I had to quit!

[Kate113]

I had a bad day yesterday because I was thinking of giving up on Atkins.

I was planning on staying on strict induction for as long as I could so I could get this fat off my body, but I've developed leg cramps down below my calves! They are on the outsides of my legs. The left leg early this morning and the right one yesterday morning. Those suckers hurt like the dickens!

Also, I've been at a point where I'm losing and gaining the same 3-5 pounds. It's become frustrating!

I had to quit extended induction. I've moved up to rung 1 of OWL so I can get more veggies in. I don't get it though because I am taking my supplements, eating my veggies and drinking my water. I really don't want to take any more tablets than I have to. My aunt took vitamins for everything and they didn't save her. My father took pills for this and that and they sure didn't save him.

So while I was sitting here thinking of giving up altogether, I talked myself into coming here to do a little reading. I read through some success stories and looked at some photos and just doing that really saved me. Everyone here is such an inspiration to me that you've nudged me to stick with this journey. Thank you for that.

So...I guess I'll have to accept that I might lose a little bit slower by moving up the ladder and I'm not happy about that because I have so much to lose, but I shall endure and I shall smile when I see a loss and be proud of myself instead of sitting in self pity.

I just hope those nasty cramps go away!

[Momtofour]

The cramps go away. Alot of us had them in the first few weeks. Your body is going through quite an adjustment; give it some time.

Adding more veggies won't necessarily slow you down. Usually when I see that the weight is coming off slower, I find that I'm not eating enough.

Stick with it! You will be so happy you did!

[Moochiecat]

Leg cramps are fairly common with us Atkineers and are easy to take care of...just get yourself a potassium supplement (calcium/magnesium/potassium mix is great, but if you are already taking calcium, the potassium alone will be fine).
I don't like to take a handful of pills either but I found that adding in that one potassium pill a day helped get rid of my leg cramps pretty much immediately. I took them for about a year then weaned myself off with no return of cramps.
An alternative would be to look up which foods are rich in potassium and eat more of those since you are going up to rung 1.

You've read this about weight loss, right?
(Weight loss is not linear)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5090

Remember the weight didn't go on overnight, and neither will it leave your body overnight....every pound lost is a victory and the improvements in health, mobility and self-esteem along the way are well worth waiting for!

[Sd1136]

Try taking Magnesium and Potassium, I am prone to leg cramps and I always take that. MY weight is coming off slower then I want, but, its coming off and If I did nothing, I would be gaining. But we are also eating healthier and better in the long run. You can do it, I find If i come back here and read and re read it helps keep me going
sandi

[not2late]

OWL isn't punishment. On the contrary, OWL is where you get to eat a wider variety of foods while you lose weight. "Slower" weight loss on OWL can mean losing 4 pounds a week, instead of losing 5.

So, don't think OWL or Pre-Maintenance are Atkins punishment phases. You'll be eating a wider variety of foods, which means you'll be getting more vitamins and mineral and fiber.

[Kate113]

Thanks for the words of encouragement! I really needed those. I've been rather leery of adding more carbs when I'm struggling with the same 3-5 pounds. I haven't been getting up to 20 carbs. I'm usually between 10-15 carbs daily. This past week I've been doing a lot of work around the house and have actually forgotten to eat. So I can see where maybe I'm not eating enough and that has slowed me down.

Next time I'm out, I'll be picking up those potassium supplements as well. I have read that post about weight loss. Very informative.

Last night, when I was watching the Superbowl, the family was munching on pretzels and chips and I wanted them so bad, but I was a good girl and had some raw veggies instead. It was then that I told myself that I started Atkins for a reason and if I'm to get this weight off, it won't be from eating that garbage. After the game is when I came here to read, trying to get psyched up again. It worked. I'm a little down today, but I know I just need to stick with this and all my dreams of feeling and looking good will come true.

Thanks again.

[2big4mysize]

good for you. if you use fit day see if you are missing any minerals or vits in the reports section. that can help you taylor your plan better I know in induction and early OWL I needed 3 OTC potassium pills according to my doc cause I was low as I climbed the ladder I needed less and now I need none.

you can use a salt sub if you are a shaker and get some potassium that way too. if you get a potassium cloride one.