Help please.

[ConstantCraving]

Hi all...

This is the first time I have done Atkins. I chose it because of all the research I did it looks like the one that can be a lifelong plan. It was also the one my doctor was and is very supportive of. I'm looking for perhaps some kind of similar experiences, input that could help me know if I am doing anything wrong or if anyone has had a similar things happen.

I'm at the end of my two week induction, no cheats, clean, just under 20 gm of carbs and about 1100 to 1400 cals a day. Majority of my carbs are from salad veggies. I've kept a journal. Lost 9 lbs the first week and two fluctuating pounds the last week. 2 inches lost overall. My clothes are a tad looser.

I'm not feeling very well. I saw my doctor yesterday. My blood pressure is up, from my normal 105/60 to 135/85, my resting heart rate has increased from 60-65 bpm to 85 bpm and I'm having episodes of it racing up to 120. Going to the gym has turned into a huge frustration. I can't even get half my workout done. My energy level is fairly good overall but as soon as I start to work out or walk very much my muscles hurt like....well...they hurt a fair bit. They just stop working.

The doctor told me the muscle part is because there isn't the glucose for the muscles to draw on and I'm having lactic acid build up. She isn't overly concerned with the increase in heart rate or BP. I am though. I haven't had this kind of difficulty in years. I'm 54 yrs old. I'm going for repeat blood work this week to make sure all is okay.

I'm in mild to moderate ketosis. 2 packet's of Splenda a day, no diet sodas, 1 oz of cream in my tea. I'm struggling with craving's all the time it seems.

I don't like feeling like this. Will it pass with a bit more time? Suggestions?
I'm frustrated. Help!!

[TheFinalSQL]

Are they cravings or are you just hungry?

Don't count calories, eat until you are not hungry. When you become hungry again, repeat.

Norm

[ValidRouge]

Hello and welcome to ADBB! I hope that I can answer some of your questions.

First, do you use Fitday to record your food? If you could share your journal, we can see exactly what you're eating and that would be very helpful for us to help you.

Second, sometimes it takes a bit more than the first two weeks to totally get your body converted to burning fat as its primary source of fuel as opposed to glucose. That may account for some of your fatigue. I think you should keep at the diet and make sure that your carb count is as close to 20 as possible through VEGETABLES and not cream, salad dressing, cheese, olives, etc (those "special category" foods).

The next thing I'd recommend is making absolutely sure you are eating a calorie level AT MINIMUM your BMR. Our bodies must have fuel (FOOD). While we don't often need to eat much over the BMR, we also shouldn't be eating under it. The Basal Metabolic Rate are the number of calories we burn just by living.

I didn't watch my blood pressure and resting heart rate until much much later in my journey, but mine has dropped SO LOW that I got a little nervous. My doctors aren't so concerned though, and they've done some extensive testing. They said it's because of my good health and running I have heard, however, of cholesterol levels going UP initially. Recommendation is to have cholesterol levels checked after being on the plan at least 6 weeks or longer. I'm not sure if that could be the same for BP and RHR as well.

[eclectikat]

I feel your pain.... throughout my weightloss journey thus far I have had bouts of unwellness just as you describe. THEY ALWAYS PASS... I am drinking diet coke... and will be chastized for doing so I know... but other than that I am on track and losing slowly and consistantly... my bouts of unwellness always either come immediatly before or immediatly follow a loss... my theory is that I am somewhat toxic. I feel I have dealt with candida...overgrowth of yeast which made me feel very sick for a while and have gotten over that about a month ago now... but just last week... my skin broke out, my gums were achy... I was tired and lethargic no energy... but I always come out of it feeling even better.
I made a post a long while back about our fat cells holding toxins and chemicals and that as we burn the fat and the cells shrink, those things are released into our blood stream and have to be removed from the body through our regular elimination process... I am not a scientist, medical professional, or anyone else claiming expertiece... but over my life I have worked in places where I was exposed to alot of toxic substances and smokers... and even the chemicals in our food... AND Even now... aspartame and splenda... maybe they are toxic too.... My belief is that they are....and as we release those toxins... we will feel liike crap... but only to feel better for detoxifying. IT just takes time.
SO... that is my two cents... all I can say... is I always come through it feeling better than I did before....

Feel better... stay on track...eat well... and I agree... eat to be satisfied... eat more calories if you need to... just not more carbs... you will find as you motor on that your need for more food diminishes...and that you will lose even though you eat more calories that you may need... that is the magic of the Atkins approach... and being satisfied with the food you eat is a huge component to being sucessfful with this way of eating.

BE well
Kathy

[Asclepius]

I second the comments reminding you to eat when you are hungry and not restrict calories. Your body MUST have fuel on hand if you are doing to place exercise demands on it. Another thing to keep in mind is hydration - and that means more than 64oz of water if you are performing gym work. Fluid intake is vital to flushing out lactic acid as well as maintaining appropriate blood volume and heart rate. I know it seems counterintuitive but low blood volume leads to vessel constriction and increased heart rate so your body can elevate your blood pressure. It's all part of the wonders of homeostasis. Are you able to pinpoint anything that leads to your racing heart? Or is it when you least expect it? Follow up is certainly warranted if you are still feeling unwell. Kudos to paying attention to your body. You know it more intimately than any health care provider ever will.

Cheers!

[MojosRising]

Have you been eating veggies?

have you been taking vitamins?

[kellyf48]

I remember reading that being in ketosis is not conducive to extreme excercise. It said long distance running or anything extreme like that. Are doing hours of running? I think your body could use more carbs then or something anyone else remember this?

[ConstantCraving]

Wow...what great and thought provoking advice from you all! I feel better already knowing there is a place where people will take the time and lend support.

You pointed out things that I hadn't thought of. I have been eating my veggies yes, and taking supplements. For the first time in my life I have been learning the difference between hunger and craving, the want for food and not the need. It's been quite a revelation. The craving are for the carbs, plain and simple. I am satisfied hunger wise after my meals.

I have to admit to the whole low cal, low fat mentality,. I've been using it for the past 4 years and can count calories and fat in my sleep. I have to focus on NOT counting calories. It had gotten so that even at 800 cals a day I couldn't maintain my previous weight loss. I was literally starving and my weight was increasing. Today I scratch the Calorie column from my journal!! I don't use Fitday to record my daily intake, I have been just journaling at home with a pen and paper.

I don't think I am consuming enough water. I used to however I always put Crystal lite in my water or used flavoured water, green tea etc to make up my water quota. I don't like water but I guess I had better hold my nose and swallow it straight. The low blood volume make total sense and I have no doubt that is what is happening in my heart rate etc. There is no real triggers that I can find that cause the spells of rapid heart rate except they quite often after I get up in the morning. Other than that they are random. I have had low sodium/potassium in the past so...I had better be a great deal more careful there.

I cut down my chesse intake a couple of days ago. It seems to have helped the weight loss apsect. Most of my carbs are salad veggies. The oz of cream in my tea I am not willing to forgo. I had cut out the olives previously and the salad dresing I use has zero carbs and no hidden sugars in it. It is awesome salad dressing callled Renees. Tastes so good.

I've been putting alot of chemical stuff in my diet the past four years. Tons of aspartme and Splenda and the detoxifiying makes a great deal of sense. I've also got 54 years of bad eating habits and city living to detox from. A bit of depression I had been going through previous has lifted to some extent.

So the evaluation of my Atkins diet is...more and more water, do not count calories (that is mental challenge in of itself), eat a bit more. Practice paitence with myself. I am done with the two week induction and will go up to OWL and a rung. Total weight loss is 13 pounds.

I have to do some research of the BMR. I don't know anything about that and I need to. Can you recoment a good site to learn about that?

[Asclepius]

Woohoo!! I love a quick study!

[MojosRising]

Let us know how it goes..... congrats on the loss!!