Hi there,

I have been doing Atkins since Jan.17,2004 .... weight loss is good .... am happy about that ..... my cravings and appetite are greatly diminished .... am in general enjoying what I am eating ..... the biggest problem I have is that I am sapped of energy .... when I go to Curves to work out it is getting harder and harder to finish my workout .... that does not make me happy as I have been going to Curves faithfully 4 times a week since Oct. last year and was really energized!! .... not sure what is going on ... I am eating 20 grams of carbs, sometimes a wee bit more in the vegetable carbs, but that is all .... in terms of Fitday I am averaging about 1550 cal a day .... about 69% fat, 4-5% carbs, and 32% protien ....

I am not tired .... have stopped napping in the afternoon .... but seem to lack energy ....

Not sure what is going on ...... I do take a good multi vitamin .... I drink lots and lots of water .....

Any input would be greatly appreciated, thaks, Kathie

Hi Kathie!

I would try to up my kcal intake a bit if I were you. Maybe try to get an extra boosting snack before training? There is a rule of thumb often practised here that says "eat your weight x 10-12". You would probably benefit from raising your intake to at least 1800-2000 kcals right now.

If you were to go below around 1300 kcals you'd cause your body to switch into "starvation mode" where it will turn off or slow your metabolism. Now you workout as well, so you'll definitely benefit from a higher energy/kcal intake. Remember, this is not a lowcal diet. I know it can be hard to raise kcals when the appetite has already diminished. I suppose the key would be to get some extra nutrient/energy dense snack (try to stay away from LC bars etc though.)

Your % proportions look about perfect! But, as said, do try to get some more foodlings. Do you spread your meals out throughout the day or do you eat a few heavier ones?

Hope someone else comes along with some more input.

Best of luck! You've done great so far!

I agree with gilibel, you may need to get in more calories. It is very common for me to lose energy more so now than in before low carbing. You body has to work harder to convert fat into energy as opposed to carbs.

Kathie, you are doing great! Losing weight, diminishing carb cravings, less tiredness during the day - signs of being on the right track.

Beside upping your calories, something else: PATIENCE:-) Your body needs time to adjust from carb fuel mode to fat fuel mode. This adjustments can take a couple of weeks, months, but it IS going to happen:-)
I am a living testimony of the energizing effect of LC-ing. I went from 100 yard running to 13 miles in 7 months. (I needed 3 months to convert from carb mode to fat mode.)

Take it easy for the next couple of weeks. Do not give up your exercise routine. If you feel less energized, do less repetitions on the machines, and slow a little the cardio parts of the routine. Day after day you will see you are getting back then multiplying your energy level.

Remember to give yourself time to adjust to the fat burning mode. It too will pass as other obstacles have done. Add more calories to your diet to get additional energy for those workouts!!! You're doing a great job. You're almost through induction.