afraid to restart

[7Miriam]

I started doing Atkins in August 2008 and by March 2009 had lost about 65 pounds. I started adding in more foods and found some that created cravings in me - this lead to some struggles to stay on Atkins - but more or less I was doing ok. THEN, my hair started falling out, and it kept getting worse, every time I ran my hands through my hair LOTS of it would come out. My hair is the only thing about me that looked good.

So now I've been off Atkins for 3 1/2 months. Not losing any more hair (though it is still thinner than it was before and I can see my scalp through the hair that remains), but have also regained almost 30 pounds and all the old symptoms that were gone on Atkins haver returned - headaches, acid refulx etc.

I really want to start on Atkins again, but I am very fearful of more hair loss. I read other people saying they don't care, and that weight loss is more important, but it is very hard for me to accept I'm going to have to lose my hair. But I'm also fearful for my health if I don't go back on Atkins. I feel scared and stuck. I really do not want to be balding or overweight. (I'm 5'2'' and back up to almost 260.)

[goin2befit]

Re: afraid to restart

I think we all find some reason to be scared to dive in and do it again.. .for me I was 417 and my goal is 150-160 range... I was so worried about loose skin, but then I decided I would rather be HEALTHY then worry about appearance.

Now on to the hair loss, are you getting enough fats and good fats, were you taking a multivitamin? I have seen some post around here about hair loss.. I can only tell you my own experience, from a young age until I was about 20 I always had really long hair, down to my butt and it was thick and beautiful., then I wanted to cut it shorter b/c it gave me headache b/c of the weight of it... then once I started going shorter I wanted shorter and shorter.. .until I ended up with like a bob cut or something kinda choppy and the longest layer was a little below my ear. After this cut my hair started falling out by the hand fulls literally... You could see my scalp and I was worried I would end up being like a man with a receding hair line, ect.... I tried thickening shampoo and that seemed to help, atleast I wasn't loosing any more hair... it stayed like this until the past year, 28 year old... so for 7 years.. then out of no where it has started growing long and growing back in healthy (now during that time I also had 2 kids which means I would loose more hair between pregnancies)

My last thought is something I think about... if someone sees you with less hair verses being overweight... they are so less likely to comment or even notice why.. b/c hair loss is something most of us can't help, but being overweight is a choice!!!

Hopefully someone with some else will chime in that knows some special things to do for hair loss and the best advise I can give you is just start again... you want regret it!

[moniegail]

Re: afraid to restart

here is the link from the FAQ section of the boards. i hope this helps answer some of your questions http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...hair-loss.html

you sound like you are really ready to get back to it, so i wouldn't worry about the hair loss. it's better to be healthy. it's possible that it may happen again since you are starting over, but like it says in the link, it's only temporary.

best wishes,
moniegail

[liv]

Re: afraid to restart

Are you taking supplements? Biotin may help with your hair. Did you go and have a check up? I would have my thyroid checked if was you, just in case.
I recommend a visit to the doctor to make sure that things with your body are fine before coming back to low carb.

Thanks for the update. I hope you will come back.

[7Miriam]

Re: afraid to restart

I am fine - I was taking very good vitamins when doing Atkins - multi, fish oil, bioflavanoids, probiotics, & something else - I actually went to a couple nutritionsists to help me figure out what to take. I had a thorough physical before starting Atkins, and will have another in a few months (when it is a year since the last one was)

I have heard Biotin may help with hair loss. My viatmins only have about 15% of the recommended does, so I just bought a bottle of just Biotin.

From what I've been able to find out the hair loss associated with weight loss may be reversable, but after 3 1/2 months off Atkins mine has not come back (though I seem to be only losing a normal amount now).

I was also worried a lot about extra skin before, and still am.

I seem to be very fixated on hair loss and extra skin, instead I know I should be thinking about the risks associated with being overweight. Don't know why I am having such a hard time with this.

I hope to restart Atkins next week - will give myself a week to get in the right mindframe as I don't want to start and then stop.

[msanjelpie]

Re: afraid to restart

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/main-atkins-diet-forum/61600-hair-loss-its-reality.html

[chinadoll]

Re: afraid to restart

some possible hair loss reasons;

not enough fat
chromium piccolinate can cause loss
stress
hormonal changes

Biotin may help. If it grows back you probably wouldn't notice for 6 months so it may be reversing already you just haven't seen it yet.

[7Miriam]

Re: afraid to restart

Well, I restarted and today is day 3 completed. I'm still scared of hair loss (and extra skin) and I'm not sure what I will do if it starts up again.

I've had a very hard time coming up with a plan that will work if I stop again - which though I really don't want to, I think I probably will if I start losing losts of hair again, as there is not much left now. I'm terrified of losing all my hair, and also of regaining everything I lost if I stop. I feel very confused and scared right now, and don't really know what to do, but at least for now I'm going to try this again.

[JulieB]

Re: afraid to restart

Hi,

I'm glad you have started again Exercise helps tone muscle which makes loose skin less loose I also have a lot to lose and am hoping that exercise and time will take care of that. SunnySmile posted some pics showing loose skin after her loss, then a few months later - it really did spring back! I'm keeping that in mind too.

Best Wishes,

[pinkfusion]

Re: afraid to restart

Well, I restarted and today is day 3 completed. I'm still scared of hair loss (and extra skin) and I'm not sure what I will do if it starts up again.

I've had a very hard time coming up with a plan that will work if I stop again - which though I really don't want to, I think I probably will if I start losing losts of hair again, as there is not much left now. I'm terrified of losing all my hair, and also of regaining everything I lost if I stop. I feel very confused and scared right now, and don't really know what to do, but at least for now I'm going to try this again.

Do you mean not much left as in visible scalp?

eta: I just found this on another board. Maybe it will help:

I've noticed some hair loss while I've been on the Diet. Why? What can I do?

You may be deficient in one or more nutrients. You may wish to try adding supplements to your diet; We have found high dose biotin, L-cysteine, and lecithin to be helpful.
Another explanation may be that your thyroid function is dropping. First, make sure you're not restricting calories or skipping meals. This could be the cause. If not, check oral temperatures 4 times daily for 2 days. If the average temperature is below 98 degrees, you should see your doctor about starting animal-based, not synthetic, thyroid.

source (post# 10): http://www.healthboards.com/boards/s...ir+loss&page=2

[7Miriam]

Re: afraid to restart

Yes - parts of my scalp are starting to show, though I can kind of cover it up by letting the remaining hair get a little longer - but it does not look very nice.

[super7]

Re: afraid to restart

well the more you stress about it, the more you are going to lose

you really need to make up your mind, and once your stress goes, your hair will grow back.


if you are really worried about hair-loss, get rogaine or hair-a-gain at chemist

[IrishIrish]

Re: afraid to restart

I can't speak to the hair loss. Mine remained and I've lost a great deal of weight. My fingernails are stonger and long, my skin is healthy. I took vitamins, ate according to plan, made sure I was eating enough fat, protein and veggies.

I can speak to the excess skin. At 500 pounds, my health was compromised. I required insulin, oral diabetic meds, hypertension meds, a thyroid pill, , cholesterol lowering agent, pain pills every day. Almost immediately as I lost weigh, the insulin and diabetic orals were reduced and now I take NONE ... I don't require hypertensives anymore ... no pain pills. I only take a thyroid pill and a cholesterol lowering agent (Cholesterol is within normal limits, but heart disease runs in my family). I do what I can with weights, aerobic exercise, purposeful exercise. No, I'm not bikini material, but I'm fine being healthy just the same.

As yourself where you will be in five or ten years if you don't continue Atkins or some other weight loss program. Obviously the decision is yours, but I hope to see you meeting your goals in my lifetime here on this board.

Best wishes!

[neutronnorman]

Re: afraid to restart

Get a blood test done, have them check thyroid, estrogen and, surprisingly, testosterone.

[imagood1]

Re: afraid to restart

how are you doing? Most of us are concerned about flabby skin leftover, but clothing can cover a multitude of sins! (One good reason not to be a nudist..lol). As far as your hair loss....I lost all my hair when I was going through cancer treatment a few years ago - your hair is not "who" you are -- it is 1 part of you.....I learned to love my completely bald head - and when my hair started coming back in whispy and with no curl at all I was more upset. After a few years I still have places where I have no hair, my hair is still very thin compared to what it was before but I can wear a hat, or I can put a scarf on, and if anyone says something in a store about my hair I show them my cancer survivor pin. If you can't get past your hair problem then go get some help for it, buy a wig, whatever but don't get upset over something so trivial...get your weight off and your health back - that is worth more than anything.