OWL or not?

[BeanPole]

Today is the end of a clean two-week induction for me. The first time I did a clean induction, I lost 11lbs. I went down to 108lbs and gained back up to 116lbs before I got back on track and lost down to 112lbs doing a modified induction(I ate peanut butter and other No-Nos) over a span of a few months until I hit a stall that I couldn't get out of. This time I didn't lose anything on induction. I fluctuated between 110 and 112.5lbs the last two weeks. I guess my question is should I continue on to OWL? I'm afraid to increase carbs because I'm not losing at the amount of carbs that I am consuming. I really don't know what to do. Help anyone

[*Emma*]

Re: OWL or not?

You only have 7lbs to go, this wont come off quickly, you need to go up the rungs, you should be hitting premaintenace by now, yes continue on OWL, the first rung is only extra veggies, thats not gonna do anyone any harm.

[jimmyolsenblues]

Re: OWL or not?

I am wondering the same thing, should I move to OWL or stay on induction.
I only like to weigh in once a month, so its hard to gauge my first step up the OWL ring to add 5 carbs. Like I think I am scared if I go up 5 carbs in vegatables, I will ruin other work I have been doing. You know how sometimes you eat more than 20 grams in carbs a day , and you get hungry. Its a scary feeling, you are hungry and are worried for the rest of your life that you have to stay on induction. I want to move up, but I think when I go over 20 grams , I start to increase my appetite. Is it all in my head or have you had this feeling? Like one day , I had a gyro salad at a restaurant, it looked induction friendly , but who knows for certain what was in the gyro meat and sauce. So am I alone , its scary to approach OWL?

[*Emma*]

Re: OWL or not?

you lost that much weight and havent been on OWL? how the heck have you managed that? you crazy boy!

i lost MORE weight on OWL than induction, the food choices are much greater... I dont understand why anyone would want to stay on it!

the first rung especially, i mean, no one got fat from eating veggies!!!

You would really need to start weighing more than you do though, even if you do it once every two weeks, that would be much better to gauge your OWL work, you need to do measurements also.

[julirama723]

Re: OWL or not?

I agree with Emma wholeheartedly! OWL stands for ONGOING WEIGHT LOSS and it's meant to be the main weightloss phase of Atkins. I lost about 25 pounds on Induction/extended induction, but then I finally took the advice of others on the board and moved to OWL. I've lost 70 POUNDS on OWL. I wish I'd moved to OWL sooner! You need to add in more carbs (only 5g/day more) starting with veggies. Nobody ever got fat eating veggies! Those additional carbs also help to "jumpstart" weightloss again if you happen to be stalled. I had been stalled for a couple of weeks, started OWL, and lost 3 pounds each week for a MONTH! I'm not the only one who has experienced this drop in pounds after beginning OWL.

Besides the fact that it will help you continue your weightloss, just think of all the healthy and delicious foods you're missing out on by not moving to OWL! By adding these foods, you're creating a healthy way of eating that will be followed for life. Just make sure you take the rungs slowly, and be sure to follow the rules of OWL.

[jimmyolsenblues]

Re: OWL or not?

emma, i have a terrible secret that i have never told anyone on this board.
Please don't hold against me.
I got the lapband surgery on 3/4/2007. I have been very strict on atkins since 9/1/2007.
But i will be honest that a lot of my weight loss can be attributed to the surgury.
But I still love the board and find it very helpful and encouraging.

http://lapband.com/

[*Emma*]

Re: OWL or not?

Good for you

at least youre doing something to lose your weight, taking control over your carb issues and not one of those people out for a quick fix, theres still no reason why you cant do OWL though, why deprive yourself of things that may be okay for you to eat?

[jimmyolsenblues]

Re: OWL or not?

because i am terrified. i think the second i have 5 more grams of carbs i won't be able to control myself. like everything is working, you don't want to start moving. fear is terrible when you have had eating disorders.

[*Emma*]

Re: OWL or not?

I understand that, the most of us on this board have had an ED

Its 5 net carbs of veggies first of all, veggies wont cause you to binge will they?? you need to try and move on, this is a way of life, you need to learn how to maintain your weight for the rest of your life, for that you need to do OWL.

You have the best tool in the world at your fingertips for support, this board.

[jimmyolsenblues]

Re: OWL or not?

thanks.

[Outback Jess]

Re: OWL or not?

Beanpole, Emma is right, you are sooo close and weightloss will be very slow at this place. Emma and Julie are marvelous at OWL, and it's best to keep moving through the 4 phases....learning all the lessons along the way, creates a good chance of changing behavior....that's what we are all after good behavior and good choices with food....for health.

[chicamarun]

Re: OWL or not?

I read this - and I am thinking I soooo just need to increase my veggie intake back to where it was. I slipped on that and I think that's why I'm sitting (not counting last night) at this weight.

I need to hit the store again and stock up ------- again on some good veggies and I am dying to try a jicama which I haven't found yet...... I'm searching!

I'm with you though that it's scary. I feel good and everything else - why screw that up? KWIM?

Congrat with the lapband - my friend had it done 2 years ago and I haven't seen him in awhile and I'd love to see if he kept it off.

[blue996]

Re: OWL or not?

I would move onto OWL. I was nervous but you can move up at your own pace. I also eat way more veggies now on OWL than I ever did on Induction (and higher carb veggies with more fiber).

[BeanPole]

Re: OWL or not?

I suppose the only thing left to do is move up the rungs and it would be nice to eat new things. I was reading through my book last night and trying to think about possible causes for not losing any weight during induction this time around. I've been thinking about doing the yeast diet part. I did the spit test this morning and there were 'legs'. I just don't know how much pull I put on that spit test. I've been eating more cheese this time than last so maybe if I cut that out and move up the rungs then I'll start losing again. I know that I'm making this more complicated than it needs to be. So one more question for everyone: Should I do the yeast diet thing or just continue as planned? Thanks for all the help and support!

[*Emma*]

Re: OWL or not?

Do you even have yeast? if you dont there would be no point in doing the candida cleanse