What's the longest that you've stayed on induction?

[Bodhi]

I've tried to do a search on this, but nothing relevant came up. What's the longest that you've stayed on induction? How strict is it to keep the induction period short (or isn't it)? I find what I've read to be a bit vague on that.

Cheers

[dartstar1]

Technically I am only on the 3rd rung 8 carbs and this has been for 5 months

[Lynda99]

I did it for 7 months, and frankly, I don't recommend it.

It became less and less successful, too.

We think we're pretty smart, but what we don't know (we meaning us, plus doctors and nutritionists) would fill and entire universe. Move through the levels to be sure you get the health benefits of many food groups.

You don't need a 'tater, though.

[Lynda99]

Originally Posted by dartstar1

Technically I am only on the 3rd rung 8 carbs and this has been for 5 months

I don't understand. Where did the 8 carb thingie come from?

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Bodhi

I've tried to do a search on this, but nothing relevant came up. What's the longest that you've stayed on induction? How strict is it to keep the induction period short (or isn't it)? I find what I've read to be a bit vague on that.

Hi Bodhi…
I went 10-12 days - till I was in Ketosis which I judged by the symptoms (no Keostix in this house).

And I immediately increased my level to 30 net carbs per day (minus fiber and sugar alcohol) where it remains after 19 months.

If you are going to go strict Atkin's you need to decide which Atkin's book you choose to follow and do what it recommends. If not, then you need to decide the function of being in Ketosis and decide accordingly.

I am doing low carb as a way of life, so speed of loss is of no consequence to me, so going to 30 carbs without climbing any ladders was just fine. If I had other objectives, I might choose a particular book and follow it to the letter.

[cleochatra]

I did it for about 8 months, and, honey, it was a llooonnnggg time. Still, I lost a lot of weight doing it, so it was all right. It comes down to how austere you want to be for the weight loss return. Also, keep in mind that some folks don't lose as well after a certain period of time unless they start climbing the rungs. So while induction is faboosh, when it stops working, add in those five net and keep moving slowly up that ladder.

[Lynda99]

I don't think we really know if very severe long-term carb restriction might end up biting us on the tail later.

Unless you feel that you understand things like Methylglyoxal in the body, I think that playing it safe and either following the book, or settling in at a reasonable place like Larry, is probably best.

Eat your veggies, peeps.

[dollkey]

I'm on my fourth week now. I'm planning to be o induction until I get to my goal weight or til six months, whichever comes first.

[astrl]

I don't remember the exact length of time, but it was several months. I felt like I would lose the weight faster but it didn't work that way. And it was NOT enjoyable. I prefer OWL. Also, some people will tell you that you are more likely to not adjust well to maintenance if you stay on Induction the entire period of weight loss.

[GwnStfni]

I think I stayed on induction for about 5 or 6 months. I've said it before, I think it's okay to stay on, as long as your body feels okay. I was pretty close to goal, pretty happy with my body at that weight anyway (147) and was concerned with the hair loss and weird bruises that kept popping up all over my body. I figured it was my body's way of saying get off induction, so I did. This go around, it's been 5 1/2 weeks on induction thus far and I'd like to stay on induction to lose the majority of the weight so I don't know how long that will take, I figure 4-5 months this time, unless of course my body tells me otherwise.

[nonstickpam107]

I actually started with Protein Power (by Dr. Michael Eades) and started at the 30gram level (as the book directs) until I had lost a little over 100 lbs. I then climbed the carb ladders as 'described' in Atkins '72.

Pam

[Health monkey]

This thread has me confused. I know some people that induction style eating is thier plan for life. This was always talked about here. You dont need veggies, fruits etc. Its safe to do indefinitly. Now conflicting posts. Leaves me more confused. It was nit like this years ago.

[nonstickpam107]

Originally Posted by Health monkey

This thread has me confused. I know some people that induction style eating is thier plan for life. This was always talked about here. You dont need veggies, fruits etc. Its safe to do indefinitly. Now conflicting posts. Leaves me more confused. It was nit like this years ago.

Depends on what plan you are doing, first of all. I never once counted calories, I only counted carbs and on Protein Power, if you have a large amount of weight to lose, you stay at the 30grams until you get closer to your goal. PP also has us eating strawberries (and other berries) and veggies throughout from day one. I have maintained for eight years.

I have hypothyroidism, and most of the long term studies on hypothyroidism teach us that going 'too low in both calories and carbs' can lower conversion from T4 to T3 and 'trigger' hypothyroidism..so I also will tell you I ate well over 1600 cals a day with my 30 grams. (some days I ate very close to 2300 cals!).

I do not believe I would be successful staying on 'induction' for life. As it is, I get about 60 to a high of 75grams of carb on maintenance.

Pam

[Bodhi]

Thanks for your replies, all. It seems common do be on induction for quite some time. As for myself, I plan to stay on it for 1-2 months, depending on how my body reacts to it. My main goal is not to lose all my overweight (that would require some major induction time...) but to lose enough to get the energy and motivation to start exercising. Thereafter I plan to get back to my regular diet of somewhere around 50 carbs daily, on a ladder from the 20.

Cheers

[MarcyDarcy]

Originally Posted by Bodhi

Thanks for your replies, all. It seems common do be on induction for quite some time. As for myself, I plan to stay on it for 1-2 months, depending on how my body reacts to it. My main goal is not to lose all my overweight (that would require some major induction time...) but to lose enough to get the energy and motivation to start exercising. Thereafter I plan to get back to my regular diet of somewhere around 50 carbs daily, on a ladder from the 20.

Cheers

Sounds like a good plan. The good Dr. said if you have "quite a bit to lose" (not sure if you do), feel free to stay on induction for more than the recommended 2 weeks. Keep an eye on how you're doing and if it's becoming a problem, move up the ladder. Monitor yourself and take care of yourself. Glad you're giving this a go.

[GwnStfni]

Originally Posted by Bodhi

Thanks for your replies, all. It seems common do be on induction for quite some time. As for myself, I plan to stay on it for 1-2 months, depending on how my body reacts to it. My main goal is not to lose all my overweight (that would require some major induction time...) but to lose enough to get the energy and motivation to start exercising. Thereafter I plan to get back to my regular diet of somewhere around 50 carbs daily, on a ladder from the 20.

Cheers

That sounds like a solid plan. My last go with Atkins, I began exercising 6 days a week after the first 2 months of induction, shedding approx. 40lbs and feeling in much better condition to exercise. The exercise definitely helped keep the loss regular. I'm waiting for that exercise urge to kick in this time lol... I hope it's soon!

[AngieCakes]

I've been eating induction level carbs since the beginning of January. My body is shrinking. I will be starting OWL at 160 pounds reached. 20 pounds away from my long-term goal. I don't mind eating this way and I like the energy. It will be interesting finding out my CCLL thingy though.

I've read that you can stay on induction for up to six months or a year. I've read people get off right after 2 weeks. It's ultimately up to you and how comfortable you are with the rate at which you are losing.

[RobMan]

I think I stayed below 20 daily for about 8 months. I then allowed myself to up it to the 25 and now even some days 30. I have not seen any major resistance and continue to stay in ketosis. Not to jinx myself, but not a month has gone by without a drop in weight. As many, many have posted here before, this is a lifelong journey for me, not a race. I don't want a race to get to a stopping point of saying, ok I am there and it is over. I think that is why most diets fail. I need to learn how to live this life for the rest of my life and the good Dr. gave us a game plan in the rungs.

[BPM]

I am a little past 3 months in and all on induction. Losing very slowly. Not sure how much longer I will keep induction levels up, as I am guessing my body needs some more carbs to start losing again.

There is no other reason I should be losing as slow as I am at the strict induction levels I have been following.

[ravenrose]

I think you need to define "induction" here too. There are various restrictions in various versions of Atkins, and probably other plans have a phase with that name too!

Most people use it as shorthand for keeping under 20 grams of carbs a day though, usually net carbs, right?

I know when the subject of caffeine comes up (and I'm not talking about the brand new book, so please don't bring that up) it turns out almost no one actually goes cold turkey on it. So the number doing induction by the book may be pretty small...

[Looweewoo]

I agree about defining induction.

It's about more than just the whole 20 carbs thing to me. It's also about restricting food choices to reduce the chances of food intolerances, and adding them back slowly to be able to detect them as they come up.

There's more to Atkins induction than I know. But if you just mean keeping carbs very low, some people do it indefinitely, I've done it since September this time and did it for a few years consecutively in the past.

[dartstar1]

Originally Posted by Lynda99

I don't understand. Where did the 8 carb thingie come from?

I started at 0 carbs then after a week added 5 then after a week I upped 5 my stix went to a pale pink (trace ) BUT at 8 I stay dark purple and I lose

[sirius2469]

I've been on this WOE for over seven years. I keep my net carbs to less than 20 per day. But I know if you would call it induction still. I just know for me if I go higher I tend to gain weight.

[WClock]

I've been at about 20 to 25 g carb since I started--about 2 months. I plan to stay at this level as long as I'm comfortable. I eat a lot of salad and vegetables--just stick with those that have really low carbs.

[MarcyDarcy]

Bodhi, I hope you'll choose a book. Follow that book faithfully. Believe in the book. And after a time if you "thoughtfully" feel you need to modify, THEN modify. Don't let us confuse you. You have a good brain -- you can do this.

[Lisa46]

Originally Posted by Looweewoo

I agree about defining induction.

It's about more than just the whole 20 carbs thing to me. It's also about restricting food choices to reduce the chances of food intolerances, and adding them back slowly to be able to detect them as they come up.

Loo! You just nailed it for me. I am so grateful that I gave myself a strict Induction. I definitely identified my food intolerances...and this has made all the difference for me!

[canadianwoman]

10 months and I lost 50-ish pounds. Then I fell off the wagon and gained it all back....sadly.....plus more.

[Bodhi]

Thanks all for your replies!

Originally Posted by ravenrose

I think you need to define "induction" here too. There are various restrictions in various versions of Atkins, and probably other plans have a phase with that name too!

Most people use it as shorthand for keeping under 20 grams of carbs a day though, usually net carbs, right?

I know when the subject of caffeine comes up (and I'm not talking about the brand new book, so please don't bring that up) it turns out almost no one actually goes cold turkey on it. So the number doing induction by the book may be pretty small...

Good point. Unfortunately I can't edit my original post, but what I'm referring to is the Atkins induction where you keep under 20 g carbs daily, carbs mainly from veggies and stay in ketosis. If other induction formulas besides the Atkins one have the same effect in practice, then I'm referring to them to.

As for caffeine, unless I'm misinformed it does not affect ketosis or weight loss (except for a few and it can go both ways), so I don't see much point in taking into the equation. It can affect cravings, but that's another topic on its own.

Originally Posted by MarcyDarcy

Bodhi, I hope you'll choose a book. Follow that book faithfully. Believe in the book. And after a time if you "thoughtfully" feel you need to modify, THEN modify. Don't let us confuse you. You have a good brain -- you can do this.

Thanks, MarcyDarcy, you're always very sweet in your concern My original post is a bit vague, but I wasn't asking about induction as a guideline for my own diet as much as out of curiosity how people deal with induction in general and how it affects them.
I always read tons of information pertaining to something before I apply it, whatever it concerns. If someone buys a bicycle, they will be off on that bike in 1 minute. Me, I'll be reading the manual for two hours before I hop on. I've read the first two Atkins books and the second one, New Diet Revolution, has been my reference. I'm going to buy the latest book too, although I don't want A New Me at all, just My Old Me Back.

Originally Posted by canadianwoman

10 months and I lost 50-ish pounds. Then I fell off the wagon and gained it all back....sadly.....plus more.

I'm sorry to hear that. If it's any comfort, I've lost 130 pounds twice and gained it all back twice. Not on Atkins though, but I know how it feels... Good luck with getting back on track!

Cheers

[Lynda99]

Originally Posted by dartstar1

I started at 0 carbs then after a week added 5 then after a week I upped 5 my stix went to a pale pink (trace ) BUT at 8 I stay dark purple and I lose

Not being snarky, but did you see this plan somewhere? That is very severe carb restriction.

[Lynda99]

I guess anything can evolve, but I never even considered that induction would be anything other than the Atkins defined parameter of 20 carbs. After all, he coined the term.