Hey, Mommagoose

[Evermind]

In the roll call thread, you asked:

I notice that if I go more then 4 hours without eating I get weak. Do I need more carbs because my blood sugar is too low? This happens at work. My legs cramp and I can hardly do my job. I drink all the water I can but I am very strict on my carb intake. What do you think I should do?
Linda

No, what you need to do is eat every 2 hours. Doesn't have to be a meal, just a snack.

You don't need to eat more carbs. You need to eat more FAT. Fat is what your body is burning for energy right now, and if you are feeling weak, it's because you aren't eating enough fat regularly.

I suggest that you have a menu with three meals a day, plus 3-4 snacks. I tend to eat a little something around 7:30 or 8 (flax cereal or an egg or two) and then at 10, I have a pumpkin dish. Then lunch at 11:50. Then a snack of veggies with dressing or devilled eggs, or cottage cheese (I'm past the dairy rung of OWL) at about 2:30. Then something around 5, and something around 7:30 or 8. I still struggle to make it up to 1650 calories a day, despite that amount of food.

As for the leg cramps, check with the dr. It's about circulation and nutrients, not eating fat or carbs. If you are properly hydrated, then the next thing to look at might be what supplements you take. taking extra calcium and magnesium really help with leg cramps, in my experience.

Hang in there! You're doing great!

[mommagoose]

Re: Hey, Mommagoose

Hello and thanks for the help. I have a problem eating between meals. I operate a farm in the morning and work second shift from 2 pm until 11pm. Thats how I gained so much weight. I just grab food when I can. I eat breakfast about 10 am. Usually two scrambled eggs and a cup of tea. Then I drink a water at 1:30 while driving to work. Then at 7pm I have a salad and a few nuts. Then when I get home at 11:30 Pm I have some meat and a veggie of some sort.

I added an Atkins bar to my water at 1:30 and I felt better last night. I hope it helps.
Linda

[Evermind]

Re: Hey, Mommagoose

Oh, you're in OWL?

[mommagoose]

Re: Hey, Mommagoose

Iam not sure what OWL is? I have been in induction since September 3. I just thought since I was getting so fatigued I had better add some more food. I have lost 13 pounds so far.
Linda

[Evermind]

Re: Hey, Mommagoose

OWL is Ongoing Weight Loss, where you are gradually adding certain types of foods to your menu. Since you stated that you were eating nuts, I assumed that you were up pretty high on the OWL rungs. If you are still in induction, no nuts allowed!

So..........here's the deal. You are not eating 1600 calories a day, and you aren't, in fact, eating enough food of any kind.

You need to eat more, and you need to eat more frequently. I realize that between 2 and 11 something, you can't stop for a meal, but......

1. you can eat at 10 a.m. and again sometime between 12 and 2. A meal. Have eggs and bacon for breakfast at 10, and another something before you go to work. Something high in protein and fat, and also perhaps a salad.

2. You can carry stuff in your pocket to eat while at work - a couple of pieces of shrink-wrapped string cheese, for example.

3. When you get home, there's no such thing as "meat and a veggie of some sort." You need to have another salad (remember, you're going for 2 cups, minimum, or a max of 3 cups, of salad veggies." You can ALSO have a veggie of some sort.

And I assume you do not go right to sleep. Either have something else before bed, or get up earlier and have something at 8 a.m.

You have GOT to have enough calories. You have GOT to get enough fat in, and you MUST eat those veggies.

No nuts. No bars or shakes. They are all forbidden foods!

You might want to get hold of a copy of the DANDR book, and reread portions of it that apply to induction.

[Outback Jess]

Re: Hey, Mommagoose

Hey if you are having leg cramps you might be low on potassium, and that also could be causing the weakness....if you are drinking alot of water, and then urinating alot, you could be loosing your electrolites....I have to take a potassium suppliment when I know I'll be sweating a huge amount....I cramp if I dont and feel weak....

[mommagoose]

Re: Hey, Mommagoose

Hi Again . Thanks for the help. I read the book 4 years ago and have not looked at it since I restarted. I will not be able to get up earlier in the morning because I am bi polar and have to have at least 7 hours of sleep to ward off becoming manic. I take my bi polar meds at midnight and they help me sleep the 7- 8 hours I have to have. I take Zyprexa which causes food cravings . A double wammy for me. Another problem is no food or drink is allowed on the floor that I work on. I will try to eat some string cheese at 5pm in the ladies room. Are you sure the carb bars are a no no? The ones I have been eating say for use during induction and only have 2 grams of carb. I really want to do this right this time. Thanks for all the help.
Linda