new dieter needs advice

[Hersheya]

I started the Atkins diet and in 1 week I lost 5 Lbs. I have strictly followed the induction phase diet for another month and haven't lost an ounce. But my legs are all swelled up. Been drinking 8 glasses water, been taking the l-carotene supplement. Anyone got any ideas?. How do I get that water out of my swelling body? I feel like I'm hitting my head against a wall.

[Giving_It_Another_Try]

Re: new dieter needs advice

Have you taken your measurements? Maybe you are losing inches.

Could you post some sample menu's?

[ValidRouge]

Re: new dieter needs advice

How large is your "glass" of water. If it is 8 ounces, then you are only getting the MINIMUM amount of water. On Atkins, we need a LOT of water. LOTS. Just when you think you are drinking enough....drink some more.

It's obvious you are retaining water, so I always look at water consumption first. When we get dehydrated, our bodies, in reaction, will hold on to EVERY SINGLE DROP of water it can get its greedy little hands on and store it in every possible place it can find.

Also, might you be eating processed meats and cheeses? Ham, salami, hotdogs, etc. etc? Those are FULL of salt and other nasty chemicals that could be causing you issues.

[Hersheya]

Re: new dieter needs advice

The only cheese I eat is mozarella which is allowed up to 4 oz.

My regular diet is 2 eggs for breakfast with butter. Can of Tuna with melted mozarella cheese, 2 cups allowed veggies for lunch, 8 full glasses water, and meat or chicken for supper.
I do have a little hypothyroidism but it is controlled with levoxil.

[Giving_It_Another_Try]

Re: new dieter needs advice

Seems like you are not eating enough, especially not enough fat

[grovemonkey]

Re: new dieter needs advice

I'd go visit your doctor and ask him/her about it. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, go ask your GP. Maybe he/she can get some bloodwork and check if you need to try something different.

[Hoping]

Re: new dieter needs advice

I agree with grovemonkey. Something isn't right and you need to ask your doctor about it. Remember to not put too much salt on your food, since it makes you retain water.

[SunnySmile501]

Re: new dieter needs advice

You need to go see a doctor for blood tests before you change a thing. Especially cutting down on salt. If you are doing Atkins the healthy way, your salt has already been cut down by stopping or dramatically reducing processed foods consumption and starting to eat whole, largely chemical/additive-free foods diet.

Your body works hard to keep your blood sodium, blood potassium and magnesium in balance (electrolytes). These are all washed out by higher consumption of water, sweating with strenuous exercise, the diuretic effect of the Atkins diet (you need very little fluid in the cells to process protein & fat, but a lot to process carbs), and use of diuretics, including blood pressure meds. If any one of these electrolytes gets low, especially sodium (salt), your body will hang on to all the fluid it can to keep from losing more. If you have too little blood sodium, it can lead to a condition called hyponatremia or water intoxication. This is why you really, really need to see a doc before you try to self-diagnose and do the wrong thing.

Read this below for more information.

Blood contains electrolytes (particularly sodium compounds, such as sodium chloride) in concentrations that must be held within very narrow limits. Water enters the body orally or intravenously and leaves the body primarily in urine, sweat, and exhaled water vapor. If water enters the body more quickly than it can be removed, body fluids are diluted and a potentially dangerous shift in electrolyte balance occurs. In other words, the body has too much water and not enough electrolytes.

Most water intoxication is caused by hyponatremia, an overdilution of sodium in the blood plasma, which in turn causes an osmotic shift of water from extracellular fluid (outside of cells) to intracellular fluid (within cells).

Sodium is not the only mineral that can become overdiluted from excessive water intake. Magnesium is also excreted in urine. According to the National Institutes of Health, "magnesium deficiency can cause metabolic changes that may contribute to heart attacks and strokes."[3] Intravenous magnesium is used in cardiac care units for cardiac arrhythmias.[4]

[D14965]

Re: new dieter needs advice

Just another thought ... are you drinking caffeine? ( coffee or cola) because that will dehydrate you and cause you to retain water too. I think you need to space your vege consumption out - at least over lunch and dinner -- and get in your two cups of salad plus one cup of other veges.
Are you taking a multi vitamin?? this is essential
HOpe you can work out what the problem is soon!
Let us know how you go