Fluid Retention/Electrolyte Imbalance?

[amicamom]

Hi, I am experiencing significant water retention/ankle & hand swelling 8 weeks into Atkins. Please offer your suggestions and advice if you have dealt with any of these symptoms before.

I've been doing Atkins for 8 weeks and sticking to 20 grams or less of carbs per day. I am in heavy ketosis (based on the dip stick test) and have been for most of the 8 weeks. I drink between 1-2 gallons of water per day and take multi vitamins/minerals including potassium, etc. I take a sugar-free fiber supplement (psyllium husks) 1-2 times per day. I am also doing moderate intensity cardio 30-60 per day on an elliptical trainer indoors. I am not in the fluid retaining portion of my monthly cycle. I am a normal, healthy, 33-year-old female with no known health conditions. I have not had any lightheadedness, nausea, or leg cramps. I am nursing a 10-month old a couple of times a day (she is on solid foods now).

I have felt that I have been retaining fluid for a couple of weeks and my stomach feels bloated. I tried limiting my sodium and increasing my water to see if that would help and if anything it seems to be worse. Last night I took my tennis shoes off and my ankles were so swollen above the shoe line that I looked like I was 9 months pregnant. My hands were swollen during the night to the point that I couldn't bend my fingers. It seems to be worse during the night.

Does anyone know what is going on? Thank you for your help!!

[amicamom]

Re: Fluid Retention/Electrolyte Imbalance?

Here is a snippet from my food log if you want to see what I'm typically eating:

Monday - Apr 19, 2010

7:00 am - Fiber Supplement

7:15 am 34 Minutes Elliptical/Level 7-8/15 Degree Ramp/2100 Revolutions

8:45 - 2 Scrambled Eggs With Pat Of Butter

12:15 pm - Atkins Shake

2:30 - 23 Minutes Elliptical/Level 7/1400 Revolutions/Kept RPM Above 65

6:30 - Large Chef Salad With Romaine, Pepperoni, Ham, Bacon Bits, Cheese, Ranch

7:45 - Atkins Bar

Sunday - Apr 18, 2010

8:00 am - Fiber Supplement

11:45 am - 2 Boiled Eggs

2:00 - Atkins Bar, Fiber Supplement

5:15 - 1 mile leisurely walk

6:00 - Can Of Tuna With Mayo

*Felt a little sick after the tuna just like after the chicken salad I had on Fri & Sat so I'm wondering if the mayo isn't sitting well in my tummy.

Saturday - Apr 17, 2010

It's a beautiful Saturday everyone - perfect for outdoor cardio!!

Woke up absolutely exhausted, starving, and irritable. Too many carbs last night? When I went to bed last night, my stomach felt awful! Not sure if it is was the fatty prime rib or what.

Total Cardio For The Week: 327 Minutes
Average Cardio Per Day: 47 Minutes

8:00 am - Fiber Supplement/ 2 Scrambled Eggs With Lawry's Garlic Salt and Butter, 8 pieces of bacon (368 Calories/0.8 Carbs/25 Protein/1568 mg Sodium). I was STARVING this morning. : )

11:45 - 62 min Elliptical/Level 8/15 Degree Ramp/3678 revolutions/Kept RMPs above 60

1:00 - Fiber Supplement

3:30 - 1/2 Cup Rotisserie Chicken Salad

7:00 - 2 Grilled Chicken Drumsticks, Small Side Salad With Newman's Ranch (3 Carbs)


Weigh-In #7 - Apr 16, 2010

6:30 am - Fiber Supplement

8:15 am - 40 Minutes Elliptical/Level 8/20 Degree Ramp/2360 Revolutions

9:45 - 3 Scrambled Eggs With 3 Slices Ham & Pat Of Butter.

2:00 - 1 Stalk Celery With Cream Cheese (3 Carbs)

5:00 - 1/3 Cup Rotisserie Chicken Salad

7:45 pm - Dinner With Eric @ BB&T Function - 1 Plate - Prime Rib With Horseradish Sauce, Salad with Caesar Dressing, Roasted Veggies (Estimated 15 Carbs)

9:30 pm - 2 TB Chocolate Cool Whip (3 Carbs)

Apr 15, 2010

7:00 am - Cardio On Empty Stomach - 30 Min Elliptical/Level 8/1710 Revolutions

8:15 - 2 Scrambled Eggs In PAM With Mrs. Dash Seasoning

11:00 - Atkins Shake (2 carbs)

4:00 - Atkins Shake (2 carbs)

6:30 - 1 Grilled Chicken Breast (3 carbs)

[liv]

Re: Fluid Retention/Electrolyte Imbalance?

I am not sure about the swollen part. If it was me I would probably check with a physician.

You are not really following any Atkins programme it looks like. You need to eat a lot of veggies every day. You are using Bars and shakes as meal replacement and that is not really good. You do not get enough fat or enough food most days.

I suggest reading up on how Atkins is done and see if that programme is for you.
Love your exercise routine though. You are very dedicated.

[Farley]

Re: Fluid Retention/Electrolyte Imbalance?

Most of us on this board will recommend you cut out the bars and shakes. We don't like them, and they cause a lot of people to stall. Good planning means you don't need the shakes/bars.

Check your salt intake: That always gets me. I bloat for a day or two after a lot of salt. I use low sodium foods whenever I eat something processed (which is rare).

When I was doing one of the water challenges on the board, I was taking in about 100+ ounces of water daily. THAT caused me to bloat as well. My ideal water intake is 64-72 ounces per day (over the course of the day). When I decreased my water intake, the bloated feeling went away, and I dropped 3 pounds overnight (more than the normal 2 pounds I drop while sleeping).

If you want to, keep eating the bars, and drinking the shakes. But, I recommend that you get rid of them and replace them with WHOLE foods.

Eat your veggies.

FYI: Eggs, (some) Ham, and Butter all have carbs. About 1g of carb / egg. Ham is often prepared with salt/sugar.

[amicamom]

Re: Fluid Retention/Electrolyte Imbalance?

Thank you for your advice!! It is greatly appreciated!!

Yes, perhaps I am being too strict and not getting enough veggies. I am trying to fit into a dress I am wearing as a bridesmaid on May 5th so I plan to get a few more carbs/veggies etc after the wedding. You are right - I am probably eating too many bars and shakes. They help me when I am craving sweets and the shakes are so quick and easy for lunch. I should try cutting them out.

That was an interesting point about possibly drinking too much water. I usually have a gallon down before lunchtime.

I have the book "Atkins For A New You" but I was following an older version of Atkins (one of the first books he wrote) where you are only allowed 2-3 cups of salad per day. Over the last couple of days I have tried to add spinach, celery and cucumber salad 1-2 times per day.

Yesterday's Food:

6:30 am - 1/3 Cup Black Coffee

7:00 am - 2 Strips Of Bacon, 1 Bite Of Scrambled Eggs

1:00 - 30 min elliptical

1:45 - Spinach Salad With Chicken, Cheese, & Caesar Dressing

2:30 - Atkins Bar

6:30 - Taco Salad With Lettuce, Ground Turkey (Seasoned With Chilli Powder & Garlic), Cheese, & 3 TB Sour Cream

Still having swelling in my ankles and fingers. : )

[Farley]

Re: Fluid Retention/Electrolyte Imbalance?

Caffeine is a no-no.
Check your bacon for salt/sugar content.
Stop eating the Atkins Bars & Shakes.
Sour cream is not legal on induction.

We follow the DANDR 2002 book here. Not the 1972 version. Induction is intended to be over half of your daily carbs from induction veggies (not just salad veggies). Atkins isn't about starving yourself, it's about eating. You need to fuel your body on Atkins to get the results. What kinds of veggies do you like? Check out this list.

Also, check out the FAQ section of the 14 day induction forum

[amicamom]

Re: Fluid Retention/Electrolyte Imbalance?

Caffeine is a no-no.
Check your bacon for salt/sugar content.
Stop eating the Atkins Bars & Shakes.
Sour cream is not legal on induction.

We follow the DANDR 2002 book here. Not the 1972 version. Induction is intended to be over half of your daily carbs from induction veggies (not just salad veggies). Atkins isn't about starving yourself, it's about eating. You need to fuel your body on Atkins to get the results. What kinds of veggies do you like? Check out this list.

Also, check out the FAQ section of the 14 day induction forum

Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for taking the time to help me!

On the list you sent of induction foods, sour cream was on the list of legal foods. Is your opinion that it is too high in carbs at 3 carbs per 2 TB?

I will do what you said this next week and see how it goes. I can't wait until this blasted wedding is over because I feel stressed to get the weight off in a hurry. I've lost 23 lbs over the past 8 weeks so I'm pretty happy with that. The fluid retention has me nervous though. Thank you for your advice!!!!!

[liv]

Re: Fluid Retention/Electrolyte Imbalance?

Just a tiny correction - sour cream is legal on induction in a small amount.

Here we follow Atkins 2002. We eat 3 cups of veggies and the absolute rule is to get most our carbs from vegetables. We want to lose weight and be healthy.
I think those Atkins products are not good for you. They are filled with sweetener and ingredients that will never teach how to eat whole foods and be healthy.

[Farley]

Re: Fluid Retention/Electrolyte Imbalance?

Just a tiny correction - sour cream is legal on induction in a small amount.

Whoops. It's Saturday can you tell my brain is taking a day off?

Thanks liv.