Nursing myself back to health on Atkins

[PinkBikini]

Guys,

I am so ill. This week we had to stop exercising for 3 days. In fairness, the first day I took a day off. The 2nd day I was afraid to completely stop working out so we walked a 0.5 mile to the grocery store and did a little tour there. It took 40 minutes. It was a SLOW stroll but I thought it would be good to get out of the house. We headed home when my husband felt too dizzy to stay out any longer. And we stopped working out again the 3rd day.

I've been gaining a 1/4 pound each day since I stopped working out. I'm still under 20 TOTAL carbs/day except that I've been having to take some ibuprofen over the last couple days and it has no nutritional info. I don't know if I've gotten all my water in because it hurts to swallow when I'm overdue for my pills. My throat is sore and my body has been achy. But my body stopped aching yesterday and when we got home from work I insisted we attempt a workout.

We bundled up like it was winter (hat, mittens, and a scarf wrapped snuggly around my mouth and nose to prevent further drying out) and we went to the local track and walked about 2 miles. I even did a little power walking and jogging at intervals because I felt good. When we got home I had a hot shower and a big breakfast and we watched a movie. But this afternoon and evening I've been coughing and my runny nose is worse. And to top it all off my weight tonight (which is "this morning" for me) is up over a 1/2 pound today.

I know I shouldn't freak out about the scale but it's just so disappointing and I'm wondering what I've done differently that may have screwed up my plan. I've stalled before but never gained steadily day after day. Is my midol/ibuprofen ok? I've had my TOM for over a week now (approx 4 days after starting the diet even though some of it the carbs were a bit high) which I read online somewhere may be that my fat breakdown has released high amounts of estrogen which are causing the bleeding.

I'm just waiting for my cold to pass and continuing to journal my symptoms daily in my Atkins journal of eating/exercise/health.

Any suggestions from those who have been sick before on what you did to make it better? OR what you took to help? Or if it's normal to gain weight? Or if this is just one of my many weight fluctuations that I'll need to get used to along with the WOE.

For now I'll continue taking my midol/ibuprofen and trying to drink my water until my symptoms pass completely.

[Tack Candy]

Sorry about your feeling Lousy, Pink. I really think that if you keep drinking lots of water you will be fine. Your body has alot going on right now so it needs time to equalize itself. I would try to continue to eat Atkins (IT IS HEALTHY STUFF) especially veggies and if you go over your veggie count don't sweat it too much. You can probably use those nutrients now.

Take care of yourself. Nap if you have to, and drink lots of good old H2O.

[Evermind]

Just focus on getting better - rest as much as you can,and keep those fluids going.

You are NOT gaining weight. Your fluid retention is fluctuating. Tylenol and midol can do that. It means NOTHING. If you're like me, you'll continue to weigh yourself constantly, but don't interpret the scale number as indicative of anything at all except water.

Try chicken broth for a change from water every now and then. You need to make sure that you're getting enough protein and fat.

[PinkBikini]

I've been under 20 carbs all week. I finally "quit" exercise because my cough became hacking and now it's actually productive of green phlegm. I definitely got the common cold. I also switched over to a cough syrup by tylenol which doesnt list any sugars on it but it may very well have some in it. It just hurt too much to go on without it and it works so well that I've had to have it the last few nights.

and thanks for the reassurance, my weight is around 120 now. I've been drinking 10-15 glasses (8 oz) of water/day trying to flush this crap out of my system-- whatever virus it may be. I need to be healthy for work and if it goes on too many more days I am going to have to call in. I just want to get better!!!!!!!

So, I'm resting, eating on the plan, and drinking lots and lots of water (from ice cold to boiling for variety).

[PinkBikini]

And I might add, in the last 2 nights at work I have refused:
A giant yummy looking chocolate cake
Chocolate chip cookies
Some sort of cheesecake thing (which is my absolute favorite thing)

Right now I just want my old comfort foods and I'm doing very well sticking to the plan and trying to maintain induction. I did switch from counting "total carbs" to counting "net carbs" after rereading the book this week and deciding to go against the atkins buddy who reviewed my diet plan and insisted I try to count total carbs. This way I'm getting more stuff in each day particulary my half avocado and flax seed not counting as half my total daily carbs!

Hopefully I'll be cured by the weekend!

[Elizellen]

Hang in there, Pink

[Tack Candy]

When I "do battle" and win with obsticles that get in my way I save those memories to use when there is another tree in the road. I say to myself "I got through x so I don't want to spoil that now." It has gotten me over a few rough spots.

[sallyseachange]

Keep the fluids up and rest. Don't worry about fluctuations on the scale these days. Just concentrate on getting better asap.
Hope you feel better very soon!