How Long Did You Stay On Induction?

[kkat55]

How long did you stay on Induction before moving on to OWL?

[kkat55]

I just wanted to add that if you want to say why you choose the length of time you did, that would be nice also.

[not2late]

I spent 4 months on Induction.

Why?

When I was reading the book and deciding whether or not to try this diet, I read the last sentence in Chapter 13:

People with high metabolic resistance can benefit from doing Induction longer than 2 weeks because it gives them time to correct the metabolic imbalances they may have developed over time

What was "high metabolic resistance" and what caused that?

So I flipped to chapter 20 "Metabolic Resistance: CAuses and Solutions" to read up on it.

According to that chapter there were several things that could cause it.

1.Thryoid disease? Nope, didn't have that.

2.Hyperinsulinism? Nope, didn't have that, but it runs in my family.

3.Prescription Drugs? Yup, I was on them.
Birth Control/Hormone replacement? Nope.
Anti-depressants? Nope.
Insulin and insulin-stimulating drugs? Nope.
Anti-arthritis drugs? Nope.
Steroids? Yes. I was on 2 prescription steroids: one for my asthma and the other for my "seasonal" allergies (which 10 our of 12 months a year). In fact, my pulmonologist increased the dose of my asthma steroid because the lower dose wasn't adequate.
Diuretics? Nope.
Beta-blockers? Nope.

4. Candida? Nope.

After my 14 days of Induction, I lost about 9 pounds--sorta. I work in a doctor's office, so I used that scale. Welll, between my first weigh-in and my weigh in on Day 15, we had the scale calibrated and it was off a couple of pounds. But it still put me in the moderate metabolic resistance category. That compounded by the fact that I was on 2 medications that I could not live without, prompted me to decide to stick with Induction for 5 months.

Whoa, I thought you said you were on Induction for 4 months?

I had to attend a 5 day work-related conference about 7 months into my Atkins. From previous years, I knew it would have been very difficult to stick to an Induction menu while there. So, I figured, I was already on month 4 and I thought it best to move onto OWL. I did. It made the conference much easier to do and I didn't spoil my Atkins by "cheating".

Adding....

About month 6, I didn't have time to refill my asthma medication due to being too busy. So I was without it for 3 or 4 days. I didn't have any difficulty breathing during that time. When I talked to my pulmonologist about it, he told me to fill the prescription but I could try to do without the medication to see if I was better. However, at the first sign of my asthma acting up, I had to go back on my med immediately. I filled the prescription but never used it. Because my asthma had improved remarkably. I still have seasonal allergies, but they are really seasonal now and I only have to take medicine for it from April to May.

The great thing about OWL was I learned that certain wheat products trigger my asthma and allergies.

[2big4mysize]

I had a lot to lose and loved the induction foods so I did the old book induction for 7 months with the carbs under 20, one ounce f nuts and more then the 3 cups of veggies which is modified OWL on ADBB and then moved to OWl when i read chapter 13 of the New book and thought I wanted low carb bread.

Just a note to anybody thinking they want a food not allowed on induction. I got 6 loaves of low carb bread back then as gifts and 5.5 of them are still in the frreezer to remind me the not being able to have it is the driving force in the craving of higher carb foods. Once I could have it I didn't want it any more.

[kkat55]

Thank you for sharing your journey, 2Big.

It helps as I try to decide my next step. I've gotten sidetracked from reading the book this past week and a half, but I know I need to get to it before Monday rolls along.

Your journey is very helpful and has brought a couple things to light that I need to look up on myself to make that final decision.

[Ms Blue]

Two months and a bit (CHEAT FREE!) and I am STILL on induction. I am in the "zone" and have no intention of getting off the induction ship until I am within 20 pounds of my goal. Since coming here I have found plenty of recipes to keep me from getting bored, otherwise I might have jumped the induction ship after week two.

four weeks

[kkat55]

BUMP

[kkat55]

Thanks for everyone's input and votes. I've decided to move on to OWL since I don't feel I have insulin resistance.

Plus I've been on Induction several times, but never moved onto OWL and I would like to make this a part of my life so I'm going into the next phase so I can learn this like the back of my hand and not have to think about it, but that it just becomes part of my life.

Thanks to all those who posted and voted!

[bluemoon]

The first time I did Atkins I stayed on Induction the whole time. That was a big mistake. Induction for me is not a way to eat for life, it simply is too restrictive. However, the weight was flying off and I was feeling good, so I continued induction until goal. When I fell off the wagon I fell HARD because I hadn't taught myself the good foods to eat and what foods were trigger / crave foods. Instead I went back to my old habits of a huge bowl of ice cream every night and enough chocolate during the day to make the Easter Bunny blush!

This time I only did induction for two weeks and moved right on into OWL. With the addition of fruits, nuts and dairy mostly, I find it easier to be comfortable with this as a way of eating for life. Like I said before, I find induction a bit too restrictive. I understand its purpose, but at the same time I love having a piece of fruit for a snack every day. Moving on after two weeks was the thing for me to do.