On Atkins and feeling AWFUL

[cleo]

What am I doing wrong, here? I've been on Atkin's for 10 or 11 days and I feel terrible! I eat almost no carbs (maybe 6-10 per day) and I'm always between Small and Moderate on the KeytoStix. I feel positively wreched!

Anyone else have the experience of feeling this way, (and still, btw, having serious carb cravings!)? I haven't been able to find info on how far into Ketosis we should be on a daily basis; does anyone know?

Just feeling really lousy (the thought of more protien makes me green!) and I need some encouragement.

 

[Kabuli1]

Sorry you're feeling so lousy!

The only thing I can suggest is that you add some carbs - maybe you need all 20 of the carbs allowed during induction, if for no other reason that you're going crazy sticking w/ just protein and fats! Try adjusting things a little for the last few days of induction. That said, as has been said over and over again here, not everydiet is for everybody.

As far as the ketosis thing goes. ANY ketosis is good enough - there's no real target, just that you are in ketosis.

Don't know if this helps, at least hang in there for the last few days. Let us know how it's going.

Karyn

 

[Claire4dpins]

Hi Cleo

Sorry you are having a bad time of it! I know how you feel - I felt so physically awful in the first week of induction I nearly gave up on it! I am on day nine now and like you I am still not feeling 'right' and I do still want my carbs!!

The thing that I think is better for me is that I am able to eat more food and 'nicer' food than I was having - I was on a low calorie, low fat diet before this. If you are enjoying the food you are having I am sure you CAN stick with it - I am detirmed too!

I am hoping I will get to the time when I am less hungry and don't want my carbs - fingers crossed it is just round the corner for both of us. I am having around 15 carbs each day - similar to you - I am missing the things I can't have too! If you are only having as few as 6 some days maybe you could up it a little and that might help.

About the KeytoStix & Ketosis it does say in the book that they are just a tool and not to worry too much about them - why not leave it a few days without testing? Just concentrate on your weight and inch loss. I am in the UK so I don't think I could get hold of them anyhow - but if it is making you worry and feel bad to use them I would leave it for a dew days.

I am so far from being an expert, but since you say you are on day 10 or 11 - try to sick it out until the end of induction and then evaluate your feelings and progress to decide what to do? That is what I intend to do.

Good luck getting to the end of induction, sorry I couldn't offer more help,
Claire

 

[Disney_1derland]

But felt so awful on day 2 I thought I would die, so I know where you are coming from. According to the book, if you are losing weight or inches it doesn't matter what color the sticks turn. You are still losing, therefore you are in ketosis. they don't turn well for everybody.

I think the suggestion of going ahead and getting your full serving of carbs every day (20 grams) will help curb the appetites. Of course you must do it the Atkins way and quality counts!

hang in there. you are almost done with 2 weeks worth of work and you should be seeing some type of results!

You can do it!

 

[SillyOldBear66]

This is probably not what you want to hear but drinking a lot more water helped me.

Best of luck!
You can do this!!

 

[Baileymouse]

Yes! That 64 oz of water is a lifesaver for me. I was never a water drinker but it's helped so much. It keeps me from getting hungry between meals, and it helps move things along.

Don't worry about the ketostix - I am limited to about 800 calories a day AND I am following a low-carb protein diet due to WL surgery, but there are days when my ketostix are only a pale color. Believe me, it still comes off.

Take care,
Adele

 

[cleo]

I've actually lost all the weight I wanted to lose, but I was interested in seeing if I might reap that coveted result of 'body sculpting' I keep hearing about.

I don't worry about the Ketostix, other than knowing that if you get too far into ketosis you're going to have some problems on your hands (dumping large amounts of ketones can send diabetics into diabetic coma), so I'm actually testing to make sure I don't go into the higher range.

The weight is coming off, I have next to no appetite, but I feel horrible! I'll try more water (blech!) and a bit more carbs and see if that helps. Thanks for the advise!!

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

I agree, don't go too low on your carbs. I feel terrible if I don't get my evening salad in. My carb count is lower on those days, but I feel wretched.

 

[dizneegirl]

Originally posted by cleo
dumping large amounts of ketones can send diabetics into diabetic coma

Just to reiterate... Ketosis and the dangerous diabetic condition of ketoacidosis are two different things.

From the Atkins Center:

There is nothing harmful, abnormal or dangerous about ketosis. Some of the confusion comes from the word ketoacidosis, which is completely different from ketosis. Ketoacidosis is a potentially dangerous condition seen in Type I diabetics—people who cannot produce insulin, when their blood sugar levels are out of control—alcoholics and people in a severe state of starvation. Research shows that ketosis does not cause adverse effects to the heart, kidneys, liver or blood cell functions. Nor is bone health compromised.

Cleo - as long as you're getting your adequate protein with low carbs, you're going to get that "sculpting" effect... the low carbs will keep the fat off, while the protein helps build and sculpt muscles. Low carb in that case may be as much as 50 or more carbs a day, though. And ketosis is necessary for fat loss, but not for the other benefits of low carb.

If you're craving carbs, try upping your fats a little... they seem to help with both carb cravings, and with being satisfied. A great little treat to help is diet orange soda (I like Diet Rite Tangerine) with a tablespoon or two of heavy cream and a splash of vanilla DaVinci syrup. Takes care of sweet cravings, and the fat in the cream is satisfying.

I think I'd really try getting more veggie carbs in during the day. On induction you're supposed to aim for those 20 carbs. Less carbs does NOT necessarily mean faster loss, etc. Too few carbs is actually counterproductive. If you're at your goal weight, you might even try adding whole grains back in to your diet in limited amounts, along with nuts and low-glycemic fruits.

If you're at the maintenance phase of Atkins (or low-carb in general), you may also want to look at the book Atkins for Life.



Do you do any kind of weight training? That will speed that sculpting along.

 

[cleo]

Ketosis is a natural process and not harmful in and of itself, but dumping too much too quickly CAN lead to ketoacidosis. While the Atkins quote is correct in that ketosis is not harmful, it doesn't tell the whole story. Since diabetis runs rampant in my family, I am acutely aware of certain risks and don't want to meet the nice people at Emergency Services because I didn't pay attention!

I am DEFINITELY going to try the orange soda thing. Sounds fantastic, and it's not meat!! Thank you so much for your replies!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Cleo, I hope you find your way to feeling better soon. I know someone who has said similar things about being diabetic and she has a fear of dieting because of the imbalances that may present itself. I feel that as long as you are aware of your situation you are on top of things the best you can be. Good for you at sticking to it.

dizneegirl - You are a wealth of knowledge, I thank you for your post.

And to everyone--good luck! Keep on keepin' on.