Moving up the rungs?

[Hoping]

I'm considering moving up the rungs. After hearing people lose more weight on owl I am really wanting to move on.
HOWEVER *BIG HOWEVER* I'm really scared that it'll stall my weight loss or, worse, what if I gain?! I know, it's a silly idea. But for medical reasons I need to lose as much weight as possible by December, and no I'm not going to stop after December, but it's a very important "deadline" for me. Isn't it trial and error?

What do you fine people recommend? What were your personal experiences? Did you lose more weight? Did you tend to stall less? Did you feel better? Did it make you feel more committed? What were your own fears at that time?

As you can see, I'm confused


And the reason for posting in this forum is because I still have a looong way to go 89lbs to be exact

[LessofLisa]

Re: Moving up the rungs?

These are good questions...I have been familiar with the atkins program for several years now. Never heard of moving up the "Rungs" until this website. Would love to know more about it...any suggestions?

[Hoping]

Re: Moving up the rungs?

I think they have "stickies" in one of the forums, possibly the OWL one. I have to check them out myself.

[LessofLisa]

Re: Moving up the rungs?

Let me know where you find them..I still have not figured out how to start a thread...Intoduce myself or soforth...duh

[ValidRouge]

Re: Moving up the rungs?

I'm really scared that it'll stall my weight loss or, worse, what if I gain?!

I don't think you'll gain, and I *really* don't think it will stall you. But, worst case scenario is it DOES happen. So, what will you do? Return to induction. That's the worst possible scenario. I, however, have NEVER seen this happen since I've been on this board. And, for those who did have some issues, it wasn't because of VEGETABLES (rung 1) it was because they abused some of the special category foods like cream and sweetner and cheese, or they added something from a higher rung or phase that they weren't supposed to add yet.

What do you fine people recommend?

I 100% recommend to everyone that they move into the Ongoing Weight Loss phase. Read that again...ONGOING weight LOSS phase.

What were your personal experiences?

I was in a (normal) 'pause' during my 3-4th weeks. In my 5th week, I moved into OWL and added more vegetables and started losing weight again. I consistently lost 2 or more pounds a week on Ongoing Weight Loss for a good 6 months. Keep in mind that everyone is different, but I'm illustrating that this is still a VERY rapid weight loss by most diet's standards (including low fat/low calorie plans).

Did you lose more weight?

See above--YES!

Did you tend to stall less?

See above--YES! However, I did find that I abuse dairy products like yogurt, cream particularly half n half, and cheese. I had a very long SSSSLLLLLOOOOOWWWW period of over a year where I only lost 10 lbs because I refused to look at Dairy products as my problem (and nuts). I recently cut out the dairy and nuts but continue to eat LOTS and LOTS of vegetables and I'm back to a nice steady loss (5 lbs last month) Keep in mind, that I'm actually BELOW my goal weight. I decided I wanted to lose more. The point I'm making, however, is that I would EXPECT slow losses because of where I'm at in the game.

Did you feel better?

ABSOLUTELY! Because I get lots of vegetables, my body is very happy. I get the FIBER that my digestive system needs, plus the other very important nutrients that vegetables provide.

Did it make you feel more committed?

ABSOLUTELY! Because my diet isn't so restrictive, I get to add foods that are not allowed in induction and I have lots of variety and textures and flavors. It allowed me to see that this is something that I *CAN* live with for the rest of my life. Remember, if we look at this as a diet we go "on" and then "OFF", when we return to the bad eating habits that got us fat to begin with, we WILL get fat again. I don't every want to be fat again, so I'm committed to making this a lifestyle. The only way (in my opinion) that we can make this something for life is to make it something that is satisfying for the long haul. Ongoing Weight Loss phase is the only way to do that.

What were your own fears at that time?

Same as yours...but I looked at the people here who were at goal already (SallySeachange, Not2late, JimmieJo, Richt, ttdriver, Sadie136, Brook, etc) and asked them. Every single one of the goalies will tell you to do OWL.

[*Emma*]

Re: Moving up the rungs?

Fantastic post Joy! tried to rep you but i gotta spread the love some more

[Hoping]

Re: Moving up the rungs?

Wow...thank you for your post!
Very informative and I think I am going to move on. I'm very encouraged to do it

[Hoping]

Re: Moving up the rungs?

Lisa,
Here's a link to the OWL forum:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...splay.php?f=38
The stickies are the very first few posts labeled "stickies"
I need to read through this, too!

[LessofLisa]

Re: Moving up the rungs?

Thanks Hoping...I did check it out..sounds like a plan to me!

[IrishIrish]

Re: Moving up the rungs?

First, this is a WOE for life or in my case, I prefer to think of it as a Way of Living. Please, please do yourselves a favor. Read DANDR and read it before you start the next phase of Atkins. It is important that you be informed and educating yourself will give you information you need so that you will understand the different phases of the program.

My experience might be unique. Because of the extreme amount of weight I had to lose and in consultation with my physician along the way, I stayed on Induction of a long period of time. I read the book, I talked with people and I talked to my doctor, but fear still caused me to believe that I'd derail the progress I had made. After a 13 months, I decided to try OWL. I've moved up the rungs allowing me to expand my veggies and have legumes and some berries and fruits and limited dairy products. But to your question, yes, I've continued to lose weight and have been happy with the progress.

I strongly urge you to read DANDR so that you will understand how to move up the rungs of OWL. It is your health and the investment you make in you will be important. Besides, there is no substitute for Dr. Atkins's own words!