Jodes starting OWL today

[Jodes]

Well here we go. Day one of week 5 on Atkins and it is time to move to OWL.

I think I will just use the power of 5 sticky to increase my 5g for a while.

I must admit I am nervous about increasing carbs and I actually liked induction and extended induction.

I am sure I will have plenty of questions as time goes on.

[Georgiana]

Re: Jodes starting OWL today

That is a great decision, Jodes. Add 5 g of carbohydrate from vegetables first and then make your way up the rungs.

I looked over your FitDay menus and they look great. The only fishy thing I saw are the beets. Was that the leafy part of the beet or the root? Only the former is allowed on Induction and on OWL Rung 1.

[EverLosing]

Re: Jodes starting OWL today

I think most people fear rung 1 (increasing carbs) and only SOME people admit it!!! I was terrified but I was "stuck" on extended induction and once I really started increasing the carbs, I knocked off inches and pounds. It takes the body awhile to adjust. Don't be scared. I was having trouble shoveling in enough veggies and read a post on here about pumpkin. I'm now having a love affair...with pumpkin!! One half cup and it's 4 net carbs. The Libby's I buy has 9 grams of carbs in 1/2 cup but there's 5 grams of fiber. The extra fiber has helped out too! The pumpkin satifies a sweet craving too! I love it. It's as close as I can get to pumpkin pie! Check out the link...

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/desserts/900-pumpkin-treat-induction-friendly.html

[Jodes]

Re: Jodes starting OWL today

Question please...

I just realised that I have been counting total carbs - not net carbs. But I have been sticking pretty much to 3 cups of salad/veg a day.

Now the question - with rung 1 of OWL, I know I add 5g of carbs from the allowed veg a day - do I assume that the 3 cup rule no longer applies when you get to OWL?

If it still applies, then I don't know how I am going to get another 5g of carbs into 3 cups a day. Can someone please explain to me what veg they ate on rung 1 to increase the carbs if you can't increase the volume.

Thanks

[Georgiana]

Re: Jodes starting OWL today

You should figure out the net carbs in your induction menus and take an average. Then add another 5 net carbs to this average. These extra carbs should all come from vegetables and the 3 cup rule no longer applies.

[Jodes]

Re: Jodes starting OWL today

Thankyou Georgiana.

I did not think that the 3 cup rule would apply but just wanted to make sure.

I think I will stick to around 20 - 23g carbs a day for a couple of weeks and see how I go. I used to average 16 - 19g a day before.

[Georgiana]

Re: Jodes starting OWL today

I think I will stick to around 20 - 23g carbs a day for a couple of weeks and see how I go. I used to average 16 - 19g a day before.

Just make sure you are counting net carbs instead of total carbs, or it will be impossible to correctly determine your CCLL. Eating 20 g of carbohydrate from veggies (with about a quarter of them being dietary fiber) is not the same as eating 20 g of carbohydrate from yogurt.

[Jodes]

Re: Jodes starting OWL today

Wow this is great - I have been on OWL since Monday.

I have increased my dose of L Carnitine.

I am eating mainly from the list 1 of veg + tomatoes and the kilos are starting to move again...

I am so glad I took your advice and moved to OWL.

Thanks

[Jodes]

Re: Jodes starting OWL today

I don't know what happened but the whole week was great, counting carbs, adding a bit extra in veges - I really enjoyed my first week of OWL.

Until Saturday. We went out and I had a hot cross bun with butter, then we went to the movies and I ate peanut MnMs (100g worth).
I had a hamburger for dinner and I ate half the bun.

What was I thinking. I was so sick on Sunday - really bad stomach cramps and many trips to the loo later. I drank a lot of water yesterday too.

I feel terrible today, I am tired and have a headache - is this all from bready carbs? I also feel bloated and still a bit nauseous...

Well I have learned my lesson - take food when I go out so I am not tempted by crap...

I seriously cannot believe I did this to myself - I have been so good for 6 weeks now.

Do I go back to induction for a few days so I can feel better or do I just put it behind me, learn the lesson and stay on OWL?

Thanks in advance
Jodes

[Jodes]

Re: Jodes starting OWL today

I did the same thing this last weekend that I did the weekend previously - I have not wanted to cheat at all the whole time but the last 2 weekends have been a nightmare.
I am going to step back to induction and cut the extra 5g of carbs out for a week and see if next weekend is so hard.

[sandradeee]

Re: Jodes starting OWL today

Hey there Jodes

I've finally joined the forums here.

How are you going on OWL now? Bet you're enjoying a few nuts etc. these days.

I'm back to basics today - full on Induction to get me started (again).

[msanjelpie]

Re: Jodes starting OWL today

Going out on the weekend might be a 'trigger' for you... you might have to stay home for a couple of weeks to break that habit...

I can't go to the movies at all because I want popcorn SO bad that I can't even enjoy the movie... Sometimes we have to remove the temptation so that we don't drive ourselves insane...

[Sunny_0ne]

Re: Jodes starting OWL today

Jodes, I'm so sorry!!!

Probably going back to induction under these circumstances to get your control back is a good idea. I did when I felt my eating was getting out of control, and it helped.

I have started allowing myself higher calories and carbs on Sundays, as that is my rest day and I always want something special. So I just plan for a flax seed cookie and cream cheese with raspberry sugar free syrup and 10 pecan halves.... or some similar splurge. While these treats might slow my weight loss down a little, they don't throw me out of ketosis and derail my WOE.

It leaves me ultra satisfied and it helps to know I can have a splurge on Sunday. It also helps keep me on track through the week.

Hang in there. Just consider this a lesson and learn from it. You will do great!

[Jodes]

Re: Jodes starting OWL today

Hey San, welcome the forum - great place and these Atkineers will keep you on track. We are so lucky to have so many Atkins Gurus here.

msanjelpie, I agree - sometimes it is hard not to go out and when there are not 'friendly' foods on offer it is worse.

Sunny, I have gone back to induction and I am loving it. I breeze through the day without thinking about food until my meal times and I have a decaf with a tablespoon of cream as a treat after dinner while I watch TV. It feels right again.

All is well, I have been back on induction menu's since Monday and I also started the Couch to 5K running program on Monday - stay tuned, this is a workout and I although I have only done it twice this week, I am loving it.