Extended Induction Question

[Sho_Sho]

I am starting on week 4 of Atkins and I have decided to stay on an extended induction because I have at least 70 lbs to lose.

Week one I lost 5 lbs
Week two I lost 4 lbs total of 9 lbs in 1st two weeks

Week three I lost nothing. I stayed exactly the same.

Needless to say that I was a little bummed when I didn’t lose anything the 3rd week.

Do you think this is normal not to lose any weight at week 3?, or do you think this is my body's way of saying I need to up my carbs a little and move on to the next phase?

[Chef Kevin]

hard to say.
Are you tracking your food in any way?
Drinking plenty of water?
Exercising?

I found that about week 3, I had really lost my appetite. I took the liberty then to cut back on my food intake and now eat very small meals. Usually 4 a day. My weight loss is continuing and my energy jumped way up, so I was able to increase my exercise which is changing my appearance. With the increased workouts has come more water drinking. So, I have found a nice chain of events.

I haven't increased my carb levels since I have found most foods really spike my blood sugar. I have added nuts and that's about it. (I am a type 2 diabetic, so I get blood sugar spike from most foods).

[not2late]

Originally Posted by Sho_Sho

I am starting on week 4 of Atkins and I have decided to stay on an extended induction because I have at least 70 lbs to lose.

Week one I lost 5 lbs
Week two I lost 4 lbs total of 9 lbs in 1st two weeks

Week three I lost nothing. I stayed exactly the same.

Needless to say that I was a little bummed when I didn’t lose anything the 3rd week.

Do you think this is normal not to lose any weight at week 3?, or do you think this is my body's way of saying I need to up my carbs a little and move on to the next phase?

Congrats on your loss!

you won't lose weight weekly or daily or hourly. There's a sticky thread in this forum that addresses that.

Also, during the 3-6th week of this Diet, some people experience a mini-stall. In one of the Atkins videos, Dr. Atkins said that is due to water weight shifts and your body getting used to the changes it has had.

As for moving on to the next phase, you should look up your loss on the Metabolic Resistance Charts in the book. If you have low to average metabolic resistance, then there really isn't a need to stay on Induction longer than 14 days. In fact, the experience of the folks here has been the people who have low to average metabolic resistance hit a stall if they stay on Induction and that stall is only broken when they move to OWL Phase.

Besides, OWL phase important because it's when you get to devise a menu that suited to your body. And with all the food choices on OWL, it's hard to get bored to the point that you "need" to cheat in order to stick with the Induction plan.

[LuckyD]

Sometimes staying on Induction is not the answer. The last time I did this WOE I lost a total of 3 lbs during Induction but chose to move onto OWL anyway. I lost 8 lbs in the next two weeks. I continued to lose weight at a nice pace until I went and slipped up. Went to Vegas and had a hard time being good. I would seriously think about going to the next rung. You have more food choices and it may just work to your advantage.

[philliha]

3rd week stalls are completely normal. I personally think it's our bodies' way to pause to see if we're actually going to keep up with this new lifestyle or go back to our old ways. It's your choice to stay on induction or go to OWL, but whatever you do, don't give up! The weight loss will start again soon.

[kac1]

Same here-- I am on 5th week (ish) of a extended induction. I have been doing 20-25 carbs a day, say more lettuce or more cheese... but still sticking to the acceptable food list. I am at a stall too.....

[not2late]

Originally Posted by kac1

Same here-- I am on 5th week (ish) of a extended induction. I have been doing 20-25 carbs a day, say more lettuce or more cheese... but still sticking to the acceptable food list. I am at a stall too.....

Based on what you've written about your menu, you aren't on Extended Induction----you're in OWL Phase Rung 1 (from the more lettuce) and Rung 2 (from the more cheese) and from your carb count of 20-25 net carbs a day.

[not2late]

I just want to add... Extended Induction means that you are following Induction longer than the initial 14 day period. You are still eating no more than 20 net carbs daily. You are still eating the foods and amounts listed in the Rules of Induction and the Induction Acceptable Foods List.

Once you start eating OWL level carbs (generally 5 net carbs above the number of carbs you ate during the 14 Day Induction or more than 20 net carbs daily) or if you add more veggies or more dairy or non-Induction foods like berries, grains, etc. then you are in OWL phase.

[sweeten09]

I am into my 4th month of Atkins and have been in a stall for about 2 months. I appear to have lost inches but not enough to account for the 13 lbs I have lost. I am a diabetic 2 and find that if I add even 2 or 3 stawberries, my sugar count goes up. I am being patient with the diet and have not gone over 20 carbs a day and supplement my hunger ( when ever I feel deprived) with some plain fried chicken wings or scrambled eggs. I have some health issue which keep me from heavy exercise but I have started to walk a mile or so a day. I do not go off the diet and my Atkin book is falling apart because I keep looking for anwsers. Any suggestions would help.

[momtomany1]

Sweeten, where are you in terms of being in ketosis? You initially lost weight so I am sure you have been in ketosis, but you didn't let your fat intake drop for example, messing up your ratios? It has to stay high fat to low carb. Do you still have some signs of ketosis? Is your fat still in the 65 percent of your calories range?

And for you and the OP, there is a reason it is called OWL... that is 'ongoing weight loss' not less weight loss. I would call OWL, not induction, the main part of the diet, 'the real deal,' just as the bulk of a marathon is the part AFTER the 'ready set go.'