Extended Induction Warning From Experience

[db7597]

I just thought I would post a little warning to those who plan on doing the induction longer than the two weeks. I followed the induction diet for about five weeks. I experienced a 20 pound weight loss, but I also noticed my legs started to get cramps and spasms. I also noticed that my high energy level that I originally experienced began to diminish. I was more tired and less willing to go on walks, etc.

I read an article on potassium and based on what I read, it appeared as though I wasn't getting enough potassium. I was eating the salad each day, veggies, vitamins and water. When I did the math and estimated the amount of potassium I was getting - I was way under the daily recommended intake of about 4700 mg's of potassium.

I couldn't find a vitamin that had a lot of potassium in it, but by accident, I found a low-sodium version of V8 that has about 1200+ mg's in a single serving. The sodium was somewhat low as well - only around 200mgs.

I started drinking the low-sodium V8 and literally within an hour, I felt so much better I couldn't believe it. I also added more nuts to my diet since they are also relatively high in potassium. I like almonds, pecans and postacios - all unsalted versions. I also try to have at least one/two tomatoes during the day on salad or as a side dish.

Now I feel great. My leg cramps are gone. My engergy level is back. I include the low-sodium V8 every day now just like a vitamin.

Just be careful - potassium is needed for proper heart function as well since the heart is a big muscle.

Good luck!

Take Care,
Dave

[apple]

Re: Extended Induction Warning From Experience

Thanks for sharing your story, Dave. Sorry to hear how rough it was for you.

It's really true and a must for folks to watch their potassium levels during any diet and exercise routines. You can find potassium supplements in the vitamin isle of your store for about $2 a bottle (US, and at Walmart). For such a reasonable price, it's worth taking to keep up the energy along with taking a multivitamin as well. You can over do it on potassium, so please make sure you follow the directions

Best wishes.

[julirama723]

Re: Extended Induction Warning From Experience

For those considering staying on induction for an extended period, I would also like to stress the importance of moving on to OWL.

On OWL you add back more veggies, more dairy, nuts, berries, etc. These extra veggies and other foods contain vitamins, nutrients, and fiber that are neccessary for a healthy body. Too many people have this fear of adding back these healthy foods, thinking their weight loss will stop. In fact, many find the opposite to be true--a jumpstart to weight loss often happens after moving into OWL. Too many people also say they're on extended induction when really they're into OWL a few rungs. There is nothing to fear about moving to the next phase of Atkins.

[Kawispice]

Re: Extended Induction Warning From Experience

Thanks for this heads up. I have suffered in the past on low carb diet - felt extremely weak and could not understand what was happening. I took some potasium once and felt so much better right away. It is good to know about dangers we inadvertently expose ourselves to. I love spicy ceasar and I think spicy V8 is going to go on my favourite list.

[britt997]

Re: Extended Induction Warning From Experience

I am going to look into V8 the next time I am at the grocery store and the supplements. I had the leg cramps a few weeks ago, they woke me up in the middle of the night and it was bad! I figured I wasn't getting enough water but I'll look into potassium because I'm not as energized as I was in the beginning either.

[forgop]

Re: Extended Induction Warning From Experience

I ought to try that. My energy levels have been VERY low since going on induction the past 2 weeks.

[ValidRouge]

Re: Extended Induction Warning From Experience

I certainly am not an advocate of extended induction. I very much believe that the OWL phases (particularly rung 1--veggies) is probably THE most important phase. However, even on induction, there is no reason to be potassium deficient. We are allowed 1/2 an avocado per day.

Avacado, compared serving to serving, has MORE potassium than a banana

[lisadallasr]

Re: Extended Induction Warning From Experience

Im not expert here, but I have always heard that broccoli has more potassium than a banana as well, now i did not research this so not sure how true it is. But i will be the first to say if you are eating your veggies, you should be getting eneough potassium, and when you say salad, what lettuce are you using, iceberg has nothing to it, go for the darker greener salads, also you dont have to eat a salad daily, just make sure you get some of those salad veggies, which you can do alot with besides putting them in a salad with lettuce.

[Lamby-pie]

Re: Extended Induction Warning From Experience

Very interesting!

You know...I drank low-sodium V-8 every day for breakfast since day 1 of induction. I kept it my dirty little secret because I didn't want to be criticized for it. (It has a little carrot and beet juice in it, so not 100% "induction friendly".) I figured a little extra good vegetables wasn't going to hurt me, and I cannot tolerate solid food in the morning. It really got me off to a good start every day.
Seems I was doing myself a big favor and I didn't even know it!
So, a big "thank you!" for this information!

[julirama723]

Re: Extended Induction Warning From Experience

Well...

V8 is not allowed until starchy veggies rung, rung 8. I'm in no way advocating the use of V8 for one important reason--you're getting all the SUGARS of the veggies, but practically none of the fiber. FIBER is the reason we eat veggies in the first place. Also, those starchy veggies impact blood sugar more than induction veggies do, and it those higher rung foods can cause cravings, and blood sugar spikes.

[missy_33]

Re: Extended Induction Warning From Experience

O.k. Here's what I'm hearing. I should go ahead and move on to the OWL phase? I thought I was just being overly cautious but I maybe hindering myself and not know it? I've been on induction for 3 weeks(give or take a day or two) and I've lost 7or 8 lbs and I thought I was supposed to stay on induction if I didn't lose what I felt like I needed. I guess if that was the case no one would move on. I see how silly that sounds now that I read it on here. I'm getting my book back outand read the OWL chapter again. I can't believe how crazy I am.

[ValidRouge]

Re: Extended Induction Warning From Experience

Good for you! Yes, move on to OWL. It's called ONGOING weight LOSS for a reason!

I'm sorry, ...err no I'm not a BIT sorry...there is no reason to deprive yourself of wholesome healthy foods! On Atkins you'll still lose weight while adding foods back in.

[julirama723]

Re: Extended Induction Warning From Experience

I think you should definitely move to OWL. Induction is only followed for two weeks, and those who remain on induction should be those who are metabolically resistant to weight loss. So if you've lost 7 or 8 pounds, you're doing GREAT and should move to OWL. OWL stands for Ongoing Weight Loss--the weight loss doesn't stop after induction! In fact, I was one of those people who thought staying on induction for longer would help me. I lost about 25 pounds on induction/extended induction, but have lost over 50 pounds in OWL! Besides, moving to OWL allowed me to add more foods in and still lose weight. I've never felt bored or deprived by my food choices.

[Uk Girl]

Re: Extended Induction Warning From Experience

That was very interesting about the cramps - I have been getting them - but I had stopped using the vitamins - no particular reason - just bad memory - so when the cramps had gone on for a few days and I took the vits again - the cramps went.

As for being tired - I think I just work too hard! lol

[Elizellen]

Re: Extended Induction Warning From Experience

I second what Julie said about the V8 not being an induction 'legal' addition to your food intake as it does contain foods from the starchy vegetable rung, and being a juice has no fibre either!! And as far as a google turned up has 10 grams of carbs per cup!!

Dr Atkins did tell us not to drink our veggies
From the section called 'How (and When) to Eat Your Veggies ' in chapter 8

4. Don't drink your vegetables.
Juicing removes the fiber, which has the double merit of helping you feel full and maintaining a healthy digestive system. Juices also concentrate the sugars from vegetables, increasing the risk that they'll spike your blood sugar.