Starting OWL, not giving up

[Tactical Cat]

My wife (Happy Cat) & I have been following the program since August, and have had mixed results. I've lost 20lb and have been stuck at the same weight for several months, while she initially lost 6 lbs and has gained some back. (she's been taking Synthroid since we started, and is due to have her Rx bumped up) We have been on extended induction all this time, on the advice of a friend who lost a lot of weight on induction, but based on some of the responses here, it sounds like we really need to move on to OWL.

It occurred to me the easiest way to start increasing carbs was to add in one slice of pumpernickel toast with breakfast (14g) but I suppose that's too big a jump? I read the stickies (power of 5 sounded helpful) and the fat/pro/carb percentages sticky (sounded like a real PITA to follow). We're consistent with the water consumption, 3-4 16oz bottles daily. More is probably better, but it's a start.

Typical bkfast:
3 fried eggs
4 bkfast sausages, or 3 slices bacon, or a ham steak

Lunch:
3 baked chicken thighs, or
taco salad (ground beef/turkey with cheese & sour cream)
2 cups salad with blue cheese dressing

Dinner:
pan-friend fish, or
broiled sirloin tips, or
ground beef/turkey with cheese, or
pan-fried pork chops, or
egg/cheese/sausage quiche
smashed cauliflower w/cheese

Minor variations of the above, we sometime add sour cream for the fat content. On paper it kinda looks like we're in a food rut, and I'm not sure if the fat/pro/carb %s are correct. Are we screwing this up completely?

[not2late]

Re: Starting OWL, not giving up

My wife (Happy Cat) & I have been following the program since August, and have had mixed results. I've lost 20lb and have been stuck at the same weight for several months, while she initially lost 6 lbs and has gained some back. (she's been taking Synthroid since we started, and is due to have her Rx bumped up) We have been on extended induction all this time, on the advice of a friend who lost a lot of weight on induction, but based on some of the responses here, it sounds like we really need to move on to OWL.

It occurred to me the easiest way to start increasing carbs was to add in one slice of pumpernickel toast with breakfast (14g) but I suppose that's too big a jump? I read the stickies (power of 5 sounded helpful) and the fat/pro/carb percentages sticky (sounded like a real PITA to follow). We're consistent with the water consumption, 3-4 16oz bottles daily. More is probably better, but it's a start.

Typical bkfast:
3 fried eggs
4 bkfast sausages, or 3 slices bacon, or a ham steak

Lunch:
3 baked chicken thighs, or
taco salad (ground beef/turkey with cheese & sour cream)
2 cups salad with blue cheese dressing

Dinner:
pan-friend fish, or
broiled sirloin tips, or
ground beef/turkey with cheese, or
pan-fried pork chops, or
egg/cheese/sausage quiche
smashed cauliflower w/cheese

Minor variations of the above, we sometime add sour cream for the fat content. On paper it kinda looks like we're in a food rut, and I'm not sure if the fat/pro/carb %s are correct. Are we screwing this up completely?

While it is allowable to skip rungs, it's not completely advisable because the higher the food is on the Carb ladder, the higher the glycemic index. Dr. Atkins gave a more definitive structure to OWL phase in the 2002 book. He expanded on the concepts in Atkins For Life. It's primarily based on the glycemic index and keeping that blood sugar stable.

Also, some of us cannot tolerate grains in any form. 1 in 200 Americans (adults and children) are allergic to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and some other grains. That allergy can manifest as from something like bloating to skin rashes to difficulty breathing. Among ADBBers, some have learned they are allergic to gluten when they got to OWL like Julirama, Sunny-Smile, me and a few others.

And lastly, I know you're joking, but don't look at OWL as soemthing dreadful----it's not. When you get into your OWL, you'll realize that Induction is like after-school detention due the restrictions on the amount of carbs you may eat and the foods you may eat. That's the main reason why I never wanted to "mess up" and go back to Induction: it's too restrictive.

[Sunny_0ne]

Re: Starting OWL, not giving up

Tactical Cat, the quantities look a little large to me. I would bet that if you could cut down the amount of the foods you are eating that would help.

And definitely move onto OWL.

[Georgiana]

Re: Starting OWL, not giving up

On paper it kinda looks like we're in a food rut, and I'm not sure if the fat/pro/carb %s are correct.

You can track your foods online using FitDay, DailyPlate, etc.

If you prefer doing it on paper, then all you need to know are the grams of fat, carbohydrate and protein in your meals... and then do the math.