Hello! Newbie here, have a question..please

[JessicaR]

Hi everyone

I have been reading here over the past 2 weeks and due mainly to all your ambition, motivation and wonderful success stories I have started Atkins. Today is day 5 for me on the induction part and I feel terrible. I woke this morning with a headache that wont quit. I have found since eliminating carbs(sugar) that I have to force myself to eat. I am just not hungry. I'm also feeling light headed and foggy. Like I cant concentrate. Please tell me this is normal for the induction phase and that it will go away....when??

Anyone have suggestions for me? Would drinking more water help? I havent been great about getting all my water in daily. Thanks so much!

 

[catherine]

Sorry Jessica I don't do Atkins, so I can't really answer your questions. Just want to say hi and welcome to WISH.

 

[JustMe28]

Sorry Jessica, but I don't do Atkins either, but I too wanted to Welcome you to Wish!!

 

[DoeWDW]

Jessica, first of all, WELCOME!!

Second of all, you are doing great!

Third of all, your symptoms are classic for induction! You are perfectly normal and I promise you will feel better in the next day or two! Please trust me and stick with it! Please try to eat something every few hours to keep your blood sugar stabilized so you don't feel so foggy and light-headed.

Fourth of all, DRINK!!!!! Your body is in the process of getting rid of lots of junky chemicals and cravings. One of the primary ways your body gets rid of stuff is through the waste process. The more water you drink, the faster you'll flush all that out of your system and the quicker you'll feel better!

The worst is over now and you're almost through it!! Please keep us posted on how it's going! Here's a hug to help you get through - you're not alone!

 

[antmaril]

Jessica:

I'm not doing Atkins, but I justed wanted to wish you luck. I have been unable to do the low carb diets, because I can't seem to get through that first week and because I know myself, I won't be able to keep it up. However, many, many people are successful on Atkins and everyone says you will feel a lot better and have lots of energy.

Good luck!

 

[mum4jenn]

Hangin there!!! Once you get past those tremendous headaches you will emerge feeling great and will not have the cravings for the bad foods!!! Oh you will probably miss them but you won't have the urge to eat them all the time. You can do this!!!

 

[JessicaR]

Thanks so much for the welcomes!

DoeWDW, your post helped me through the weekend! Once I knew it was normal to feel that way I didnt quit like I wanted to! Thank You.

Well I stayed on it through that awful phase! Woke up yesterday morning feeling much better! Headache is gone now and so is that foggy feeling. I spent a good part of yesterday in search of recipes with low carbs to keep thing interesting. My husband and I are doing this together so it is easier that he isnt eating the foods I would love to be eating.

The kids are another story. My husband feels that since we cant have cookies and cakes and snacks of that nature that the kids shouldnt have any either... I couldnt do that to them! So I drool a bit as I pack their lunches.

The funny thing is I never realized how many things I just popped in my mouth while preparing for the kids! A lick of a spoon here or a nibble there. I have caught myself...thankfully quite a few times since starting Atkins as I was just about to lick the jelly knive or clear their plate (into my stomach). I think the mindless habits are the hardest for me to break! So far so good though and maybe soon I wont do that anymore.

I did'nt get on a scale until yesterday (6 days into the diet). Now I wish I had since I dont know where I started. I do know that I have lost weight and I feel like its 5 lbs. Kinda shocking since whenever I have dieted in the past my loss has never been this quick! My motivation level right now is high and I am hoping to continue that trend. I am going to check out recipe ideas on this thread that you all have posted!

This board has been a huge inspiration. I am so happy to be a part of it! No matter what plan you all follow, your posts of encouragement to each other is heart warming!

 

[DoeWDW]

Jessica, there are lots of wonderful low-carb recipes out there that even the kids will like. There are some very easy low-carb peanut butter cookies that my son devours - I'll have to find the recipe.....

Try to introduce them to some healthy snacks, like celery with peanut butter, or an apple or banana, so you can put more "Mom-friendly" food in their lunches. My kids are slowly liking more and more of "my" food and are passing up the really carby stuff.

I don't want to diminish your enthusiasm but I do want you to be informed. It is perfectly normal to lose 5 pounds in the first week but your loss will slow down in the next week or two. If you haven't measured yourself yet, please do. I promise it will keep you going when the scales are not cooperating.

When you're eating Atkins (or many of the other low-carb plans), it is very common to lose inches OR weight but not both at the same time. The scale may stay the same for 3 weeks, but if you measure, you'll find you're losing inches. Then the scale will move a couple weeks in a row, but your measurements will stay the same. It's odd but it's true!! So get out that tape measure and use it to keep you motivated when the scale stays the same.

Keep us posted on how it's going!! It's great that your DH is joining you. My DH also eats low-carb and it helps so much!!

Onward and downward, Jessica!!

 

[nativetxn]

Welcome to WISH, <b>JessicaR.</b> I'm glad you are feeling better now.

If you haven't already done so, would you do me a favor and post to the WISH challenge thread too? Posting there makes you an official WISHer. You will find the Challenge thread right <b>HERE</b>

I hope you can visit WISH often

Katholyn

 

[Auggietina]

Welcome Jessica! I am also doing Atkins and I am on week 3. You do feel better!! Just get through the first few days. Its a piece of cake after that! You will be amazed (I am!) at the amount of energy you will have and that you don't feel hungry all the time!

You're doing great! Keep us posted on your progress

 

[PartyofSix]

Hi Jess just wanted to welcome you to WISH. I don't know much about Atkins other than my wish mates who are doing it. I hope you have great success with it. I'm so proud of you for committing that is so hard but you put your mind to it and it will come for you i just know it! If there's anything i can do for you just ask so i can't help you more with your choosen plan of attack.

 

[Motherfletcher]

If you have a slip you can always go to PBH. Their scales are a good 10 pounds light! Good luck!

And remember- You are not bad, you are just drawn that way!