Starting over again & water intake

[shelbyjo]

Hi, I just started Atkins again for the third time around. The last time was a few years or so ago. I did Nutrisystem a couple years ago and lost all my weight but slowly it creeped back up. I did have good success on Atkins in the past but gave it up after caving into carbs. I plan on staying on it till I get through OWL with all the rungs this time. I didn't make it through all of them before and I hung onto induction for longer than 2 weeks. I will probably do induction for 4 weeks this time and then move on.

I am 47 yrs old and want to lose about 35 lbs. I just starte on Sat, Jan 23rd so wish me luck. So far, so good, I am not hungry. That's a plus. As far as the water intake goes, I am not able to consume that much water yet. I am currently dealing with overactive bladder issues and on meds for that but it is still not working and it's been 5-1/2 weeks since I started those meds. It says it is supposed to take 4-6 weeks for that to kick in but no luck yet. I sure hope it works or I will be back at the drs again.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Starting over again & water intake

Welcome to ADBB!

>>I plan on staying on it till I get through OWL with all the rungs this time.>>

What about pre-maintenance and maintenance?

>>want to lose about 35 lbs.>>

Just a reminder ... it's not about the losing ... it's about keeping the weight off!

How much water are you drinking? What are you drinking besides water?

[Georgiana]

Re: Starting over again & water intake

Welcome to ADBB, Linda!

I will probably do induction for 4 weeks this time and then move on.

Why do you plan to do Induction for so long? Since you about 30 lbs to lose, it would be more appropriate to move to OWL on day 15... so that you have time to progress through all the rungs by the time you have 5-10 lbs left to lose and then move to Pre-Maintenance.

[shelbyjo]

Re: Starting over again & water intake

Do you really think I can lose enough to have 5-10 lbs to lose by the time I finish the OWL rungs? I would do that if that were true. I was planning on staying on induction for 4 weeks for motivation since I lose quicker during that time. If I get tired of it, I will move on sooner. I can't drink as much water as I used to due to the overactive bladder so I think it will be slower to lose this time.

As far as how much I drink now, I drink about 58 oz of liquids per day and that consists of one cup of coffee in the morning, an occasional can of diet soda during the day and the rest is water. I can't do more than that or I will be in the bathroom every hour. I wake up 4-6 times a night now to go during the 6-1/2 hrs that I sleep during the week. I get more sleep on the weekends.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Starting over again & water intake

>>Do you really think I can lose enough to have 5-10 lbs to lose by the time I finish the OWL rungs?>>

Yes. That's the way the plan works. And as you know from reading DANDR, not everyone "finished" the OWL rungs. Not everyone is able to add back some of the later rungs.

>> was planning on staying on induction for 4 weeks for motivation since I lose quicker during that time. >>

That may not be what happens "this time".

>>As far as how much I drink now, I drink about 58 oz of liquids per day and that consists of one cup of coffee in the morning, an occasional can of diet soda during the day and the rest is water.>>

Since diet soda won't help you lose, you might want to have water instead of the diet soda.

[Georgiana]

Re: Starting over again & water intake

Do you really think I can lose enough to have 5-10 lbs to lose by the time I finish the OWL rungs?

I'm not sure I understand your question...

You can stay in OWL as long as you wish... until you are 5-10 lbs away from goal.

I was planning on staying on induction for 4 weeks for motivation since I lose quicker during that time.

It's not about losing weight faster. You want to learn how to maintain it, right? So that you make it a lifestyle this time instead of overdoing Induction.

I think it will be slower to lose this time.

Speed has absolutely nothing to do with success.

an occasional can of diet soda during the day

You don't need soda. Better drink water instead.

[sparkysarah]

Re: Starting over again & water intake

Hi Linda! I think staying on induction up to a month is reasonable...but it just depends on you. We have similar amounts of weight to lose...I am planning to stay on induction for 3 weeks total, then move up the rungs.

For the overactive bladder, I have heard that some sweeteners (aspartame, splenda, etc) can aggravate an overactive bladder. I would try to cut out the diet drinks and try drinking water with lemon. I've been drinking 1-2 cups of coffee a day and I haven't had any problems. But coffee is a diuretic which could also aggravate an overactive bladder....it would be hard for me to give up my coffee though.

Looking forward to losing weight with you!!
Sarah

[shelbyjo]

Re: Starting over again & water intake

True about the overactive bladder and caffeine. I was told by the doctor that it can aggrevate it if you drink too much but he said what I drink is fine. I didn't want to give up my morning cup of coffee and the occasional diet soda. It's not like I do it all the time. I am trying to drink more water anyway but I end up in the restroom a lot. Good thing I work in an office that's close to one.

[imagood1]

Re: Starting over again & water intake

True about the overactive bladder and caffeine. I was told by the doctor that it can aggrevate it if you drink too much but he said what I drink is fine. I didn't want to give up my morning cup of coffee and the occasional diet soda. It's not like I do it all the time. I am trying to drink more water anyway but I end up in the restroom a lot. Good thing I work in an office that's close to one.

Your body will get use to the extra water you are putting in daily - it may take awhile but it will happen. If you drink 1 cup of decaf in the morning then start on water you'll get to 64 ounces of pure water before you know it....and as far as the soda is concerned - when I drink soda now I am in the bathroom more than if I don't drink it -- plus my hands swell and my joints hurt.....water is the best thing you can put into your body - it's what your system needs to function properly.

[blueberrylady]

Re: Starting over again & water intake

I have overactive bladder too so I don't measure the water I drink. I quit usually after supper when I can tell that I'm reaching the 'too much' level. But pure water is the best thing for you to drink to stay properly hydrated. You need it to flush the burned fat out of your system.

[shelbyjo]

Re: Starting over again & water intake

I have overactive bladder too so I don't measure the water I drink. I quit usually after supper when I can tell that I'm reaching the 'too much' level. But pure water is the best thing for you to drink to stay properly hydrated. You need it to flush the burned fat out of your system.

I am glad I am in good company. I must be doing something right though, I have lost 4 lbs in the first 4 days. I don't purposely measure water either but I have a good estimate since I fill up 20oz water bottles at a time. I still drink water after dinner though. I get dry mouth with the medication so I need to drink the water but I try to cut back towards bedtime. It seems like it's the worst at night than it is during the day.