The OWL Phase Of The Atkins Diet Articles | Weight Loss

By: Darren Williger

The Ongoing Weight Loss (OWL) is the second phase of the Atkins diet, immediately following the induction phase. During this phase, you will find that the weight loss is decelerating by a marginal amount. This is an easier phase than the induction phase because during this phase, some select carbohydrates will be reintroduced into the diet. The weight loss will occur, but not as rapidly as in the induction phase. But the weight loss will be steady.

The OWL phase is the period when the body's ability to metabolize the fats increases. Though there are some carbohydrates that will be reintroduced into the diet, the ketosis will still occur. The extra fats will be used to provide energy to the body and that will help to reduce the extra weight of the body.

Not only do you reenter carbohydrates into your diet during the OWL phase, but you will also learn to make some choices. There are some rules set up for the recipes that can be consumed during OWL, and that will permit you to have some delicious food. During this phase, you will make some better carbohydrate choices, replacing the poor ones you used to consume before.

One of the important things people learn when they are in the OWL phase is that they can consume some carbohydrates and still lose weight. This is what you will be doing; finding out the optimum level where your body can consume carbohydrates without gaining weight. During the induction, the allowable carbohydrate amount is 20 grams; during the OWL phase you will learn to gradually increase from that level.

The program following the OWL phase is the maintenance phase. This is when you continue the habits you inculcate during the OWL. The maintenance phase is what maintains the lifetime healthy condition in your body, but you need to understand that the OWL phase is the real test.

When you are in the OWL phase, most of your carbohydrates will be consumed through vegetables. It is certainly important to consume a variety of vegetables which is good for intestinal health apart from assisting in the weight loss. As the program continues, you can add to the amount of carbohydrates in the Atkins diet. Gradually, you will also be able to incorporate nuts, seeds and some berries. Despite all these additions, the main focus of the diet will still be on proteins.

It is not wrong to say that the induction phase is far simpler than other phases in the Atkins diet. Though a bit strict, it is easy to follow and you can actually see the weight loss occurring from your body. There is laxity in the OWL phase, but that means you will have to be more cautious about the number of carbohydrates you are taking in. You will have to make judicious choices of food or there could be a weight gain instead of a weight loss.

One of the important things you will need to do is to count the carbohydrate grams in your diet. Without measuring these, you might be introducing more carbohydrates into your body than necessary. There are many methods in which you can count your carbohydrates. You can do it through books that mention the amount of carbohydrates in each food. This is a method of learning; with time, you will know these counts by-heart.

Counting carbohydrates is a method of finding the optimal level of carbohydrates your body can take in. The first week of OWL sees an improvement of your carbohydrate level from 20 grams to 25 grams and later to 30 grams per day even. These can come through vegetables.

You will have to constantly monitor your weight. If your weight loss becomes too slow, you will have to lessen the amount of carbohydrates you take in. Investigate your own acceptable carbohydrate level this way.