Okay, I need some advice. A couple years ago I tried the Atkins diet and dropped 40 pounds to a svelt 205lbs (I'm a big fellow) and maintained it with running and my job at the railway. Unfortunately, a major accident (3 limbs shattered) in June has left me inactive and I've ballooned to 230 lbs. Question: Is it true that the induction period is only successful once because of your adjusting metabolism? I have heard that I can only do that once. Any suggestions or advice, bebause I'd really like to get back to my old weight?

You will probably not see as big of a loss in your second go round through induction, but it will work again.

I've heard of that anecdotally, but I don't know if it's a widespread phenomenum. I tend to think that the body's metabolism tends to change with time - it speeds up and slows down depending on all kinds of conditions - hormones, diet, age, activity, general health, etc.

I'm sorry you had such a bad accident, and I hope your mending is well underway. Your metabolism may be somewhat different now, so you may lose at a different rate than the last time. But, it is very likely that you will lose weight and feel better if you follow the plan - and eat your veggies, LOL!

I happen to be a slow loser - 2 to 3 lbs a month. But, that was ~so~ much better than gaining weight, I was pretty happy about it. Also, I felt that slow weight loss was probably a better strategy from the standpoint of long term maintenance.

~~~Teelbee

174 (Mar. 2002, highest weight), 164 (Jan. 2003, begin LC)
174/132/137-134
remember, amateurs built the Ark, professionals built the Titanic

This is my third pass with Atkins. It seems to be true, for me at least, that induction was not nearly as successful this time around. But I've still been losing weight.

--jim

I have to say that My second low carb experience had been slower in the beginning this time. But I've lost 67 pounds since february and the last time I did LC (1998) I stalled between 50 and 60 pounds lost for 6 months. So overall I had a better weight loss
total this time. My induction loss was a lot less this time though.

Rob
310/243/180

Hi Railway Guy,
Truly sorry that you got hurt and hope you a speedy recovery.
This is my second time on induction. It seemed like the first time the pounds just melted away.... think it was 8 pounds the first 2 weeks and 50 pounds total in about 6 months. This time though has been harder because I expected to lose it faster. In one month I have lost 10, 4 of those in the last 3 days because I have been sick....probably come right back darn it. So in my opinion, Induction is still effective, but somewhat slower. In someways though I think that might be healthier.
Best of luck on a speedy recovery and a new wol.

Christine

253<lost 50lbs first time>/233/226/130

This is my second time on atkins. I did it about 4 or 5 yrs ago and I'm losing easily this time.I started out with about 18 pounds to lose, so far I'm at 7 pounds down and that's with alot of cheating. If I really stick with it I lose about 2 pounds a week.If I eat the low carb ice cream and and candy maybe have a couple of beers I still lose about 1 pound a week.

Sometimes you don't lose as much DURING INDUCTION if you're a veteran. But you can still lose quite a bit. Besides that, induction is jsut the first two weeks.

I suppose it's good to remind people that induction doesn't work as well the second time so they don't form unrealistic expectations. Some people lose HUGE amounts during induction.

**************
"Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights, even if you don't know what your rights are, or who the person is you're talking to. Then on the way out, slam the door."