New to Atkins

[k1112]

Beginning Atkins after not getting the results I desired from Somersizing. This is day 5 and I have lost 5 pounds. I am encouraged but feeling weak. I tried this diet before several years ago and had to go off of it due to extreme fatigue. Is this normal? I am encouraged by the rapid weight loss, though. Thankx.

[ValidRouge]

Re: New to Atkins

Totally normal. It's what we refer to as induction flu. It's your body detoxing from the carbs. It's used to having carbs for fuel...and it's run out of them and waiting for you to give it more. You always gave it up before, so it's trying to wait you out. You may get headache too...that's the body trying to FORCE you to give it carbs. Just wait it out, when it gets to the point that it has to do SOMETHING, it'll go to the fat on your body for fuel...and then you'll get this ENORMOUS rush of energy and feel better than you have in a long time. Don't give into the petulant child your body is acting like right now...think about the kids at the check out in the grocery throwing a tantrum over the candy bars. You wouldn't reward the child (especially with something bad) for bad behavior, so don't reward your body with something bad either. Stick it out a few more days, you won't regret it.

[Elizellen]

Re: New to Atkins

Don't give into the petulant child your body is acting like right now...think about the kids at the check out in the grocery throwing a tantrum over the candy bars. You wouldn't reward the child (especially with something bad) for bad behavior, so don't reward your body with something bad either.

Great analogy, Joy

[sallyseachange]

Re: New to Atkins

Yep... wait your body out and soon you'll be flying (and losing)!!!!

[k1112]

Re: New to Atkins

Thanks so much for all of your encouragement. I will wait it out. I know the results will be well worth it.

[bizzlekitty]

Re: New to Atkins

Make sure you are getting your veggies and water in. That's really key. Your net carbs should be 15-20 per day. Read all the stickies here.

Post your menu in the Review My Menu forum. Use something like Fitday to keep track of your carbs and percentages of fats/proteins/carbs.

And exercise!

Good luck with Induction.

[k1112]

Re: New to Atkins

I love this board. You are all so encouraging. When I was Somersizing, I got very little support from the Somersize boards on yahoo. I did good today. How much water should I be drinking per day in addition to the induction diet?

[not2late]

Re: New to Atkins

You need a minimum of 64 ounces of water daily.

Also, if the fatigue is too much, eat the higher carb vegetables on the Foods List. Too many newbies make the mistake of thinking Atkins is no carb and that the lower your carbs the better. So they eat lettuce instead of the veggies with slightly higher carb counts and 100 times more vitamins, minerals and fiber. As a result they 1. become constipated in spite of eating their veggies (lettuce) and they lose more minerals from the diuretic effect of ketosis than their multivitamin can supply--which adds to the "Induction Flu" symptoms.

[k1112]

Re: New to Atkins

What exactly is induction flu? I have not been feeling very well over the past couple of days. I actually thought I had a virus. I have been extremely achy in my joints, especially in the legs. I have been feeling out of sorts, almost depressed. I have lost an additional two pounds since my last post. I am down to 130 now and 5'3 inches tall. I am being very careful with making sure that I get my veggies in. I know there is not much nutrition in lettuce so I am chooseing veggies from the list that I can eat.

[ValidRouge]

Re: New to Atkins

Yep, that's the induction flu! It'll pass as soon as your body switches from waiting for you to give it the carbs to using the fat on your body as fuel! And when you do, you'll feel like you took an energy pill! When it happened to me, I was up at the crack of dawn, cleaning house like a mad woman--I felt sooo good. My husband actually asked me if I had taken something LOL

[k1112]

Re: New to Atkins

You look fabulous, Validrouge. This makes me feel better, knowing that it will soon pass. I can't wait for my energy boost to kick in. I just joined Bally's today and with the Atkins diet and working out three times per week I know I can get this bod in shape for life.

[ValidRouge]

Re: New to Atkins

Yep, yep, you will! Thank you so much. I owe my success to this board and the people here. They practice tough love here...they want you to do it THE RIGHT WAY so that you ARE successful.

I'm glad you're doing something for the exercise portion of the program...it REALLY makes a difference. Trust me, I can find every excuse in the book for not exercising....and I'm not sure why because I feel SOOOOOOOOOOOOO good after I do it.

[k1112]

Re: New to Atkins

Hey. Made it through another day on the Atkins diet. Have about another week before induction is finally over. Hooray!! I have an appointment with a personal trainer tomorrow morning at Bally's Fitness Center, and I am sort of nervous about it, but I gotta do something. Knowing that others have successfully gotten through this phase and pushed on to a healthy weight and stabilized at it, makes it easier to do this. Thanks.

[k1112]

Re: New to Atkins

Just got back from seeing my personal trainer. She put me through the whole nine yards and I am completely worn out. If this won't make me lose weight, nothing will. She was trying to set me with a calorie counting regimen, and I told her that I was doing Atkin's and would never consider doing the calorie counting thing again. I feel a little better this evening. 9 more days to go until induction is over!!!

[ValidRouge]

Re: New to Atkins

k1112, that's great! Keep going, you can do it. Look how many of us have done it! YAY for you! Yay for you for sticking up for your WOE with the trainer too. You're going to lose weight and feel so good. Since you say only 9 more days til induction is over, that means you are going to start moving up the rungs and adding more veggies in? That's great too!