Need advice: Continue Induction or OWL?

[Chandler]

I have completed 2 1/2 weeks of induction. I went a couple of extra days b/c I did not see the results I expected. This is my 2nd go-around (the first was 7 years ago). I don't weigh myself but I do use Ketostix. I measure my weight loss by my clothes fit. I know after this induction phase I did not lose any real weight/inches: maybe 2-3lbs. The Ketostix showed trace or small a couple of times but most days negative. I think I may have not been perfect based on the beverages I consumed: lots of Splenda-sweetened 4C iced tea. This may have added as much as 15-25 carbs per day. Would this have that much of an effect?

So do I continue with induction or do I move onto OWL?

Any help is appreciated as I am feeling down about the lat 2 weeks.

[Suzanne_H]

Re: Need advice: Continue Induction or OWL?

Well I hate to tell you this, but some folks find that caffiene stalls weight loss in Atkins. Also, you'll want to count the carbs in your sweetener as well as your iced tea. It's possible you were, as you said, not under the 20 carb a day limit. I had a similar issue with coffee. Turns out I didn't have to give up coffee altogether, just limit the amount. Actually I have a LOT more energy now on Atkins, so I don't really need the coffee as much to boost my morning.

Personally, I'd try it again and enter your foods, beverages, anything going in your belly on FitDay.com. It's free of charge and very accurate. In this manner you could still have *some* iced tea (limit to three servings of sweetener a day) and still track to see that most of the 20 carbs comes from your veggies. I bet you get into ketosis and experience the weight loss you seek.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Need advice: Continue Induction or OWL?

>>b/c I did not see the results I expected.>>

That's not one of the criteria that Dr. Atkins ever mentions!

>>The Ketostix showed trace or small a couple of times but most days negative.>>

They're not a reliable tool for anything ... other than showing you have good hand-eye coordination. You can be in ketosis and never change the sticks. You can change the sticks but not be doing Atkins right. They're not a predictor of weight loss.

>>I may have not been perfect based on the beverages I consumed: lots of Splenda-sweetened 4C iced tea.>>

That's going over the limit of 3 servings of sweeteners per day.

>>This may have added as much as 15-25 carbs per day.>>

How do you figure that?

Each 8 ounces of brewed tea is 0.7 net carbs. A packet of Splenda is .9 net carbs. What exactly was your iced tea made with?

>>I am feeling down about the lat 2 weeks.>>

Well, that's not really productive.

What you can do is clean up what you're doing that you shouldn't be doing ... and forge ahead.

I would recommend OWL ... cleaned up, of course!