A few newbie questions..

[farmwife]

I LOVE this message board! I have been reading and gleaning here the last few days. Thank you so much!

I have great news, then a few questions.
I am on day 6 and I have lost 6 pounds! I am so excited!
Yesterday was a dual birthday and I made cheesecake (my favorite!) and I was able to resist it even with pressure! I also made a chocolate cake with frosting (I didn't even take a lick!). It was so hard but so rewarding!

My questions are:
1. I have been drinking Crystal Light every day and I seem to crave it more and more. Is that bad? Should I try to stay away from it completely?

2. I had some trouble with constipation but I am now taking psyllium husks, the kind I got are in the capsules. So I am taking 3 capsules after lunch every day. Is that the right amount? Should I be taking it after every meal.

3. Also I am wondering if it is normal to notice a change in your arms right away. My lower arms seem so small and skinny looking, it's kind of weird. Is that due to the water weight I am losing? Has anyone else noticed that right away?

4. Where do you get those ketosticks?

I have to get a copy of the book soon, I'm working on that.

Thanks so much for all your encouragement! I love reading the success stories!

[Georgiana]

Re: A few newbie questions..

I have great news, then a few questions.
I am on day 6 and I have lost 6 pounds! I am so excited!
Yesterday was a dual birthday and I made cheesecake (my favorite!) and I was able to resist it even with pressure! I also made a chocolate cake with frosting (I didn't even take a lick!). It was so hard but so rewarding!

Good for you! Take body measurements too, in case the scale gets stuck.

My questions are:
1. I have been drinking Crystal Light every day and I seem to crave it more and more. Is that bad? Should I try to stay away from it completely?

Definitely. You are probably having a cephalic response to aspartame/Splenda (whatever that stuff is sweetened with). So, at least for a while, avoid that sweetener, not only the Crystal Light.

2. I had some trouble with constipation but I am now taking psyllium husks, the kind I got are in the capsules. So I am taking 3 capsules after lunch every day. Is that the right amount? Should I be taking it after every meal.

If you are not constipated anymore, you should be taking not more than 1 tbsp of fiber supplement per day. 1 tbsp of psyllium husks has about 4 g of fiber. So take maximum the equivalent of 4 g, in capsules (I don't know how many mg are in the capsules you have).

Also choose veggies high in fiber and drink plenty of water. Exercise also helps.

3. Also I am wondering if it is normal to notice a change in your arms right away. My lower arms seem so small and skinny looking, it's kind of weird. Is that due to the water weight I am losing? Has anyone else noticed that right away?

Yes, likely water weight loss. My fingers, wrists and ankles became skinny after a few days of Induction.

4. Where do you get those ketosticks?

I don't use them, so I'll leave this question for someone else...

[MelTin]

Re: A few newbie questions..

Hi and welcome. Crystal light is a no no because it contains aspertame. Just drink plain water if you can. On this diet you will actually get to love it. Eating this way everything tastes so much better. Vegatables get tasty and plain water tastes good. I take psyllium husks. For me the dosage is 3 capsules in the morning and three at night. Keto sticks never worked for me. I think they are a waste of money/

[sporty]

Re: A few newbie questions..

I bought Ketosticks at my local pharmacy but they do work for me. I have watched my amount go up and now in ketosis. But I did read they did not do it for everyone.

[Mbudlite89]

Re: A few newbie questions..

I heard Ketosticks are unreliable so waste of money in my opinion

[stacy3477]

Re: A few newbie questions..

Ketostix are unreliable, but they make me feel better, so I use them! They are usually in the diabetic testing supplies. I bought mine at Walmart for about 7 bucks.

I'm with the others...try laying off the Crystal Light for a while. If it's the powdered kind, it's sweetened with aspartame, so try a splenda drink. Whatever you do, make sure you're getting your full 64+ ounces of pure water too. That will help with your second question!

Sounds like you're doing great! Keep it up

[imagood1]

Re: A few newbie questions..

Crystal Light is full of chemicals and aspartame....many people don't loose while drinking it (or their loss slows). Dr. Atkins suggests 64 ounces of PURE WATER (nothing added) daily. Get a big glass with a straw and sip during the day. If you absolutely HAVE to have some type of flavoring try floating a lemon, lime or cucumber slice on top (make sure you count the carbs against your daily allotment). If you give it a try you might find you like water -- many of us (including myself) do.

There is a water challenge if you'd like to join. You pledge how many ounces (64 minimum) of pure water you'll drink daily and report in each day. When you are accountable some people find it easier to continue.

Good luck.

[imagood1]

Re: A few newbie questions..

As far as a book - try www.amazon.com or www.half.com -- I got mine for right around $5.00 with shipping and it was brand new.

[JulieB]

Re: A few newbie questions..

I lost really fast in my arms too - that is the first place my dear friend said she noticed losses.

Ditto above comments on Aspertame, psyllium & water (it does help get things moving)

[IrishIrish]

Re: A few newbie questions..

I lost in my arms and my hands first not to mention my boobage (much to my dismay). A friend actually told me my hands didn't look like mine anymore ... my fingers are thin and my hands have "lost weight". I told her it was an optical illusion since eating more healthy foods has allowed my fingernails to grow long.

And about the ketostix. Save your money. You are in ketosis. If you feel like you are thirsty, want to brush your teeth or are losing weight, put the ketostix money aside and save it. If you stay as diligent to the plan as you are right now, you may use one, but the rest will go to waste.

Best wishes, welcome and enjoy the boards!

[farmwife]

Re: A few newbie questions..

Thanks so much everyone!

This support is just wonderful! I really am so shocked at how well Atkins works!! WOW!

This morning I weighed myself and it said 151.5 lbs.

I kept weighing myself over and over again and it said the same thing.

Amazing!

I cut way back on Crystal Light. Although I have been letting myself drink one glass a day as a treat, it helps me look forward to something sweet. I'll look next time to see if there is a better substitute in the stores.

I'm thinking maybe Emergen'C, but I'm wondering about the carbs in that.

Thanks again!

[imagood1]

Re: A few newbie questions..

I cut way back on Crystal Light. Although I have been letting myself drink one glass a day as a treat, it helps me look forward to something sweet. I'll look next time to see if there is a better substitute in the stores.

I'm thinking maybe Emergen'C, but I'm wondering about the carbs in that.

Thanks again!

If you give yourself a treat of something sweet you are continuing to feed your sweet tooth. Induction is the time you should be breaking all food and drink addictions, getting off sweets altogether. Once again, pure water is best.

[msanjelpie]

Re: A few newbie questions..

Emergen'C has 6 carbs per packet...