I want to move to OWL - Questions

[rrittenhouse]

I have been told a couple times that it might be worth my while to move to OWL and test the grounds.

I have not been measuring myself so I dont know if im losing inches but I'm gaining weight (3+lbs in the past week).

I HOWEVER have been weight training at my gym because some trainer says that I should or I might lose muscle while doing atkins (funny I know..). So since I'm doing the weight training how much should I expect to GAIN before I start losing weight? This is really throwing me WAY OFF! I dont want to be gaining weight while im trying to track my weight in OWL...etc. So far ive lost almost 30lbs. It was up past 30 before the weight gain!
Thank you

~Robert Rittenhouse

[Desertthorn]

Re: I want to move to OWL - Questions

I agree with the trainer, I think both weight and cardio training is important while doing Atkins but I don't agree that Atkins causes muscle loss. Thats baloney and anything the trainer tells you from now on should be suspect. ANYWAY, moving up to OWL is one of those decisions that only you can make. If you have a copy of DANDR read the chapter and think about it. The questions that I would ask myself are, am I getting bored with induction foods? If so, move up and if not stick with Induction
Ofcourse there are other reasons that you might be gaining weight. Have you added anything recently that might be the cause. Shakes? Bars?
Do you have any pants that use to be tight on you. They are just as good an indicator as a tape measure.

[Porcelain]

Re: I want to move to OWL - Questions

Yeah, this is exactly why you need to measure instead of just relying on the scale. I started doing more weight bearing exercises and my scale barely moved yet I lost four inches off my waist. Muscle is much more dense and compact than fat cells so you could actually be getting smaller and going up on the scale. Best thing to do is to stick with it. Have you noticed any difference in your clothes in how they fit? One thing a lot of us do is take some clothes that are tight and try them on every now and then to see how they fit. Also, another great tool is taking pictures of yourself.

[rrittenhouse]

Re: I want to move to OWL - Questions

I need to get a measuring device so I can take my measurements your right. I don't notice a huge difference after 30lbs but I see myself every day. I took pictures at about 25lbs lost (kinda late I know). Once I hit 40 Ill take some more haha. I'm still weighing everyday so I can keep a graph of how it fluxuated throughout the diet at least for a while.

I want to go buy a 2X shirt to use as a "tester". I wont stretch it, wash it, or wear it but for 20 seconds haha. The only thing I notice is that my work shirts arent as short as they used to be. They are able to hang down more to be tucked in so that makes me feel that my belly has shrunk some.

I keep making small slip-ups along the way but I try and make the best of it. I know this is a lifelong commitment and I dont ever plan on falling off of the wagon completely. My BIGGEST problem is a friend at work is ALWAYS nagging me about lunch even though this person KNOWS DARN WELL I brought lunch. I normally get the choice but im tired of guessing "good" places to eat. Id rather sit at work and eat my chicken salad that I prepared that morning. So I think I'm going to get my weight steady and then im gonna move onto a rung of OWL. Truthfully I eat enough salad to probably be considered into the veggie rung.

Thank you for your time

~Robert Rittenhouse

Yeah, this is exactly why you need to measure instead of just relying on the scale. I started doing more weight bearing exercises and my scale barely moved yet I lost four inches off my waist. Muscle is much more dense and compact than fat cells so you could actually be getting smaller and going up on the scale. Best thing to do is to stick with it. Have you noticed any difference in your clothes in how they fit? One thing a lot of us do is take some clothes that are tight and try them on every now and then to see how they fit. Also, another great tool is taking pictures of yourself.

[Elizellen]

Re: I want to move to OWL - Questions

If you havent got a measuring tape you could always use a length of string and get someone to hold it round you then cut it so it just meets up. Then in a week or so try again and see if the string reaches further round and overlaps!

[Porcelain]

Re: I want to move to OWL - Questions

If you havent got a measuring tape you could always use a length of string and get someone to hold it round you then cut it so it just meets up. Then in a week or so try again and see if the string reaches further round and overlaps!

I agree, you can cut it or mark it with a dark marker or something.

Pictures help me more than anything. The scale hasn't been my best friend. Also, measure different places. First, I lost in my waist, then I lost in my arms, suddenly, I stopped losing in my waist and started losing around my ribs. Good luck with everything, I know it is hard. My class mates rag me to go eat with them all the time or they try to eat the food that I brought.