Well I am now on day 16 on the Atkins plan and considering moving on to OWL. I have yet to weigh myself and will not do so until I have been on for 30 days. I bought some KetoStix yesterday and tested myself this morning. I was off the scale on the high side so that combined with the fact that my clothes are fitting better and my watch is looser lets me know I am doing the right things.

My question is, can I go ahead and add 5g a week and use the KetoStix to gauge my progress? In other words, add 5g a week and as soon as I am no longer in ketosis fall back a level?

Thanks!

Way to Go FG!! I am so pround that you stuck it out! I think you will be so surprised and excited when you do step on that scale! I would start adding in 5 carbs a week. Good carbs like more veggies, nuts or berries. just be careful to measure and count everything that crosses your lips. In the beginning of OWL, it is easy to think you're only upping your carbs by 5 and really it's 15 or 20! And by the way, lucky you that the Ketostix are working, but don't be discouraged if they don't show that you are in ketosis. When I was on induction they showed purple. After induction (when I began to step up my water intake) they barely show a trace and that is only at certain times of the day so be careful. Use your body's signals to judge. One more thing, it also helps (me) to mix it up a little. Add 5 carbs one day then take them back for a day or two. This keeps MY body from getting bored. But you have to decide what works for you! Whew! I know you only had one question but these are things I wish I knew before I started OWL! I'm so happy for you and keep up the good work!

Crystal
202/178/140
I can feel it melting away!

Thanks Lilysmom!

I just checked with a stick again and after drinking about half a gallon of water already today I am still showing dark purple so I must be really shedding some ketones! Thankfully my breath has not been bad at all.

last night I changed my menu a bit and added something I had not for the last two weeks. I found some frozen hot wings that are ready to go and only 1g carbs per serving. Of course their idea of a serving is a bit different than mine (4 wings). So I ate 16 wings and could not believe that was only 4g of carbs.

All through induction I honestly had a somewhat tough time getting my carbs to 20g. I found myself eating a carrot or whole cucumber to make up the extra. I think tonight I will stop and get some rasberries or strawberries.

Are there fruits other than berries that are acceptable? I would love to have an orange...or a pear

Hello

I just wanted to ask u if u noticed any difference in the way your clothing fit yet??

Yup I am.

My pants used to be really tight in the morning (before they had a chance to stretch out) and now they are only tight :P

I have started using a previously unused hole in my belt and my watch is definitely looser on my wrist.

... that's great... Keep up the good work

I can't wait to post my success story

FG
If you add in the 5 grams of carbs per day per week for 2 weeks I don't think you'll go wrong. The stix will be your only gauge until you weigh-in. Almost every man On this woe has a CCLL above 30, mine is about 40. so I wouldn't worry. Sounds like you're doing fine.
Rob

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Are there fruits other than berries that are acceptable? I would love to have an orange...or a pear<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

FG,

i think the orange may just be too high right now. At least the pear has fiber, but a whole pear may be too high in carbs for the stage you are in.

have you used the USDA nutritional values site yet? it's great for carb counts.

for now... i'd stick to berries. They are very high in antioxidants and have a good amount of fiber... try them with cream or H&H for a dessert

Terese
LCE Member since 12/00
My LC web site

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Fatguy:
My question is, can I go ahead and add 5g a week and use the KetoStix to gauge my progress? In other words, add 5g a week and as soon as I am no longer in ketosis fall back a level?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes, that's exactly the way OWL worked in the older version of Atkins. I think it's a superior way but people differ on this and that's fine.

I would avoid pears and oranges right now. You can have cantaloupe and honeydew melons. Avoid Watermelon, very high glycemic effect. I have had homemade icecream with cantaloupe. Very decadent tasting, YUM, YUM.

You are doing GREAT!!!! How's the rest of the family doing. Did any of them stick with it with you?



Barb
Atkins-3/14/03
174/149.4/135
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."

My sister in law dropped out early (she hates eating red meat) but the rest have stuck with it and are pretty happy.

I love honeydew!! Wahoo!!