cheating to kick-start things?

[dimar97]

I have heard the theory in low fat / low cal dieting that every now and then you should cheat – eat a couple high cal meals to “bump up your metabolism”. Now I don't even know if that is true for that kind of dieting (WOE) but my husb believes this also applies to low carb eating (as he seems to lose weight a few days after he cheats). I have been stuck at my current weight for probably 3 weeks now – I can’t even remember. I know this is not a true STALL (but it is getting close!). I have made all kinds of adjustments trying to get things moving with no luck yet. I actually feel ok about things despite not having any new losses. I'm trying to stay positive and optimistic that sooner or later it will just "kick in". I'm not even really inclined to cheat to be honest, but I am wondering does anyone have an opinion about (or experience with) this theory?

[*Emma*]

Re: cheating to kick-start things?

Have you been on the nuts rung for those 3 weeks? it could be those, also it could mean you have met your CCLL, are you checking things out on fitday?

If i cheat, i gain, and it also takes my body 4 more days to get back in to ketosis, im not wasting anymore "5 days" by cheating, no way!

[sadie147]

Re: cheating to kick-start things?

Since you have only 11 lbsleft to lose, the weight is going to come off slowly. And as emma said, it could be you reached your ccll, or perhaps nuts aren't agreeing withyou? Have you tried cutting them out to see what happens? Nuts are a very difficult rung for many people as they can have problems with portion control.

Also try upping your exercise, that could help.

[elsy]

Re: cheating to kick-start things?

I feel the need to add on to the subject of cheating, not that I have. Thank God, I have been following the plan since I started. But.........

what happend when you do cheat?

Does this mean you have to start on Induction 2 weeks all over again and then go up the Rungs all over again?

Just curious

[dimar97]

Re: cheating to kick-start things?

I am not eating a lot of nuts or pb. In fact, I am not eating any nuts at all as I seem to have no resistance to them! Just Adams pb and only a little at a time - I mix some in a shake, a little with some celery or just have a teaspoon from the jar. I have actually cut down my calories bc I found that I was eating alot more than I was hungry for simply out of habit - so now I am just eating when I am actually hungry - and drinking water BEFORE I eat. I am better at hydrating myself than even when I was pregnant!!! Only coffee or diet pop as an occasional "treat". My cravings are much better too. its been a couple days of this so I will see how it goes. I was just curious...

[*Emma*]

Re: cheating to kick-start things?

I feel the need to add on to the subject of cheating, not that I have. Thank God, I have been following the plan since I started. But.........


what happend when you do cheat?

Does this mean you have to start on Induction 2 weeks all over again and then go up the Rungs all over again?

Just curious

No. Youd get back on where you fell off, but i wouldnt bother, its really not worth it!

the last time i cheated i gained around 10 pounds and i didnt cheat very much!!! its takin its time comin off grrrrrrr!

[julirama723]

Re: cheating to kick-start things?

Perhaps you could try cutting out the diet soda and coffee--those are known stallers for many people.

What kind of "shake" are you drinking?

How many calories are you actually eating? If you eat too few, your body can go into starvation mode.

Elsy--no you don't have to go back to induction, unless you're ON induction. Too many people go back to induction when they don't have to. You have a few options: 1) you can drop down to a lower rung, and work up again; 2) if you've found your CCLL, you can drop 5g below that; 3) you can stay on your current rung and drop down in carbs (5g or 10g lower) temporarily.

[elsy]

Re: cheating to kick-start things?

Great explanation Julie. Thanks. All along I thought you had to start from scratch. And NO, I'm not planning to cheat. No way! After all that hard work, it's not worth it.

[elsy]

Re: cheating to kick-start things?

Emma, when you cheated did you stay off for a long time? Wow! 10 lbs is sooo hard to lose. You're right, I can't imagine now gaining them back.

[dimar97]

Re: cheating to kick-start things?

sadie,
if you don't mind my asking - how long did it take you? I see you and I have similar stats. it seems crazy to take months to drop 6-10 pounds! (and not fair!) I'd be happy at 120 - truly I would (maybe I should change my goal... I think I would be too thin (is that possible) at 115 but it seems like I will never know at this rate!!! lol

[julirama723]

Re: cheating to kick-start things?

di, if this helps you, I have about 25 pounds left to lose, and lately I've been losing about 5 pounds a month. Sure, I started out losing 12 or 10 pounds a month when I began OWL, but this process is INTENDED to slow weight loss very gradually. The slower you lose, the more likely you are to keep it off. In fact, during pre-maintenance, your weight loss should almost be imperceptable, perhaps 1/2 pound per week, if that. It's recommended when you're about 5 pounds from goal to move to pre-maintenance, and it should take months to reach goal.

I know my weight loss will slow even more--for me, it's not about POUNDS anymore. It's about how I feel, how healthy I'm becoming, and not feeling deprived. I'm able to do things I'd never dreamed of, I don't have migraines anymore, and my horrible mood swings are gone. I've also reduced my risk of diabetes tremendously.

It's not about losing pounds. It's about being healthy. If you feel healthy at 120, go for 120. It's not a race, the weight will come off eventually.

[dimar97]

Re: cheating to kick-start things?

julie,
to reply to your other post-
I only have coffee or diet pop every now and then - certainly not every day and only one of one or the other... for whatever that is worth. But I can't seem do drop them ALTOGETHER just yet... I need to drink SOMETHING besdies water every now and then!
not sure how many calories a day to be honest but I do EAT!

usually a shake (see below) or a piece of sausage quiche in the am
chicken/tuna salad with mayo or hamburger florentine scramble (from Linda's low carb website recipe) for lunch with celery
salad and "meat" entree for dinner
strawberries and cream for dessert (small dessert cup size only)

my shakes are as follows:
2-3 oz cream cheese
1/4 cup cream
1/2 cup egg beaters
1 scoop zero carb vanilla protein powder
1-2 tbsp Adams pb
1-2 tbsp flax seed meal
2 tbs Davinci (french vanilla)
enough water to rinse out the measuring cup
and a full tray of ice cubes
its DELISH, fills me for a loooong time and no cravings!

I know I am l a little bit leaner at least, I haven't measured in a long time but TOM is coming so I think I will just wait till after I wish I didn't rely so heavily on that reinforcement from the scale.....

[julirama723]

Re: cheating to kick-start things?

I'm glad to see you're making your own shakes! For a minute I thought you were drinking Atkins shakes. <gasp>

Count carbs in EVERYTHING. My vanilla protein powder has 1g carbs. Even if it's sweetened, you have to count it as 1g, or 1 sweetener serving. I will say I haven't noticed it stalls me at all, but a lot of people have problems with protein powder. An alternative that won't cause stalls is to use silken tofu--it makes the shakes very creamy, and it's all-natural. It might even be a little bit cheaper.

Are you on rung 3 or 4?

[dimar97]

Re: cheating to kick-start things?

I guess I need to update my signature - I started berries
should I have not done that seeing that I am not losing? I guess I could give them back up.
I don't make the shakes every day but probably 3-4 times a week for breakfast. I will check out the tofu (I've been meaning to anyways)
The longer I do this the better I understand the subtle differences small changes can make. But I have a long way to go to total enlightenment!
my DH has been saying I look good and he can see the difference and I know I am small to begin with so I should be happy. I know slow means safe and I can tell I am losing fat as my muscles are a little more defined (not cut by any means but getting there...) I work out so I know I am building muscle too
but that damn scale!!!!!

[sadie147]

Re: cheating to kick-start things?

In total it took me 10 months to lose the 25 lbs...those last few pounds seemed to take forever. But in all the different diet plans i've tried over the years, ive NEVER reached goal before this. Moving to OWL stopped a 2 month long stall for me, i stayed in extended induction too long. I know 10 months may seem like a long time, but i learned how to eat properly, and I've been eating this way now for 3 years, it's second nature to me. I went from the 'i'm on a diet' mentality, to teh way of eating for life mentality. I tried not to have deadlines and just let my weightloss take care of itself. and i'm far healthier than i ever was before. If i'd stayed with my 'diet' mentality , it's really unlikely i'd be where I am now. When you have less to lose, it's natuarally going to be slower....