Off Induction (but before you get mad, read the post....)

[JMarsa202]

Okay, first of all, I cheated. But in the moment, I felt I had to. Let me explain.

I posted yesterday that I felt icky. And I attributed it to sinuses. Well I was sitting (on the toilet no less) and started vomitting. I broke out into an immediate sweat, and couldn't even hold my head up. I started blacking in and out (does that make sense? because that's what it felt like at the time). I was leaning the head against the wall and could barely talk. I told my son to get the phone. I tried to dial husband's cell phone, but couldn't dial the numbers. I was hot, and tried to get my sweatshirt off, but couldn't lift my arms. I told him the numbers to press and he called my husband. He didn't understand the situation and was trying to tell my husband to come home, but didn't understand why.

Anywho, long story short: best I can figure my blood sugar bottomed out. So I had an apple. It was the only thing I could think of at the time. I felt immediately better. Based on what (little) I know, it was reactive hypoglycemia, so unless the doctor tests me while I'm experiencing the symptoms, he wouldn't find anything. I do not have diabetes, and have never been diagnosed with hypoglycemia. But I do know that I don't ever want to feel that again.

My mom said the same thing happened to her on Induction a few years ago, and that's why she stopped doing it. If nothing else, I will research the other phases and do them, but I think it's best for me not do to Induction again. So, until I figure out what to do, I will go back to the way I was eating before I started Induction: no processed foods; just veggies, fruits, little cheese, little yogurt, stuff like that. Well, probably not yogurt. But I will be getting sugars from fruits.

[not2late]

What was your typical Atkins Induction menu like? The one thing I've noticed over the years is that many people try to eat as close to 0 net carbs as possible, thinking they will lose weight faster or get into ketosis faster or something like that. So they eat a lot of meat, veggies that have close to 0 net carbs, etc.

What they don't realize is that we start using ketones when our carb intake is below 100 total grams carbs daily, and that you don't go into ketosis until you have used up all your liver stored sugar/glycogen. Furthermore, they don't realize that we DO need some carbohydrates and that if they restrict their carb intake too severely and too quickly, they will experience those "Carbohydrate Withdrawal" symptoms.

[ConfusedAndNeedHelp]

Good luck in whatever you decide. Glad you're feeling better. Have you read the book and ate every 3-4 hours?

[not2late]

Sorry, I hit the send button before I was finished...

That Carb withdrawal thing is why I recommend eating vegetables other than lettuce during Induction. The other 53 veggies on the lists typically have more carbs and more fiber than lettuce. So eating 10-15 net carbs of veggies will still get you in ketosis and will decrease the likelihood of getting those withdrawal symptoms.

[sallyseachange]

Some people just need to eat a few extra carbs... Dr A says to add a few if you get the sort of symptoms you've had. A sort of induction with a little plus.
Hope you're feeling better still.

[JMarsa202]

Thanks for your concern. I do feel better, after about 20 hours of sleep. And the rest of my day was terrible, eating-wise, because all I had was ginger ale and a few saltines. Both no-nos, I know.

A few things: I have read DANDR (like 3 times), as well as "Atkins for Life." I am aware of the importance of eating the veggies, for both carbs and the phytochemicals. If anything, I have been going slightly over my daily intake for veggies (maybe 1/2 cup), because those are my preferred foods. If I couldn't had veggies on induction, there's no way I would've done it.

Typically, within an hour of waking up, I will eat a few eggs and some cheese. Sometimes I put spinach in the eggs. Since I don't eat much initially for breakfast, I have another "mini-breakfast" about 2 hours later. Then, throughout the day (every 3-5 hours, depending on how hungry I am), I eat the rest of my veggies, as well as more meat, cheese, eggs, etc.. I have also been having some cream. And plenty (100 oz or so) of water. I have also been taking my supplements and daily vitamin.

I realize that Atkins is "low carb," not no carb.

sallyseachange: I was not aware of the "induction-plus." I will definitely have to look into it, because I enjoy the WOE, so long as I don't get like I did.

So, do you think that I might have had a carb withdrawal, rather than blood sugar issues? Thanks for the suggestion, because I didn't think to look into that.

I hope that I answered everyone's questions.

[julirama723]

Juli, you might want to think about moving to OWL. That way you can increase your veggies, and start adding good carbs back in. But until then, I definitely agree with sally's "induction-plus" idea. That might just be like OWL Rung 1 anyway...

Sally, how many carbs extra is the "induction-plus" plan typically?

I'm going to say heck, just move to Rung 1 now. If you've lost weight so far on induction, I think your body will be able to handle those extra carbs no problems. I loved the extra serving of veggies, and it actually helped my weight loss.

Let us know what you decide!

[boonie stomper]

The fact that you know you have a full-blown infection concerns me. It in combination with burning the midnight oil in your studies as well as decreased nutrient intake could well be the cause of much uneccesary misery.


Have you been to a doctor?
Are you getting extra rest to fight the infection?
Are you keeping your body's defense arsenal stocked with supplemental vitamins and minerals?

I swear, if you are/have not, please know I went through that several times in college and the above can make a world of difference!

[not2late]

Sally is referring to this passage in Chapter 11 about the Welcome Back: Your Old Friend Energy section:

Usually, I advise patient who have these problems to slow down the weight loss. Thesy should add another helping of vegetables to their evening meal or one or two ounces of nuts or seeds. Although their bodies would almost certainly adjust during the second weeks, there isn't anay good reason for feeling washed out and sickly for even one day. After the symptoms abate, go back to the lower level of carb intake.

He goes onto say in the Addiction and Withdrawal section that "the more severe your withdrawal symptoms, the more you stand to gain from abandoning the food that is causing them."

[not2late]

Frankly, I would be sure to eat 1 cup of the higher carb veggies: pumpkin puree, jicama, tomato, artichoke, etc.