I am soooo new to this. Can someone tell me how long the induction period is? I started on Jan 5. I have lost a total of 7lbs to date. It feels like I have lost alot of inches as well. Jeans are already baggy. Guess I need to do alot more reading up on it all so I know I am doing the right things. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Kristi

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Kristi: If you are on "induction" then it sounds like your doing Atkins. Induction is usually two weeks. After that, you should have knocked out the biggest part of your cravings and should be in ketosis. (a state where your body burns fat instead of glucose for energy)

You really should pick up the Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution book and read it from cover to cover. In the meantime, here's a link to the Atkins site that can help you in getting started: http://atkins.com/Archive/2001/12/15-325810.html

After the first two or three weeks, you'll want to increase your carb levels by 5 grams a week.

I sort of did this. I increased by 5....then a few weeks later increased by 5 more. Then I just sort of started eating what I wanted. If the net carbs were high, I checked to see if I was still in ketosis. I can easily eat 30-35 grams of net carbs without any problem. I've had more and stayed in ketosis but I worry that a regular diet of 45 to 50 grams might stall my loss...or even cause a gain.

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Melissa

RIGHT Melissa!!! Kristi, you REALLY need to get the book!!! The Atkins DANDR is excellent, but also, Protein Power by the Eades is also another excellent book. They don't do induction per se, but they do have you cut your carbs drastically in the beginning too. A lot of people think that if induction is good for 2 weeks, more weeks or months will be even better. For MOST people, that usually isn't the case. I did induction for 3 weeks and only lost 6 lbs. And then I had the dreaded 3 WEEK STALL. This is VERY typical, so anticipate that stall period. It's just a time when your body is adjusting to your new lifestyle. And if you keep up the 20 gram amount for an extended period, after your body has rid itself of stored glycogen, it will go into starvation mode, and not give up any stored body fat. When I upped my carb amount to around 30-35, my weight loss began again in earnest. But I STILL experience extended stall periods. It comes and goes, as it does for everyone. The weight loss isn't a nice, smooth, steady rate by any means. It goes in fits and starts. If you read the book it will give you a road map to follow, and afterall, we can't go on a trip without a plan or a map, right? Same with losing weight. It has to be done with great intent and deliberation. And you have to do it right.

We will be happy to assist you with any questions you may have, but when the book is used, it somehow sinks in better and makes more sense.

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