Question about when to start

[LuckyD]

I am second-time-around person who is going to start this woe once again. I am dreading the induction flu and am trying to time when I start to when I may get it. I have a house full of young kids until Saturday morning and I dont want to feel crappy when they are all here. I cant remember from the last time if the 'flu' hit me on day 2 or 3. Is there a general consensus as to when the sypmtoms start to hit? I want to start ASAP, but I want to be able to have the option of doing absolutely nothing for a day or two when I am not feeling well.
Thanks for your input!

[floydgirl]

welcome back to lowcarbing, LuckyD. I hope you have a lot of success this time around.

I think the duration and start of the induction flu depends on the person. For example, if you are addicted to caffeine, I think you are going to feel the results of having no caffeine pretty quickly.

[boonie stomper]

The "induction flu" description of symptoms typically occurs during the time period when your body has run out of carbs to run on, begs your brain for more, and finally gives in to switching over to running on fats. The transition can be over with in a day, if you follow the DANDR rules (goto page 121 or thhe induction forum stickies) to the letter. A strong diuretic effect also accompanies this switchover in metabolism, which can result in a rapid loss of fluid, electrolytes, and toxins in the body; you can also get light-headed from the drop in BP. If you make an effort to replace the fluids and mineral salts (mainly potassium and magnesium, and sodium, which is the easiest to replace; but is usually the other 2 needing replenishing most) you may avoid ill effects entirely.
Day 2 or 3 should be the turning point, if your carb intake is below 20g, increasing your activity can hasten it.

Good luck!!

[MaggieBE]

I started during a time when Atkins could be the main thing I focused on. Of course I always have a dh, two children, laundry to be done, bills to be paid, etc. But othewise life would be as normal as possible. I also started AFTER I read the book again from start to finish and AFTER making sure I had legal foods available.


I didn't really go through induction flu this time. I hadn't been drinking coffee or cola before however. In past attempts when I did have to give up coffee and cola I had the worse time of it! I felt like crap for at least a week. If you drink things with caffeine now might be the time to slowly drink less(or replace with decaf).

Best wishes to you!

[Hudson]

If I were you I would start Jan.2. I would spend from now until then reading up and making plans. (And I would eat Pizza on the first)

[Elizellen]

Originally Posted by Hudson

If I were you I would start Jan.2. I would spend from now until then reading up and making plans. (And I would eat Pizza on the first)

Why not eat Atkins-legal pizza now, Hudson? We regularly have it. Either using the 'Biker Goddess Pizza' (Pizza!)recipe or by making a flaxbread 'crust' with legal toppings like cheese, meat, olives, slices of tomato etc etc!

I do however echo the suggestions of planning and researching this new way of eating as well as maybe dropping caffeine beforehand and getting used to drinking plenty of plain water now if you are not able to start induction now.


I am sure this will ease you into it and might mean less 'induction-flu' symptoms.

[Tracie515]

It's never to early to start. Good Luck!

[MaggieBE]

Whatever happened to BikerGoddess? I also wonder what happened to Moochiecat and Loonatika(she was from Australia or New Zealand)? I like the pizza recipe found at http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/deep_dish_pizza.html It is better then normal pizza and my children agree. It is actually better!

[LuckyD]

Thanks for the input everyone. I started today and I am going to slowly ease myself off the caffiene. I have read DANDR front to back and back to front I cannot even count how many times. Right now my copy is stashed away in my shed in a box somewhere and I need to fish it out. Mentally I am prepared and foodwise I am prepared, and to tell you the truth I have no desire to wait until the start of the new year. On Jan. 1st I want to already be feeling good and down a pound or two.

[Tracie515]

That is great Good Luck and I will be looking forward to watching you meet your goals.