Dr. Atkins says safe for 6 months

[amwin12]

I'm a little confused here, in the 2002 version book Dr. Atkins says it is safe to do Induction for 6 months if you have a lot of weight to lose and if you are not bored with the food list. So why are so many people against extended Induction and telling others to move on to OWL when the good doc himself says you can do it for 6 months.

[julirama723]

Re: Dr. Atkins says safe for 6 months

Because moving to OWL teaches you how to eat for the rest of your life.

Many people that you see starting for the second time around (myself included) are here for a second time because they never moved to OWL the first time--I stayed on induction thinking I'd lose weight faster, got bored with the foods, and fell off completely.

At the very least, move to OWL Rung 1 after induction, and you can stay there for quite some time. This way you can increase your carbs, start finding your CCLL, and expand your food choices.

True, there are no health risks associated with extending induction, but unless you are metabolically resistant (meaning you lost no weight on your 2-week induction period) there's also no advantage.

[APanthesilia]

Re: Dr. Atkins says safe for 6 months

I agree with Juli- when I did "Atkins" the first time I stayed at induction for a few months then was sick of it and quit. OWL gives me more choices and more veggies! For me eating induction levels of carbs for the rest of my life is just not realistic. As I know that Atkins is for the rest of my life I want to learn how to do it right, which means moving up the rungs and learning what foods I can and can't have (not just because they aren't allowed for that rung but because my body might not react well to them). I think that is one of the best things about Atkins- getting to know our bodies so well and what our individual triggers and no-no's are- and it is really hard to do that if you stay in induction the whole time.

Also, people here tend to recommend moving on to people who post threads saying "I've been in induction for X amount of time and I'm not losing anymore..." If induction level carbs aren't working anymore it might be time to try something different. I am so not an expert on anything about our bodies and I'm sure there are many here who are and could help more but to my mind it might not be a real coincidence that there are so many posts on the extended induction forum that are about being stalled.

[amwin12]

Re: Dr. Atkins says safe for 6 months

I understand that and totally agree I've seen some people stay on Induction the entire time never moving forward, I'm not talking about never moving to OWL but just staying on Induction a little longer . I think one should move up the rungs but my thing is Dr. Atkins obviously felt that there are some who can benefit if they have alot of weight to lose by staying on induction a little longer even those who lost easily so I was so confused as to why so many are against it.

I don't have the book right in front of me but if I'm correct he says before thinking about moving on to OWl take into consideration if you have alot of weight to lose you might want to stick with induction a little longer. If you are not bored with the food list etc......

I guess my point is for some extended Induction can really help especially those who have lots to lose as Dr. Atkins stated and staying on it for that purpose only not b/c they are afraid to eat more that right there is a problem alot of people have and those are the ones who tend to abuse the Induction phase but yes I agree it is very important to move on b/c this is a WOL not a diet.

[amwin12]

Re: Dr. Atkins says safe for 6 months

I agree with Juli- when I did "Atkins" the first time I stayed at induction for a few months then was sick of it and quit. OWL gives me more choices and more veggies! For me eating induction levels of carbs for the rest of my life is just not realistic. As I know that Atkins is for the rest of my life I want to learn how to do it right, which means moving up the rungs and learning what foods I can and can't have (not just because they aren't allowed for that rung but because my body might not react well to them). I think that is one of the best things about Atkins- getting to know our bodies so well and what our individual triggers and no-no's are- and it is really hard to do that if you stay in induction the whole time.

Also, people here tend to recommend moving on to people who post threads saying "I've been in induction for X amount of time and I'm not losing anymore..." If induction level carbs aren't working anymore it might be time to try something different.

Okay maybe I am not being clear...............................

I am not saying NEVER move to OWL or the other phases. I'm saying if person has let's say 100 lbs to lose and wants to stay on Induction for an extra 2 weeks making that a total of 4 weeks then MOVE to OWL what is so wrong with that?

I'm not talking about those who abuse the Induction phase by never moving forward.

[amwin12]

Re: Dr. Atkins says safe for 6 months

Allow me to paint a picture..............................

Person A....... Did 2 weeks of Induction and moved on to OWL and forward

Person B......... Did 2 months on Induction then successfully moved to OWL and forward


Person C.........
Did and is still doing Induction b/c they are afraid to move forward thinking they will gain it all back so they refuse to go to OWL and forward.


Do ya get what I am saying now? What is the difference between Person A and Person B other then one moved to OWL sooner?

[Porcelain]

Re: Dr. Atkins says safe for 6 months

They never said they were against it. When people on the board asked for opinions on what they would do, people like Amy and Julie gave it. If you feel this is what you want to do then do it. If you are not bored with the foods and feel you will eventually move through OWL appropriately, then stay on induction. The whole purpose of this board is to share with others their experiences (what did and didn't work for them) and give moral support. You asked for their personal opinion and they gave their personal opinion.

I see where you are coming from and there is nothing wrong with that. You just want to be knowledgable before you make a decision. There are people who have been around the board for years and years and seen people fail, seen people succeed and even seen people fail then succeed and statistically speaking most people who try to stick to a long induction fail. Many people who are sucessful here now tried to do that and fell off the wagon and was only able to stick with it moving up OWL at even a hesitant pace.

I hope the knowledge you gain on the board of past experiences and what you read in the book will help you make your decision clear. It is always true what works for some will not work as well for others so you have to find what is right for you just like the other ladies have done.

Good luck!

[amwin12]

Re: Dr. Atkins says safe for 6 months

They never said they were against it. When people on the board asked for opinions on what they would do, people like Amy and Julie gave it. If you feel this is what you want to do then do it. If you are not bored with the foods and feel you will eventually move through OWL appropriately, then stay on induction. The whole purpose of this board is to share with others their experiences (what did and didn't work for them) and give moral support. You asked for their personal opinion and they gave their personal opinion.

I see where you are coming from and there is nothing wrong with that. You just want to be knowledgable before you make a decision. There are people who have been around the board for years and years and seen people fail, seen people succeed and even seen people fail then succeed and statistically speaking most people who try to stick to a long induction fail. Many people who are sucessful here now tried to do that and fell off the wagon and was only able to stick with it moving up OWL at even a hesitant pace.

I hope the knowledge you gain on the board of past experiences and what you read in the book will help you make your decision clear. It is always true what works for some will not work as well for others so you have to find what is right for you just like the other ladies have done.

Good luck!

Did I say they were against it All I am saying is you have two types of people those who are afraid to move to OWL and those who want to do Induction 2 extra weeks or more then move on to OWL and when those people (the ones who want to move on to OWL) ask what should they do. I've seen where people say no move on to OWL b/c it teaches you how to eat etc... and that's where I was like these people never said they weren't going to move to OWL so what's wrong with 2 extra weeks of Induction.

I think sometimes they are misunderstood as being those who are afraid to move on to OWL. That is all...... I respect everyones opinion and experiences that's why I started the thread to read them.


ETA: I stand corrected I did say they were against it

[julirama723]

Re: Dr. Atkins says safe for 6 months

If you are happy with induction, and extra two weeks is fine.

Induction gives you a bit of freedom from responsibilities, and compared to the other 3 phases, it's a cinch. You don't have to do a lot of math (simply stick to your allowed foods from the acceptable foods list, eating the appropriate number of servings and you will stay at or below 20g carbs) and generally, induction foods are safe and don't usually trigger cravings or food sensitivity/allergy symptoms. So if you're comfortable with the ease of Induction and content with your food choices, it's technically OK to stay on induction. Just remember that Extended Induction means continuing induction for longer than 2 weeks--it DOES NOT mean you add nuts, or LC wraps, or berries. Those foods will be reintroduced at their appropriate rungs of OWL.

However, that being said, there's no advantage to staying on induction longer than 2 weeks. Staying on induction won't help you lose weight faster. In fact, many find the opposite to be true--by moving to OWL, many ADBB members have noticed a jumpstart to their weightloss.

I strongly encourage people to move up to Rung 1 of OWL. It's just another serving of veggies, veggies which we so dearly need! And to be honest, most people who claim to be doing induction are actually eating more than their 3-cups-a-day limit of veggies and are *actually* eating at Rung 1 of OWL.

[LosingItNow]

Re: Dr. Atkins says safe for 6 months

I have not read the post, but here is why I think it is important to move on.
I started Atkins in Feb 2006 and lost all the needed weight while staying on the induction. I did cheat a little (like too much cream, too much cheese, and 5 carbs of peanuts on occassion as a snack). But for the most part, I stuck with.

I got bored with the food, I lost what I needed, and I had not learned the WOL. So, what did I do. I dropped it. I restarted yesterday after gaining 32.6 pounds back (my total weight loss in Sept of 2006 was 39 pounds). This time I am determined to move out of induction with the first four weeks. I am planning on after the 14 days, but I need to give myself a little room for error. I will learn this WOL and will do it right this time.

In essense, I deprived myself of a bigger variety of food. I also deprived myself of a healthy me, because I failed to learn the WOL and went back to the way it was ... which is me at an unhealthy weight and feeling misserable about my image!
Just my story and thoughts.

[amwin12]

Re: Dr. Atkins says safe for 6 months

If you are happy with induction, and extra two weeks is fine.

Induction gives you a bit of freedom from responsibilities, and compared to the other 3 phases, it's a cinch. You don't have to do a lot of math (simply stick to your allowed foods from the acceptable foods list, eating the appropriate number of servings and you will stay at or below 20g carbs) and generally, induction foods are safe and don't usually trigger cravings or food sensitivity/allergy symptoms. So if you're comfortable with the ease of Induction and content with your food choices, it's technically OK to stay on induction. Just remember that Extended Induction means continuing induction for longer than 2 weeks--it DOES NOT mean you add nuts, or LC wraps, or berries. Those foods will be reintroduced at their appropriate rungs of OWL.

However, that being said, there's no advantage to staying on induction longer than 2 weeks. Staying on induction won't help you lose weight faster. In fact, many find the opposite to be true--by moving to OWL, many ADBB members have noticed a jumpstart to their weightloss.

I strongly encourage people to move up to Rung 1 of OWL. It's just another serving of veggies, veggies which we so dearly need! And to be honest, most people who claim to be doing induction are actually eating more than their 3-cups-a-day limit of veggies and are *actually* eating at Rung 1 of OWL.

Thank you Juli this is what I am talking about I think those people that I was referring to will take alot from this and appreciate it.

[amwin12]

Re: Dr. Atkins says safe for 6 months

I have not read the post, but here is why I think it is important to move on.
I started Atkins in Feb 2006 and lost all the needed weight while staying on the induction. I did cheat a little (like too much cream, too much cheese, and 5 carbs of peanuts on occassion as a snack). But for the most part, I stuck with.

I got bored with the food, I lost what I needed, and I had not learned the WOL. So, what did I do. I dropped it. I restarted yesterday after gaining 32.6 pounds back (my total weight loss in Sept of 2006 was 39 pounds). This time I am determined to move out of induction with the first four weeks. I am planning on after the 14 days, but I need to give myself a little room for error. I will learn this WOL and will do it right this time.

In essense, I deprived myself of a bigger variety of food. I also deprived myself of a healthy me, because I failed to learn the WOL and went back to the way it was ... which is me at an unhealthy weight and feeling misserable about my image!
Just my story and thoughts.

I see your point and appreciate it hopefully this time around you will get through it and never turn back. Wishing you nothing but success!!

[LosingItNow]

Re: Dr. Atkins says safe for 6 months

I see your point and appreciate it hopefully this time around you will get through it and never turn back. Wishing you nothing but success!!

Thank you!

[IrishSarahHB]

Re: Dr. Atkins says safe for 6 months

i dont think that anyone is 'against' extended induction. i think the point some people were trying to make it that it 'might' be a good option for some people .. you have to be the judge of when it is right for you.

OWL is an important step... if you just do induction the whole time and then start eating a bunch of bad carbs you will most likely gain alot of weight back .. but in OWL you learn how much your body can handle and what foods your body can handle...

but your right you can do it for up to 6 months if you 'need' to... I personally love the food options i have now in induction but i certainly wouldnt mind some more ;-) Thats why as soon as i feel im ready i will move into OWL

[lasst10]

Re: Dr. Atkins says safe for 6 months

My first time on Atkins (Sept 04-March 05), I stayed on induction for about 5 months, and lost about 50lbs. I started OWL just before I quit, but was already bored with my menu.

This was entirely my fault, because I got in the rut of always eating the same things. This time, I still plan to do an extended induction (at least a couple months), but not as long, and I'm going to make sure my menus have a lot more variety. (Try more different induction-friendly recipes, and sauces - every meal, I dipped *something* in mayo.)

Good luck with your loss!


Lynn