My Pain was gone after starting Atkins.../just fell off wagon!

[Kathygirl]

I started (2nd time, 1st in 2003?) after Mother's day in May 2009, when I woke up one morning and was in such pain! Knees hurt, hip pain, headache, ugh! I was miserable! My husband came downstairs in the morning, and there I was with ice packs all over me!!! LOL! and taking Iburprofen constantly!! That's it! I said. And the same day, went Atkins, cold turkey! (Or should I say Bacon!) No more milk, rice, bread, tortilla's, beans, sugar, etc., just straight Atkins (New Diet Rev. 2002) In 3 days, NO MORE PAIN! None, I have not had 1 ibuprofen since the middle of May!!! (I was taking 4 a day!!!) I have arthiritus so I don't know exactly what was the culprit that was excluded from my diet, but I am thrilled! I was very happy and proud ofmyself.....but fell off the wagon last night when neighbors had us over for dinner and I caved and had a taco with the TORTILLA!! then Beans!!! Then I wanted more tonight!!!! I really need to get back on strict induction to stop the roller coaster toward carb land!!!! I haven't had any crarvings for chocolate/sweets, beans, rice, etc., until I fell off the Atkins wagon!!! So that's my most recent story. I certainly don't want to trigger any pain, and definately do not want to gain back weight! Since I'm 58 it doesn't fall off like it use to. Of all things I have, fat is not affected by gravity. Sorry for rambling, but I had to get it out there.....

[ShannonK]

It is imperative that you get this in check right now. You must get back into ketosis. At most, it will take you three days to start feeling right again. It is not worth the extra weight to be able to eat those tortillas!

I understand how those things happen, eating out at a friends or someone brings you something, etc. It happens. Maybe this is a trigger for you and something that has caused you to fail in the past? There is a moderator out there who will smack me for this, BUT do you think next time this happens, you could almost plan to fail. Expect that you will eat something non Atkins friendly, but that you know you are going to go straight home and get back on plan? That way, yes, you had a slip, but it is easy to recover from.

You are worth the extra effort!

[Kathygirl]

Hi Shannon, I think I really caved in as the evening was to celebrate their return from vacation, and I just got caught up in the "festive" atmosphere....I had them over to our house when they first got home, and made them dinner the night before and I didn't eat anything un-atkins.....and served them things not on my Atkins diet, with no problem. So I don't know where my achillies heal is, but I need to watch out! Anyway, tomorrow is well planned: I have my breakfast all planned, my nitrate free bacaon, fresh free roam eggs, and decaf with heavy creme, coffee. chickensalad for lunch, strawberries for snack, and steak and asparagas with salad for dinner. Thank you for your reply.

[ShannonK]

Strawberries? That is a rung 4 item.

[Kathygirl]

Hmm, maybe I need to re-evaluate my "rungs"...I had been on an "extended" induction (5/15th or so, till now), but had been adding things like the macadamia nuts, and strawberries....no wonder my weight loss is minimal....although I did gain 2 lbs with that dinner last night...boo hoo. I started at 147 and went down to 139, but am back at 142....ok, back to basics, Thanks!

[ShannonK]

I think moving up the rungs is a great idea, actually. I dropped two pounds in one day by adding in a bit extra. You should definitely take a look at the rungs. There are some awesome stickies on the OWL page, if you don't have the book. Sounds like you are at about rung 4 and didn't quite realize it. I am not suggesting you should stop eating those items at all. I say, go for it!

[ShannonK]

Sorry for the double post - I meant to say, go for it one rung at a time!

[pinkfusion]

Atkins is fantastic, isnt it? I had HORRIBLE skin allergies that are all but gone and I am only on day 8 of extended induction.

I say that you are probably out of ketosis and I would go back on strict induction to purge those carbs. Do it now and don't get caught up in cravings

[blueberrylady]

Welcome to the board, Kathygirl!

We all have slips now and then but as long as you get right back on plan and don't make a habit of it, you will be fine. The 2 lbs. you gained are probably water weight and will be gone by tomorrow.

Be sure to check out the 50+ forum for those of us over 50! Atkins keep my old bones from aching too!!!

[blueberrylady]

Shannon, actually tofu is considered a cheese and is allowed on induction! I was surprised when I found that out because I too thought it would be on rung 6 because it's made from soybeans!