TOM and Starving... anyone?

[Chihuahua Luvin Gurl]

I am due for my TOM in 8 days, I am completely starving and I can't seem to stay full for longer then 10 minutes... I am also SUPER emotional right now and crying over everything!!!! Does anyone else get this too???

Is there anything i can to to make it go away, its making me consume way too many calories and I feel like a complete pig! HELP!!!

[Georgiana]

Re: TOM and Starving... anyone?

I am due for my TOM in 8 days, I am completely starving and I can't seem to stay full for longer then 10 minutes... I am also SUPER emotional right now and crying over everything!!!! Does anyone else get this too???

Is there anything i can to to make it go away, its making me consume way too many calories and I feel like a complete pig! HELP!!!

For sugar cravings, Dr. Atkins recommended 500-1000 mg of L-glutamine before meals or/and when you exeperience cravings. If you are just hungry, i.e. as if you were not in ketosis (like you were before starting Atkins), then you should take 500 mg of L-phenylalanine or 500 mg of N-acetyl-L-tyrosine before meals.

A vitamin B complex will help with your mood. If you're interested, you can read more about this here: Psychology Today: Vitamins: Get Your Bs

I see there are a lot of processed foods in the menu you had yesterday (and was that chicken really breaded?!?! Because that's a no-no...). Try to avoid them around TOM, as they will only worsen water retention/bloating. Water, exercise, dietary fiber from vegetables and a multivitamin (check for fillers like corn starch or sugars before buying one) will help with PMS too.

Your FitDay menus look okay in terms of calories. I don't know your height, but your BMR must be over 3000 calories, I imagine. So 2700 is not bad. Of course, it depends how "fluffy" you are (i.e. how much of your weight is muscle and how much is fat), but 2700 is probably not too much.

What foods do you normally eat around TOM? Anything in particular or just... anything as long as it's in the fridge or on the plate? If there is any food you normally eat around this time, then we might be able to suggest a substitute to "trick" your brain.

By the way, how's your walking going?

[SunnySmile501]

Re: TOM and Starving... anyone?

It's your hormones. Estrogen and progesterone are produced and stored in fat tissue. When you start losing fat, the hormones go a little crazy. Estrogen lowers insulin and helps control hunger. Progesterone drops right before your period, which triggers cravings to eat, especially carbs. This, combined with normal hormone fluctuations, causes symptoms to be a little worse when you start to lose a lot of fat.

I always just kept lots of induction friendly foods around and ate to feed the cravings--as long as it was legal. I always found that it all evened out when TOM started because I lost my appetite for about three days.

[Chihuahua Luvin Gurl]

Re: TOM and Starving... anyone?

For sugar cravings, Dr. Atkins recommended 500-1000 mg of L-glutamine before meals or/and when you experience cravings. If you are just hungry, i.e. as if you were not in ketosis (like you were before starting Atkins), then you should take 500 mg of L-phenylalanine or 500 mg of N-acetyl-L-tyrosine before meals.

I am STARVING, like I can't eat enough! I don't have any particular cravings so to speak, except for cream cheese. All of a sudden I can't get enough! I haven't been in Ketosis since I started this 6 days ago!

I see there are a lot of processed foods in the menu you had yesterday (and was that chicken really breaded?!?! Because that's a no-no...). Try to avoid them around TOM, as they will only worsen water retention/bloating. Water, exercise, dietary fiber from vegetables and a multivitamin (check for fillers like corn starch or sugars before buying one) will help with PMS too.

No it wasn't breaded, it was chicken fried in butter which made a coating. As for the processed amount, I don't know what else to eat I am already sick of chicken and beef, I hate all fish!

Your FitDay menus look okay in terms of calories. I don't know your height, but your BMR must be over 3000 calories, I imagine. So 2700 is not bad. Of course, it depends how "fluffy" you are (i.e. how much of your weight is muscle and how much is fat), but 2700 is probably not too much.

I am 5'11 and 418 pounds.

What foods do you normally eat around TOM? Anything in particular or just... anything as long as it's in the fridge or on the plate? If there is any food you normally eat around this time, then we might be able to suggest a substitute to "trick" your brain.

Well since this is to be my first cycle while on Atkins, I don't know what foods are triggering anything. But before this, I gorged myself on chocolate, brownies and pasta when it was time for my period.

By the way, how's your walking going?

Its going fine, our chihuahua has now joined us as well.

I always just kept lots of induction friendly foods around and ate to feed the cravings--as long as it was legal. I always found that it all evened out when TOM started because I lost my appetite for about three days.

I can't wait until I am in Ketosis, I need this appetite to go away!!! Its making me crazy, and its not making this WOL any easier!

Thanks ladies for your replies, I just wish "Flo" would get here and leave already! I am so frustrated that I've been on this about a week now and I am no closer to losing weight then before I started!

[Georgiana]

Re: TOM and Starving... anyone?

I am STARVING, like I can't eat enough! I don't have any particular cravings so to speak, except for cream cheese. All of a sudden I can't get enough! I haven't been in Ketosis since I started this 6 days ago!

I can't wait until I am in Ketosis, I need this appetite to go away!!! Its making me crazy, and its not making this WOL any easier!

I normally don't recommend this, but here it goes: you should probably consider buying ketostix, so you can test if you are in ketosis or not. Just remember that if the color doesn't change, you might still be in ketosis. And similarly, just because the color changes, it doesn't matter you actually lose weight. But for most people, the color will change... and then at least you know you're burning fat for energy, whatever the source of that fat is.

No it wasn't breaded, it was chicken fried in butter which made a coating.

Then it is better to enter it as raw chicken and add the other ingredients separately, so that you know more accurately what you have been eating and in what amounts/percentages.

As for the processed amount, I don't know what else to eat I am already sick of chicken and beef, I hate all fish!

Pork? Turkey? Also try to cook chicken and beef differently, to jazz up your menus. For example, you can add chicken to a salad or to an omelet instead of eating it "whole". I'm pretty bad at cooking, but maybe someone else can give you more ideas here.

I am 5'11 and 418 pounds.

The BMR of a person with an average body composition at your height and weight is about 2700 calories. These are just calories your body needs to survive (theoretically, if you were in coma and hooked up on machines, you'd maintain eating at your BMR). I wouldn't worry about calories at this point. Don't pig out if possible, but don't obsess about them either.

Well since this is to be my first cycle while on Atkins, I don't know what foods are triggering anything. But before this, I gorged myself on chocolate, brownies and pasta when it was time for my period.

Cheese and chocolate are "happy" foods many of us crave around TOM.

Instead of chocolate, you can make 2big's chocolate blobs. The recipe makes 4 servings, but one serving should be enough to get that "soothing" effect. [The message: don't binge on them.] You can find the recipe at this link, as you go down the page: Atkins Diet Bulletin Board Newsletter

Instead of brownies, make mini quiches or muffins. Below are links to two recipes (they have cream cheese) and you can find more in the "Foods and Recipes" section of ADBB.

The links:

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/food-cooking-chat/5569-induction-breakfast-change.html

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/food-cooking-chat/50706-cream-cheese-muffins.html

Its going fine, our chihuahua has now joined us as well.

Awesome! Keeps your dog happy, and you and your husband healthier.

[Chihuahua Luvin Gurl]

Re: TOM and Starving... anyone?

Thank you for the links I will check them out! We will buy the Ketostix hopefully today. I pray that they change color.... I NEED that boost!

Your so helpful!

[not2late]

Re: TOM and Starving... anyone?

Do you dislike seafood like shrimp, crab and scallops? if not, then you can eat that to add interest to your meals.

In addition to the pork and turkey Geo. suggested, what about lamb or other types of meat, like venison or duck?

And of course, my favorite supper dish---eggs. I love omelettes for supper: they are so quick and easy. Plus you can add leftovers to them and have one-pot meals.

[Chihuahua Luvin Gurl]

Re: TOM and Starving... anyone?

I don't really like shrimp, I eat them occasionally but prefer them in marinara sauce and deep-fried... which is a no-no. I don't like any other sea food. I don't like pork, except for sausage, ham and bacon. I've never had lamb or duck but I do like venison. However its rather expensive here.

I've never been a big fan of eggs either, but we have had them every day for the last 2 weeks. I am really tired of them, we have made them every way you can make an egg and added all sorts of things to them. They have really become a gag-inducer! LOL

I can't stop craving cream cheese, though I have only had half a spoonful so far today. I want to eat the WHOLE darn brick!!!! Grrrr

[JulieB]

Re: TOM and Starving... anyone?

Perhaps you should avoid cream cheese altogether for a week or so...until things get a little easier. Such a strong food craving is ... lets just say ... bad.

Remember with the ketosticks (sp) that any colour change indicates ketosis, a darker colour likely means dehydration.

Why are you starving? Dr. Atkins said to eat when you are hungry. If you are truly hungry, eat some meat. There is no reason to starve on this WOE.

CLG - we're with you in this...I also believe that the best thing for you to do now is to find out if you are or are not in ketosis. Let us know & we'll help you out. There are a lot of smart, experienced people on this board that really want you to succeed.

[Chihuahua Luvin Gurl]

Re: TOM and Starving... anyone?

Perhaps you should avoid cream cheese altogether for a week or so...until things get a little easier. Such a strong food craving is ... lets just say ... bad. I am trying to resist!!!

Remember with the ketosticks (sp) that any colour change indicates ketosis, a darker colour likely means dehydration.

Why are you starving? Dr. Atkins said to eat when you are hungry. If you are truly hungry, eat some meat. There is no reason to starve on this WOE. I am starving because no matter how much I eat, I am starving before a half hour is up. If I were to eat so I am not hungry, I would literally have to eat every 10 minutes. I don't think I can do that and lose weight, plus its not all that reasonable. All that aside, I have always got ravenous before and during my period. Its usually better a couple days after its all over... but right now its just out of control!

CLG - we're with you in this...I also believe that the best thing for you to do now is to find out if you are or are not in ketosis. Let us know & we'll help you out. There are a lot of smart, experienced people on this board that really want you to succeed.

Thank you, all of you! That makes me feel a lot better!

[Chihuahua Luvin Gurl]

Re: TOM and Starving... anyone?

***WARNING*** to the MEN, there is PERIOD talk ahead!!!

OMG ladies, Atkins is actually doing something for me!!!!

I don't know if I am losing weight yet, or if I was even in Ketosis, but I can tell that my insulin level is changing! Today is cycle day 26 for me, I typically don't get my period until between days 38 to 48 .... but I get PMS starting about a week to two weeks in advance. So, it wasn't surprising that I was having such a hard time and bad hunger cravings etc.

But, now I know why things were so much worse for me then usual.... TODAY, cycle day 26, it actually came!!!!! This is my first period in the "20's" since I was in high school!!! I can't believe it, I am in tears with such amazement. No, I am not thrilled that I am having my period, but I am THRILLED that it came with in NORMAL range!!! I can't believe it, I can't wait to see what else Atkins has in store for me!!!

I wasn't here today because I had a very bad day today (before the period started) and everything was just going wrong. Plus I got in a huge fight with my best friend and I just couldn't deal with everything... so I ate a couple brownies. Had I only known that Atkins was actually working for me, I wouldn't have caved in! I feel so stupid, but now I KNOW that its changing me inside! So, on Tuesday, I will be back full throttle and raring to start again!

We agreed to go camping with friends this weekend, I will try and keep my carbs very low, but we are leaving in the morning and we don't have enough time to grab a bunch of Atkins stuff before we go, we just agreed to go about 3 hours ago. I am supposed to be sleeping, but I just went to the bathroom and got this surprise... I had to share!

I look forward to coming back!!! I will be bringing my laptop with me camping, so hopefully I'll be able to pop on and say HI! Have a great weekend!!!!!

I would have posted this on the PCOS thread... but no one ever posts there.... sorry if it was not appropriate here.

[SunnySmile501]

Re: TOM and Starving... anyone?

So, on Tuesday, I will be back full throttle and raring to start again!

We agreed to go camping with friends this weekend, I will try and keep my carbs very low, but we are leaving in the morning and we don't have enough time to grab a bunch of Atkins stuff before we go, we just agreed to go about 3 hours ago.

Are you willing to give up all the progress you've made so far? Read some of the posts where people have jumped off the wagon for a holiday or special event and find themselves several weeks or months down the road and not able to get back on the wagon and stay.

There are all kinds of legal Atkins foods for camping. Besides that, you should already have a "bunch" of Atkins legal stuff in the house, since you are in the middle of doing Atkins. It takes no longer to pick the legal stuff up than it does carb crap. It's your choice.

[kibskix]

Re: TOM and Starving... anyone?

just a suggestion to your earlier cream cheese fetish lol, i get that too. what you can do is make linda's green enchilada caserole. Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes
i personally make mine slightly different (i substitute the green chiles for a dash of chipotle peppers cause i like the heat) but it ought to definately satiate your cream cheese craving. the salsa verde does thin the cheese sauce a little bit, but its still 8 oz of cream cheese plus the melted cheese on top, so just dont eat the entire casserole and you ought to be fine.

[Chihuahua Luvin Gurl]

Re: TOM and Starving... anyone?

I am just running out the door now, as for do I want to throw this all away... no, I don't. But I am not sure how to manage everything right now because this wasn't a planned trip and everyone is packed and ready to go. I will see what I can do, as for having a houseful of stuff, we have very little of it left now.

Gotta go, will be back soon!

[kibskix]

Re: TOM and Starving... anyone?

planning is your friend