Extended induction or OWL!!!??? Please help!!

[Hillary]

I still have about a week left on induction and I love the results I have seen so far but I can't decide whether or not to stay on induction or go to OWL.

I realize that everyone loses weight differently but I was wondering if the weight still continues to fall off on daily basis like it does on Induction or is it more like losing a pound or 2 on a weekly basis?

It's so hard for me to decide because I am really liking the induction phase. I realize that you are not supposed to stay on it for a long time but I was thinking maybe I would stay on it until i lose half my weight.

Thank you!!
Hillary

[EverLosing]

I would've jumped off a building if I had stayed on Induction until I lost half my weight. Moving to OWL was awesome and the way it should be. Everyone seems to get into this time crunch for weight loss instead of health gained. You have more options in OWL. It's so much easier to snack on the run when you move up. More options for delicious food and you're never bored with your choices. Not to mention, I'm certain my body appreciated the increased selection of foods and thus, different nutrients being poured into my body. Your veggie consumption will increase. Something to remember about veggies--they're filling and low in calories. Most people miss the point and think they should stick as close as possible to no carb, instead of a healthy choice, low carb. I say move on up. I've lost more weight adding carbs and exercising than I ever would have had I stayed on Induction. Don't be scared. What's the absolute worst that could happen? You maintain or lose only a few pounds per week. I find it's not so much about the higher carb level when I don't lose quickly as it is about the decreased activity level.

The right carbs in the right amount are your friend and too often we tend to treat them as the enemy. OWL is not just about increasing your carbs. It's about you learning about your body along the journey to ensure you can maintain what you've lost. The rungs are the most important part of Atkins. It teaches you what you can eat and what you can't. All of those lessons will get you through pre-maintenance and mainenance. Also, people on induction don't love hearing this but most of that loss you've seen so far isn't even fat. It's your glycogen stores. It's basically water weight. The true fat loss occurs near the end of induction and then the losses slow. That's just the way it works. Don't rob yourself of the lessons and have to run through the rungs quickly later on. You'll love the plan when you have more options!! Do remember, if a few weeks of OWL don't make you happy, you can always move back down to Induction. It's always up to you!

[liv]

Though there is nothing wrong with extended induction I agree with Ever, OWL is the most important phase because we have to be able to do this in the long run and find a way of eating that we can live with and that will sustain us. This is actually not easy and it is probably best done while we are still trying to lose because we can learn more about our limits that way.

I think that you will lose a lot on induction the first week it is not going to be like that even if you stick with induction. Weightloss levels out a bit.

You still have plenty of time to think about it. Good luck with the rest of your induction.

[Hillary]

Thank you! I think both of you are right. I am very active and I think that has been a reason I have been able to have a very successful induction so far. I really miss eating a lot of veggies too. It is so nice to see the scale go down though. After reading what you wrote Everlasting I think I will just head right into OWL after I finish induction. I would MUCH rather lose real weight then just water weight!!!! Thank you for the advice, it was very helpful!!

~Hillary

[sham]

Hi i have been on induction(extended)where i didnt go over 20 carbs a day 11 months now and lost near 100lb because i wanted fast results and it works its your decision but like me if you like to lose fast and not feel down when you stall or had 1lb loss only then keep on the induction i personally feel it works for me all the best.

[Hillary]

Sham - so then you must be losing actual fat to loose 100lbs!! That's fantastic congrats!! I honestly don't have a problem with induction and I have not had a significant carb craving.

Thanks for the advice Sham!

[not2late]

What we've noticed on ADBB is that the folks who have moderate to mild metabolic resistance to weight loss hit a stall or slow down if they remain on Induction and do a "real" extended Induction. That stall or slow down is only relieved when they start doing OWL and eating at carb levels more appropriate for their bodies.
What I mean about a "real" extended Induction is extending Induction: just doing Induction for longer than 14 days, by following the Induction Rules and eating only those foods on the Induction Food List. Often times, some "extended" induction people are actually doing OWL because they've added OWL carb ladder foods, but remain at Induction level carbs. In those cases, they can't honestly say they are "extending" Induction, because they are not following Induction Rules by eating only what's on the List.
But the choice is yours. Personally, I stayed on Induction for about 4 months, because like sham, I had over 100 pounds to lose. I regret that decision now because I had between mild-t0-moderate metabolic resistance and I did notice my weight loss slowing down by month 3. Had I moved to OWL sooner, I would have had a wider food choice and my loss would have been more consistent during that 3-4 month mark. Thankfully, I had a work conference out of town that forced me to move to OWL phase.