I FEEL LIKE CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Day 12

[Alice J]

OMG - I'm 55 years old - 5'6" and 189.5 lbs. I haven't lost an ounce and I'm being a real fanatic about carbs. So - I'm now cutting out ALL plants. Period. Gotta get that induction going.

I think there must be a metabolic memory - the brain is an amazing and very misunderstood organ that is all about survival - it manages metabolism. (I'm a doctor.) I believe my brain remembers this glucose starvation and it's slooooowing my metabolism. PLUS I'm a few years older - that always makes a difference.

My friend is an endocrinologist - he went on Atkins when he had QUINTUPLE bypass surgery, lost 36 pounds, and kept it off. Clever lad! My gynecologist went on it and lost 100 pounds!! She kept it off. I guess I'm the baaad doctor! BUT - I decided I have to do it this time and STAY THERE. There is a MOUNTAIN of research supporting carb limitation for weight loss. I see the value of Atkins debated among nutritionists, but not so much among doctors. Why? Er... I guess because we read the MEDICAL research!

My highest weight ever was 210 - I went on Atkins and lost so much weight. My OWN NURSE gave me a hard time about it... she said Atkins is not healthy. I said, "Really? How healthy is it for me to be 70 pounds overweight?" She had no response to that.

After she had her baby, SHE went on Atkins! BA!

Okay - so here I am, almost two weeks into this and I feel like crap. I have no energy. I'm home today reading "The Five People You Meet in Heaven." GREAT book! And drinking water and looking at these boards. I don't feel like eating but I am - you must eat. I've felt lethargic, incredibly fatigued, and just... no energy for anything at all. I have not exercised this entire time... and I know exercise is the best way to get energy! I have not taken the dogs for a walk this whole time!! I have headaches and - well, I feel like CRAP. My husband is a martial artist and not in need of Atkins, but he is sooooo supportive and wonderful and sweet. If he even wants to eat a banana he asks me if he should eat it somewhere not near me. That doesn't bother me at all - he can eat anything around me. I feel too bad to want to eat anything at this point!

I'm going back to work next week... how can I do this? Anyone else out there in your 50s and doing this for the 2nd (or more) time and having these troubles? Sticking to the diet, not losing weight, and feeling like CRAP. [IMG]file:///C:/Users/ALICEC%7E1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif[/IMG]

BLEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DarlingBri]

I can't believe I'm telling a doctor this, but:

First of all, correlation ≠ causation. Even people doing Atkins get sick. Is it possible you have a low-grade flu, random virus or something exotic and interesting? Because that seems like very lingering induction flu.

Second of all, are you drinking enough water? Are you taking a multi-vitamin?

Third of all, do you want to post a menu (or if you're using FitDay, a link would help with your nutritional breakdown.) You cannot cut out all plants but we may be able to help you cut other things stalling you.

Finally, are you taking any other medications? Are you peri- or menopausal?

And re metabolic memory, yuppers - it's harder for everyone the second or third time. You may be in for a long haul but there are people here who have been climbing rungs and steadily losing for a year and they are succesful and well fed!

[Alice J]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! I was feeling like an orphan here. Thank you, thank you, thank you - I appreciate your time and effort.

I'm post menopausal - had everything out six years ago. No meds whatsoever - I am taking 2 multivitamins daily right now b.c. I normally eat TONS of produce. I know you can take too many vitamins, but this is temporary, so...

Drink lots of water - in menopause I'm hot and thirsty a lot.

A virus? You clever lass! That is excellent detective work! Alas, I'm not lucky enough to be sick. It's just me.

'-b

I did think about it after I posted my desperate plea... I've been eating too many nuts, I fear. I should MEASURE. And I'm eating a wee bit too much onion, tomato, and spinach. Too much for this time, anyway.

Mostly, I'm eating scrambled egg whites - I was putting a tablespoon of diced onion and 1/2 c diced tomato in the mix when I cooked it. And ate about 1/2 c fresh spinach - wilted. So today I chopped up about 1/4 c celery to cook in my eggs.

For lunch and dinner, I'm eating salmon I cook in the oven. OH! I just thought of something - I normally put a LOT of lemon juice on them. I imagine lemon has a good bit of sugar.

Last night, I had one stalk of celery - put sardines and pecorino cheese on it. The cheese has no carbs. Added 2 oz avocado. I purchased CalorieKing - it's a program you can get online that tracks nutrients down to the gram. And you can add foods that are not in the library.

Do you think it was the nuts? I was eating about 2 oz a day of pecans - around 8 grams of carbs. I'm wondering... do we need to aim for under 20 grams if we're having this problem? I'm really baffled - and disappointed. It was SOOOO easy before!

Anyway, that's about all I'm eating save the occasional hot dog that I normally give in bits to my dogs as treats. I just feel SICK. Can't explain it - I did take the dogs for a short walk this afternoon and felt more energy. Exercise is definitely good! But now I'm feeling cruddy again - fatigued and slightly sick to my stomach. No symptoms of illness.

I had outrageous success before but I really see I can't do induction as I did then. Nuts are healthy but I think I'll eschew them entirely for a couple of weeks. Any advice?

THANK YOU again! I appreciate it so much! I almost didn't reveal I'm a doctor, but then I thought I should, to show that doctors use this diet, too. Heck, come to think of it, half the doctors I know have done it to great success - including my sister!

I would greatly appreciate any further input/advice. There are so many people here with lots of experience with this diet - I really need some input. I know there's knowledge in this board that I don't have.

Again, thank you! I look forward to ANY advice! I'm a person, too!

'-)

[DarlingBri]

OK, well, bad news first: you're over 50, you're post menopausal, and you're a second timer. It's unlikely to be a fast loss.

Now for the good news: You're doing it wrong. That's good because it's correctable! Here is a primer on induction (The Dummies Guide to Atkins (DRAFT)). It is still being edited but it lays it all out pretty clearly. You can find both lists of allowed vegetables (What foods can be eaten on Induction?) here (scroll down.)

You're going to need to read carefully, because what you're doing is a bit of a trainwreck. Eggs are essential to Atkins, but egg whites only are verboten because Induction is all about the fat, baby. (65% of your diet from fat, in fact - this is a high fat, medium protein, low carb diet.) While we do ration vegetables, most of our carbs are to come from veggies, so they are not optional. Nuts are not allowed on induction. I do not believe there is a hot dog that exists that does not have sugar and isn't chock full of nitrates.

You are also STARVING yourself of calories. No wonder you feel like crap, woman. Also no wonder you're not losing - you're in starvation mode.

So, really, make some bacon and eggs for breakfast, sit down, read the 2002 edition, and have a re-think. You have the skills to understand both the science and the food so gear up to do it right and I'm pretty confident you'll have slow but steady results.

Also, if you use a program like FitDay, you can see you daily vitamin and mineral intake vs the RDA guidelines, and see that you will in NO WAY be so deficient you'll need two multi-vits. People argue over just the one enough as it is!

[Alice J]

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

I'm going to read your recommendations RIGHT NOW. I can't thank you enough! Honestly - I've been BAFFLED!!

You're an ANGEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[odirish]

I'm 57 and this is my 3rd or 4th attempt at Atkins. I did a very strict Induction, but after 2 weeks, I increased my carbs for maybe a day or 2 and then back to 20 or fewer carbs. It took a month, but I did lose 10 lbs. so far but never felt crappy.

Mary Ann

[Alice J]

Hi, Mary Ann! Thank you for your response. Congratulations on your weight loss! I'm glad you didn't feel crappy. Bri helped me here - I'm doing it ALL WRONG. DUH. I feel absolutely terrible... took two weeks off with fantasies of working on my home office and all I'm doing is lying around reading and watching movies!

Thanks to Bri's excellent advice, I expect to be tip-top by Monday. I should have come to these boards on day 1!

Good luck with your continued work!

Originally Posted by odirish

I'm 57 and this is my 3rd or 4th attempt at Atkins. I did a very strict Induction, but after 2 weeks, I increased my carbs for maybe a day or 2 and then back to 20 or fewer carbs. It took a month, but I did lose 10 lbs. so far but never felt crappy.

Mary Ann

[DarlingBri]

Ahh sure you're very welcome. It's no bother

You must come back and tell us how you're doing though! (And you may want a menu spot check in a week or so, just for safety.)

[imagood1]

Hi Alice --

Have you read the 2002 Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution (DANDR) book? Because you were eating nuts and other things it makes me believe you haven't. You can find an inexpensive copy on www.amazon.com or www.half.com (mine was under $5.00 with shipping).

I don't remember seeing where you introduced yourself on the Spotlight area I'll give you the information I normally give people there.....I'm one of the ladies who welcomes people when they start here.

If you haven’t until you can get a copy you’ll find a condensed version at the top of the induction - (Atkins Diet Induction FAQs)(Atkins Diet Induction FAQs)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/77558-atkins-diet-induction-faqs.html.

Make sure you drink a minimum of 64 ounces of pure water (nothing added), exercise starting today and taking a multi-vitamin. Check all around the board for everything there is to, there is a challenge section with both exercise and non exercise challenges, Rate My Menu for help with your food, journaling – there is something for everyone

Make a copy of this list (What foods can be eaten on Induction?)(What foods can be eaten on Induction?)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-low-carb-dieting-faqs/6781-what-foods-can-eaten-induction.html and take it with you when you go to the store. If a food isn’t listed on the acceptable food list don’t eat it. Learn to read the label on all foods you buy - don’t just look at the “carb” number look at the ingredients list of everything and check the ingredients against your list. Just because it says "low carb" doesn't mean you can eat it. Also check for hidden sugars (learn the names used in place of the word “sugar”).

You said above you were going to cut out plants......not smart -- you should be getting the largest part of your carbs from vegetables ..... you need these to keep your bowels moving, to keep your stomach feeling full and for something other than meat, eggs and cheese in your body. One of the biggest misconceptions about Atkins is we only eat meat, eggs and cheese ---- nothing could be further from the truth -- I actually eat more vegetables now than I've ever eaten in my life.

If you have done Atkins before there is a group you may be interested in: Second Time Around Club - Atkins Diet - they have a daily roll call for everyone to say hi and keep in touch.

The recipe sites are helpful for meal planning – just make sure you use Induction Recipes to begin with.
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/menus.html (Linda’s)
(Never ending induction recipes)(Never ending induction recipes)(Never ending induction recipes)(Never ending induction recipes)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/58513-never-ending-induction-recipes.html (Induction recipes)
(Induction Recipe Basics--More recipes added)(Induction Recipe Basics--More recipes added)(Induction Recipe Basics--More recipes added)(Induction Recipe Basics--More recipes added)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/6807-induction-recipe-basics-more-recipes-added.html (Induction Recipe Basics)

I'm sorry I wasn't here yesterday when you posted -- I took a day away from the site....If you need anything we’re here to help you!! Good luck to you!

[Alice J]

Carole, you're a DOLL!!! You ARE a good one!



Yes, I read your intro post - it's marvelous. How lovely for you to put all the information out there for us. I did not introduce myself because - I don't know. I guess I was reading all about everyone else. I didn't know if I should introduce myself because once I go back to work next week, I won't have much time for these boards.

I read the book years ago... CLEARLY I need to do so again! And Bri has been an absolute ANGEL!! I am so, so, so very grateful to her for her marvelous help.

THANK YOU for your time and effort here!