Any Tips for beginning Aktins??

[Ven]

While I've been reading the dis boards for awhile now, and gathering information for our family trip in Sept. I've decided to also try to lose the extra 30 pounds that's making me overweight.
I also have reactive hypoglycemia that I've read this diet would help alot.

I started yesterday, counting carbs, (no caffiene, no sugar) and had 19 carbs total yesterday. I felt great.
But today I'm a wreak. Weak, tired and have a headache. (induction sickness) Any tips on getting through this before I bomb out would be much appreciated.

 

[DaisyLou2]

I also started Atkins yesterday and I feel the exact same way.
I ended up taking an hour long nap today and I feel a little better but I can't wait for that surge of energy that should be coming in a couple of days!

I don't think there is anything you can do but just keep counting carbs and hopefully you'll feel better tomorrow.


Sorry I wasn't very helpful.

 

[Minniespal]

Hiya ~

I started Atkins on Monday. Felt great on my first day but for the next couple of days I felt tired and had terrible leg cramps at night.

Since then I have been drinking my water, taking my multivitamins tabs and limiting my carbs intake and I can honestly say I feel fantastic.

I can only say that if you have made the decision to lose weight and started your diet then the hardest part is now over and just hang in there cause it will get better.

Good luck and you know that we are all here if you need us.

 

[bicker]

One of the things I remember most about Atkins is how important it was to read the book before getting started, and doing everything Dr. Atkins recommends, especially as it pertains to vitamins and such. That might help.

 

[TigH]

Just wanted to say hello and welcome! You might want to edit the subject line of your post to indicate that you just started Atkins (might help you get a few more responses from our fine Atkins folk!)

Good luck with your program! I hope you feel better soon. Good for you for deciding to do something about those 30 pounds, especially before your trip! That's some great incentive!!!

 

[Ven]

Thanks for the support. This is the first "diet" I've really tried to throw myself into. I've had some health issues, and frankly I'm tired of being sick all the time.

I'm a total caffiene, carb and sugar addict; so right now at the end of day two, my stomach is screaming and everything I see relates to a peice of chocolate....heh.

I'm scared my willpower just isn't strong enough, as much as I want to do go WDW in a size 10....I just don't know if I can do this. I'm craving everything, and my head won't stop pounding. ugh...

 

[PamCo88]

From one who suffers with you....

have you seen the chocolate whip cream??? Redi Whip makes it and it has been saving me from cheating.

I found eating something (cheese and pepperoni) when the headache starts helps to not make it real bad. Last time I started Atkins (4 wks ago, lasted 10 days) I couldn't even function during the headaches. This time (started tues last week) the headaches weren't nearly as bad because even while I cheated, I did not eat the way i usually do.

Another tip a friend gave me was to make my own whip cream with heavy cream and splenda (make it extra sweet to fill the craving without adding the sugar)

Hope this helps.

 

[TigH]

Originally posted by Ven
I'm scared my willpower just isn't strong enough, as much as I want to do go WDW in a size 10....I just don't know if I can do this. I'm craving everything, and my head won't stop pounding. ugh...

This is when you need to buckle down and fight those cravings! Keep telling yourself that they'll only last a day or two more. Just try to distract yourself as much as possible. You CAN do it!

Holly (Jiminy) posts some great daily inspirational quotes, try taking a look around for them if you get a chance. Just think of how proud you will feel after a few more days of resisting temptation! Attack this as logically as you can, if you start eating non-induction foods, then you won't reach your goal any faster. If you stick to induction, you will be rewarded with a nice weight loss and you'll be much closer to your goal than you were when you started.

Give yourself a pep talk! It's hard to do at first, but it gets easier as time goes by. You will begin to realize you have the strength and determination it takes to make it this time!!! HANG IN THERE!!!

 

[PrincessMo]

hi there..............i started atkins last monday and my first couple of days I felt a wreck too........I was really sick most of last year with those symptoms of severe dizziness, weakness, sometimes shaky and so I just learned to stop what I was doing and relax when it hits me like that but I also found that for the headaches I learned how important it is to eat regularly on this diet (or new way of life) because it keeps you from getting that sick. I have always been a picky eater and love my convienience foods so this diet has been an adjustment for me. I have never figured out how to start cooking before I am so hungry or so sick from not eating regularly until I started this plan and now I am learning how............anyhoo, my advice is just to relax and stop for a little when these symptoms hit you (try deep breathing too) and to eat regularly and eat snacks in between meals to ensure you won't get sick and that the energy boost that the atkins diet can give you will indeed show itself.

Hope that helped some

Have A Disney Day!!!!!!!!!

 

[kdibattista]

check out www.lowcarbfriends.com!!!

 

[Ven]

Thanks for the link kdibattista

And thanks for all of the "hang in theres" I'm trying....really hard. (geezz this is hard for me)

Am I right in saying that your not suppose to have anything like sucralose in your first two weeks induction??

 

[Jomrog]

Ven,
Sucralose (Splenda) is fine on induction. Just remember it is .5 carbs/tsp.

Now as for the withdrawal symptoms, they will get better in the next day or two. YOU MUST HANG IN THERE! You will feel energized & the cravings will disappear. You will not feel hungry all the time & it will be easy to pass up on the "no-no" foods once you get through this part. I promise.

Hershey's has some sugar free chocolate that you can buy. I found it at Wal-Mart. I allow myself 1 a day. Be careful because if you eat too many, you need to stay very close to a bathroom.

Remember, this way of eating is supposed to stop the sugar addiction. That's why you feel the way you do. Try not to use s/f foods as a crutch because you want to get rid of the addiction altogether. That being said, use it for emergencies. Don't deprive yourself because you will end up giving up on the diet.

If you feel hungry, eat an allowable food & drink TONS & TONS of water.

Hope this helps.