Moving to OWL - Stalled

[Strmtrper6]

Hey all,

I am just curious about if I should move to OWL or stay on induction.

All of a sudden my test strips(I know it isn't concrete) are showing no ketones. Also, my breathe and breathing are back to normal and as is the scent of my....well, you know.

Would I be able to tell if I was out of ketosis any other ways? I am not hungry or fiending for carbs.

I'm thinking my body has just adjusted and I shouldn't worry and move into OWL.

I see that the best way is to just make sure I am still losing weight but I am already rather low on body fat. I am worried that in OWL I will not notice when I hit my CCL without more concrete signs.

Will I gain a hunger if I slipped too far?

I have been very careful with my carbs. If I had some sugar or wheat accidentally wouldn't I have some other signs? I assume I have to be burning fat as there would definitely not be enough carbs to burn in my system.

I guess burning muscle would be my main worry as I have been exercising a lot this year and I don't want to lose what I have been working so hard for...

Any input would be great.

Sorry for the rant.

Thanks,
Aaron

[Sweet Strudel]

Originally Posted by Strmtrper6

I see that the best way is to just make sure I am still losing weight but I am already rather low on body fat.
Aaron

Hi Aaron...what really jumped out at me from you post was the quote above.

I'm wondering why you are still on induction when you are already low on body fat????

To answer your question, sometimes people find when they add extra carbs and move up the rungs of OWL they begin to lose weight again. Induction was not meant to be forever.

[not2late]

Originally Posted by Strmtrper6

Hey all,

I am just curious about if I should move to OWL or stay on induction.

All of a sudden my test strips(I know it isn't concrete) are showing no ketones. Also, my breathe and breathing are back to normal and as is the scent of my....well, you know.

Would I be able to tell if I was out of ketosis any other ways? I am not hungry or fiending for carbs.

If you're out of ketosis, then moving to OWL isn't going to help you.

I suggest you go over your menu carefully---amounts, brands of foods you are eating, etc. and make sure you ARE eating an Induction Menu. All too often, folks who stay on "Extended" Induction are really eating OWL Rung 1 or 2 because their measuring habits become shotty.

So go over everything.

I'm thinking my body has just adjusted and I shouldn't worry and move into OWL.

Fred Pescatore, MD was the associate director of the Atkins Center during the 1990s. In an interview he said he had dealt with plenty of patients whom Atkins stopped working because their bodies got used to the artificially low carb level they were consistently eating. This could be your problem as well. But again, carefully review your menu.

I see that the best way is to just make sure I am still losing weight but I am already rather low on body fat. I am worried that in OWL I will not notice when I hit my CCL without more concrete signs.

On OWL we don't rely on the ketostix because they stop registering if you are eating over 40-50 net carbs daily. So they are a useless tool.

Anyhow, you hit your CCLL when you stop losing weight. That's the most concrete sign there is.

Will I gain a hunger if I slipped too far?

You can regain your hunger and other blood sugar instability problems if you eat a food that you are sensitive to. I can't eat cantaloupes because even a small amount sets off cravings in me, though I can eat honeydew melons and watermelon without any problems at all.

[Strmtrper6]

I'm sorry for the confusion. I'm not on extended induction. My two weeks just ended yesterday. I was planning on moving as fast as I can through induction and OWL just to learn what my CCLL is so I can drop these last 15-20 lbs.

I'm not hungry so I guess I will just move into induction. I have a feeling my CCLL is high enough that 5 more carbs won't ruin it anyways. I will just move up and see what happens.

Thanks all.