I am 6 days into the atkins diet and am experiencing weakness and slight dizziness. I was a carb junkie, sweets especially, which is the main reason for weaning myself off carbohydrates but I am also very into fitness and notice I am getting dizzy half way through a run used to be able to do before I started this diet. Has anyone else experienced this, is it normal until your body is used to not having carbs for energy? Thanks!

It is not unusual to experience such symptoms during the first week of induction. Since you are pretty active and close to your goal I would consider going ahead in to OWL after one week on induction. In fact, Dr. Atkins said if you have less than 20 lbs to lose that OWL is a good place to start. Get your carbs up around 25 to 30(mainly from veggies) and I bet most of the diziness goes away.

The exact same thing happened to me at the end of my first week of induction. I felt very strange, light headed, dizzy, etc. It went away. I personally believe it's your body switching over from metabolizing glucose to ketosis. Good luck! (It goes without saying, I hope, but if the problems persist, and/or they're so sever you get worried, please see a Dr.)

You may also need to supplement potassium. You can either buy potassium pills or use a salt substitute like Nu-Salt or Half-Salt.

In the beginning you lose a lot of water and potassium as well as calcium and magnesium are lost.

Recommended dosage is 400 mg (I think mg) per day.

Do not add potassium if you are on a potassium sparing blood pressure medication though. Check with your doctor if you are not sure.

If you start having leg cramps take a calcium/magnesium supplement in a 2:1 ratio.

Beth