Induction Flu is wearing me down. Please help!

[queenpooch]

Hello everyone. I've been doing Induction for 15 days now. (And lurking in the shadows of the forums, learning and getting encouragement and inspiration.) I am following Atkins by the book - supplements, water, exercise, dark green vegies - everything. Despite getting PLENTY of protein, fats, calories, etc. and even upping my carb intake to 30 gms a day, I feel very, very weak and tired. No energy at all. It's a weird feeling. Of course, I'm not hungry at all either, which is wonderful, but the fatigue and lethargy will not go away. I'm getting discouraged and thinking of switching to a low-calorie diet with some complex carbs. I may get hungry, but that's easier to deal with than this constant weakness and fatigue. I have a business to run and a family to care for. I don't know how much more of this "flu" I can take!

I read on other posts that these symptoms went away when folks took in more water and fats. I already drink over a gallon of water a day and eat plenty of fat. I also take EFAs and the other supplements suggested by the good doctor in DANDR.

Should I just continue to tough it out? I know I'm a big girl, and I may be having an extra hard time with carb withdrawal, but if I could only see the light at the end of the tunnel. I want so much to wake up to that magic day of energy that others have described, but this is wearing me down.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you and bless us all.

46 yr old F 5'8"
SW 246 CW 232 GW 140

"A dream is just a goal without a deadline."

[Kelani]

Re: Induction Flu is wearing me down. Please help!

FIrst of all, give yourself a hand for sticking with it this long . For every1, induction flu is different. Some of us feel wonderful around day 4 (like myself 1st time around) or feel no flu symptoms at all (like myself during the 2nd time around). I will say that you are the first person that has had the induction flu last 15 days that I know of!! I can see why you would want to give up. Keep in mind, that although we all at ADBB recommend you follow 2002 DANDR religiously, you can customize it to suit you such that you do not continuously have induction flu. You may want to include a serving of nuts, or a low glycemic fruit such as the strawberry (DANDR mentions this too). Try it and see what happens. I do not believe it will harm you as you are surely in ketosis. Just continue drinking lots of water (which a gallon is EXCELLENT by the way) and exercise. Good luck!!!

[Isabeau]

Re: Induction Flu is wearing me down. Please help!

I know we don't count calories per se on induction, but if you're that lethargic you may want to. I did notice that you mentioned you're doing it 'by the book' including eating enough calories. So, just to clarify, you want to be eating above your BMR and below your AMR (calorically). Often people that are experiencing fatigue just ain't eating enough! Sometimes this can be difficult on Atkins because of the built in appetite suppressant. If you're not using www.fitday.com already, it may be helpful to you. Also, strive for the 65% fat, 30% protein and 5% carb ratio during induction.
If you've been doing all that, perhaps moving to OWL will help.

Oh, and welcome aboard!

[2big4mysize]

Re: Induction Flu is wearing me down. Please help!

with that gallon of water you are washing a lot of wateersoluble vits and minerals espcially your electrolytes out of your body are you getting enough to replace your potassium and such?

You can check your food amounts roughly in www.fitday.com in the reports section. it will tell you based on the foods you entered if you are getting enough of the recommended vits and minerals based on the USDA recomended daily amounts. Your doctor can advise you as to what supplements you need. Based on my blood tests I needed more potassium when I was doing induction extended and didn't need anything when I was OWLing as I added 2 sets of the veggie rung 1 to my Atkins.

If you are moving to OWL those extra veggies will help you a lot.

Happy Low carbing.

As was said above Dr Atkins said in DANDR he recommends fatigued folk eat more food but you need to eat more of the foods for the level you are on.

[queenpooch]

Re: Induction Flu is wearing me down. Please help!

Thank you so much for your helpful replies!


Kelani, you are a sweetie. I think I will add some pecans and almonds and give myself a little treat. I may wait for a few days before adding berries though. Yes, I'm definitely in ketosis - the strip is at least maroon every day. I never thought I'd be so excited about testing my urine!

Thank you for the words of encouragement.

Isabeau, I'm so glad you reminded about that formula for calories. You may be on to something there. You're right about the natural appetite suppressant - I need to make sure I'm eating enough calories. (I'm pretty sure I am though, what with steak, cheese and all the fat.)

2big, you are an inspiration to me! Thank you for your advice. I started taking potassium supplements the day I started Atkins after a doctor friend warned me about potassium depletion. Evidently he went on Atkins and lost a bunch of weight, but it affected his heart! I make sure I take enough potassium.

As far as the water, I was told to drink half my weight in ounces - which would be 115 oz, which is almost a gal of water. I've been drinking that much water since I was a kid though. Right out of the tap. As a matter of fact, after my children got old enough to go to the dentist, he told me that because I drank so much tap water (fluoridated) while I was pregnant and breast-feeding, that my kids would probably never have cavities! They are 22 and 18, and neither one has ever had a cavity. Cool huh?

Anyway, thank you for your help everyone. I do wish I felt more energetic. Hopefully these little changes will make the difference. At least I'm looking thinner!



46 yr old F 5'8"
SW 246 CW 232 GW 140

"A dream is just a goal without a deadline."