Cause and Effect

[bizzarrea]

Hello everyone. I re-started induction on 01/03/2008. I've lost quite a bit of weight since then, but haven't been on a scale so don't know the exact amount.

I did wonderfully until this past weekend. I had a couple bad days, not of bingeing but of eating a few things that aren't allowed (pizza and cake to be specific).

How bad is this? I am back on track again, but how significantly does this affect my weight loss? Will I gain weight from this? Has anyone ever done this and still lost weight, or is it basically having to start over and wait the week to get rid of the carbs again?

I'm so upset. There was really no reason for me to do this, just that I was at my niece's sixteenth birthday party and I gave in to my cravings.

Someone please tell me its okay.......

lol!
Sarah

[readytolose2008]

Re: Cause and Effect

I did the same thing this weekend. I havent gain any weight back, I jumped right back on the plan. Drink lots of water! Everyone is different though but Im sure it wont effect you much.

[julirama723]

Re: Cause and Effect

Well, I'm not going to tell you it's OK, but you will be able to rebound from this if you get back on track immediately.

Were you still on induction after a month?

Induction need only be followed for 2 weeks, and there's no benefit to staying on induction unless you're metabolically resistant and did not lose weight during those first 2 weeks. If you lost weight, you should move to OWL, where you can begin the process of learning how to eat for a lifetime. OWL lets you add back foods slowly, based on glycemic index. I mistakenly thought I'd lose more weight by staying on induction, but I sort of stalled out. I finally took the advice to move to OWL and began losing weight again. I lost 25 pounds on induction/extended induction, but have lost over 70 on OWL.

It is important that you get back on track ASAP. Don't wait for tomorrow or next week. Make your NEXT BITE legal. Get back into ketosis, and then move to OWL, where you'll add 5g more of veggie carbs.

Often the reason for falling off the wagon is boredom--don't be bored. Work the plan, move to OWL, start adding those foods back in!

[bizzarrea]

Re: Cause and Effect

Well, I read in The Atkins Reference Guide that you can choose to stay on induction as long as you wish. I figured if I stay on induction longer I will lose weight quicker. I have friends who have stayed on induction for a very long time and lost weight quickly. I understand that eventually I will move to OWL, but for now I want to lose weight quickly so that I don't become frustrated or give up.

Sarah

[julirama723]

Re: Cause and Effect

Hmm, well according to DANDR, induction may be followed safely for up to 6 months, but there is no added weightloss benefit to staying on induction longer than two weeks.

Atkins is not a crash-diet. It's a lifelong way of eating. OWL is the most misunderstood and most overlooked phase of Atkins. Ongoing Weight Loss means you lose the majority of your weight in this phase. This is when you learn how to eat so you can MAINTAIN your losses.

Many of us are here for the second (or third or fourth...) time because we did not follow the plan as intended and stayed on induction entirely too long.

[bizzarrea]

Re: Cause and Effect

I understand and appreciate your concern. As for me, I know I will eventually move to OWL for lifelong patterns and continued success. As for now, I have so much to lose that I need to see results in order to keep motivated. I'll eventually move on to OWL. For me, induction is best at this time. Thank you though.

[spazzyhilo]

Re: Cause and Effect

What would help is to see some of your stats! How much was your starting weight? How much do you currently weight? What is your goal? How old are you? These all play factors in weight loss.

As for cheating, it effects everyone differently. Just like the weight loses on everyone differently. Just don't let it get you off course. Drink lots of water and get right back on plan!

To stay on induction is of course your choice, but dont be afraid of OWL. The first rung is especially easy and its nice because it means you get to eat more veggies! I'm a huge veggie fan so it makes me happy that I get to have more

[blue996]

Re: Cause and Effect

I would consider moving to OWL 1. It is basically induction with five more net carbs of veggies a day. And you can stay on it for as long as you like. I think the extra veggies and variety would be a good thing for your long term plan.

As for cheating I have found that doing it always slowed my weight loss...it's like putting out a fire. Which is why this time around (I'm a second timer who like Julie didn't do OWL the first time around) I am sticking to the plan.

[Bettestress]

Re: Cause and Effect

I think that's one of the biggest myths about Atkins (other than the NO carb myth) is that moving on to owl will slow your weight loss.

[Bulldawg]

Re: Cause and Effect

Many of us are here for the second (or third or fourth...) time because we did not follow the plan as intended and stayed on induction entirely too long.

Guilty as charged....thot staying on induction would be best, and when watching NOTHING happening after 3-4 weeks....got lazy, depressed and bagged it......reckon we'll do thangs differently this time.........

[cruisergal]

Re: Cause and Effect

I too am one of those who did Induction for 5-6 months the first time, and did not spend enough time on Owl, to really learn how to control my carb intake, and hence put on half the weight I lost within the next year & 1/2. This time I did Induction for 3 weeks, and the last 3 weeks have been in OWL, dairy rung now, and I'm still losing! So don't be afraid of the next step!