Hi all,

I could do with a bit of encouragement here. I'm on day 13 of induction, had have generally been feeling really good. Have had no sugar cravings, or carb cravings of any kind, my skin seems to look brighter, and I was feeling better.

However over the last couple of days I've been feeling so lethargic, listless and generally horrible! My eating hasn't changed, as still at about 20gm carb a day, getting sufficient fat, not having any bars or other such conveniences, had a couple of macadamias last night (which I know are not allowed in the first 2 weeks of induction - however I don't believe they'd be causing me to feel yuck.) Also, I am drinking heaps of water. It's only 2pm and I've already had 1.5litres (48oz) of water - and yet I still feel dehydrated, my lips are really dry.

I weighed myself at the gym last night, and I am still the same as when I started, although apparently my body fat has gone down 2%.

Help! Please! Or even just 'yep, been there, hated it, it WILL pass' would be great to hear!

Thanks in advance,
Jane.

That's how I felt from days 3-9 or so... maybe you just had more "reserve fuel"??? Maybe if you could post a menu for us to see, we'd have a better idea of what's going on.

Well, I'm definitely in ketosis. First checked that at day 5, and have done so a couple of times since.

Sample menu:

BF: either 2 eggs, or 2 rashers bacon
L: tuna in oil with salad and ceasar dressing
D: steak with asparagus, with butter, salad with ceasar dressing.

Snacks - sometimes cheese, although not since last week, the occaisional macadamia, generally I'm finding I don't need to snack. Olives sometimes.

Have been using fitday to keep a track of things and am definitely getting fat/protein/carbs in the right kind of ratios, and am also taking a multivitamin and a B complex supplement.

Jane

I honestly don't see anything wrong/missing in your menu. I'm leaning towards just suggesting a bit of extra veggies and some more water ( although I'm sure you feel like you're drowning sometimes!) and the feeling should pass. When I was on Atkins, it felt truly horrible for those few days of induction, but it got better.

Good luck!

You may also be a bit low on potassium, calcium or magnesium. When we lose water or urinate a lot, those minerals tend to get lost a faster rate as well and it can make you feel yucky or experience sore/cramping muscles. Check with your pharmacist or doctor first if you are taking blood pressure medications, but otherwise you may want to try supplementing with 200-400 mg. potassium and a calcium/magnesium supplement to see if it makes you feel better.

I would agree with being low on minerals. Even sodium gets depleted when you drink a lot of water. Being low in potassium makes you want to sleep all the time. It also causes leg cramps. I would try some supplements and see if that helps.

Good luck!
Bonnie

My multivit does have all 3 of those in it, although in quite small amounts:

Potassium Iodide: 65mcg
Calcium Citrate Hydrate: 50mg
Magnesium amino acid chelate: 25mg
Manganese amino acid chelate: 5mg.

Do you suggest I supplement with additional potassium? I must admit I am feeling quite tired, my legs are usually a little crampy - because I have a mild spinal injury and the muscles are very hard to condition, although maybe potassium has been a problem for a while? Will go and find something after work tonight.

How soon do you think I should see a difference?

Thanks for your help!
Jane.

I remember feeling more thirsty than I have ever felt in my life for several days. I was drinking nearly a gallon of water a day (about 4 liters) and still soooooo thirsty I couldn't stand it. That got better after a week or so of that. I didn't take any supplements because my stomach was very upset. Looking back, I'm surprised I was able to make it through induction, well almost, 2 more days to go.

Squid

oh, definitly check your iron. i know sometimes that can make you feel tired. but for the most part, i do believe that atkins does say you'll get tired but after that you'll get a burst of energy. that's sorta what happened to me, too. you're doing fine.

If you are having leg cramps, then definetly get extra pottasium (unless you are on any medications, then get doctors advice first) I also do extra calcium, but that is because I hope it will help me to lose weight.

Are you having any caffine in the form of beverages or suppliments? You could be having a crash down from that. Do any of your suppliments contain stimulents, or is the multi vitamin the only one?

You might also check to be sure your multivitamin doesn't have sugar, starches, or yeast.