Well, after a month of being on the diet and not cheating a single time, I cheated big time yesterday. I'm having a hard time going back on the induction phase because I'm really bored with what I've been eating. I've lost 25 lbs in this month of being on the diet, but I'm afraid to get on a scale after cheating for two days. I'm really having a hard time going back on the diet today, I keep trying to talk myself out of it and I guess I just need some support or advice. Has anyone else been in this position, and what did you do to overcome it?

In general, we advise people to pick themselves up, dust themselves off, drink lots of water and move on.

However, as was suggested to you in a previous thread, trying to do induction for an extended period of time often results in exactly what you have just experienced. Without taking the time to move on to OWL, and explore all the various foods that one can eat and still lose at a sensible rate, one often starts feeling bored, deprived and resentful. Frequent result: burnout and blowout.

My advice would be to cut back to induction levels for only a day or so to regain ketosis and then start OWL.

HTH

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I agree Maggie. It is sooooo self-defeating to extend induction. It won't get you a quicker, bigger weight loss. It only serves to burn you out and make you go off plan.

I see in your post you have referred to this as "a diet" 3 times. That communicates to me that you haven't made the "commitment" leap and see this as a temporary fix. When you continue to do induction, your mind is going to continually see that as a "diet". If you move onto OWL you will be able to relax your choices a bit more and see this as something you can do long term, as a lifestyle.

As Maggie said, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and move on. Drink lots of water and perhaps go for a walk today to work off the glycogen your body will be stashing away.

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vilyt- i second the fine advice you've recieve thusfar! one of the best reasons to move out of induction is to open up more choices, keeping you from getting bored, and help you incorporate this way of eating into your lifestyle. as you've already noted, going back to your old habits means going back to your old weight.

i would suggest getting your book out, and learn about moving into owl. it's more important that you have plenty of options for eating than it is to think you might lose your weight a few weeks eariler. it's not the speed of the losses that matters; it's the permanency. and the only way for it to become permanent is to find a way to fit it comfortably into your life. the process of owl helps you do that.

another cure for boredom: get some low-carb cookbooks! it takes some practice and imagination, but this way of eating is flexible enough that NOBODY should ever have to be bored with their choices.

remember, a "cheat" means nothing besides the meaning you give it. i always encourage people to use the information they gater from such situations to help them be better prepared and know where their trouble spots are. that way, it becomes a boon to you instead of a stumbling block. by all means, stop looking at it as "proof" of failure or an excuse to stop eating well or anything else of significant value. just get back on track right now and keep your resolve to continue to take good care of yourself. you stay on this course, and all the minor deviations fade into the background.

good luck!

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First of all, I really appreciate the advice. I was wanting to stay in Induction for awhile because I have a lot of weight to lose (57 lbs). So how long should I jump back into induction? For another two weeks? Or like Maggie said, I should only do it about 3 days to get Ketosis back? Once I get out of induction, will Ketosis stop? I guess I really do need to buy another book.

I'll let others answer your specific questions.

But just to give you a little perspective on where I'm coming from. I lost about 58 pounds from when I started. I did it over the course of two years. I've maintained that loss (within a range of +/- a few pounds) for the last 6 years and I fully expect that I'll continue this for as long as I walk this earth.

Because of the education I got during my long OWL, I learned enough to deal with changes to my metabolism such as stress, injuries, menopause, etc. to know what to do when circumstances change. Most importanty, I developed a whole new set of habits when it comes to food. The only thing that HASN'T changed is I STILL live to eat, not eat to live. Food must be attractive, tasty, and one of life's little joys. It is.

I just want to say that, for me, it's not been a race, it's been a long term education and attitude adjustment.

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I will agree with Maggie, a day or two will be plenty of time to get you back in ketosis. And wait at least 4 days after your cheat to weigh yourself. a week would be even better. And Congratulations on your excellent weight loss!

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Just want to add that ketosis is not supposed to stop after moving on to OWL. I know it can be intimidating moving at first, I can tell you that OWL is where most of us have lost the majority of our weight on. As for another book, IMO DANDR is the main book that you truly need if you are on Atkins.

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Started Atkins on 9/20/03
235-->190; 150 goal

it helps a lot to have a current copy of the book, yeah. and if it were me, i'd maybe do induction levels 2-3 days at most. it makes sense to do everything within your power to make the whole process easier, more comfortable, and as fun as possible. that's the best way to get it integrated into your everyday life. make it rewarding! and part of that is not being stricter with yourself than you need to be. having a bit more food to play with gives you lots of options you don't have on strict induction.

regarding ketosis-yes, many people can maintain ketosis on owl. but remember, while ketosis is cool and one way to acknowledge your progress, don't confuse it with the acutally progress. some people lose just fine without ever showing ketosis. everyone's makeup is unique, which is one of the things cool about atkins: owl has the experimentation built in so you can safely introduce new foods, easily determine which ones produce problems for you (since you're adding them one at a time), and you're learning exactly what works for you and what causes issues.

in fact, owl is sort of like going to college to learn about how your body handles different foods. you might want to check out the "unreasonable fear of owls" sticky in one of these threads...

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