Ongoing Weight Loss Experiences

[Albnyc]

I'm in week 5 of this new, hopefully permanent effort. I'm down about 14 lbs, and experiencing considerable "shrinkage." Am maintaining a pretty low carb count, and expect that will be the approach, as it is easiest for me.

The question: what have others experienced in terms of weight loss as they progressed from induction into the ongoing phase?

I know "mileage may vary." I find comfort in knowing what others have experienced.

tx.

Al B

[SugarFluff]

My weight loss slowed to about half of my induction rate, and continued to get slower as I approached my CCL.

[NrgQuest]

I wish I could help, but I am working on this experimenting as I go along. I never in my life did LCing. I went from 500 or more grams of carb, down to 300, then drastically cut that down to well under 100. This week I have been down to less than 20 on most days. What I can tell you though is I have lost at least 6 lbs in the last three weeks and I lost 1" on my waist. Overall I have lost 10-14, not sure what my starting weight was when I went to 300 carbs.

[kidnj]

I followed the book. I did a perfect, clean induction for two weeks, lost ten pounds and then moved into OWL. From that point forward, I lost between 2-3 pounds per week for nine months and lost 96 pounds total in those nine months. I then went into both pre-maintenance and maintenance, but then chose to tailor my maintenance plan to my own plan, which is 100% gluten and soy free. I've kept the weight off, virtually effortlessly for four years, and thoroughly enjoy how I eat.

I hope this is helpful and encourages you to actually work the plan the way it was designed.

d.

[Albnyc]

I hope this ... encourages you to actually work the plan the way it was designed.

d.

I'm sorry, but leads you to make that statement? What gives you the impression that I am not following the plan?

[camaromom]

I'm sorry, but leads you to make that statement? What gives you the impression that I am not following the plan?

I'm sorrry I'm not the OP of the statement. . . but I took it to mean - that you should just read the book and follow the plan as written. Again, sorry, but I didn't get the feeling there was any insinuation there.

[Elizellen]

I'm sorry, but leads you to make that statement? What gives you the impression that I am not following the plan?
I am not the op you referred to but I would think from this phrase in your initial post
Am maintaining a pretty low carb count, and expect that will be the approach, as it is easiest for me. It made me assume that you were looking to not follow the phases of Atkins but keep your carbs lower than recommended. (shrug)

Anyway - congratulations on your progress so far :cheer: you have made a great start! :agree:

[kidnj]

I guess my tone is generally misconstrued here. From the way your original post reads, it sounds as if you have not yet ventured to OWL. You state you have been maintaining a "pretty low carb count" since beginning 5 weeks ago. You specifically asked how people have done in moving to the next step, which I took to mean that you have not yet moved on. If I offended your sensibitilities and did not correctly interpret your post, I offer my sincere apologies.

I assume you have read the book and you are aware of the recommended time frames for each phase of the diet, and as such will offer no further input.

Again, my apologies for having offended you.
d.

[Albnyc]

I don't think I have a think skin -- just a fat one -- but I do think everyone is reading waaaaay to much to much into original my post and my reply.

For the record -- not that it matters -- I am "on plan" and pleased with my results.

All I want(ed) to know is what people's experience has been among those who have been successful on the diet, following the rapid weight loss of induction.

Peace.

[HiDelight]

should we talk about OWL because honestly I would love to if anyone else wants to?

it is a very significant part of Atkins and I think it is the most overlooked misunderstood and there are even people who stay on induction until goal then wonder why they gain wt after they start eating the old way again?

so I am up for this topic because as good as it is to know this reenforcing it is even more important

everytime I feel myself slipping my biggest problem is wanting to go back to induction instead of just hanging in and progressing

I know better and refuse to do it, but the temptation to continue to limit my food intake to induction level carbs is really strong.

I want to live in this world not be diet exclusive so I figure OWL is the way to reenter!

[Albnyc]

I am game.

Since moving to OWL, my progress has been slooooow. I have been following "plan," but somewhat stalled. Lost my 1st pound in a week today, though continue to make progress in appearance and measurements, so progress is being made. Also, Ketotix say I am in moderate ketosis.

I am averaging 30-40 carbs per day -- all good ones -- and will keep in this range until the end of the month to see what happens.

[Elizellen]

What level/rung of OWL have you reached?

[HiDelight]

I am game.

Since moving to OWL, my progress has been slooooow. I have been following "plan," but somewhat stalled. Lost my 1st pound in a week today, though continue to make progress in appearance and measurements, so progress is being made. Also, Ketotix say I am in moderate ketosis.

I am averaging 30-40 carbs per day -- all good ones -- and will keep in this range until the end of the month to see what happens.

that sounds like me carb wise! I am a pound a month and was worried until yesterday when I slapped myself in the head

I want to do this right like I did before! Just the fact I can enjoy my food so much and have such a great variety with out gaining is a wonderful thing!

I have had a rough time with a bug but eating about the same (except I added some tofu here and there it is really helping my tummy I will drop it again after I feel better)

I am on the nut/seed rung but the first sign of a local grown (hopefully my own but they are kind of late ones) strawberry I am moving to berries and plan to follow the seasons this summer to the fall and maintenance (even if I loose the last ten sooner I feel so strongly about eating my way back to where i was before (in tune with myself what and when I could eat it) that I just want to do this the same way. Hardcore 2002 style :D

I feel badly for folks who "do Atkins" then only do induction.

really hard giving up a little fat and calories here and there to add stuff with out creating an eating monster :D I have found my hormones matter

[HiDelight]

btw albnyc I just realized your stats!

you have lost 15lbs in five weeks that is great you know!

3lbs a week is keeper weight!

[HiDelight]

What level/rung of OWL have you reached?

how about you? you have done an amazing job you know! :)

I have seen you all over the place and always been amazed at your progress

you are just such an inspiration! :wave:

[glendarc]

I pretty well went through all the rungs but, I have to say, some foods, regardless of the carb count (like grains), seem to have a different effect on my body than others (like berries). When I'm including berries and/or nuts I can usually eat in the vicinity of 50 - 60 carbs per day. If I have a bowl of oatmeal (1/4 cup raw rolled oats to 1/2+ cup of water) or a slice of whole-grain toast with sugar-free marmalade, then I'd better lower that day's carbs pretty drastically!

Even after several years at maintenance, it's still a learning experience. At this stage I weigh in whenever I remember to take my glasses upstairs when I go to bed so I can weigh first thing and actually see the number on the scale! The joys of being a very senior citizen.

[Albnyc]

btw albnyc I just realized your stats!

you have lost 15lbs in five weeks that is great you know!

3lbs a week is keeper weight!

Thanks and, again, I am not complaining...just wondering the "range" of experiences.

I seem to be tolerating nuts and berries ok, but not yogurt or wheat of any kind. Its all an experiment/

I feel great, look immeasurably better already, and will keep this WOE going.

[HiDelight]

Glendarc I have glasses every freaking place and now have three Rx's I am in the inbetween stage argh I hate that our body's betray us!

Albny I see no complaints I think you are going great!

I am so glad I can eat yogurt because next to eggs it really is comfort food for me! especially FAGE I get shakey when I run low on it because it is what keeps me sane when I get the food YA YAS! that and distraction

oh I have a question you guys! I can not seem to get an answer what do you call chocolate ..real unsweetened chocolate? not cocoa powder ( I call that a spice and used it from the very start) is chocolate a nut or a bean to you? for me I called it a nut because really I love and wanted to make chicken mole before I got to the legume rung! but really what do you think it is I have not really noticed in the book and I am rereading it now but am not to that point

oh and for breakfast if you do eat yogurt

try this
melt 1/2 oz of bitter chocolate with a little butter then add some mashed brazil nuts and fresh rough grated ginger stir in 1/2 cup of Fage or other full fat Greek yogurt, sweeten with whatever to taste

oh my God and keeps me full until noon!

you can also add thin sliced bulb fennel to the fage with almonds and sweetener and it is is very good!

[Judynyc]

I'm sorry, but leads you to make that statement? What gives you the impression that I am not following the plan?

IMO, it was this statement that you wrote:

Am maintaining a pretty low carb count, and expect that will be the approach, as it is easiest for me.

The question: what have others experienced in terms of weight loss as they progressed from induction into the ongoing phase?

kidnj gave you very sage words about following the plan as it is written...meaning using all the phases of the plan to achieve your goal weight and then maintain. :idea:

I've been here for almost 5 years now and have seen many who chose to stay at Induction levels...most do not achieve long term success. So yes, it is a YMMV kind of thing. She has had long term maintenance success so her words have more credibility, in my NSH opinion. ;)

I used South Beach to lose my weight ....I did not have to keep my carbs so low to make it happen...it worked for me. What I can tell you is that by using all the phases of the plan, I learned tools for managing my weight now, 3 years later. I've lost a total of 124 lbs and I float between the phases of my plan to manage my weight. If I never used all the phases, I would have no frame of reference of how to eat to manage my weight. :idea:

I wish you success! :thup:

[HiDelight]

ok one last thought on this for the weekend then I am going to spend time on body and mind
I am a 2002 purist at heart
but this time
I am going to be a rebel and make my own rung OWL! since I have done this before and know that I have to wait for things like plantains and yucca, orange sweet potatoes, yams, even taro root until I am just about or even at goal . So instead of booze this time (I can drink when I get my weight/health/heart settled !right now I do not want to waste time on that and just have some nuroushing foods! So I am going to be wild and out of control by making purple yams, carrots and squash my rung 5! These were never trigger foods for me at all and I could enjoy them in moderation and not feel like I would plummet in to a case of the munchies. I actually was able to satisfy my sweet tooth and cut AS completely when I added these! call me crazy but I want to do this! My carrots are going to be ready when I run out of berries to add and before melons come in season and I want to be prepared!

ok off to garden planning nirvana

I hope we can keep this topic going! thanks :D

[Judynyc]

I am going to be a rebel and make my own rung OWL! since I have done this before and know that I have to wait for things like plantains and yucca, orange sweet potatoes, yams, even taro root until I am just about or even at goal . So instead of booze this time (I can drink when I get my weight/health/heart settled !right now I do not want to waste time on that and just have some nuroushing foods! So I am going to be wild and out of control by making purple yams, carrots and squash my rung 5! These were never trigger foods for me at all and I could enjoy them in moderation and not feel like I would plummet in to a case of the munchies. I actually was able to satisfy my sweet tooth and cut AS completely when I added these! call me crazy but I want to do this! My carrots are going to be ready when I run out of berries to add and before melons come in season and I want to be prepared!

:thup: :agree: Good for you!!
Being that you've had prior experience w/ OWL and found foods that you already know work for you, I totally support you in your choice to move onto other veggies. Great idea!! :idea:

In my experience, this is what makes for successful low carb weight loss....designing a food plan to make it wide and varied and keep us happy with our food long after we each goal. :cool:

[HiDelight]

thanks Judynyc

so how are you guys doing OWL wise?

I am so looking forward to berry season!

right now I am avoiding all baking or sweets I am not in a great place so anything that dose not just have a hint of sweet will make me crave. I will just hold off until I feel better/stronger in life and the moon moves into a different place..then I can bake again.
But for right now no sweets at all (except in my breakfast smoothies)

for breakfast lately I have been making vegetable smoothies made with things like avocados, pumpkin, spinach, zuchinni and rhubarb
3 eggs in a blender a splash of cream or coconut milk, ice and a cup of fresh vegetables (I dont measure it is really just a big handful) half a lime squeezed in a dash of stevia

sounds gross to put vegetables in the blender (maybe to some?) but tastes great, takes a few seconds to make, I can have it in the car on the way to work and keeps me until noon

what do you guys eat on OWL for breakfasts in a hurry still eggs?

mostly mine are smoothies, big eggy breakfasts or Fage total with grated ginger and pecans (or leftovers from the night before)