Induction: How long to do it. fact or myth?

[Bloomer]

I read something on a website. I was wondering if someone could clear it up for me here.

I read it was recommended to stay on the induction phase until 50% of the weight loss goal was met, or up to one year. I am sure this is a matter of preference seeing as the 14 day induction is the main thing I keep seeing, everywhere. I just wondered how much truth, accuracy, or popularity there was in the the idea that....

one should stay on induction until 50% of goal was reached.

I am asking because I have about 100 pounds to lose. That could be months of induction for me if I am correct.

Chances are, I will do the 14 days and see how I am doing at that point.

Has anyone extended their induction? how long?

[ImREADYImREADY]

for me, I did 20 carbs or less for one year. I just couldn't get myself to eat more. I didn't want to stop losing weight.

[Bloomer]

Can you tell me how your successes were? It is only showing 5 lbs lost. I am sure you have lost much more? You said you were on it for a year?

[kristenxo]

My first time around I stayed on Induction until I reached goal. I lost 90lbs. in 9 months. I kept it off for about 3 years too.

[Elizellen]

I stayed on induction for about a year and a half while I lost the first 100 pounds. I found it easy to stick to as I was never a 'sweets' kind of person and found the substitutions of revolution rolls, caulirice, courgette (zucchini) noodles and aubergine (eggplant) lasagne sheets made me able to still eat some of my 'staple' recipes without feeling deprived or wanting to eat offplan.

Though in reality I was probably eating at OWL rung one for half that time as I did tend to estimate my veg intake, so was eating more than the 3 cups of veg!

However in hindsight I regret not moving at least to the lower OWL rungs earlier as that would have made my planning easier! Being able to have nuts for a portable snack would have given me less work planning and making 'induction-legal' snacks to have on hand for emergencies!

Having said that, moving to OWL is a very individual choice. If you are happy eating to induction carb levels and food choices and have a lot of weight to lose then go for it. But if you start to feel deprived then move straight on to OWL and start expanding your food choices and increasing your net carbs.

We see many members having great problems sticking to induction foods and needing so much determination not to 'cheat' by eating nuts or milk or an extra portion of broccolli that on ADBB we tend to encourage them to remove that temptation by moving up the carbohydrate ladder till they are at the level where these induction 'cheats' are legal and so they can include some almonds as a snack without feeling guilty or make a cauliflower pizza without having to cut out a salad.

The problem with many people when they do 'cheat' is that they often fall into the trap of saying to themselves 'I cheated so I might as well carry on cheating for today/this week/month and get back on plan tomorrow/next week/month'.

As we know - tomorrow never comes, so for some it can be many months till they are able to get back on plan and become a loser!!

[Bloomer]

Wow! These are some amazing results for the two of you. I am learning so much by readng these boards. I thought I knew Atkins, but I am definitely glad I am here refreshing my memory. I will do it right and learn from the mistakes others say they have made.

I agree with the idea of induction as long as you are comfortable. I tend to be a creature of habbit. I think if I can find staples and a comfy plan for me that is induction friendly I will stay with it. I may move the the lower rungs of OWL though. I think that is probably what will happen for me.

Would it be wrong if I were in the lower rungs of OWL and didn't feel like eating the OWL carbs though? What if I had a few days or something where I wasn't eating that specific structure? I just don't want to have to feel like I am forcng carbs on myself, or that I am straying from the plan.

I just remember years ago when I did this, I had a salad and meat for dinner every night. I sometimes would make a roasted chicken with cauliflower "mashed potatoes" and green beans. I just didn't really think too much about it. I stayed low carb all the time after induction. I never allowed myself too many carbs. I did sometimes have a melon mix of fruit in the morning, or strawberries with splenda for a treat.

Sorry this is so long! I love the feedback I get though.

[IrishIrish]

I, too, stayed on Induction for almost 18 months. In DANDR, I Atkins has a chapter right after the one on Induction about when it is time to move from Induction. I wasn't bored with my food choices. I was getting enough to eat. My health was improving, dramatically. I had energy. There was no reason to move on for me. Just before 18 months, I started on OWL and moved very slowly. There are some foods I still avoid or limit.