Move to OWL or "fix" induction?

[Whatsername]

In the past 2 weeks I have tried to be better on my extended induction. I cut back on coffee (therefore cutting back on cream and splenda). Yes, I know coffee is frowned upon but I love it and it is my one weakness. I have gone from drinking coffee all day to drinking 2 large cups, to now drinking 2 small cups. When I was drinking 2 large cups, I was still losing.

Sorry to digress. So, I did that and I really started measuring things which I think means I have cut back on my dressing, my cream, my mayo, etc and gotten my veggies/salad right. I excersize fairly regularly..nothing heavy duty but I am moving. I drink a ton of water and thanks to the challenge on here, i am keeping track of that also.

I know this isn't a "stall" but haven't lost anything really in 2 weeks. I know it happens but it is frustrating (and scary). I have been doing fit day and that is showing that I am on target for carbs but a bit low on protein and high on fat. Do I work on that or do I move to OWL? I feel I need to do something. I am trying to lower my fat but that is frustrating because I don't think I am over doing it (unknowingly was definitely using more than this during induction when i was only counting carbs), and finding it hard to cut back on that.

Sorry for going on and thanks in advance for help.

Jane

[Georgiana]

Re: Move to OWL or "fix" induction?

Don't lower your fat, Jane. Unless you are eating when not hungry or stuffing yourself at meals without giving your belly enough time to say "Jane, stop eating", then you're doing okay.

It is quite common to see a pause in your weight loss after the first 14 days or so. Some of us manage to break it by moving to OWL and adding a few more veggies to our Induction menus.

Are you exercising and taking your vitamins? What are your average fat/carbs/protein percentages?

[Georgiana]

Re: Move to OWL or "fix" induction?

Ah, sorry... I just checked your stats. Why are you doing more than 14 days of Induction? Your answer to question #2 in Chapter 13 is clearly "little" (it asks how much weight you need to lose), in which case Dr. Atkins recommends moving to OWL, so that you have time to progress through all the phases of Atkins before reaching your goal.

[momtomany1]

Re: Move to OWL or "fix" induction?

I am only a little taller than you, and a little older, so I think I can speak to your experience.

It is slow, as you get closer to goal. Age, body composition, natural set points, whatever, many things contribute to how quickly weight comes off. And this is fine, okay, natural, to be accepted and is NOT scary. If you were 32 instead of 42, you would likely be at goal now. But don't let that derail you, you've made excellent progress!

Also, exercise is such magic that I always want to mention, that you will be making forward progress every day, even if the scale doesn't move, if you keep moving!

As far as doing a bit more induction, or OWLing, I personally like OWL, I like options, and highly recommend it. However, I see induction as something of a 'base,' and it never hurts to 'touch base' every now and then if it would help you feel comfortable and 'stay in the game.' I think this is a very personal decision. I go back to induction level carb counts every so often for a few days, just to make sure I am not letting 'carb creep' rear its ugly head.

Another thing... the journey is actually more important than the goal. You need the goal, but you will only enjoy the goal for a short time. You can enjoy the journey now and everyday. Much success to you.

[Whatsername]

Re: Move to OWL or "fix" induction?

Thank you for the replies.

I don't eat when I am not hungry. If anything, I have to make myself eat at times. I don't think I over eat at meals. I do exercise but it is probably considered "light"...I do Wii fit/active and stuff outside like gardening (my dr says gardening isn't exercise but she doesn't have have to deal with my gardens lol). I just take a multivitamin (something for women)..I will admit to missing it at times.

Percentages..here are examples for the last week. I don't think they look good. I have just focused on my carbs (salad/veggies).
Wed: (fat/protein/carb)83/14/2-was sick that day and forced myself to eat.
Thur 78/13/8 (made up for Wed lol)
Fri 72/23/5 (tried hard)
Sat 70/23/6
Sun 80/15/5

Typical day..sausage (no sugar or nitrates), eggs; salad and some sort of meat; dinner remaining salad or veggie and some sort of meat. 2 small coffees/day..total of 1 splenda packet, 4T cream. Average about 140 oz of water. If I snack, it is usually a small salad or cheese. Occasionally have jello (made with splenda) at night. I really try to keep things simple and stay away from excess "sweets" (legal ones). I do tend to eat beef a lot (hamburgers, steak)..which I know adds to the fat.

I try to remind myself this isn't going to be a quick fix to my weight. Honestly, I am happy with weight loss even if it is a pound. I just want to know why I am not losing and if there is something I can change to make things better. I don't want to keep going making mistakes. It is kind of hard because I did do Atkins before in 2003 and lost weight with no problem (using all kinds of frankenfoods too ). I know that isn't going to happen now and I do want to do it right.

Thanks again for the replies! Jane

[sham]

Re: Move to OWL or "fix" induction?

I really do hope your stall comes to an end we all go through it I stalled for 4 weeks its a hard time but will pass hang in there my friend.

[Georgiana]

Re: Move to OWL or "fix" induction?

I do exercise but it is probably considered "light"...I do Wii fit/active and stuff outside like gardening (my dr says gardening isn't exercise but she doesn't have have to deal with my gardens lol).

Gardening can be considered exercise. You surely do some resistance and strength training when gardening. And if you want to make it even better and add some cardio in it, all you have to do is move faster.

The percentages look okay. Maybe a little high on fat, but that is probably not an issue unless you are consuming too many calories (fat being more calorie-dense).

The limit on cream is 2-3 tablespoon. 3 oz are allowed as a "Special Category Food", but those are foods that come with the warning that they may stall or slow down your weight loss. So if you think you are losing too slow, you should drop (some of) the cream, at least until you figure out if it affects your weight loss rate.

[Elizellen]

Re: Move to OWL or "fix" induction?

I agree with Georgiana - with 0ver 1/3rd of your hoped for loss discarded already and less than 30 pounds left you do need to be planning your move to OWL to allow your self the time to work out your CCLL and what foods (if any) affect your losing and therefore might need avoiding for the moment.

To do OWL properly you really need to have still a number of pounds to shed, as trying to do it when you have less surplus makes it hard to tell whether you are losing or not

[Whatsername]

Re: Move to OWL or "fix" induction?

Thank you all so much! Off to OWL I go (unofficially, until I read up on it in the book and the helpful threads here).

[imagood1]

Re: Move to OWL or "fix" induction?

Good for you -- glad you are moving on to OWL -- I think you'll do well as you go up the rungs. Just remember, OWL Rung 1 is 5 additional net carbs daily (try a new veggie 3 times the first week) if you do well with your new veggie then the next week you can have it everyday - and add another new veggie. Remember NET CARBS .... not full carbs is what you'll be counting.

You're doing great it looks like on all your totals. I know you're doing great on the water challenge and I'm really proud of you for that!

I just finished weeding and watering my garden and I beg to differ with your doctor - I came in soaking wet from sweat and my muscles feel like they've gotten a good work out!

Keep up the great work!

[Whatsername]

Re: Move to OWL or "fix" induction?

Thanks Carole!

My gardens need some serious weeding! lol

Thanks for mentioning that about the net carbs. I think I needed a reminder about that.

Jane

[chinadoll]

Re: Move to OWL or "fix" induction?

Jane, one other thing to add. Since I hit my forties I have to work much harder at exercise to lose. Diet alone won't work for me anymore. You may need to add a couple of days a week where you really get your heart rate up ad your sweat glands working. Sad to say it is a fact of life as we get older.

[Whatsername]

Re: Move to OWL or "fix" induction?

Thanks Jill. I am going to work harder at doing that. It is tough in the summer when it is warm. I try to workout in the morning but will admit I have been awful about it this week.

(PS..my dr would love you..that is what she always tells me ).

Jane

[Loz_from_oz]

Re: Move to OWL or "fix" induction?

Don't lower your fat, Jane. Unless you are eating when not hungry or stuffing yourself at meals without giving your belly enough time to say "Jane, stop eating", then you're doing okay.

It is quite common to see a pause in your weight loss after the first 14 days or so. Some of us manage to break it by moving to OWL and adding a few more veggies to our Induction menus.

Are you exercising and taking your vitamins? What are your average fat/carbs/protein percentages?

Hello Georgina,

I was wondering how it is that if you are already stalled on Induction, adding more carbs in OWL will trigger further weight loss?

L

[Georgiana]

Re: Move to OWL or "fix" induction?

Hello Georgina,

I was wondering how it is that if you are already stalled on Induction, adding more carbs in OWL will trigger further weight loss?

L

First of all, just to make sure we have the same definition of terms, a stall is defined as four consecutive weeks without weight loss or loss of inches. Some folks stall in extended Induction, others only see a pause in their weight loss towards the end of the 14-day Induction. The pause or stall is not a result of a carb creep (or at least it shouldn't be, if the Rules of Induction were followed) and, unless one has a low CCLL, 5 more grams of net carbs will not stall or slow down weight loss. Since it is not the carbs that caused the problem in the first place, a few additional carbs will probably not make it worse.

As to why those 5 net carbs may solve the problem, we have to look at what is packed in them. It is often difficult to get all the nutrients we need from 3 cups of vegetables and the other foods that comprise an Induction menu. Yes, we should take a good multivitamin, but multivitamins do not have a 100% absorption rate, nor do all of us absorb nutrients the same way. A diet deficient in nutrients may impeede weight loss, because the body will do its best to conserve what it has. And here's where moving to OWL may be useful in breaking the stall or pause. OWL Rung 1 means adding more vegetables, and these vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber. Once your body gets all the things it needs, it won't be desperately trying holding on to every ounce, thus the fat will start coming off again.