OWL Question

[jade]

Hey All,
Has anyone ever used all of the foods on the rungs yet added 5 grams per week like you would when doing each rung per week separately? For example, first week would be 25 grams but I could eat any of the foods that are allowed in the total OWL program? The next week add 5 more until I begin to gain weight.
I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has tried the program that way.

Thanks in advance!
jade

[tickletussler]

Re: OWL Question

Hi Jade, here's my 2-cents ie the way I'm tackling OWL at the mo...

I can't handle alternating going up carb level with trying new foods from a rung, so what I've done is what Megs recommended, which is stay on Rung 1 veggies, and move up carb level (fortnightly) until I find my CCLL because I really wanna find my CCLL and outer limits ie know how much carbs I can really eat and still be losing, plus I really love my veg so i don't mind staying on the veg rung.
Once I've stopped losing ie found my CCLL, then I'll drop back to a carb level like 25-30g or something and then I'll start trying new foods in the other rungs and work my way towards pre-maint that way.

[Isabeau]

Re: OWL Question

I see what you're saying, jade although I'm not doing it that way. I believe the rungs are laid out the way they are is because the higher you go, the more carb dense (for lack of a better phrase) the food choices become. Like, 5 grams of a veggie could be a cup or more of that veggie whereas 5 grams of a whole grain could be a tablespoon. You'd have to be even more careful of your measuring and be more aware of how it effects your blood sugar. Man, did that make any sense? Maybe I shouldn't 'think out loud'!

[not2late]

Re: OWL Question

Hey All,
Has anyone ever used all of the foods on the rungs yet added 5 grams per week like you would when doing each rung per week separately? For example, first week would be 25 grams but I could eat any of the foods that are allowed in the total OWL program? The next week add 5 more until I begin to gain weight.
I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has tried the program that way.

Thanks in advance!
jade

That's how the OWL phase was done in the 1972 and 1992 versions of the diet. So does it work? Yeah it should and I'm sure you'll have folks say how they added whatever and still lost weight, blah blah blah.
But the rungs are arranged in a very specific order. The lower glycemic (lower carb) rungs are first and the higher glycemic ones are towards the bottom. Following the rungs will allow your bod to get used to those higher glycemic carbs. Also, unless you are really obsessive about weighing/measuring your foods, it's easy to go over your carbs with the higher rung foods. For example, in general 1/4 cups of beans (like cannelini or pinto) is about 5 net carbs. If you're the "eye balling" type, you can easily overestimate that 1/4 cup. Ditto for blueberries---very easy to overestimate that fruit, unless you are very careful.

[cajunthunder]

Re: OWL Question

Yes, this is how I'm doing OWL. When I went to OWL, I was using the old book, and I wasn't gonna try and start over based on the new book.

I have eaten from every rung except upper fruits (had a bite of banana one day), starchy veggies, alcohol and legumes, and that's because I never drank enough to miss it anyway, and I'm not having any burning desire for the other stuff - although I still miss potatoes some times. I have a small serving of oatmeal some days, but I eat it with cream/butter, and a side of bacon. I make sure to eat fat/protein with those carbs.

Except for my veggies, I don't eat any one thing that often, and I've not noticed any reactions to anything I've added or cravings after I eat it. My net carbs vary greatly from day to day, going from 20-40, and I did go to 45 one day.

I'm a slow loser anyway as far as the scale goes - still need to measure myself again, but I know I'm losing inches. I know I'm supposed to find my CCLL, but I'm okay doing what I'm doing for now. I'm happy with my foods and I feel good, sooooo.

[jade]

Re: OWL Question

Hey Tickle!
G'day mate! Thanks for sharing your 2-cents!

"I can't handle alternating going up carb level with trying new foods from a rung, so what I've done is what Megs recommended, which is stay on Rung 1 veggies, and move up carb level (fortnightly) until I find my CCLL because I really wanna find my CCLL."

I would be bored out of my mind if I had to stay on the veggies level to find my CCLL. I wonder about doing that and here's why (Megs I think you and I have discussed this) How do you know it's the food vs the amount of carbs? Does that make sense? Call it unfortunate or fortunate depending on what camp you are in but I AM obsessive/compulsive about counting carbs (that's just my personality) So in order for me to have a variety of foods (and stay on the program) I am going to try it the way I mentioned. I've tried it the 'book' way and wasn't so successful.
I guess staying on one rung to find your CCLL doesn't seem logical to me. It tells me that as long as I eat veggies up to a particular amount of carbs (based on the individuals profile) I won't gain weight. But what happens when I DO move up to the next rung? I would find that I should be able to eat that foods mount (whatever it is) in carbs and not gain weight right? Isn't that what the CCLL is all about? I know I'm going to have to go back and re-read that section. I guess to get a truer CCLL wouldn't you want a variety of foods to determine your CCLL vs one food category? Does this make sense? Have I gone totally daft (is that an Aussie word? lol)

Thanks again Tickle! I appreciate your input! Will keep in touch. If you don't read me on my journal it is because starting tomorrow I'm going over to the addictions board. I am a food addict and my addiction has been in full force for the past two weeks.

Thanks again for taking the time to share!
jade

[jade]

Re: OWL Question

Hey Isabeau!
Thanks for sharing! I understand the rung lay out and can appreciate it as I was a Zone person before I found Atkins. I like knowing the science behind food programs. However, to me it feels contrieved. Does THAT make sense? I can't see staying at one rung to find your CCLL. I don't only eat veggies. I eat a variety of foods. However, I DO see the sense in slowly transitioning your body to accept those foods that are higher on the GI. I think that is the 'bottom line' to my question.
Thanks so much for helping though! I really appreciate getting input from various experiences.
I'm just not doing well right now. I'm not staying on program, I'm still injured and feelind depressed. When that happens the 'food addictive' cycle kicks in.
As I was sharing with Tickletussler, I'm going to go over to the Addicts board starting tomorrow and see if I can't get my head together about this.
I need to do a few Induction days to get myself back in to ketosis, then I'll decide what to do. You've certainly given me food for thought.

Thanks again!
jade

[jade]

Re: OWL Question

Hey Megs!
You and I have talked about this issue before. I can appreciate the way that the plan was laid out in the book and here on the website. I have done it that way but I never got to my CCLL.
I think that right now I'm just depressed because I haven't been able to work out and have been off program. I think I need to get my head together and just get going again.
Having said that I AM the type that weighs/measures etc probably obsessive/compulsively! lol
Anyway, thanks for your input! You were the first one I thought of when I asked this question and I appreciate your input!

Be well-
jade

[jade]

Re: OWL Question

Hey Monica,
Thanks for sharing. I haven't decided what I'm going to do right yet so I appreciate all of the input I've had from this thread.
Right now I'm injured and off program. I feel awful not only from the pain in my foot but also from the way I've been eating. I am convinced that diet and well being are intricately involved. I didn't feel like this when I was on program. My feet, while a little sore didn't hurt like this and my fibromyalgia was under control.
I'm heading over to the Addicts Board because my food addiction is off the charts again.
Thanks so much for sharing. Keep up the good work.

Be well-
jade

[cajunthunder]

Re: OWL Question

I'm heading over to the Addicts Board because my food addiction is off the charts again. Thanks so much for sharing. Keep up the good work.

I think this is the key to OWL.... knowing yourself and how you respond to food, not just physically, but emotionally. For me, eating from whatever rung I want satisfies my personal need for control, but I'm always careful with what I eat, making sure I don't eat too much, and that I add those proteins and/or fats to any carbs I have.

I know it must be hard for you to be out of commission and not able to be active. I honestly don't know what I would do if I couldn't work out. I'm one of those couch potatoes that went from 0-60 and now I'm an exercise junky.

Sending you hugs and I hope you can get a handle on it all!!

[Starmaker]

Re: OWL Question

cajunthunder I am the same as you, I had the older books and went through without climbing rungs. I don't drink alcohol so that wasn't a big deal. have no desire for starchy spuds or corn. Some days I am at 20 carbs or under and some days up to 45 maybe even 50. I watch that scale and am now taking measurements. I know what works for me. I eat everything in moderation. If I want some nuts, I just have a small handful. I don't go crazy on anything with cream cheese or cheese in it. (used to) Berries, I have 5 to 10 at the most and call it successful.

[Isabeau]

Re: OWL Question

Awwwww...Jade....I just wanna give you a hug. *hugs*

[Joy1]

Re: OWL Question

Hi all, I've been reading the book DANDR and reading posts on the OWL board, great board btw. And want to do OWL so I figured go ahead and plunge in. So, I think it goes like this, jump in and set me straight if I figured wrong, Day 1 I eat broccoli, day 2 day induction, day3 I eat broccoli day 4 induction. Day 5 I can eat okra, day 6 induction day7 okra then, after 7 days, measure, weigh if no cravings from these foods keep trying the veges I choose alternating new with old ones, if loosing go to next rung in say 2 weeks. I've read all these stickies but it doesn't seem to sink in. Need to know what to buy at store to get started. Not sure how to post this as a question on OWL board. Sorry for such a dumb question.
Not sure how to put this on my page.
BW ~186/ cw ~147 ~gw 125
5'2"
Thanks for listening
Joy

[cajunthunder]

Re: OWL Question

cajunthunder I am the same as you, I had the older books and went through without climbing rungs. I don't drink alcohol so that wasn't a big deal. have no desire for starchy spuds or corn. Some days I am at 20 carbs or under and some days up to 45 maybe even 50. I watch that scale and am now taking measurements. I know what works for me. I eat everything in moderation. If I want some nuts, I just have a small handful. I don't go crazy on anything with cream cheese or cheese in it. (used to) Berries, I have 5 to 10 at the most and call it successful.

Yep, it works for me..... I don't have any screaming desire to overeat anything and no real cravings. Did eat all of my mocha blobs in 2 days time, a couple of days before TOM, but they were only the size of hershey kisses and there were only 8 of them, so no biggie.

I measure my blueberries, just to make sure I don't overdo them - because they are so dang yummy and in season right now! I eat them with heavy cream.

I have to watch my calories because I don't eat enough some days, so overeating anything doesn't seem to be a problem for me! No appetite!

I guess we all just have to take a good, honest look at ourselves and decide what works and what doesn't..... this works for me.

[jade]

Re: OWL Question

Hey cajunthunder!
Thanks for the encouragement! I'm doing an Induction day today and then I will go from there. My foot is feeling better today so I'm going to try to ride this afternoon.
I've been fighting my food addiction most of my life, but in the last 5 years I did seek professional counseling and that helped.
Thanks again for being in my corner!

Be well-
jade