OWLERS "Stepping Back" thread

[mitzimarie]

Re: OWLERS "Stepping Back" thread

Thanks Mitzi. My problem is that I haven't had a losing "streak" (losses every week) since FEBRUARY! In March, I would lose 2 pounds, then nothing, then 2 more pounds, then nothing, etc. In April/May I would lose about 1.5 pounds then nothing, then 1.5 pounds then nothing. This summer I only lost 10 pounds, but focused on strength training, so I consistently lost inches. Since school started, I seem to be all messed up. I haven't measured in a while because I don't even feel like it's worth it...I doubt I've lost very much. As for weight, I was at 175 when school started, and now I'm "technically" at 171, though this morning I weighed 176 (HOLY CRAP!) and it fluctuates CONSTANTLY.

So, I'm thinking I should drop down in carbs, but how far? As low as my February levels when I was losing 2+ pounds per week, or back to April/May levels when I was losing about 1 pound per week on average? February levels were about 60g, April/May were about 70g. I'm actually thinking my CCLL might be between 80 or 85-90...yet somehow I continued to lose even though I ate more than that each day? UGH. I almost wish that inches didn't figure in, because that complicates things more. If you look at my September to October bikini pictures, that's only a 3 pound difference, but I lost inches and lots of body fat...though now I feel like I gained that back (even though I probably didn't).

I think that Joy is right... it is not so much the number of carbs, but the types of carbs. That's one of the reasons I don't constantly try in increase my carb numbers... the number changes, according to the kinds of carbs I eat. So getting hung up on high a number I can eat is futile... because it matters what kind I am eating. I eat up to 50 now and am losing without a problem... but that's because I am eating so many veggies. If I were eating from the higher rungs, I would have to eat a smaller number of carbs.

I have been watching your slow down on the scale... and the fact that you are still losing some inches... and I am just so glad that the scale has cooperated with me. Because it has, my journey has been easy. I gotta give it to you, girl - you have extreme patience... and I know that your patience and perseverence will pay off. Maybe you could look over your notes and see what level you ate at (number and types) when you were losing the most consistently, and start at that point.

Ugh - OWL can be confusing, because foods that start out as being fine can turn on you... and you don't know whether it is the number of carbs, the number of calories, or the types of carbs that are screwing with you.

Please continue to post here and let us know your plan of action, and how it is working for you.

[mitzimarie]

Re: OWLERS "Stepping Back" thread

Breakfast - Atkins Chocolate Royale Shake

Lunch - MUP with almonds

Snack - 1 serving of sugar snap peas; 1 cup of jicama; 1 ounce of cheddar cheese

Dinner - sauteed fresh shrimp on stovetop in butter and garlic, and poured it and 1/2 cup of Hunt's No Sugar Added Italian Style Sauce over 2 cups of spaghetti squash

Fitday Totals:
1360 calories
50 net carbs, 37 of those net veggie carbs (84g carbs - 34g fiber = 50 net carbs)
59% Fat
14% Carbs
27% Protein

[*Wendy*]

Re: OWLERS "Stepping Back" thread

10/30/2007 Tuesday

B: Bacon, Raw Cauliflower, Turkey/Cheese Sandwich Scraps
S: Atkins Chocolate Royale Shake, 3/5 ChocoPerfection Bar
L: Huge Chicken Ceasar Salad
D: Boston Market: Turkey, Chopped Salad, Creamed Spinach

Calories: 1934; Fat 68%, Protein 27%, Carbs 5%; 22 grams Fiber; 22 Net Carbs

[julirama723]

Re: OWLERS "Stepping Back" thread

Well, I am going to give up whole grains for a while. I think that will also drop my carb level automatically into a better range, or at least a weight loss range. I've been doing pretty well with veggies, eating cups and cups each day, and trying to get in a good variety. As for dairy...you know, I *did* eat Greek yogurt this past week (after not eating it since August), so perhaps that's part of it.

Here's the plan:

*No whole grains
*No "other" fruits
*No fresh dairy (but I'll keep aged cheese and cream cheese)
*No alcohol regularly (I will allow it for holidays, etc...once in a blue moon)
*At least half my carbs from induction veggies
*Remaining carbs from Rungs 2, 3, 4, 6, 8
*Eat between 60-70g per day

What's even more frustrating is that I HAVEN'T fallen off the wagon or eaten things that are non-legal. I haven't eaten cottage cheese since I discovered it was a staller. I did attempt to eat an apple, discovered that it's a big no-no, and haven't tried again. So it's got to be something that's right under my nose, something that used to be OK, and now suddenly isn't.

[*Wendy*]

Re: OWLERS "Stepping Back" thread

Julirama: I've got no advice because I'm not there yet, but I just wanted to say that I'm so impressed with how you are approaching this - very methodical and I also wanted to thank you again for sharing it all (the frustruation too!) - because it's teaching us back here on the lower rungs so much! You have some amazing resolve lady!! Keep it up - you will crack this!

[Alexa]

Re: OWLERS "Stepping Back" thread

Julie - Owl is just so frustrating at times! These guys are right though, your perseverance is impressive. If there's a culprit you'll find it. I think with me my body is loving this weight possibly because I was at it for a long time. COuld be rubbish, not sure

Today:
B: Smoothie w 1 cup strawberries, 1/3 c cream, 1/2 cup yoghurt and tofu. Not sure if I can handle this much dairy - I could before but we'll see.
L: 2 cups lettuce, 1 1/2 cups spinach, 1/2 cup peppers, 1/2 cup celery. 4/5 oz tuna w tbsp mayo
S: 2 oz cheese and 10 cherry toms throughout the day
D: chicken breats w kale and courgette in pesto w 1/4 cup mushrooms (leftovers)

20 g veggie carbs, 39 carbs, fat 59%, carbs 8%, protein 32%. Cals 1770.

Am pretty hungry - this drop in calories feels like a diet in a way I find hard to cope with.

[*Emma*]

Re: OWLERS "Stepping Back" thread

B - Pepperami, wrong wrong wrong.
L - Jacket potato with tuna mayo,
D - Cracked peppercorn steak with 2 cup asparagus 1 cup mushrooms
S - Strawberries and cream

Such a bad day, i'm gonna suffer for it tomorrow... I'm allergic to strawberries

[*Emma*]

Re: OWLERS "Stepping Back" thread

Okay, Alexa, where do i find Tofu and what is it like?? ive never had it and never seen it anywhere... what can i do with it other than smoothies? as berries affect me, that wouldnt be a good idea.

[gonnabskinny]

Re: OWLERS "Stepping Back" thread

Well, I cranked up the fiber yesterday, getting in 175 carbs, but 85 grams of fiber. You know what that did? Absolutely nothing! Still no movement! Anyway, here are the totals from yesterday. Maybe y'all see something that I'm not!

Breakfast
I figured that I would kick start the fiber thing at breakfast w/45 grams
Muffin in a minute with 1 pat of butter
1 cup of Fiber One bran cereal
1/2 cup of soy milk
1/2 cup of strawberries

Lunch
Ham sandwich: 4 oz ham, 1 slice pepper jack cheese, 2 slices of fiber plus whole grain bread, 1 roma tomato, 1 lettuce leaf, 1.5 tbsp mayo, 2 pickle stackers
2.8 cups of cauliflower
1/4 large apple

Dinner
7 oz new york strip steak
2 cups of asparagus

Snack
1 multi grain wasa
1 cup of blackberries

Water
169 oz

1878 calories, 96 grams of fat 46%, 90 net carbs 27%, and 129 grams of protein 27%

[julirama723]

Re: OWLERS "Stepping Back" thread

Don, how much water do you drink? If you don't drink enough to "move" the fiber out, it'll stay there until it accumulates enough moisture.

[gonnabskinny]

Re: OWLERS "Stepping Back" thread

Julie, I drank 10 of the 16.9 oz bottles of water yesterday.

[julirama723]

Re: OWLERS "Stepping Back" thread

Hmmmmm...geez, I don't know what to tell you, then! Maybe too much protein? That can cause constipation.

[mitzimarie]

Re: OWLERS "Stepping Back" thread

Whew! Long day at work today. I usually only work very part-time, but my niece and SIL are out of town, so I worked open to close today at the boutique, and will do so through Saturday. I left for work at 9:30am and got home at 7:30pm. I'm not used to that!

Pre-Breakfast - Atkins Chocolate Royale Shake

Breakfast - MUP with almonds

Lunch - 3.5 ounce pork chop; 1 serving of sugar snap peas

Snack - 1 cup of jicama; 1 ounce cheddar cheese

Dinner - Chicken Schwarma Salad I picked up from a local greek restaurant (Romaine lettuce, olive oil, feta cheese, roasted chicken)

Fitday Totals:
1570 calories
31 net carbs, 20 of those net veggie carbs (62g carbs - 31g fiber = 30 net carbs)
62% Fat
8% Carbs
30% Protein

* Carbs were low today, but considering I was couped up in the store all day, this was actually a good day. It is more than likely that I will eat the exact same thing tomorrow.

[gonnabskinny]

Re: OWLERS "Stepping Back" thread

Hmmmmm...geez, I don't know what to tell you, then! Maybe too much protein? That can cause constipation.

I have been wondering about the protein, even though that I am staying at or under the 30% of calories. Protein is kind of a hard thing to figure out.

[Alexa]

Re: OWLERS "Stepping Back" thread

Okay, Alexa, where do i find Tofu and what is it like?? ive never had it and never seen it anywhere... what can i do with it other than smoothies? as berries affect me, that wouldnt be a good idea.

Emma - I get in in Waitrose they have two kinds in there in the vegatarian refridgerated (not frozen) section. Or in Holland and Barrett.

I only make smoothies but I know others on here, including Adena, I seem to recall flavour and cook it in chunks - not sure how! Cauldren brand have ideas on the packet.

I'm going away for a few days and will be still focusing on the veggies and avoiding my triggers as per the Slow Losers Challenge.