So I started Atkins in order to break a year-long platau after successfully losing weight by Calorie Counting last year. I'd been gaining and losing the same 5 pounds in that time, and was fed. up. of never reaching my goal weight of 135lbs.
After 5 days of Induction I am now within 8lbs. of that goal. In the Atkins book it says that, at the end of the two week Induction period, if you're within 10lbs of your goal, then you can move onto OWL, or Pre-Maintenance. Would it be okay to move onto one of those two levels if I'm at that point only a week in?
You don't actually need to start the Atkins diet with Induction, though it is helpful to jump start your body and prepare you for the rest of the diet. You'll lose the 8 pounds slower when you leave Induction, but it will also help you keep the weight off, which is the goal in the long run. You could also stay in Induction to lose the last 8 pounds, but there's a higher chance of gaining it back, as you won't know how many carbs your body can consume without gaining weight.