Can I ask a couple of questions to you experienced Atkineers?

[Zarabelle]

Hi Guys

As you guys are the ultimate sucess story, I wondered if I could ask you a few questions:

How long did you stay on Induction? Did you move straight to OWL?
In the past, I have always done a modified induction rather than actually climbing the OWL ladder. I am totally committed this time and am in it for long term (life in fact) but obviously would still like to lose the bulk of my pounds as soon as possible!!

Do you/did you use any low carb alternative products now that you are at target?
I am sure these were my downfall in the past but am guessing they could be used when you are within 10 pounds of target?

Any comments would be great.

Many thanks

[kate58]

Re: Can I ask a couple of questions to you experienced Atkineers?

I am far from at goal - but will jump in anyway!!

How long did you stay on Induction? Did you move straight to OWL?

2 weeks on induction, then straight on to OWL. It was tempting to stay on induction, but reading here convinced me to try moving on. I am very, very glad I did. My weight losses were indeed, as the name suggests, ongoing! Plus I have learned so much more about how to eat than I ever could have on induction.

I've moved up the rungs very slowly - at least 3 weeks on each, more if I thought I needed it. I am now basically staying for the moment at the berries rung, though about once a week or less eat puy lentils which are on the legumes rung, so that's where I officially am.

Do you/did you use any low carb alternative products now that you are at target?

Haven't used any foods sold as low-carb, and don't plan to cos I can't think of any I need or want. I do however use things I didn't use before. Xanthan gum to thicken sauces occasionally where I'd previously have used cornflour, almond flour to make the odd cake (this is very rarely), splenda now and then, things like that.

[Zarabelle]

Re: Can I ask a couple of questions to you experienced Atkineers?

Thanks Kate. Wow your pics are amazing. You must feel so proud of yourself.

I think you are right with moving on to OWL. I know from experience that you do get bored and start pinching foods from up the OWL ladder (!) and then it all starts going wrong.

I feel I need to confess at this point that I do allow myself a small bowl of berries with cream each day as in the first Atkins book this was legal and I know it doesn't stall me. I am not pinching any other foods though.

I am not tempted by the low carb foods this time, it's just that when closer to target I may like the low carb tortillas or nachos - that's the only thing I can think of.

Thanks again for your reply x

[sallyseachange]

Re: Can I ask a couple of questions to you experienced Atkineers?

I spent five months approx on extended induction and regret that. If I were to lose weight again I would move to OWL straight after the two weeks of induction.

I didn't use any low carb alternatives that I remember, during the weight loss phase. Now that I'm in maintenance, I do have a few products in the cupboard I use in emergencies... but use these rarely. I also have a few treats like a daily glass of red wine (which is perfectly legal, but perhaps shouldn't be so "regular"). These things are the first to go if I get close to breaching my five pound "safety zone".

[sadie147]

Re: Can I ask a couple of questions to you experienced Atkineers?

I too stayed far too long on inductino, about 3 months i think, then moved on to OWL where i 'modified' it to keep it below 30g's a day, another mistake. this messed with my metabloism and caused a lengthly stall...and created an unhealthy carb-phobia. Once i started adding back my additional OWL carbs properly, I started to lose again, and reached goal.

For products, I have used some low carb things in maintenance, I have regular protein shakes, and i have had the odd atkins bar when i've needed them at a time when food just wasn't possible. i also have the odd s/f chocolate (Cadbury's Dairymilk Delight is my fav...it's reaaaaaly creamy!), though lately i've discovered that Lindt 85% cocoa doesn't cause me issues, so i prefer to have that since there's no s/a's in it (there is a small amount of sugar..it's very low carb).

We don't get too many low carb products besides candy here anymore due to labelling laws, so i haven't used any bake mixes etc in a couple of years i'd guess. I do have a bit of Dreamfields pasta and have had that on occaision with out issue as well.

[Duinai]

Re: Can I ask a couple of questions to you experienced Atkineers?

About 1 month of induction. I moved very slow.... adding mostly veggies of many kinds and fruits ( berries, etc...) small pieces. I never actually stalled.. When I started I had terrible "Atkins Flu" - I could barely walk up stairs, was extremely weak, I fainted twice in the bathroom ( hubby picked me up thanks goodness), I also lost tons of hair.



I never used "low carb frankenfoodz" but I used SOME products such as flax meal ( as cereal and baking muffins), syrups with Splenda for coffee, some ready-made shakes when I had to drive long distances. I am also a big fan of Shiratake noodles, but you cannot actually say they are NOODLES hehe because they are ROOTS and mostly fibers.

dui

[Zarabelle]

Re: Can I ask a couple of questions to you experienced Atkineers?

Thanks guys. I have my third WI tomorrow.
It has been so different this time without the diet coke, alcohol, low carb products, sweet legal foods. I have hardly craved anything!

CONGRATS AGAIN ON YOUR SUCCESSES!

[Brook]

Re: Can I ask a couple of questions to you experienced Atkineers?

Hi Guys

As you guys are the ultimate sucess story, I wondered if I could ask you a few questions:

How long did you stay on Induction?

4 weeks.

Did you move straight to OWL?

Yes. I did. I stayed anywhere between 4-6 weeks on each rung though and figured out how things would effect me. I upped my carbs 5 grams every 2-3 weeks though instead of weekly.

In the past, I have always done a modified induction rather than actually climbing the OWL ladder. I am totally committed this time and am in it for long term (life in fact) but obviously would still like to lose the bulk of my pounds as soon as possible!!

While I totally hear you and understand where you're coming from and why- losing the weight faster is not better.

Do you/did you use any low carb alternative products now that you are at target?

,
I do now that I'm at goal. I use low-carb tortillas but really, that's about it.

[Desihue]

Re: Can I ask a couple of questions to you experienced Atkineers?

I stayed on Induction for about a month but I did really well because I was doing a lot of cooking and I actually liked the Induction foods. When I got bored with the foods, I moved on. Plus I didn't like feeling like I hadn't learned anything. You really should move on so you can learn how to function with more variety of foods- carbs included.


My hubby and I are huge fans of the low-carb breads, wraps, ketchup, and Splenda but we are careful not to go overboard with that stuff. I was knee deep in dental issues at one point so I was drinking the shakes and I can tell you THAT is what stalled me. I love the snack bars, no problems with those but I only consumed that stuff when I was OWL. Induction was pure clean eating and I am so glad I did. I lost 15 pounds my first 2 weeks and my loss has been steady.

[ttdriver]

Re: Can I ask a couple of questions to you experienced Atkineers?

2 weeks induction. All phases as written. 5.5 years on lifetime maintenance.

Low carb products I use regularly:

Heinz one carb ketchup; KC masterpiece classic blend BBQ sauce; dreamfields pasta. That's it.

Betty

[Misnagid]

Re: Can I ask a couple of questions to you experienced Atkineers?

Why would gyou recommend less time on induction?

As of today, I have 41.6 pounds to lose to even get to weighing 200. I'd like to lose another forty pounds after that. I'm not losing weight that quickly right now. It seems like it's going to take a long, long time to lose the 40 pounds once I finish induction. Is staying on induction to lose 40 more pounds a bad idea?

[Elizellen]

Re: Can I ask a couple of questions to you experienced Atkineers?

If your weightlosses are already slowing down on induction after 5 weeks or so you might find that moving to OWL bumpstarts your losses.

I don't know the science behind it but many posters have experienced it happening to them.

[blueberrylady]

Re: Can I ask a couple of questions to you experienced Atkineers?

I spent 2 months on induction but didn't lose anything that second month. Then I moved up to rung 1 and lost 4 lbs. the first week! I think it's best to do it the way the book says because Dr. Atkins really knew what he was talking about!

Good luck!

[Misnagid]

Re: Can I ask a couple of questions to you experienced Atkineers?

I spent 2 months on induction but didn't lose anything that second month. Then I moved up to rung 1 and lost 4 lbs. the first week! I think it's best to do it the way the book says because Dr. Atkins really knew what he was talking about!

Good luck!

Dr. Atkins said that staying on induction up to an entire year or more was safe and OK and certainly understandable for someone with a large amount of weight to lose. That's exactly what his book says. From Dr. Atkin's New Diet Revolution, 2002, Chapter 13, page 138:

More Induction?
Before you even think about stepping up from Induction, consider the possibility of staying with it for a while longer. A lot of people think of Induction as only two weeks, but it can be followed for a longer time. If you have a lot of weight to lose or have difficultly losing weight, you might want to do Induction for quite a while. That way, you'll see dramatic progress before morving onto the more moderate phases of the program.

Page 140 has the anecdote of Carol Kitchener, who was on Induction for two years under Dr. Atkin's care as her personal physician.

I've been on induction seven weeks. My weight loss actually has been accelerating in the last few weeks. Maybe because I've finally gotten my candida under control.

[ShannonK]

Re: Can I ask a couple of questions to you experienced Atkineers?

My opinion is that if you have a lot of weight to lose, yes, it is fine to stay on induction a while longer. I just re-read that in the book also. As long as you eventually do move through the rungs. Having said that, if you are getting closer to goal, it is really best to move through the rungs. It is the only way to figure out your CCLL. That is really hard to do once you reach goal.

I know. I stayed on induction all the way to goal three years ago. Then, I didn't know how to eat. It was either induction or not induction. I gained it all back.

Thus, I am re-starting and following it straight through all the rungs.