Thread: When do you leave induction? One Answer

Taken from a response to someone working on that decision.

regarding induction and owl-to me the decision is best made on where you're at and what you're trying to accomplish. if you're staying on induction out of a sense of obligation--i.e. you haven't fulfilled the "rules" yet so you don't want to count it as done--and that's the only reason, i don't know how helpful it really is.

induction serves several purposes from my perspective, anywho:

• detoxing your body from sugar. this is job one and explains the "induction flu" many people get the first 3-4 days. once you get that out of your system, you feel ten times better.
  
• kick your body into fat-burning mode. once those carbs aren't available to burn for energy, your body turns to attack the fat instead. this is when you're in ketosis. you get the weird taste in your mouth, the energy surges, and your appetite dramatically decreases. added bonus: exercise during ketosis is much more effective than "regular" exercise. normally, your body will burn the carb-juice you got first, and then move on to burning fat. you get to fast-forward to the most effecitve part of the exercise when low-carbing. less work for the same results. how cool is that?
  
• change your tastes. a couple of weeks without sugar, an apple slice with taste like the most decadent dessert you've ever had!
  
• getting a sense of control over your eating. having a fairly regimented start, and getting those induction perks you get when you're working the program goes a long way towards feeling like you're ruling your eating instead of your eating ruling you!
  
• get those losses going. i list this last for a reason: it's the least important! (to me, anyway). but it's the one we almost always focus on, too. having solid losses is a good way to keep your motivation and enthusiam up to make the habit changes you need to make to integrate lc into your life.

so regarding moving on, i would ask you this: have you experienced all or most of these results? and regardless of your weight loss rate, are you losing inches? (you did measure, right? ) are your clothes looser? do you have more energy and less appetite? how do you feel physically?

the tough part about eating off-plan during induction is, depending on what you're eating and how often, if it's enough off-plan eating to kick you out of ketosis (fat-burning mode), you miss some of the most helpful benefits of low-carbing we just talked about. ketosis is the "magic" of low-carbing.

if you feel you've experienced the benefits/helpful parts of induction to your satisifaction, then you may well choose to move on to owl. if you haven't yet, then consider continuing induction for a little while longer. i wouldn't demand 2 full weeks of yourself, but maybe one week or even 3-4 days, as long as you do try to stay on-plan for the period you have decide on. that way, you're maximizing your benefits and minimizing the induction restrictions.

and that's also why i often encourage folks to follow the plan more strictly, especially in the beginning. many people sort of pick and choose the parts they want to follow and then wonder why it doesn't work for them.

i would suggest that you take stock of where you're at, and how well your induction has done it's work so far, and decide from there. ultimately, of course, it's up to you what feels right and what you can best live with. a "strict, full induction" means nothing if you get discouraged and chuck the whole way of eating because you don't feel successful.

but whatever you decide, remember: you are making improvements! that makes you a success. it's not about compliance with rules or whatever. it's about finding a way of eating that supports your long-term goals and fits into your life. it's so important to celebrate all your successes, big and small, and know that by continually moving forward at whatever pace works for you, you can't help but reach your goals!

good luck, and peace out from the somewhat long-winded goddess.

Induction does not have to last just 2 weeks. It all depends on the individual and how much weight they want to lose. I wanted to lose over 100 pounds, so I stayed at induction level carbs for 9 months before moving on to OWL. You must eventually move on to OWL, but when you do is up to you. I suggest you read DANDR to see how to proceed. When I went on to OWL, I just continued eating like I was during induction, but then added 5 grams of carb per day every 2-3 weeks. In DANDR you will see the carb ladder and how you can integrate additional carbs into your diet, like adding tomato to your salad, onion to a breakfast omelet ect. Additional carbs will also let you expand your vegetable choices to add to your menus. What I also found was that I needed to plan my meals to make sure I hit a specific range. What works for me is to plan my meals 1 week at a time. That way I know what to shop for and also controll my carbs. Good luck.

Just make sure that you allow enough time to go through all the steps of the Atkins approach so that you develop the eating habits that will sustain your loss through the maintenance phase and low carb really becomes a WOE, not just a diet. There is a comfort factor in staying at induction level. It is easier than trying to hit a specific number. However, you eventually must go on to OWl so that you can progress to maintenance. Good luck.

Welcome, knutters.

Here's a link to the front page of this site:

http://www.lowcarbeating.com

From there, you can access all parts of the site, including this forum.

DANDR can be purchased, either new or used, from most on line and chain bookstores.

HTH!

Hi all, I know I am in the minority, but I didn't do induction this time around. it's too much like a diet, which doesn't do me any good psychologically. So I do about 30 grams of carbs a day. I know it will take me a bit longer, but then I don't get in the dieters mind set. Nobody can live with me when I do that because I think of nothing but what I can and cannot eat. I eat, breathe and live and do nothing but talk about it which bores everyone around me. The 30 gives me enough boost that I live a normal existence and can carry on an intelligent conversation(LOL). But everyone is different, I have heard of plenty of folks who do quite well on induction. Just thought I would add my 2 cents worth. Judy

You have a good point, Judy.

Many people find it easier to "back into" ketosis. I haven't seen much difference in ultimate result. The main difference in success is between those who adopt a different way of eating and those who are merely dieting.

Originally Posted by Maggie

The main difference in success is between those who adopt a different way of eating and those who are merely dieting.

amen, sister mags!

Judy, I believe that the Protein Power books have you start at 30 gms instead of 20. It's easier for a lot of people to do that. If it works for you, and gets you set in a good way of eating, then go for it. It's much better to do what works for YOU.

Yeah, I guess I claim to be doing Atkins, but I wonder if I really am. I subscribe to alot of his ideas. I count fiber and sugar alcohols and eat a hoard of veggies. I haven't given up my coffee, nobody could live with me very long if I did that. I guess it is Atkins tweaked my way(LOL). I think everyone has to find their own way. Judy