Sick when I exercise

[heathernowak]

I need help! I have been consistently running 2-3 miles several days of the week, for the last year. After changing to this WOE 2 months ago (extended induction), I am barely even able to run 1 mile without stopping for a break. I feel very weak and lightheaded 5 minutes into the run and continue to feel that way throughout the rest of my workout. Then about 1 hour later I get Hypoglycemic type symptoms and have to lay down for awhile (45 minutes) until it goes away. I can say this, when I fell off the wagon and cheated for one day last month and ran on the same day, I felt like a new person. Does anyone else have this problem? Can anyone offer any help or advice? I really appreciate it!
Heather

[Hoping]

Re: Sick when I exercise

If you're feeling weak maybe you're anemic. You should definitely consult your doctor about this issue. I hope you start feeling better soon :hugs:

[jimmie 48]

Re: Sick when I exercise

i don't feel too qualified to answer much but i'm wondering some things:

do you take vitamins
are you getting enough to eat
are you running too soon after eating
are you hydrated
have you been ill or taken any antibiotics from being ill

these are just things that came to mind.

[LooseShoes]

Re: Sick when I exercise

From what I understand, your body has to re-learn how it converts energy. It's been converting carbs to energy--but since this is low carb your body will have to adjust to burning fat to make energy. My advice (it's free, and probably worth that) is to slow down a bit until your body makes the adjustment. We have marathoners who do low carb, so I know it's possible. Good Luck!

[heathernowak]

Re: Sick when I exercise

Thanks for the suggestions.

[not2late]

Re: Sick when I exercise

I need help! I have been consistently running 2-3 miles several days of the week, for the last year. After changing to this WOE 2 months ago (extended induction), I am barely even able to run 1 mile without stopping for a break. I feel very weak and lightheaded 5 minutes into the run and continue to feel that way throughout the rest of my workout. Then about 1 hour later I get Hypoglycemic type symptoms and have to lay down for awhile (45 minutes) until it goes away. I can say this, when I fell off the wagon and cheated for one day last month and ran on the same day, I felt like a new person. Does anyone else have this problem? Can anyone offer any help or advice? I really appreciate it!
Heather

Why are you extending the Induction phase?

Dr. Atkins wrote that only the people who are have a high metabolic resistance to weight loss might benefit from doing Induction longer than 2 weeks in order to correct those metabolic imbalances. So if you don't have a high metabolic resistance to weight loss according to the charts in the book, there really is no benefit to doing Induction beyond 14 days. It won't make your weight loss "faster". It won't make you lose more weight.

I did my Atkins slowly. So there was a period of time during my OWL phase where I was eating at my CCLL ---35 net carbs daily. I was walking about 4 miles a day, doing yoga daily and doing strength training every other day. After about 3 months I felt very tired all the time and I was also very hungry. So I lowered my carbs, upped the fat and did other things. It didn't help. I was still very hungry and very tired. Then I re-read the book and learned that if you are a "regular" exerciser, your CCLL might be high.

So I added 5 net carbs more to my 35, and after a week, I wasn't as tired as I was. I added another 5 net carbs, and I had more energy and wasn't hungry anymore.

So consider moving out of Induction and into On-Going Weight Loss Phase.

[ttdriver]

Re: Sick when I exercise

Totally agree with Megs. Its time to increase your carbs (THE GOOD ONES) slowly while keeping up with the running. Also, increase your lean proteins and healthy fats.

Betty

[heathernowak]

Re: Sick when I exercise

Oh my gosh! Thank you so much! I have actually been reading about that lately and have started on the first rung of OWL this week so I can move up to more carbs. I'm very encouraged that megs experienced this as well. I have been tempted to quit because I really DREAD exercising now! I'll let you all know how it helps! What a great place to get help. I really appreciate it . Heather

[Miss World]

Re: Sick when I exercise

I'm just like you.. I get lightheaded after 5-10 minutes and then I'd get sick.. I went to the doctor and I was told that I am anemic (7.5, which has now improved to 10) but I'm still getting slightly sick since its not back to normal levels.. I'm sticking to mild workouts till then

I hope that its only a matter of increasing carbs in your case... best of luck

[heathernowak]

Re: Sick when I exercise

Miss World, did this happen to you after changing to this WOE? And what did you have to do to raise your levels? Thanks for your advice. HEather

[Miss World]

Re: Sick when I exercise

not really.. actually this WOE has helped me improve on my Hmgb level and I messed it up when I fell of the wagon and went on a carb joy ride for a few months.. about a year ago when I was tested before getting on atkins, it was a 7 and 3 months into the Atkins + iron supplments, I went up to 14 which was perfect. the amount of veggies I ate and staying away from junk food REALLY makes a difference.

I hope you consider getting a blood test to at least rule out anemia and find out what exactly makes you sick. and if its not the blood, I suggest you start taking a good kind of vitamins, taking a regular supplment of Vit B Complex helps.

[heathernowak]

Re: Sick when I exercise

Yes, I will call my doctor on Monday. I had a cheat day last month and when I ran that day, I felt I could go forever. That makes me think it has something to do with the carbs. And these symptoms only began when I started this WOE. Anyway, I'm still going to go in and get some blood work done just to be sure it isn't anemia or anything else. Thanks for your help and suggestions!

[razorback11]

Re: Sick when I exercise

Hi, I’m a 15 years old girl, 5’5” tall and 110 pounds in weight. I'm not concerned about my weight but I just want to develop healthy habits. I just wanted to know what the nutrition guidelines for my eating habits. I already know how much calories I'm supposed to consume, but I want to be aware of the other requirements such as sodium and carbs. So if anyone has any websites or something, please let me know.