Nervous about leaving Induction

[JenCarn]

I am at day 15 and have lost just about 5 pounds. Rough first week (didn't lose much b/c I wasn't strictly following Induction rules - almonds, caffeine, Atkins bars). Atkins flu, Caffeine withdrawal. But now I feel awesome!! Not testing with ketosticks but pretty sure I am in ketosis.

But the prospect of moving to OWL is making me nervous. Induction rules are so easy for me to manage. And I am wondering if I should spend another week on Induction since my first week wasn't "pure."

Any insights, support, opinions?

[liv]

If you want to. That was what I did because like you I was not exactly clean starting out. You gave up caffeine - just like that? That is awesome. I had to wean myself but I am only on decaf now

And yes it is normal to be nervous about OWL but OWL is a very important part and the first rung of OWL is just veggies. You cannot go wrong with veggies and you can stay there and experiment a while if you like.

[Georgiana]

Originally Posted by JenCarn

I am at day 15 and have lost just about 5 pounds. Rough first week (didn't lose much b/c I wasn't strictly following Induction rules - almonds, caffeine, Atkins bars). Atkins flu, Caffeine withdrawal. But now I feel awesome!! Not testing with ketosticks but pretty sure I am in ketosis.

You've lose over 12% of what you want to lose. That is excellent! Most people lose between 5-10% during Induction, so you are above the average.

Since you didn't have a clean first week, your degree of metabolic resistance will be overestimated if you compare your weight loss with the table on page 158 of DANDR. So while those 5 lbs put you in the "average resistance" category, you could actually have a low resistance to lipolysis. Extending the Induction period may be beneficial for those people who are metabolically resistant or have a lot to lose. You only have 35 lbs left to lose and your metabolic resistance is average-low.

But the prospect of moving to OWL is making me nervous. Induction rules are so easy for me to manage. And I am wondering if I should spend another week on Induction since my first week wasn't "pure."

As Liv said, you can choose to do another week of Induction if you wish. However, do not be disappointed if you do not see a big loss during this "extra" week -- many people experience a stall if they extend their Induction without having a lot to lose or without having a high degree of metabolic resistance.

If you decide to move to OWL, first read/re-read Chapter 14 in DANDR. There are also sticky threads on the Board that might help you -- you'll find them in the "Ongoing Weight Loss (OWL)" forum.

[planetclaire]

You have about the same amount of weight to lose as I do...I lost 6 pounds on induction but then gained 2 back! EEK! But I stayed on rung 1 for 2 weeks (I am on day 12 actually) and this morning I am down 4 pounds from yesterday....nothing scary about that!

Since you don't have a lot to lose, I would move to OWL. The first rung is so much like induction but with more veggies, its really not much of a change. Good luck!

[JenCarn]

Originally Posted by liv

You gave up caffeine - just like that? That is awesome. I had to wean myself but I am only on decaf now

LOL, No ... there was nothing "just like that" about it! I had been drinking 6-8 cans of diet pepsi each day (with no water) and in addition a cup of coffee most mornings. During week 1 I cut back to 2-3 cans of soda a day with lots of water. On day 7 I finally realized I had to drop the caffeine and aspartame so then I went "cold turkey" ... it was a rough 2-3 days in my house (irritable, horrible headache!) Feel great now! (Though I am asleep by 10pm every night where I used to be up til 11 easily).

Of course in my mind I have so much to lose! (I am at my heaviest ever ... even more than my pregnancies). So to hear "you don't have much to lose" is surprising to me (and encouraging). Georgiana, my copy of DANDR is much dog-eared! I am scouring the OWL chapter carefully. And PC, you are right, first rung is so similar I should be able to handle that! (It is going to be the re-introduction of foods that is going to worry me!)

Thanks all!!

[phil h]

Induction is very easy to manage.Been in it for 12 weeks and will continue.Wt continues to fall off at average of 3 lbs a week and goal is within sight.

[JenCarn]

Originally Posted by phil h

Induction is very easy to manage.Been in it for 12 weeks and will continue.Wt continues to fall off at average of 3 lbs a week and goal is within sight.

What are your plans for after you reach goal? Will you then move through the rungs of OWL? Or jump to maintenance? But how will you know your carb level? [Trying to figure out my best path.]

[phil h]

When I reach my goal I will continue doing the same I am now, very low carb.Tried moving up rungs before, never reached my goal, not even close,then gained it all back plus.Once my my caloric intake equilibrates, I will maintain my intrinsic weight.One big difference between this time and last is the way I have lost.Before, I looked like a smaller version of myself.A smaller pot belly with skinny arms and legs.Now I am not skinny any where, rathar lean all over.My belly is flat.I attribute that to the lower carb levels that I have maintained.Not sure what else it could be.I very much enjoy never being actually hungry.Just eating to re-fuel.

[imagood1]

Phil's plan may work for him but it's not the way Dr. Atkins wrote it. I would suggest you move up the rungs and find your perfect number of carbs you can eat without gaining. Good luck to you

[PHAT Beth]

Don't be nervous about adding foods. I mean, when you decide it's time. The extra food choice is awesome. I just started berries myself, and it is heavenly. It's going to be the thing that makes this WOE a lifetime choice, and not a diet I will stray from.