Start with OWL

[marlakay]

I only need to lose about 15 pounds and am having trouble on the induction phase. I wondered if it would be possible to start in the OWL phase with some added physical exercise to lose the weight. I just get bored with induction phase restrictions and wind up blowing the diet because of it. Do you have any recommendations or advice?

[msanjelpie]

Would moving to OWL 1 with 5 extra carbs of veggies solve your problem?

[JulieB]

Can you do induction for 3 or 4 days? That might help you get into Ketosis faster. I don't see any reason why you couldn't start at Rung 1...but I'm not sure that Rung 1 is much easier/more exciting than induction...

Have you tried recipes? I live on them - have been for about 7 months. When I started I tried 2 or 3 new recipes every week. I still try a new one every now and then. Now I have a whole collection of ones that we really like - I don't find the food boring at all as long as I take the time/make the effort to make something I like. Linda's site is great...her Spinach Lasagne is one of my favorites: Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes

[atkinsgal08]

Yes, you can start with OWL.

[Georgiana]

Originally Posted by marlakay

I only need to lose about 15 pounds and am having trouble on the induction phase. I wondered if it would be possible to start in the OWL phase with some added physical exercise to lose the weight. I just get bored with induction phase restrictions and wind up blowing the diet because of it. Do you have any recommendations or advice?

You can start in OWL, imo.

[Elizellen]

As others have already said, starting in OWL might be the way to keep you interested and on plan.

If you feel that starting at the bottom of the carb ladder (rung one, more induction veggies) would still not be enough variety of foods to choose from you could try starting at premaintenance as suggested in Atkins for Life.

This is a different book by Dr Atkins, published a year or so after DANDR I think, which is aimed at those who have lost weight already with Atkins or have only a few pounds to lose and don't want to follow the 4 phases as in DANDR.

Here is a quote from it suggesting at what carb level to start.

BTW - ACE (Atkins Carbohydrate Equilibrium) means the same thing as what he called CCLM (Critical Carbohydrate Level for Maintainance)

Page 85-86 Atkins for Life
How to Find Your ACE
If you are new to Atkins, you probably haven't the foggiest idea of what your ACE is. Relax; it isn't that hard to figure out, although it may take you a few weeks to zero in on your individual threshold for carb consumption. If you do need to trim some pounds, it will take longer to find your ACE because you first have to establish how many Carbs you can eat while you lose your excess weight. In either case, we suggest you start at 60 grams of Net Carbs a day.
(Remember, if you have more than a few pounds to lose, however, you should begin with the Induction phase of Atkins.)
To lose weight: Start with 60 grams of Net Carbs a day. If you start to trim down at this level, gradually increase your intake in 5-gram increments so long as weight loss continues, Remember that the more slowly you lose, the more your new eating habits become ingrained and the more likely you are to keep the weight off. When you reach your goal weight and maintain it for at least a month at a consistent level of carb intake, you are at your ACE. However if you don't start losing after a week at 60 grams a day, drop down to 50 grams and see if that gets your fat-burning engine in gear.

To maintain weight: If you maintain your weight after eating 60 grams of Net Carbs a day for several days, try going to 70 grams. Keep inching up slowly so long as you do not gain weight. If you do put on a few pounds, back off 5 or 10 grams and you should have found your ACE. On the other hand, if you initially gain weight after a few days at 60 grams a day, cut back to 50 and see if you can maintain at that level. Continue to play with the number of carb grams until you are neither losing nor gaining. At that point you have found your ACE!

So you could include foods from most of the OWL rungs (only up to 10 net carbs from the higher ones I would suggest). But do make sure you get a copy of Atkins for Life or loan it from the library so you can work out what balance of the various OWL level foods to aim for in your daily menus.

[marlakay]

thanks for all the suggestions. Im on day 6 of induction phase after starting over. I haven't lost anything yet,so I think I'll stick to it. I will try some of the different recipes suggested. This time around I haven't gotten too board yet. It just seems to be taking so long to hit ketosis.When I did this diet in the past it seemed so quick.

[JulieB]

Originally Posted by marlakay

thanks for all the suggestions. Im on day 6 of induction phase after starting over. I haven't lost anything yet,so I think I'll stick to it. I will try some of the different recipes suggested. This time around I haven't gotten too board yet. It just seems to be taking so long to hit ketosis.When I did this diet in the past it seemed so quick.

It might be helpful for you to post a day or two's menus in the 'review my menu' forum...maybe someone could point out some things that could help you. Also, keep in mind that it is easier to lose weight when you are younger...and we're all getting older.