Hi everyone, just started reading this forum and have found it wonderful. Ive been looking into Atkins and have a few questions maybe some can help me with.

I have previously lost 95 pounds with another program (that from what I read here, isnt allowed to be discussed). Ive been on my 3 wk maintenance but I still want to lost another 20 pounds. Im thinking of trying Atkins for the last of the weight.

My questions, Im pretty much eating everything but starches and sugars. Carbs are low but I do eat fruit and such that isn't on the induction. Will doing the induction kick start me again?

Secondly, I see there is a pre-maintenance phase once you have 10olbs to go. What happpens,since I only want to lose 20, if by the grace of God, I lose 10 pounds during induction? Skip OWL and go straight to PreM? Or if I lose 5, do I just do OWL for 5 and then Pre M?

The website recommended starting at OWL but I know they aren't true to the original Atkins.

As you can tell, Im a bit confused LOL.. Id love to hear any suggestions or advice.

Thank you so much!

Hi!

I started the Induction when I only really wanted to lose 5-10lbs. I lost 6lbs in a week on the induction (although my mid-week scale peek suggests some of that has reappeared), so moved onto OWL after 1 week. I'm adding the foods in gradually so I can see what causes blood sugar spikes or food intolerances. Since Monday i've added strawberries and soft cheese, and also have eaten 2 squares of 90% chocolate. I still feel like i'm losing weight though.

I would say do the Induction and follow OWL, but add 10g of carbs a week, or two different food groups (one on Monday and one on Thursday?). The sooner you skip through the rungs, the sooner you can eat all the nice low-carb foods and find your natural weight.

Purists may disagree, but that's what I'm doing anyway.

Here's what I do, it works for me. About every 15 lbs lost in Induction I'll switch to OWL. I note the "extra" carb count and see what new things I can add to my WOE and maintain those 15lbs lost. I stay there for a week or two, then I'll switch back to Induction to kick start everything again. When I go into Owl again, I try different things. One thing that I think has really helped me this time, is I also monitor my daily calories and portions.

hello, I too am new to Atkins. I have been Ideal Protein for 17 weeks and I lost 60 pounds. I skipped induction because IP is an extreme induction so I have been doing 800 calories/20 carbs for 17 weeks already. This is my first week, I am upping my calories slowly...went from 950 to 1100 to 1250 yesterday...looking to settle around 1300 calories a day. For those 17 weeks the only foods I ate were meat, veggies (some), and olive oil.

So this week I added cheese, yogurt blue cheese dressing, avocado, it was all such a treat after 17 such strict weeks.

I also started working out 2 weeks ago (with a training 2X a week, and alone another 4 times)

I am so worry that I have messed up my metabolism with IP and I hope I can lose on Atkins. How much should I expect to lose. I have 25-30 more to go.

Hi itsjustme and darbs! welcome to you both!!

itsjustme - I'd echo claire in saying that you can do Induction, but once you have 10lb left to lose it is integral to move to OWL. The OWL process is where we learn to make Atkins sustainable. Induction is not sustainable. OWL teaches us how our bodies respond to different foods and different carb sources so we can determine what will lead us back to food cravings that will get us back into trouble later. Atkins says that you should count on spending a long time losing the last 10lb, because your losses are going to slow down significantly as you up your carbs. This can be frustrating but it is so, so important to go through this process!! Also as claire said if you find yourself too close to your goal weight and still on the first rungs of OWL, start adding carbs back by 10g every week or two until you find your CCLM. Once you have your CCLM you can back off by 5 or 10g carbs and lose the rest of your weight while adding in new foods. HTH

darbs - Eep, 800 calories!! Phew. That must have taken some willpower!! On Atkins we do not count calories, we focus on our macronutrient ratio. Aim for 65% of your cals from fat at a minimum. Since you have been basically on an extended induction period, go ahead and move to OWL, so you can learn how to happily be carb-conscious for life. Do you know how OWL works? You add carbs back in 5g (NET carbs) increments, as quickly as 5g/week or slower than that, as you wish. First, you add them in vegetable carbs from the accepted induction veg list. So you can eat a max 25 NET carbs per day. You continue gradually adding carbs in 5g (or 10g if you have very little weight to lose and your losses are still quick) increments until you find your CCLM - the number of carbs per day you can eat and *maintain* your weight. Once you have a week or two with no weight loss (or a small gain), you know that you just have to eat fewer than that number of carbs to lose! How cool is it to have that number with no guesswork! As you are adding carbs you also go through 'rungs' of the OWL ladder, allowing you to add in fruit, nuts, dairy, grains, starchy veg, alcohol, and other food items you are currently restricting. Do it slowly, though, to watch how your body reacts to each, and stick to your carb limit!!

Whew, didn't intend to write a novel... I am in a chatty mood hope that helps you guys!

Believe it or not,, I was never hungry...ever! I have read about OWL and that is where I am starting. For carbs is it net carbs or total carbs. Total carbs add up very quickly. I noticed on the food journals that everyone's carb numbers seemed very low so I was thinking they are writing net carbs. Thanks. Check out my progress photos in my signature. Hoping Atkins takes me to the next level.

I am on board with what Islandchik has to say, and based on your history, that might be the way to go. Good luck and welcome