Say it isn't so!!!

[Beth in Bridgetown]

Hi. I am Beth and have been an Atkin's enthusiast for years, having done two successful rounds of induction years ago and maintained a low-carb lifestyle for past five years. It was great--no dieting, no weight gain, no worries.

But early last year I got injured and was bedridden for about nine months. My illness required that I add a few more carbs to my diet ... add to that three months of antidepressants (they are the devil, even the ones that say they won't make you fat!), and my weight's up nearly 25 pounds that are sticking like glue.

I've been off antidepressants and off bedrest for nearly three months, and do 25 minutes of cardio 4-5x week (the max my doc okays for now). I'm back on Atkin's, on day three of induction and obeying it to the letter, and in these three days I've actually GAINED a pound or two. And the Ketostix are stuck at light pink, at best. :-(

I know it's early, but my last two go's w/induction yielded an eight-pound weight loss the first week, and my Ketostix were dark purple by day four (I was about 15-20 pounds overweight then). The diet was magic.

Perhaps I'm being impatient (or paranoid) ... but any advice or encouragement for me? Especially, any slow-start success stories? I'm thinking if Atkin's doesn't work, I'm doomed ..

Thank you!

[Sunny_0ne]

Hi, Beth,

Welcome back!

So sorry to hear about the illness and the resulting weight gain. That had to be doubly difficult!

About induction, it seems to me that people lose less in induction each time. You will still lose weight. It just may be a lot slower this time.

If you are sticking to a clean induction diet, the extra pounds could be anything... extra water weight from eating salty foods, time of the month, stressed muscles retaining extra water, or any number of temporary reasons. They WILL come off!

My ketostix have never been darker than a light pink. As long as they are showing any color, it is proof that your body has switched over to a fat burning metabolism.

Lots is going on inside you... it will take longer this time.... just keep at it, and as much as we HATE to hear the word.... it's all about persistence and patience!

Good luck, and glad you're here!

[Beth in Bridgetown]

Good morning, Sunny_One!

Thanks much for your encouraging words ... it was great to get some perspective, and a boost! I do have water-retention issues & been taking a prescription diuretic, a no-no in Atkin's book, as you know. So yesterday bought some free-form tyrosine & phasing-out meds. Those aminos really seem to work, and I lost 1.75 pounds yesterday. AND I just ketostix'd after bacon & eggs, and color's now dark pink. Woo-hoo! Off I go to learn more about you & your journey. Blessings, and thanks again! Beth

[misplaced southerner]

hi beth! sorry to hear about your medical problems but glad to see you are on the mend.

i am curious...what are phasing out meds and what aminos are you talking about? (i have fun at the health food store.)

i would just say that despite your experience, don't stress too much over the stix and really for most people, if you are dark pink/purple, it can often be based on your lack of hydration. i have been in full blown ketosis and NEVER gotten past light pink...but i drink bucket of water.

good luck. you'll drop that weight. why don't you come over to the journal chats and start up a journal there? it is fun. keep us posted on your progress!

[Sunny_0ne]

Beth, I am also curious about the amino acids.

Years ago a doctor told me my thyroid function was borderline. My normal body temperature is 97.6, my skin is dry... but my hair is normal so I don't have all the symptoms of low thyroid.

But I feel that if I could find some thyroid stimulating supplements they might boost my metabolism and help this weight come off a little faster.

I would like to hear more about the free-form tyrosine. I am taking L-glutamine now.

[Beth in Bridgetown]

Hello! Oh, yes, if you're borderline, you'd think some healthy supplements could help! My thyroid's a bit sluggish too, and a naturopath once recommended a product by Enzymatic Therapy called "Thyroid & L-Tyrosine Complex," whose central ingredients are iodine, tyrosine, and thyroid tissue from animals. Tons of products out there, but this one was highly recommended. It's inexpensive and can be purchased online lotsa places. One caveat: Enzymatic Therapy company was just sold to another supplement king, so who knows about future quality control.

There's also the Armour thyroid prescription med (armourthyroid.com), made of porcine thyroid, I believe. A low dose is pretty safe, and it's natural. Maybe your doc will hop on-board?

About the tyrosine ... I understand that this amino, along with iodine, is necessary for thyroid function and could boost a sluggish system. If you wanted to skip the animal glandular stuff, you could go for tyrosine and kelp, for iodine. Alone, tyrosine really rocks as a diuretic (1,500-3,000 mg daily), BUT doesn't deplete one's body of electrolytes, minerals, etc., per 2002 edition of Dr. A's New Diet Revolution, p. 267+ (chp. "Metabolic Resistance: Causes & Solutions"), and p. 308 (chp. "Nutritional Supplements").

I'd recommend a quality, free-form amino (I bought junk once and it didn't work nearly as well). The one I got is by Country Life. I've always been pleased with their products, and even good tyrosine is inexpensive.

I visited your bio page ... wow, you've got it covered, girl! That's so exciting! Keep it up, Sunny!

Beth

[Beth in Bridgetown]

Southerner, thanks for the encouragement. Seven pounds from your goal? You must be delighted ... congrats on your GREAT success!

About the tyrosine: Well, looks like I goofed. It's "TAURINE," not tyrosine. So much for working from memory--SORRY! What Atkins REALLY recommended for water retention is "50-100 mg pyridoxal 5 phosphate, plus 1500-3000 mg taurine."

By "phasing out," I mean stepping down dosage of prescription diuretic over next two weeks while taking tyrosine. Hopefully, I'll be able to drop them altogether.

Happy day to you! Beth

[Beth in Bridgetown]

Hi, again. Well, I goofed. For water retention, Atkins recommended "TAURINE," not tyrosine. The deal is "50-100 mg pyridoxal 5 phosphate, plus 1500-3000 mg taurine daily." Tyrosine IS the thyroid amino, tho. I'm actually glad I stumbled onto the tyrosine thing, since I've not taken it for forever and should! Sorry for the confusion!

[Sunny_0ne]

Beth, thank you so much for that information! I am planning to go to the herb shop next week and I'm taking a printout of your reply with me.

I am a little leery of the porcine products for a couple of reasons... one is what if the products are tainted with something like mad cow.... paranoid, I know, but it does worry me.

The other reason is that I was born with eczema and some people believe that it is an autoimmune condition. If that's the case, then my body would reject the porcine ingredients... or so I've read.

I think I'll start with the thyroid boosters you mentioned and see what happens.

I am so glad to find someone with some first-hand knowledge of these products. I've read tons on the net, but it's hard to determine how much is reliable and how much is hype.

Thanks!

[Beth in Bridgetown]

Good morning, Sunny_One. I sure understand your wanting to pass on the swine stuff. Why risk it if you don't have to?

Good luck today! Feel free to let me know how it went or if you gleaned any good tips. Also, if you begin w/tyrosine I'd be interested to hear if it helps you rid fluids? It did for me from day one. Began the P-5-P & taurine thing yesterday. So far not losing any more fluids ... the tyrosine seemed to work better.

I'm barely one pound down after four days. Ah, well, like you said: perseverance. I'm hanging in ... where else can one go?

Thanks so much for your help. Are you looking for newbies to shepherd? If so, just lemme know!

Beth