I am really upset.......

[chepatti]

I just finished my 14th day of induction yesterday.... I have been in ketosis in between 80-160 colors. On the 12th day I had lost 9 lbs, still not as much as I would like since I need to lose about 110lbs, but I was happy. When I stepped on the scale yesterday I gained 5 lbs, and today I gained another pound... I don't understand. I have not gone over the 20grams, the only thing I can think about, I should be getting a period here, I am already late, no chance of preganancy I had a tubal ligation after my daughter was born 8 years ago. Yesterday I had a pounding headache all day, could this be related as well. PLEASE HELP I don' want to give up!!!

[Amy-SC]

I'm no expert by any means but I've been doing induction for the past two weeks (not exactly "by the book") but I gained during that TOM too but once I started (after a couple days) it came back off. Just keep going and I'll try to keep going as well. I know it's hard .. I'm still dreaming about sweets! Don't give up, we can do this. It's got to be long term though, a way of life so they say! As much as I'd like the extra weight to be gone tomorrow, I didn't put it on overnight and it's not coming off overnight. As hard as it is .. I'd do my best to stay away from the scale around that TOM, it's EVIL!

[Georgiana]

Hi, Chepatti! Welcome and congrats for the 3 lbs LOST!

You normally retain water when TOM's around, so don't worry too much about it. If the lbs you gained are only water, then they will disappear once TOM goes away.

However, I would suggest you to post a menu on the board. Others can then check it for some hidden illegal ingredients and then you'll know for sure if there's something in your menu or if it's just the TOM.

And just as an advice, it's probably better not to weight daily. I shouldn't talk here because I'm one of those who can't stay away from the scale each morning, but seeing your weight oscillating without any apparent reason (though normal) can sometimes be very discouraging.

I'm not sure about the headache because I had no problems during induction, but I bet someone here will tell you more about that.

Good luck with this new way of eating!

[Brook]

You did NOT put on 6lbs of fat in the last 48 hours, chepatti. I know it's easy to get reactionary and emotional about this stuff, but you really have to take a step back and be logical about it. You did not put on 6lbs of fat in 48 hours. It's water. Water is transient. You will have weight fluctuations *all the time* and if they freak you out that badly, stay off the dumb scale!

You're likely noticing the pre-TOM gain is that big because you're *watching*. I was amazed to learn how big the variations and fluctuations were through-out my cycle, but I know what they are now and I expect them. It is what it is!

As for 12lbs in 14 days...you do realize that's 10% of what you need to lose in a lousy two weeks, right? 10%!! That's a *lot* of weight and it's the top end of what you could realistically expect to lose on an uber clean induction. Well done!! Be as excited about removing that much weight in 12 days as you would be mad if you'd put that much weight on in as many days.

Take a deep breath. Get through TOM. Stay the course. You did *not* put on 6lbs of fat in 2 days- unless, of course, you ate over 21,000 calories more than you should have since day before yesterday!

~Brook

[shari_dawn]

I gain roughly 6-7 lbs during my time of the month. I usually spend one day on the toilet either during or after my period passing all that water weight. Just put on some comfy PJ's relax for a while, keep going on your diet I'm sure you are doing fine. Also remember the importance of exercise. Good Luck!

[chepatti]

Thanks so much Brook and Shari... I was freaking out!!!! I am still in high ketosis so I know I am doing something right... I can't wait for TOM to come and leave.... I am sure that is why I had the pounding headache yesterday as well.

THANK YOU AND I WILL NOT GIVE UP, I am so happy I joined this community!

[x_Angie_x]

Hi ya,

I find that if i weigh myslef just before TOM. I gain a few lbs too! It's depressing to see on the scale but it will go down when your period is over. Try not to weigh yourself until after your period! Hopefully it'll make you smile! :P

[SunnySmile501]

When you are over 100 pounds overweight, starting Atkins can upset your monthly cycle. You store estrogen in your fat. When the estrogen starts exiting your body with the fat you burned, your body gets a little confused and shook up. You can't be getting upset with fluctuations when your body is just trying to maintain the status quo it has been accustomed to thinking was normal. If you stick with it, your body will finally get the idea that you are creating a new normal, and it's okay to let it all go.

Another thing that might be causing you to hold onto water: You keep saying that you are in "high ketosis" and naming the high numbers at which you register. The thing about ketosis--either you are in ketosis or you are not. "High" ketosis readings usually mean that you are dehydrated and your body is holding on to fluid, which is full of ketones that have not been diluted and sent out of the body in the urine. When you are burning a lot of fat, you need to drink extra water to wash out all the byproducts of metabolizing and burning fat, plus you need to wash out the toxins that you have been accumulating with poor eating habits. You can get a headache from your body holding on to fluids that are full of waste from your detox. You don't say how much pure water you are drinking, but I would bet the farm that it's not near enough. If you are properly hydrated, your body will let go of those pounds of water weight. If you stay dehydrated, it has no choice but to hold on to the little it has for your body to function correctly.

Sunny!

[chepatti]

Sunny,

Thank you so much for your response, and I think you hit the nail on the head. I do drink water, about 32oz a day. I drink diet soda the rest of the time. I need to pick it up a notch. THANK YOU AGAIN!!!

[shininstr984]

This happened to me the first time I was on Atkins. I had gained 5 lbs in a day and it freaked me out...then a week later I lost 7 lbs...so don't fret! I've started to just weigh in once a week and it is much more encouraging than being dependant on the scale every day. During my TOM I stayed off the scale for 2 weeks, just so I wasn't discouraged.


Just a thought