First Day on Atkins and I have such a headache!

[princessmomma]

I am so glad I found this board. I have been exercising like crazy and really watching what I have been eating for about 4 months. Unfortunately, I just can't lose these 30 pounds.

Well you all have inspired me to start Atkins., but I have such a headache. I am trying to drink lots of water. Are there any other suggestions?

Also, I have an omelette this morning, but I know I will not be able to eat eggs more that 3 times per week. I really can't stomach meat in the morning. Are there any other ideas during this induction phase?

 

[NCRedding]

Sorry about the headache. When I first started, I felt lousy on days 3 and 4, but felt so much better starting with day 5. I can't eat eggs, so my breakfast usually is meat. Can you handle bacon in the am? What about cheese? Otherwise, I have tried the Atkins breakfast bars and they're OK, but I am not sure if they are recommended on induction. There are also Atkins shakes--I haven't tried them though. Maybe other have more suggestions.

 

[RUDisney]

You're going to feel like you've been hit by a bus for a few more days. Take motrin for your headache, just to make you feel like you've done something to get rid of it. This will pass and you'll feel like a million $. Look at the bright side, any time I feel like I might want to cheat, I think about induction and how crappy I felt and I DON'T want to go through that again.

As for breakfast, take a chunk of cheese and melt it for a few seconds in the microwave... not to let it be mushy, but to make it a little softer, if that makes sense. I find that it is easier to eat cheese like this that to eat it *raw* in a bigger quantity. You'll fill up and not eat an egg.

You're going to have to suck it up for 2 weeks to cleanse your body of carbs. If you have to force yourself to eat eggs more often than you'd like, choose different things to put into them... sometimes cream cheese, sometimes cheddar, sometimes ham, bacon, etc. so it doesn't always taste the same. Induction is only 2 weeks and then you can add other things to your menu. Remember, you're already down to 12.5 days left in induction.

You CAN do it!

Rest alot when you can so you can sort of sleep yourself through the withdrawal period.

 

[LAinSEA]

Have you just given up your morning/afternoon coffee (or other caffeinated beverage)? This will cause a headache first day out on Atkins.

As a caffeine adict myself - relied on it since childhood - I still can't get away completely from it, even on Atkins now 50+ days. If its a caffeine headache - only a little caffeine will help relieve it. Have a 1/2 cup or can of a caffeinated beverage or two painrelievers with caffeine added (Motrin/Advil does not have this). Wean yourself slowly off the caffeine and you'll feel much better.

Keep your chin up - a headache is not as bad as a low-blood sugar reaction IMHO. You can do it!

-Laurie

 

[RUDisney]

Laurie, I forgot about caffeine. You're probably right. I didn't give it up totally. I just have one cup in the morning. It hasn't slowed down my progress and I couldn't give up all my vices at once.

 

[Beanie]

I never got the headache part of Atkins, but on day 3 of Induction, I felt terrible!! I thought I was sick, but found out it was just carb withdrawal...but by the next day, I was fine and had much more energy then I had ever had!!

Good luck on the rest of the week!!

 

[sha_lyn]

When I start to get those headaches I drink 4-8 oz of a protein shake. I like whole foods brand, with a few drops of Stevia sweetener in it.

 

[princessmomma]

Thanks so much for your encouragement! I woke up this morning at 4 a.m. with a headache and the sweats. I took a few tylenol and was able to get back to sleep.

"Only a few more days", I keep telling my self.

I am fine without caffeine, although I did have two cups of decaf yesterday.

Thanks so much.

 

[lbrat4]

Hi princessmamma,

I also got a headache for a few days when I started, but it did go away. How low are you keeping your carbs? A friend of mine was feeling horrible on the diet, but she was really taking induction to the extreme with a carb count of <10 per day. Once she stopped that she felt better. Don't forget to take you supplements and drink lots of water too. I'm not really sure if that will help with the headache, but it definitely is important to the program! Hang in there!!