The low-carb induction diet brings visions of tasteless
protein shakes to many people’s heads…
The Low Carb Induction Diet
Almost every low-carb diet book on the market today says to start a low-carb diet with a drastic reduction of carbohydrates, usually called an “Induction” phase or “Starting weight loss.”
In this initial stage of the low-carb diet, your body has to adjust to burning fat for fuel instead of sugar, usually within two weeks.
The low-carb induction diet is a version of the cold-turkey method of breaking an addiction. In this case, you are breaking an addiction to carbohydrates by forcing your body to stop burning sugar as its main fuel and start burning fat instead.
Burning fat is essential for healthy weight loss. However, the low-carb induction diet can cause physical discomfort when you force your body to make this adjustment so suddenly.
The main reason for this cold-turkey approach is to get the dieter past the transitional stage of the diet as quickly as possible! This is the main reason for many of our 21st century methods: they get us there faster.
When people embrace the idea that the low-carb diet is a healthy way to lose weight that boasts an increased sense of well being, zero hunger, effortless weight loss and improved bloodwork, they can’t wait.
And why should they?
Induction Works Well for Most
When most people start their induction diet, the sudden elimination of carbohydrates makes them feel physically lethargic and mentally foggy. Headaches and other symptoms of detoxification are also common.
It usually takes about 3-4 days to start feeling better, but there are some people who lack energy and clarity for longer than four days, even up to the full two weeks.
Since the vast majority of people start to feel better at some point within their two-week induction period, many, if not most, low carb diet plans start with an induction diet.
This makes a lot of sense. Induction offers the chance to make a clean break from carbs quickly, with immediate, measurable results. I’ve known people to lose up to 15 pounds in two weeks on induction. And people who are severely overweight can lose even more.
Instant benefits! Measurable results! Who doesn’t love that? Most people thrive on it. Seeing immediate weight loss is one of the main motivators to continue the diet.
Is Induction for Everybody?
What if you are one of the sensitive individuals may take up to 4-6 weeks to adjust to burning fat?
What if you feel so sick on the low-carb induction diet that you have to quit?
Don’t give up! Maybe there is another way to start your low-carb diet.
Go to part 2: Is Induction for Everybody?
Lovin’ It Low Carb
Ramona Denton
