Hi there I am new to the boards, a almost 50 year old woman, and have been on a squeaky clean induction since Dec 27th and the two week mark is coming up for me. My question is, at about 80lbs to lose, only losing 6lbs so far, should I stay on induction or not.
I want to note that I am on no medications and have no illnesses, so my assumption would be to stay as is, I am actually really enjoying how I feel. I thought I was just getting old, when I think it was carbs the whole time making me lazy and in pain all the time.

Second question for anyone on the plan for more than a month, how did the losses go, I know initially that you lose lots of water weight, but what was your average after that?

From what you wrote in your intro and here, I'd suggest staying on induction until you don't want to, get bored, near goal, etc. Of course, written from the viewpoint of someone who was on a clinic plan that is based on '72 Atkins induction. Many members of the local support group have been on it for years, in perfect health.

This thread explains an "average" pattern: http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=365499
As a late 50s woman, with 60 to lose, I lost 12 total the first month (none the third week), six the second month, then 3-4 pounds most months until reaching goal. And my arthritis, joint pains and skin rashes disappeared! Will never eat grains again.

I think the best way to go about it first is to write down everything you will eat and look up the carb counts in your book and write down and see where the carbs are going. Omit anything that is not on your induction list. In the beginning we are all on a learning curve. I still look things up in my Atkins book almost daily.

If you are happy, you can continue Induction as long as you want.

Moving up the Atkins Carb Ladder is a great idea! But it's best done slowly and carefully -- one food at a time, and small portions.

If you are comfortable and happy with Induction carb levels, you can easily return if you get a bad reaction from adding back certain carbs. And be aware that all of us find our weight loss slows down as we approach goal.

Do you have the book The New Atkins for a new you by Westman, Volek & Phinney? They have several several pages devoted to questions you can ask yourself to find out whether to stay on induction (or any other level) or whether to move on. I recommend it highly.

You can stay on induction as long as you want to.

Everyone is different, so you will need to decide what will work best for you. For me, I stayed on induction longer than the 2 weeks for 2 reasons - first, I had a lot of weight to lose and induction helps that go faster; second, I liked what I was eating. Even now, I often find myself eating as if I am on induction just because I like having steak and spinach for dinner! Good luck with whatever you do.

Thanks for the responses, I have decided to stay on induction. I really feel so good, and don't feel like I am missing a thing.
I am looking forward to a whole new kind of spring this year. Turning the big 5 0 this year, I want to go in with a bang...

I stayed on induction until about six months away from goal. I then got up to 'berries' on the rung. Allergic to legumes, and being 60 now (I was 45 when I started, was 47 when I hit goal).

Unlike you I am disabled and on steroids (oral, inhalant too...) but just kept on losing and shrinking throughout. I'm also taking six other meds...they don't make me 'gain' as long as I stay the course.

I am ketogenic now...I settled into that about four years ago...so I see about 12 to 15 carbs a day and that's 'just right' for me.

Good luck on your journey!!

Thanks so much for that, what success. The biggest thing I see for myself is that I cant give up...I am the type that can self talk my my way out of things. But not this time, what a great place to hang out and find myself positive thoughts to hang on too. So much success around here, I want it all to rub off on me.

Hi Swanhopes!

I stayed on induction for a month, then went up one rung (adding nuts) to give me more options on a 10-day road trip. That was last July. I haven't felt like adding anything else so far, so I'm just hanging out here.

I stalled for more than 4 weeks in the fall, did a calorie / portion check, noticed I was eating 1600 calories a day in mayonnaise, cut back on that and started losing again.

I think your decision to hang out in induction until you get bored sounds like a wise one.

All the best!

Edited to add that I also added alcoholic beverages back in July. I try to keep the drinks small and far between, and I stick to spirits (vodka, whisky) and very dry wine. It's turning out to be a self-regulating thing because more than one small drink and I wake up all puffy the next day.

I pretty much always stay on induction when I want to lose weight. If I go above induction style eating, I just don't lose, simple as that. Long ago I tried moving up the carb ladder a bit, but honestly, it just never worked for me. I actually love induction eating because I know exactly what to eat, and it's all a no brainer at this point.

My personal experience has been that I lose very slowly with calories over about 1,400, no matter how many carbs. This was not the case when I first did LC about 13 years ago...I think it's age

Here's what Dr. Atkins has to say about calories:

http://forum.lowcarber.org/showpost...9&postcount=249

i'm in week 4 of induction (15-20g carbs/day) and thankfully still loosing 3-4lbs/wk. during wks 1 & 2, i never would have guessed i'd still be doing induction at wk 4, but, here i am feeling very satisfied with my food choices and options, and ecstatic with my body's response.

in some ways induction has been "easy" for me (minus a dreadful first 10 days). i tend to do well with imposed structure in my life. i drown when there are too many options available! honestly, i'm a wee bit intimidated with the eventual transition to the OWL phase.

right now, i'm struggling with the planning (or lack there of) needed for OWL. luckily, i've had this longer than expected induction phase and i'd like to use this honeymoon (i'm married to a new lifestyle) to devise my plan for conquering my trasition to OWL with as much success as i feel i've had in induction.

i know there is no pressure to leave induction anytime soon, but, there are foodstuffs i currently can't eat that i'd like to eventually reintroduce. here lies part of my fear - i know there will be some reintroductions that won't work for me and i'm going to have to experience (recognize) those setbacks and recover before moving on with my quest for a complete, healthy personal diet.

i may start a journal on this site to help "think through" my planning for OWL and hopefully receive some good feedback from my fellow travelers.

PBI, a Journal is a great idea!
Go here
and click "New Thread" to start one.

I'm pretty much still on induction most of the time and thats after after 12 years. I hit my target after a year and didnt see any need to change. Yes, I may have a few occasions (once every couple of months maybe?) where I go a little over 20g of carbs and may eat non induction foods (never high carb junk!!), but not often cos I dont need or want to.

Interestingly, my weight loss seemed to stop on its own when my bady felt I was at my right weight - which was lower than my goal, but not too "skinny" lol

Jo xxx