Shoot!

[VezinaBrat]

Hey all,

I've been super tired lately - Last week I completed my induction... I fell off the wagon Saturday. I hit the gym at least 4 times a week for the past month every morning, run after 14 month old twins all day long and the list doesn't end college, small business, husband... I just feel so weak.

I didn't cheat because I couldn't stand it anymore... I did because I thought it would help me feel better I feel like I am living in a haze. I've been spotting for the past 3 weeks after having a very very intense cycle. That has never happened to me until I've started this diet.

I want to come back to it, but I need some advice and a little motivation the weight I'm dropping hasn't made me feel better. I feel I am running on empty, always exhausted.

If I restart -should I start with induction all over?
What are good foods that will help with energy? (I don't do coffee I drink only water and the occasional fuze)

Thank you for listening, I openly accept whatever you have to say... I know I can do this and I will. I'm just confused at what next step to take now. Im not complaining about my life but something has got to give to make me feel alive... not a walking zombie.

[RitaCeleste]

I started using fitday to up my fats and make sure I eat enough. Normally, adding in extra fats helps me. However, after cheating I can feel like crap for awhile. You don't have to redo induction. Some people say adding some carbs and moving up the rungs helps them loose faster. I'd try that. Adding more veggies may help you out. I don't know why your cycle is a mess, I never had that problem. But make sure you take a multivitamin. I think if you track what you eat with fitday, and keep your calories up and make sure to eat the right amount of fat, it should get better. I think fat is important for making hormones. It seriously could help to make sure you are getting enough. Its easy for the protein to get too high and fat too low. I'm stuck for a bit, I always stall after induction and my body has decided it really likes this weight. So I get to watch what I eat and wait it out. I feel pretty good though. But off Atkins my diet is pretty devoid of good meats and veggies so for me Atkins is an improvement. I'm really sorry to hear you are having a rough time this time. Also if you track what you eat with fitday, its easier to post your menu and get pointers from the mods.

[mizski]

Hi Stephanie! Your life is incredibly busy and I don't think any diet can fix spreading yourself out so thinly. Many people talk about this burst of energy you get somewhere in Induction. Still waiting for mine but I don't think it's going to happen because, like you, I'm just too busy all the time. I DID try to be more disciplined about going to bed earlier and getting more sleep and that did help some.

After a little over three weeks on Atkins, I don't have any great energy but I do feel much better...not as sluggish as when I was eating a lot more carbs. Maybe your menu needs tweaking? I didn't see anywhere that you posted a sample menu in the Review My Menu section. That might be an idea as maybe your not eating enough or need to change some things. Adding a multi-vitamin (loads of threads on that here & also Chapter 23 in DANDR) and maybe some additional supplements that you might need can also be a big help.

I have no idea why your cycle is messed up like that. A call/visit to your doctor would be a good idea. Spotting for weeks is not only a PITA, it's a signal that something is off.

Again, you are a very busy mom. Tired kind of goes with the territory but hopefully some simple changes can get you out of zombie-land. Good luck and please let us know how it's going.

[Georgiana]

Estrogen is produced in fat cells. So when you are losing fat, some of that estrogen will also be released and that can mess up your period. If you lost weight quickly, extra, heavier or longer periods are not unusual.

I would still talk to a doctor. But tell him/her about your diet and tell him/her how much weight you lost in what time. If you don't want to mention Atkins, just say you are eating unprocessed foods, no sugar, white flour, etc.