Extended Induction or OWL?

[BekkiH]

Todayis my last day of induction. So far, it's gone extremely well.

Week 1, I lost 15.5 lbs. So far this week, I have lost zip, zilch, nada. I'm not too surprised given the huge loss in week 1, but still... it's annoying. LOL I do, however, consider these last 2 weeks to be a HUGE success, no matter what the scale says.

Oh, and because I know people will ask - I'm only sort of, kind of doing measurements on my own. I have a personal trainer who comes every 2 weeks, and she will do measurements this Tuesday.

What I CAN say is that I know for a fact that I have lost inches. I am finally able to squeeze into my pre-pregnancy jeans.

Anyway, I'm trying to decide now on whether to extend induction, or move onto OWL.

I've gone through the section of DANDR on this topic, and according to the book, it would be perfectly fine for me to stay on induction. I feel awesome, LOVE the food, and generally do not feel like I'm on a "diet". I don't forsee myself getting bored any time soon.

There are two major reasons why I think Extended INduction may be right for me:

#1 - I still have a lot of weight to lose - just over 100lb. According to DANDR, if you have more than 50 to lose, it might be a good idea to extend induction.

#2 - I have Insulin Resistance, so my body does not generally handle carbs as well as others.

On the other hand, have heard that some people will see the scale FINALLY move once they go on to OWL.

Anyway... if anyone here has any input that might be helpful, I would really appreciate it. I know that it is ultimately my decision... I just don't want to waste any valuable time. I just really don't want to go another week without the scale moving... grrr. I know it doesn't mean I'm not losing fat, but...

OK, I'm gonna stop whining now.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Extended Induction or OWL?

>>rying to decide now on whether to extend induction, or move onto OWL.>>

While it's not my decision to make, I would advise OWL.

>>. I just really don't want to go another week without the scale moving...>>

Well, that can (and will) happen with OWL, too.

Atkins does not guarantee that you will lose every week.

[Desertthorn]

Re: Extended Induction or OWL?

Your logic sounds great to me. If your happy with the food your eating, stick to extended induction, if you stall for 6 or more weeks, then we have a problem and you might want to think about moving up.

You know it's very common to lose the first week and not the second and sometimes not even the third. Your body is adjusting to this new diet. BUT your losing inches now, which is great too, right. Scales can be evil, so don't worry to much what they say.

We can do this..

[BekkiH]

Re: Extended Induction or OWL?

Thanks for the input, everyone.

I think I'm going to stick to induction for now, but I'm going to re-evaluate every week. I don't think it would be wise to stay like this for far too long. I'll take it just one step at a time.

I know that the scale won't move every single week, I just wish it would.

I think I'll feel a lot better when I have my measurements done on Tuesday!

[not2late]

Re: Extended Induction or OWL?

Congrats on your loss. 15 pounds is impressive. And being able to fit into your pre-pregnancy jeans is terrific too: Dr. Atkins said the loss of inches is a better indicator of the loss of fat.

Insulin resistance means your body's cells do not recognize insulin. But since Atkins is a low carb diet, your insulin levels are held at a steady state. Insulin resistance doesn't necessarily mean metabolic resistance to weight loss or that your weight loss on Atkins will be more difficult. I would hazard to guess that most of the people here on ADBB have pre-Atkins lab values consistent with pre-diabetes or are diabetics.

So you should check the metabolic resistance charts in the book to see what your metabolic resistance to weight loss is. That will help you plan your Atkins more effectively. Alot of people make the mistake that since they "only" lost 10 pounds that must mean they have a high metabolic resistance to weight loss. So please check the charts in the book.

Also, keep this in mind: DANDR 2002ed, Chapter 13, last sentence in the chapter:

People with high metabolic resistance can benefit from doing Induction longer than two weeks because it gives them time to correct the metabolic imbalances they may have developed over time.

Over the years I've been on ADBB, we've noticed that the folks with low to moderate metabolic resistance to weight loss who choose to stay on "extended" Induction for long periods of time, hit a weight loss plateau that's only broken when they move to OWL and begin eating at CCLLs appropriate to their bodies. This doesn't mean: stay on Induction and move to OWL only when you hit a stall. This means that for the low to moderate metabolic resistance people, staying in Induction may not be in their best interest.

And finally, if you choose to extend your Induction, it means you still follow the Induction Rules and still eat the foods off the Induction Acceptable Foods list. So if you begin eating 25-30 net carbs daily, you're not doing "extended" Induction. If you begin eating strawberries or low carb tortillas or any food that is not on the Induction Foods List, you're not doing "extended" Induction. Be aware of the dietary contraints and restrictions of an "extended" Induction before you commit yourself to it.

[Elizellen]

Re: Extended Induction or OWL?

Wise words, Megs

[Suzanne_H]

Re: Extended Induction or OWL?

Personally, I always recommend OWL. Induction is necessary to break the addiction to sweets, rearrange the body's metabolism, you know... all the body chemistry stuff. After that, though, as long as the carbs are in check you're good to go. On the other hand, it's easy to convince the body "we're starving!!! hold the weight loss!!!"

It's obvious that induction is not the healthiest, well-balanced way of eating. It's a necessary break from the old way of eating, but temporary. The foods we are allowed in OWL... the increased vegetable choices, healthy dairy, healthy fruits and nuts... make for a very well-balanced and healthy diet.

[BekkiH]

Re: Extended Induction or OWL?

Well, after some serious thought (and a trip to the local veggie market - yum!), I have decided to move on to OWL. A few extra veggies certainly won't hurt me!

I don't think I absolutely HAVE to go up a new rung every single week, do I?

[liv]

Re: Extended Induction or OWL?

Absolutely not - stay on each rung for a bit. I spent almost 2 years going through OWL. I always recommend taking it slow - Stay on the lower rungs for quite a while.