how long is too long?

[JTsBlackqueen21]

yeah, i heard it was up to 6 months..you need a carb sometimes :joy
lol but seriously, 6 months...i've been on it for 3 weeks and it has been flying by very quickly.

[tickletussler]

Hi Pam C,
I've been staying on Extended Induction because I too am scared that I will stop losing.
For 3 Saturdays in a row, I overindulged in Thai food (ie eating 100g+ carbs) each time, and each time I would spend the week trying to lose the 6lbs I had put on. I know it sounds crazy to put on 6lbs overnight, but I do - I also feel bloated, sluggish, and I notice the next few days, I stay 3lbs heavier until finally by the end of the week I'm back where I started, and then I get invited over again... and so I did it for 3 weeks unfortunately.

So now, I've been on the same weight for a month now, trying to kick-start ketosis and go back to weightloss. I don't mind so much that I am not losing at the moment, but what stops me from moving on to OWL is the fear of gaining again.

The funny thing is... the day after each overindulgence, when I use the Ketostix, they always show pink/purple. How is that possible??? I did count my carbs and I always overindulged more than 100g, so I don't understand how I can still be in ketosis.

[2big4mysize]

As Dr Atkins said in chapter 13 it is your decision to make as to do you do a long induction or move to OWL right away. You need to make an educated choice is all. Those folk that do all 4 phases of Atkins have a much better rate of keeping the weight of then those who a slim fast version and go all the way to goal in induction. By moving through the phases we learn hpow our body reacts to the foods and tools for handleing our cravings and appetite and portion controls. We also spend a loty of time practicing those healthy eaitng habits and build all parts of our house of Atkins strong the foundation of induction they framing and walls in OWL and the roofing in Premaintnenance so we are ready to move in when we get to goal.
But it is also the ration of fats to carbs that he says that will effect the speed of our loss. so those with a lot to lose can go slower and stay in indcution longer. For some folk it is a medical nessesity to lose the weigh when one starts Atkins morbely obese as many of the long induction folk are. Dr Atkins had a great line that you could stay in induction as long as you had weight to lose and wewre feeling healthy.

SO weigh your choices know how you answered the questions workk with your doc to be sure you are not becoming deficient in any nutrients and make the decision that is right for you. it will not be the same for everybody as we are all unique.

Gaining weight when adding carbs can be a funtion of the increase in the absorbed sodium too as when carbs are absorbed from the gut they pull Na+ molecules too. Our bodies will agjust and shed that fluid in a few days too.
Happy low carbing.

[Elizellen]

what stops me from moving on to OWL is the fear of gaining again.

But if you stay on induction till you reach goal you may never discover how the different food groups affect you and find you CCLL and know what level of carbs you can eat and maintain your goal weight!!
OWL is often referred to here as the 'great experiment' when you test what happens to you and find if any foods are going to upset your body.
I see you are about halfway to goal - with 10 kgs left to lose.
If you are going to do as Dr Atkins said and lose the last 5-10 pounds in the pre-maintenance stage then perhaps it is time you did move to OWL to allow yourself the luxury of experimenting.
The first rung is 5 extra carbs of the veggies you are already eating each day, so not really anything to be afraid of :hug
So if you havent already why not read the stickies on the OWL forum to find out how to do it 'by the book' and start climbing!! Post any fears and questions you have in the OWL forum - OWLers are a friendly bunch and would love to help you move on to the next phase of Atkins. :hug
BTW - one mod posted recently she was eating 100+ carbs per day and still losing - she even asked advice on how to stop losing so much :yikes
Many others have posted they started losing again once they made the move to OWL. :yes

[goin2Bgood]

Dr. Atkins himself said there was no danger from extended. Check this link out, about 2/3 of the way down:

http://atkins.com/Archive/2001/12/27-836486.html

jslatino:
Can you stay on induction indefinitely?

Dr. Atkins: There are no studies that have shown any dangers from long-term lipolysis (burning fat for energy) or the low level of carbohydrates consumed during Induction, the state referred to as ketosis. As long as there is sufficient protein and fat in the diet, and you are meeting your calorie needs and avoiding the state of starvation, there is no need for concern.

Staying on Induction forever isn't a good idea just because we don't learn how to make good food choices and how to maintain which is why I suppose he said those last 15 or so pounds start moving up.