Still Losing and Going Up Another Rung!

[gonnabskinny]

Re: Still Losing and Going Up Another Rung!

Julie, that is a great idea for the shrimp. We will check it out.

Attek, thanks for the info on the fruit. I did have 1/2 of a small granny smith apple yesterday afternoon as a snack. I dipped it in macadamia butter so that I had the fat to slow the rush of sugar into the bloodstream. It was actually quite good and I didn't have any problems with it.

[julirama723]

Re: Still Losing and Going Up Another Rung!

MMMMMMMMM I love apples and nut butter. My new favorite is hazelnut butter. OMG! It's delicious! I would eat that over peanut butter ANY day.

Did you find any good soy recipes? Have you tried edamame yet? I bought some, frozen, but haven't tried them.

[julirama723]

Re: Still Losing and Going Up Another Rung!

Oh, did you go up a rung to other fruits? DUH. I'm slow today.

[gonnabskinny]

Re: Still Losing and Going Up Another Rung!

Yes I did. I tried the hummus again. Still didn't care for it. About the only thing I would do on the legumes rung was the soy flour, and then probably only once a week. I did have 1/2 of a small apple three times and I seemed to be fine with it. I did gain .6 lbs last week, but don't think it had anything to do with the fruit, but had more to do with having wine too many times last week. I really don't think that I have hit my CCLL yet.

Here is the breakdown of my averages from last week.
2148 calories per day
454 calories burned in exercise per day
159 grams per day from protein/121 grams per day from fat/and 50 net grams from carbs.
ratios of calories were 50% from fat/30% from protein/and 20% from carbs

This weeks strategy is to cut the wine back to a total of three glasses, and none at all within the last two days before weigh in.
Up my water intake this week.
Add one other fruit in this week.
Up my exercise time by five minutes per day.

[gonnabskinny]

Re: Still Losing and Going Up Another Rung!

Just an update. I stayed at 50 net carbs for three weeks and after gaining 1/2 lb the first week, it was followed by 2.5 lbs lost, and then another 4 lbs last week lost.

So, I continue to lose on OWL and going up a little bit each time. I started on OWL at the end of March and have lost 40 lbs while climbing the rungs and increasing the carb count gradually. If you are hesitating from starting on OWL, DON"T!!! You have nothing to fear! You will enjoy it!

This week I stepped up to 55 net carbs and am jumping up to rung 9 and doing grains. I looked at the list of starchy veggies on rung 8, and frankly I don't care too much for carrots and peas, and what I really like, potatoes and corn, I think I am better off without even having a little! Am I making a big mistake??? Do I need to have just a little to know that I can actually handle it and be in control???

Here is what I have had so far. I bought some Natures Own Wheat n' Fiber low carb bread and had it yesterday with eggs, bacon, and a slice of cheese as a breakfast sandwich on the go! It was great. This morning I actually had 1 cup of Kashi cereal mixed with cream and water mixed together. I know it sounds gross, but it worked. I couldn't find any low carb milk at the store. BTW, does anybody know of a brand of low carb milk? I thought I read that Hood makes it, but can't find it anywhere here in Dallas.

Anyway, here are my stats for the past three weeks on OWL at 50 net carbs.
Averaged 2032 calories per day
Average calories burned from exercise was 459
Average calorie deficit per day was 1142
147 grams from protein, 116 grams from fat, and 49.3 grams from carbs
Average calories from fat 50.8%
Average calories from protein 29.2%
Average calories from carbs 20%
Lost 6 lbs!

[mitzimarie]

Re: Still Losing and Going Up Another Rung!

Yay, Don!

Thanks for the update, Don. I love hearing about your journey.

As for the potatoes and corn - my doctor really loves the Atkins WOE and on one of the times we were talking about adding back foods, he said he had no problem with never adding back in potatoes, corn, and even bananas. He is big on adding back fruit, but bananas can be a problem for some. I could always take or leave a banana, so since it's not one of my favorites I am leaving it by the wayside along with the corn and potatoes. I'm certain there are many who eat those foods with no problems, but there is plenty of variety out there so I won't miss them.

So you're on to grains... wow! I think I will go very easy on grains when that time rolls around. I could see myself getting out of control with them. I think that I might eat some kind of oatmeal... I like that stuff.

Enjoy your new foods, and please continue to report on your progress.

[gonnabskinny]

Re: Still Losing and Going Up Another Rung!

Thanks Mitzi!

Here is another update this week. After week one of being at 55 net carbs and going up to rung 9, I still lost 2 lbs. I actually found it hard on some days to get enough carbs in. Who would have thunk it! I know probably lots of you get to the end of hte day and think, gosh I need to eat something!!! LOL

I think by the end of the week, I averaged just under 54 net carbs per day. My calorie intake was just a hair over 2100 calories, but I was having problems balancing my protein and fat intake this week. I went a little too low on protein on a couple of occasions. Need to work on that some. I averaged about 27% of my calories from protein. I also noticed how much a bowl of cereal, even fairly low carb, can shoot up your carb intake at one meal. I wasn't sure how my body would react, but I didn't see any large hunger spikes.

I added the following stuff to my diet last week.
Kashi Go Lean Cereal (had three times)
Quaker Oats (once)
Natures Own Wheat and Fiber Bread (three times)
Wasa Sourdough Crackers (three times)

I will stay at 55 for two more weeks before I go up to 60.

[mitzimarie]

Re: Still Losing and Going Up Another Rung!

Hi, Don

Man, you are really working this WOE... well done! I'm glad that you get to eat at least this many carbs and these kinds of carbs. That will give you such a nice variety of foods to choose from.

Wednesdays are weigh days for me now, and I am curious how tommorow morning will go because I have tried something different this week. I had a little pattern going of 2 pound losses per week. On my first week at 45 net carbs, I had a 1 pound loss. On the second week, I had a 1 pound loss. On the 3rd week, I had no loss. Now, I realize that any number of things could have affected this, but I have cut back to below 40 net carbs for this past week to see what happens. I will find out tommorow. I have suspected that my CCLL would be somewhere between 45 and 50, and it looks like that is where it is going to be. Although it would have been nice for it to be higher, there is a great feeling of relief and power to know where that level is.

As always, please keep us posted on your journey.

Thanks Mitzi!

Here is another update this week. After week one of being at 55 net carbs and going up to rung 9, I still lost 2 lbs. I actually found it hard on some days to get enough carbs in. Who would have thunk it! I know probably lots of you get to the end of hte day and think, gosh I need to eat something!!! LOL

I think by the end of the week, I averaged just under 54 net carbs per day. My calorie intake was just a hair over 2100 calories, but I was having problems balancing my protein and fat intake this week. I went a little too low on protein on a couple of occasions. Need to work on that some. I averaged about 27% of my calories from protein. I also noticed how much a bowl of cereal, even fairly low carb, can shoot up your carb intake at one meal. I wasn't sure how my body would react, but I didn't see any large hunger spikes.

I added the following stuff to my diet last week.
Kashi Go Lean Cereal (had three times)
Quaker Oats (once)
Natures Own Wheat and Fiber Bread (three times)
Wasa Sourdough Crackers (three times)

I will stay at 55 for two more weeks before I go up to 60.

[gonnabskinny]

Re: Still Losing and Going Up Another Rung!

Mitzi, I actually agree with you. While I am grateful that my CCLL will be higher, I am also anxious to find out exactly where it is.

I did find out today though that I had too many carbs for breakfast and have been having hunger pains all day as a result. Kind of weird, since it has been sooo long since I have had this feeling. This morning for breakfast I had 1/2 cup of Kroger Quick Oats, mixed with 4 oz. of water and 4 oz of whole milk, 1/2 cup of Dannon nonfat yogurt, 1/4 cup of strawberries and two packets of Splenda (one to sweeten my oatmeal and one to sweeten the yogurt). In addition, I had my usual Atkins protein shake for my morning workout. Total was a whopping 50 carbs, with 9 fiber, for 41 net! I think on the mornings that I am going to have oatmeal, I need to skip anything else that has carbs in it! The oatmeal already has 23 net carbs, then add in 4 oz of milk and I am at 29!

[LooseShoes]

Re: Still Losing and Going Up Another Rung!

Thanks for posting about your journey, Don. It really helps me to see how others are adding and learning as they go.

I was really reluctant to go to OWL, but now I'm getting impatient to move up! I plan on doing it right, though, and appreciate seeing your experiences.

You are doing so great!

[gonnabskinny]

Re: Still Losing and Going Up Another Rung!

Thanks Caryl!

Here is a continued update. Just completed week two at 55 net carbs and I still lost another 3 lbs this past week. My total lost since starting this journey a year ago on 8/14/06 is 114 lbs!!! I have lost 43 lbs of that since starting OWL on 4/2/07.

This week I averaged 2074 calories and 55.57 net carbs per day. My fat perentages were just under 50% per day, my protein was right at 30% (where it should be) and my carbs were just over 20%, so pretty balanced I would say.

I am starting to have more sandwiches, but with Natures Own Wheat N' Fiber low carb bread. Also, I added Cherrio's this week.

I have one more week at 55 net carbs and then will go to 60.

[julirama723]

Re: Still Losing and Going Up Another Rung!

Congratulations on continuing to lose and continuing to add new foods!

I'm not much for the starchy veggies...I don't eat them that often. BUT, I think you should add them in. I had never tried butternut or acorn squash before, but I did once I got to Rung 8, and OH MY GOSH are they delicious!!! I don't eat carrots (unless they're already in something), I can't eat potatoes (I get horrible cramps), I don't eat peas, but I *DO* love lima beans--so I was really relieved to find that they cause no problems! I will eat corn products rarely, like a tostada, and yesterday, I had corn on the cob last night which was awesome. So give starchy veggies a try, just so you know how they affect you--this doesn't mean you have to eat they every day. It's just always a good idea to know what you can and can't handle, should the situation arise.

One thing I wanted to add about whole grains--when you're adding whole grains, make sure you check the ingredients. You should not be eating anything that says "enriched" flour...that means they take out the good stuff and then put back in what they think is missing. I eat whole grain products that are made ONLY with whole grain flours, nothing enriched. So you might want to double-check those cheerios.

Also, make sure that you're still eating enough fat WITH the whole grains. I still buy full fat products (like cottage cheese, yogurt, etc.) and avoid the "low-fat/non-fat" products like the plague because of all the additives and fillers. To balance my ratios, I simply eat a smaller amount of fat, rather than substituting products. This is what works for me...others have had success with substituting products, but I haven't. I need that fat content!

I love reading your posts--you're doing a fabulous job and I enjoy hearing about your new successes! Keep us posted.

[Discolemonade]

Re: Still Losing and Going Up Another Rung!

GonnaB- you are so very impressive. What a wonderful experience you are having. You make it sound gravy. You make others want to do it too. Thank you for inspiring me.

[guekjian]

Re: Still Losing and Going Up Another Rung!

Hey Gonnabe... Your name is soooooo appropriate! I am impressed on how well you are doing this, respecting the levels and all...I was lazy when I started adding and got myself into trouble (and had to go back to induction which is now over). I am going to go up gradually and follow the rungs this time...

[gonnabskinny]

Re: Still Losing and Going Up Another Rung!

Just a quick update. I lost another 3 lbs last week!!! Now I am down 117 lbs and am 39 lbs away from goal! This week I have stepped up to 60 net carbs and for the first time in a year I actually had a hamburger on a BUN! I did the Natures Own 100% Ground Wheat (sugar free) Bun. 19 net carbs!