All right everyone - been here 2 1/2 months, and this whole time I have been sticking pretty much to induction level eating. In this period, I've lost 12 pounds - basically all in the first month (I've lost several inches and continue to lose those). After a big bad bout with the stomach flu over the weekend, I got on the scales this morning, hoping to see that two days without eating much might have caused a drop, but alas, I'm still stuck. So, I'm getting over my stubbornness and decided that most likely what I need to do is move on to higher levels of carbs. I'm also incorporating exercise but that's not the topic of this post. I've read the sticky about fear of OWL and while the information in there is very encouraging, I have to admit, I'm scared of upping my carbs with no result or, worse, some of the weight coming back. So, I'm reluctanctly giving this a try, but I'm scared. Any words of wisdom/encouragement/slaps to the back of my head? LOL

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Eddie
President and Founder of the Intergalactic Order of Brussels Sprouts Haters

Well, Eddie, here's the deal: one of the quirks of low carbing is that eventually, you hit a stall. Not everyone does, but most, and usually in the first couple of months or so. There are lots of theories as to why; the usual ones are that your body is readjusting itself, or the increase in your protein intake has caused an increase in muscle (which weighs more than fat so you look smaller but weigh the same). Or, you need to decrease your portions to adjust to your lower weight; which personally I don't agree with until you have lost a good bit of weight. Take your pick.
The bottom line here, is that you are getting smaller, and that is the big idea, right? Personally, I feel the number on the scale is just a number, nothing more, and it's how a person looks that matters. I know a guy who you would swear weighs about 175, and the other day he told me he weighs 210. I couldn't believe it. I'm sure that according to the weight charts he is overweight, but I'm telling you, he looks fit and fine. What I'm getting at here in my own roundabout way, is that as long as you are losing inches, don't worry about the scale.
Be sure, though, to increase your carbs in increments of five per week, and add foods one at a time. It sounds like a lot of fuss, but it is the best way to find out what you can add safely, and what you just can't eat and not stall. It's different for everyone; I cannot eat much wheat bran or aspartame, or I gain. But cheese...I can eat all I want and it just doesn't stall me a bit. Other people are the opposite. For some it's nuts, others sweeteners, etc. This part of the journey is where you discover this stuff, and it is not only interesting, but vital information for your ongoing lifestyle.
You really have done well so far, Eddie, and you know so much now about what to eat and what to avoid, and you are SO on your way, that I just know you will do fine. It can be scary, and those of us who have been at this a while know that and have been there. Just take it easy, do it smart and you'll do great.
And exercise...I can say with all honesty that I HATE IT. But, we hated giving up bread and we hated giving up cigarettes, and we feel better now that we have and we realize now that doing it wasn't so bad after all; so..you see where I'm going with this, right? Yeah. You just have to start slow there, too. If you take too much on too soon, it's horrible and you quit, if you are anything like me (and you know you are). Take baby steps here, too and you will be the Fearless Leader I know and love.

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Trina

Vice-President of the Intergalactic Order of Brussels Sprouts Haters

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Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Eddie, remember that this is not a race, despite how much we may want to lose weight quickly. It is easy to attach labels to things. However, if you are still losing inches, you are not in a stall. You must go at least a month without losing weight or inches before you begin thinking about being in a "stall". I cannot tell from your post if you are actually in a "stall" or not. However, because I had over a hundred pounds I wanted to lose, I elected to stay at the induction level of carbs for 9 months. In that period, I had a couple of 2-3 week periods where I did not lose weight. Towards the end of that 9 month period I also had a 6 week period that qualified as a "stall". However, I stayed with the program and eventually began losing weight again. I did not want to move into OWL while I was in a stall because I would have no way of determining the effect of the carb increases on my weight loss as I tried to establish my CCCL. Remember, that is the one of the main objectives of OWL. If you want to move on to OWL, for whatever reason, if you really are in a "stall" I suggest that you wait until you break the "stall" before moving on. HTH

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Henry

ed-listen, we all worry that our magic is gonna quit working. i think it's par for the course if you've had long-term struggles with weight, you know? it's part and parcel of learning to trust that taking care of your body will pay off, and does continue to pay off. it does, as long as you keep on it.

i got the impression you're continuing to lose inches, which is great. (and the folks are right: you're not stalled if you're getting smaller, man.) i know we fixate on that dang scale, but it's just not the utlimate word on progress. the scale is best seen as one of many indicators of progress, not to be mistaken for the actual progress, which is getting healthier and feeling better.

i'm always excited to see somebody move on to owl because as far as i'm concerned, owl is by far the most important part of atkins! owl is like taking a class called "my body, 101." it's where the real change happens. owl is where you learn to function with fewer restrictions and hence make lc just the way you eat. owl is where you make this your own, through and through. you're graduating from induction and starting the rest of your lc life. a well-managed owl is your promise of keeping the weight off. what's not to love about that?

and of course trina is right: you do this long enough, there will be times, whatever phase you're in, that the losses will pause. sometimes, a while, for that matter. but that doesn't mean you're not doing what you need to do. unfortunately, bodies can be slightly contrary, and it takes patience. don't let that distract you. having lots of ways to measure progress, like inches, the way your clothing fits, and the way you feel--helps a lot.

and since you're doing this slow and easy, 5 carbs at a time, it's less of a change than you might think. it's gradual, which helps.

i believe you're absolutely making the right decision, and that your focus and dedication will continue to pay off. and besides: you've got world class support and help around here if something seems amiss. with a great attitude and great support, how could a guy go wrong?

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EatSmart Nutritional Scale Review

Aside to Barb: Yeah, I thought so, too, but if I eat too much of it, I stall and get tummy troubles. I'm not sure why, and I can eat it, I just have to take it easy. Aspartame is the same for me; only it also triggers migraines.
I think you may be right about the wheat allergy. I do sometimes substitute oat bran in my Maggie's cereal, but it is higher in carbs, so I keep it to a minimum.

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Trina

Vice-President of the Intergalactic Order of Brussels Sprouts Haters

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Trina, I've made the cereal without the bran, and it's ok. Just the protein powder and the flax. I like to put maple flavoring in it, too. Remember Maypo? (Are you old enough to remember Maypo?) I've been making the cereal for several years before I heard of Maggie's, and never put bran in.

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Nita

Yep, Nita, I am old enough to remember Maypo...I remember Howdy Doody! *sigh*
And I remember really liking it. I do have some whey protein powder, and some sf maple syrup...maybe tomorrow morning, I'll have lc Maypo! :fork:

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Trina

Vice-President of the Intergalactic Order of Brussels Sprouts Haters

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You can do it, Effie!!! I'm thinking about starting a challenge that is just for exercise around the end of April. I need something where I'm accountable for a certain amount of exercise up front so that I don't blow it. I'm great about not cheating, but the exercise thing is a whole other ballgame!

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Katie
275/238/150
Restarted 01/08/2007
37 pounds lost!
http://justanotherfatgirl.blogspot.com