Back Climbing The Rungs Again

[gonnabskinny]

After a rough year and putting weight back on, I am back on track and climbing the OWL ladder once again! I had to go back and re-read my posts from back in 2007 to remind myself of everything that I did right and those things that I did wrong. Kind of a "you did it before, you can do it again" talk to myself.

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/ongoing-weight-loss-owl/45630-still-losing-going-up-another-rung.html

The last go around, I know that I stayed on induction too long. It really is on OWL when you learn how different foods effect you. Induction is easy compared to OWL, but it is doing OWL where you really learn. I actually started losing even more weight once I went onto OWL. So here is my new journey.

I lost 19 pounds during induction. Last week I moved up to OWL rung 1 and didn't see any weight loss. However, since I had no reaction to anything, I went ahead and moved on up to OWL rung 2 this week. I have already lost 2 lbs, just a few days into the week. So, things are progressing nicely.

So, I am trying to balance my carb intake throughout the day. This week, I have added cottage cheese and greek yogurt so far. Both are better with berries, but that will come later.

Next week it will get a little tougher. I love nuts and have to be really careful, because I know I can overdo it. I also know how critical it is going to be to measure them accurately. No just eyeballing it!

Calories are staying in the 1700-2000 range.
Carbs obviously around 30
Fat grams run around 100-130
Protein grams run between 110-150

[happymomto4]

Re: Back Climbing The Rungs Again

Sounds like you're doing great! I was happy to read in your post about your continued weight loss on OWL. I was reluctant to leave induction because of the weight loss success I had at that level and now that I'm on OWL, I haven't had the same kind of success. BUT, I have continued to lose and aside from my recent frustrations due to introducing a new medicine to my body, I think that I will still be able to reach my ideal weight some day.

I think that going back to read what works for YOU is a great plan. I was surprised to re-read a post a few months ago where I thought that I might have slowed down my weight loss with too much broccoli. I had once again let myself get back up to 10+ carbs from broccoli a day because it's my favorite. It seems I would have remembered something so important!

Your pictures have inspired me to keep going numerous times. Thank you for sharing your journey! You're doing great!

[gonnabskinny]

Re: Back Climbing The Rungs Again

Thanks happymomto4. Good luck to you on you journey as well. You have done a great job chipping away at it.

The hardest job that I can think of right now with OWL is actually getting enough carbs in! I know that is kind of laughable that I have to find stuff to eat! I am working on my menu for tomorrow when I go to the OWL rung 3 and already find that I'm light by about 10 carbs, but I will find a way to get them in.

[EverLosing]

Re: Back Climbing The Rungs Again

You're doing great!!

OWL is certainly harder and teaches us way more than induction ever did!

I know what you mean about squeezing in enough carbs. There are some days I can't seem to get it right but I have figured out those are the days I'm too worn out to move by the time I get home from work. My lazy nights sometimes lead to not enough OWL level carbs.

I have found keeping higher carb items prepared and in the fridge helps with that. I either grab spaghetti squash and some butter or make some pumpkin concoction to up my carbs if I need to. I don't lose or feel great if I'm not eating enough carbs now! Whodathunk that??

[gonnabskinny]

Re: Back Climbing The Rungs Again

Had a very successful week this week. Was a little worried about going up a rung, since I had no weight loss from the week before, but figured it was just a temporary stall and I was correct. This past week I lost 4 more lbs and today I am moving up to rung 3. Already measured out some almonds to take to work with me as a mid afternoon snack.

[Elizellen]

Re: Back Climbing The Rungs Again

It looks as if you are doing great, Don
Keep up the good work
And thank you for recording your progress in this thread. I am sure it will help many other members to read bout how you are negotiating the OWL carb ladder..

[gonnabskinny]

Re: Back Climbing The Rungs Again

Thanks Everlosing and Elizellen!

The one word of advise that I would give to those that are reluctant to move from Induction to OWL, is that it the best decision that they can possibly make. Don't be afraid. You will continue to lose weight and in many cases, it will even push you into a completely higher gear! Induction is the easiest part of doing Atkins. OWL is where you really start to learn! Think of it this way. With induction you got on the bike and started on your journey, but with OWL the training wheels come off and you learn how to make your own way!

[Elizellen]

Re: Back Climbing The Rungs Again

Think of it this way. With induction you got on the bike and started on your journey, but with OWL the training wheels come off and you learn how to make your own way!

Great analogy, Don!

[Kntrylady]

Re: Back Climbing The Rungs Again

Don, thank you so much for posting this and including the link for your last journey through the rungs. I'm sorry you slipped and have to go through this again. But for selfish reasons, I'm not By reading how you went through the rungs, and how the changes affected you it is giving me the courage to start moving past OWL 1 (next week after I go shopping). Best wishes on your continuing journey.

[gonnabskinny]

Re: Back Climbing The Rungs Again

Don, thank you so much for posting this and including the link for your last journey through the rungs. I'm sorry you slipped and have to go through this again. But for selfish reasons, I'm not By reading how you went through the rungs, and how the changes affected you it is giving me the courage to start moving past OWL 1 (next week after I go shopping). Best wishes on your continuing journey.

You are welcome. Glad I could help. Re-reading what I did before helped me as well. I needed the encouragement to keep going. Knowing what I did right before, helped me to realize that I could do it again.

So far, so good. "Official" weigh in is tomorrow, but did get a sneak peek at the scale. Down 2 so far this week, which gives me a grand total of 25 so far since starting back on the road on 11/1/09.

Tomorrow I move up to rung 4 and berries. Had to be especially careful on this rung to measure accurately. No more that 1 oz of nuts for me, otherwise they would be my downfall.

[gonnabskinny]

Re: Back Climbing The Rungs Again

Moved on to rung 4 and loving having the berries. Easier to eat my cottage cheese and greek yogurt with berries in it. Think I will try a cantaloupe this week as well. No effects so far and am taking it off a little slower this time, but that is fine by me.

Next week I can finally have that glass of wine. If I thought I had to be careful with nuts, then this is where I can really blow it! Got to measure for sure.

[goin2befit]

Re: Back Climbing The Rungs Again

Your doing great. Just keep it up... slow and steady, learning more and more as we go!!!

[gonnabskinny]

Re: Back Climbing The Rungs Again

Was sick part of the week last week and actually gained a couple of pounds back. Back on track this week and moved up to Rung 6. Had a glass of soy milk today. About the only thing on that rung that appeals to me. Usually, I use the soy milk in my cereal, but that will come later.

[gonnabskinny]

Re: Back Climbing The Rungs Again

Down a couple of more pounds and that in spite of it being Christmas. Made Low Carb Pumpkin Pie and it was delicious. Even got used to having the soy milk plain. Not as bad as I thought. Now adding fruit back in. This week will be a little tough, since we are heading down to Austin to meet some friends for New Years.