OWL vs. Extended Induction (a quick question)

[dyjack]

I was just reading through the boards and had a quick question. It seems as if extended induction is discouraged here. It may just be the posts I've read but they all seemed to encourage people to move on to OWL. I do understand in some cases but for me personally, I was actually following the book. I'm quite happy with what I'm eating in induction and I have a significant amount of weight to lose (over 100lbs.).

I do understand that to do this properly I need to progress and I am looking forward to that progression (can't get to the yummy nuts without going through the rungs).

I'm really just curious and hope this doesn't come across as negative as it isn't meant to be.

[Georgiana]

Re: OWL vs. Extended Induction (a quick question)

It seems as if extended induction is discouraged here.

We've seen often how people stay in Induction too long and they end up stopping Atkins because they don't pay attention to those 4 questions in Chapter 13 (if they even read the book at all). I'm not sure if extended Induction is discouraged per se. I think most people who stay on extended Induction for absolutely no reason... in which case, this is pointed out.

Many also don't realize that doing OWL properly takes a very long time... sometimes years. Staying too long on Induction might not leave enough time for climbing the Carbohydrate Ladder carefully and learning how the reactions to different foods.

That said, there are also members who stayed on Induction for months and have been successful... like 2Big or IrishIrish.

can't get to the yummy nuts without going through the rungs

One ounce of nuts can be added if you do Induction for more than 2 weeks... but nuts are a tricky food. Many people have portion control issues with them or experience stalls. So if you do choose to add them, please be VERY careful.

[not2late]

Re: OWL vs. Extended Induction (a quick question)

If you are okay with following the Induction Rules and eating only what's on the Induction Acceptable Foods list for more than 14 day, that's fine.

What happens is that people have the tendency to think that extended Induction means you can eat more than 20 net carbs of food daily and you can add non-Induction foods lists foods to your menu. So we get the post of someone who has stayed on Induction "the whole time" by limiting his carbs to about 35 net carbs daily and started eating orange slices twice a week.

Occasionally, some folks develop a carb-phobia: They stay on Induction, and their rate of loss slows or stops, then they develop a fear that if they can never eat more than 20 net carbs daily because they are eating 20 or less now and their weight loss has stopped. That leads to a vicious, self-destructive circle of cheating and falling off the diet and re-starting it. So in that regard, staying on an extended Induction is counter-productive.

Or there are people who make the tragic mistake of staying on Induction to lose all of their weight because they think that they have a high metabolic resistance to weight loss since they "only" lost 20% of their weight during the 14 day induction. So they get to goal and have no clue how to maintain their loss.

There are a few people who have stayed on Induction and done so successfully by not cheating and by becoming very creative with their meals. And there are a few people who had to stay on Induction because their CCLLs were Induction level (but they learned this because they moved to OWL to find their CCLLs).

So the above reasons are why you might find mods/old timers pushing people to move to OWL phase.

[2big4mysize]

Re: OWL vs. Extended Induction (a quick question)

what they said

but since you have a lot to lose and read the book check out chapter 13 of DANDR 2002 and answer those questions each day and when the answer is yes it is time to move to OWL. I did exteneded induction from june to nov and dropped a lot of weight but when I answered yes to wanting more foods I moved to OWL and climbed the rungs.

One thing you will need to be very aware of doing exteneded induction is that it is very hard to get the vits and minerals our bodies need with the food choices most inductees make so use a counter to track your vits and minerals and make sure you are not harming your weight loss efforts by missing a few cause the cascading chain reaction in the body will slow your metabolism along with other not nice health things if you are lacking in them.
I was low on potassium during mine. based on my blood work my doc recommended supplements for it. other folk get painful leg cramps so they supplement with calcium magnesium and potassium. some take all the supplements Dr Atkins lists in DANDR and don't worry if they are taking too much and flushing stuff down the toilet.

At some point while you still have pounds to lose you will need to move to OWL so you can begin the great food testing phase of Atkins unless you plan to live on induction foods your whole life.

Dr Atkins said those who do all the phases of his plan are bettere success staying goalies for life.

[OneSixtyFive]

Re: OWL vs. Extended Induction (a quick question)

[/QUOTE]

One ounce of nuts can be added if you do Induction for more than 2 weeks... but nuts are a tricky food. Many people have portion control issues with them or experience stalls. So if you do choose to add them, please be VERY careful.[/QUOTE]


so if i am on extended induction after the first two initial weeks i can add one ounce of nuts? i am just curious because i love eating walnuts for heart health benefits and am pretty good at keeping them in portion by bagging them in ziplocs for on the go stuff...this would be great if so!

[dyjack]

Re: OWL vs. Extended Induction (a quick question)

Thanks everyone. This was really good information.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: OWL vs. Extended Induction (a quick question)

While adding an ounce of nuts is "ok", I think it would be better to add the extra 5 net carbs of Induction vegetables and move to the first rung of OWL.

Adding nuts would "technically" mean you're not doing Induction anymore, so why not do it the way the Atkins plan was written?

[2big4mysize]

Re: OWL vs. Extended Induction (a quick question)

While adding an ounce of nuts is "ok", I think it would be better to add the extra 5 net carbs of Induction vegetables and move to the first rung of OWL.

Adding nuts would "technically" mean you're not doing Induction anymore, so why not do it the way the Atkins plan was written?

you might want to check your DANDR for Dr Atkins advice about nuts after 14 day induction has ended. ADBB ADMIN Kent did extended induction and per DANDR added back an ounce of nuts after his 14 days were up.

[Georgiana]

Re: OWL vs. Extended Induction (a quick question)

so if i am on extended induction after the first two initial weeks i can add one ounce of nuts?

You can... but as I've said, they are a difficult food... not only because of portion control issues, but also because of food intolerances.

am pretty good at keeping them in portion by bagging them in ziplocs

Did you do this pre-Atkins?

[OneSixtyFive]

Re: OWL vs. Extended Induction (a quick question)

Well Im not sure what I will do yet, the last time I did Atkins I ate nuts and peanut butter with induction, even though it wasnt on the list...I still lost pretty good but never knew if I could have lost faster or more without the nuts..if I am on a steady losing pattern, I am not going to mess with it! I take Omega 3s already for my heart anyway. Thanks!

[OneSixtyFive]

Re: OWL vs. Extended Induction (a quick question)

Georgiana- Yes I did this pre-Atkins following some of Dr. Oz's advice..I have just been on a mission to not only lose weight but get my heart as healthy as possible...but I will be the first to admit that I am not always good at portion control..Peanuts are a totally different story..I could eat a bag of them and still eat more, walnuts however have a little bit of a different taste and I cant eat as much of them because of that..but for now Im sticking to no nuts to give it a chance.

[pagliaccia]

Re: OWL vs. Extended Induction (a quick question)

That's probably for the best, 165. I did the nuts rung, and it was gloriously tasty, but I "stalled" like no one's business and have been battling portion control issues. So I've decided to continue up the rungs, but without nuts. Not to say I (or you) won't have nuts later, but they really affect my losses, personally.