Question about working the OWL Rungs

[shari_dawn]

I started The O.W.L. first rung I believe on the 4th of this month... I'd have to check my journal. I'm doing pretty good on this rung and plan to stay put for a little while in order to help keep up my loss as I read in the book that when you go up the rungs you may go from losing 2 lbs a week to losing 1 1/2 lbs a week or 1 lb a week, ect. I'm thinking of staying on this rung until April 1st. Thats a goal for me. I know for every rung you go up you add 5 more grams of net carbs to your diet. But I also know that most people go for a long time on each rung although it says in the book to do each rung for 2 weeks. Should I still only be at 25 grams of carbs at the end of the month and then on the 1st of April add another 5 grams for the dairy. I've looked at all the stickys and found them extremely informative and helpful I'm just a little unsure of how I should progress. How long did all of you stay on the first rung? How many carbs did you get in during that rung. I eat more and more veggies but I eat ones that are relatively low in carbs but high in fiber and nutrition. I eat fresh whenever possible so please don't think I'm not respecting the plan but I rarely get over 20 grams. I just don't find myself hungry and don't think I should force foods just for the sake of an extra 5 grams. then again if I don't eat all those carbs how will I ever figure out my CCL? Geez Louise I'm wanting to do this the right way but sooo not an expert.

[Brook]

Re: Question about working the OWL Rungs

How long I stayed on each run varied. Looking back over my journal notes, I stayed on veggies for about 6 weeks before moving on to dairy. I upped my carbs by 5 grams about every 3-4 weeks.

I crawwlllled through OWL- and I"m not sorry. I learned a lot about what foods I can and can't eat, how they all effect me and what I can and can't get away with.

[blue996]

Re: Question about working the OWL Rungs

I stayed on OWL 1 for a long time...about 4 months. I did this so I could learn to love veggies and it worked! I am now on OWL 4 and will stay for a while. I have focused on adding new foods but not carbs, I currently eat around 25 net per day. Over the next six weeks I am going to test adding more carbs from the first four rungs once I get through testing all the berries.

[shari_dawn]

Re: Question about working the OWL Rungs

very cool. like I said I'll stay on this rung for the rest of this month. I like the idea of 'crawling' through the O.W.L. rungs. Thanks!

[brandywine1241]

Re: Question about working the OWL Rungs

Just make sure you do eventually up your carbs. I had 2 problems the first time around. The first is that I DIDN'T FINISH READING THE BOOK!! I read through the OWL chapter & figured I would read on when I got there. I didn't have a clear picture of where I was going and therefore it was easier to fall into the second trap. That trap is that I climbed the OWL rungs but didn't up my carbs much and therefore never did find my CCLL. I wound up regaining 60 of the 99 lbs I lost.

Over the next six weeks I am going to test adding more carbs from the first four rungs once I get through testing all the berries.

Blue, your plan sounds like a good one for those who are afraid of stalling. But I would caution anyone who does this not to wait until they are almost at goal to start trying to find their CCLL. Weight loss naturally slows when you are near goal and you might not know whether you have reached your carb limit or it's just taking longer.

[Elizellen]

Re: Question about working the OWL Rungs

Blue, your plan sounds like a good one for those who are afraid of stalling. But I would caution anyone who does this not to wait until they are almost at goal to start trying to find their CCLL. Weight loss naturally slows when you are near goal and you might not know whether you have reached your carb limit or it's just taking longer.

good poinmt, Brandywine
It would be much easier to spot a 'staller' while losing weight fairly easily (1-2 pounds a week) rather than once you are slowed to something nearer a half pound (if that) a week.
And far easier to stay on plan if food from most of the rungs are available to you too!

[Kansas Deb]

Re: Question about working the OWL Rungs

I am right there with you shari_dawn. I started owl rung 1 the first of March too and am really trying to get the 25 grams net carbs per day trying different veggies. If it is new I eat it every other day three times. Like the green bell peppers and cucumbers. I just added grape and cherry tomatoes this week. I find it really difficult to get all the veggie carbs in my daily food consumption.

Good luck on your journey.

[shari_dawn]

Re: Question about working the OWL Rungs

I'm like you I usually try to get a vegetable in at every meal. Its not always feasable but i do what I can!