different foods so that we know how to eat for and maintain our goal weight/size.

If you choose to stay on Induction, I strongly recommend that you occasionally ask yourself the questions in Chapter 13. It’s true, you might not be bored with the Induction menu, but when summer comes and fresh fruit and non-Induction vegetables are in season, you might change your mind. It feels like less of a very strict "diet" when you can eat some apples or corn on the cob if you choose to.

[sherryskj]

Re: How Long Is Extended Induction Recommended?

yes, megs that is why i was asking the question about myself in particular. i read another thread earlier where something very similar was posted and thats why i asked over here. im sorry if i asked basically the same question again. i know you guys get tired of answering over and over the same questions. i have a kind of hard time grasping things. i mean it takes me a bit longer than most maybe.

about how fast i went into ketosis, i think it was really fast, inspite of my very slow metabolism. i dont know if anyone remembers but ive been virtually immobile and in the house for about 7 years, gradually worsening with time. only now am i beginning to really exercise for the first time in my life. slowly i increase, even if its a forceful increase at first. and still everything i can do is just sitting exercises. i can walk to the bathroom, take a rest on the bed and then make it back to the couch. but slowly im increasing the distance i can walk and things i can do for myself, like showering and getting my own ice and water. i have a very long road ahead of me. i was just wondering if it would benefit me to move on or stay put.

i too, like juli said, dont think i get all my carbs everyday. usually like her around 15-16. mostly because i just learned about subtracting the fiber. going to the first rung might allow me to have the extra veggies, i really wanna have, and just hit my 20 carbs a day anyway.

but some are still saying they benefited from the extended induction. i know my metabolism is slow...almost non-existant. until i started anyway. and YES im anxious to get to eat fruit in the spring and other veggies.

i guess im still thinking the old way of suffering thru a diet and doing without makes you lose more weight quicker and i have slightly less than a ton to lose. kidding.

im making lindas scrumpteous chili again tonight. gosh is that good or what??!! so i gotta cook. (my husband brings me an electric skillet and i cook from here and prep from here,cuz i cant stand for long, using gloves and such cuz im always scared of contamination.)

i really want this yall. everything else has failed for me and ive heard that a lot from people here. so i know im in a good place for help and guidance. im being as careful as i can and not eating anything im even a little in doubt about. im learning slowly, but i am learning. i hope youll continue being patient with me while i figure this out.

sorry to bother anyone with repeated questions. and thank you for answering me just the same!


hugs,

sherry

[not2late]

Re: How Long Is Extended Induction Recommended?

No need to suffer on Atkins! In the 1972 book, Dr. Atkins wrote that he was overweight, but never wanted to go on a diet because he was afraid of feeling hungry all the time. So when he began reading about ketosis and weight loss, he knew it was for him because he could eat all those "fattening foods", like eggs, meat, full-fat cheese, butter, etc., not feel hungry and lose weight.

Exercise is exercise. Do whatever you can do. As your stamina and strength increases, adjust your exercise. In other words, just get your body moving!

Ask the questions especially about moving to OWL. Alot of people think they'll do better losing all their weight on Induction or they'll lose more weight on Induction. That's not true.

Alot of people stay on "extended Induction", but if they honestly analyze their menues they are eating OWL portions of their vegetables. So they've moved on without realizing it.

[sallyseachange]

Re: How Long Is Extended Induction Recommended?

I stayed on induction for five or six months (can't remember exactly)...but in retrospect I regret that. I wish I'd moved to the first rungs of OWL sooner. You still lose and the extra veggies are very welcome.

[ValidRouge]

Re: How Long Is Extended Induction Recommended?

It's totally unfortunate that too many people don't move onto OWL, in my opinion. That phase is there for an important reason...its where we get to customize the atkins plan to OUR bodies and OUR individual needs. On going weight loss phase means ONGOING weight LOSS--we continue to lose while learning how to eat so that we can be healthy and maintain this way of eating for the rest of our lives.

[sherryskj]

Re: How Long Is Extended Induction Recommended?

i expected id start today on the first rung of owl but i was so excited that last night i moved on into it. i kept having to remind myself its not too much. haha. but i loved the extras!

thanks yall!


hugs,

sherry

[Elizellen]

Re: How Long Is Extended Induction Recommended?

Good for you, Sherry
Who'd of thought we could get excited about being allowed to eat more vegetables!!

[sallyseachange]

Re: How Long Is Extended Induction Recommended?

Great Sherry! Now you're in OWL... you can begin a (leisurely) journey of discovery. It may surprise you how and which foods affect you in a negative way. Take your time and you'll reap the benefits.

[sherryskj]

Re: How Long Is Extended Induction Recommended?

is it going to start getting harder now? i mean i dont have official numbers saying that induction helped me except my blood sugar, which is huge. what do you mean, " how and which foods affect you in a negative way..."? I seriously thought it was just add five more carbs, (veggies). but its not just that is it? youre telling me that still some of the carbs i add might be bad for my weight loss?

you guys i really gotta tell ya i dont catch on too fast. in case ya havent noticed yet! haha. just last night i realized i was supposed to be adding exercises to fitday and i havent been.

How long do you stay on each rung? sometimes i really think this is too hard for me. even tho i waited and researched and read the forums and book two-ish months before starting i still dont know what im doing for the most part.

thanks yall for the encouragement! i always appreciate that!

hugs,

sherry

[julirama723]

Re: How Long Is Extended Induction Recommended?

I think OWL is easier in many ways--you have more food choices available, less boredom, and you have the chance to tailor the program to suit your tastes and needs. I've lost more weight in OWL than I did doing an extended induction.

OWL is important because we begin re-introducing foods one at a time to our diets. The reason this is done is because you want to find out if you have possible food allergies or negative reactions to a specific food. Negative reactions include gas, bloating, cramps, cravings, runny nose, etc. There are MANY things that could indicate a food sensitivity. Rung 1 is just adding another serving of veggies, the same ones found on the induction food list. Rung 2 is actually where you start introducing "new" foods, such as fresh cheeses, yogurt, and milk. When you add a new food, eat it only 3x the first week. If it causes no reactions, you may eat it daily after that.

It is recommended to stay on each rung at least 2 weeks, but you may go more slowly than that, which is probably better. That way you can add in only one food at a time and pinpoint problems more easily. I think it's also a good idea when you add foods/rungs, you don't change your carb level with it. For example, you're on Rung 1. I would move up 5g the next week, and stay on Rung 1. Once you find that you're still losing at that level of carbs, move up to Rung 2.

[cincywbbw]

Re: How Long Is Extended Induction Recommended?

Thanks for that post, even I understood it, and I was having a hard time catching on..lol