G'day

I've been doing Protein Power followed by Atkins for a few weeks. I fiddled around, probably entering in phase two eating more than 20 carbs a day, though not much more. That said, I dramatically cut out the amount of carbs I once had in a low fat-high carb diet. I have continued exercising from the start.

Then I got serious about the induction and hit it for a week to ensure I was in ketosis. I checked the diatex colored stick and it was a nice purple color on the test stick indicating a definate state of ketosis...great!!!! Now as I only got the test stix yesterday I'm not sure how long I've been in ketosis, HOWEVER, I have lost 4" around the waist and definately dropped a couple of kilos. Overall, the weight loss is apparent.

Now my question is that both the PP and Atkins book indicate that I should have a marked increase in energy levels. I have been following my regular exercise regime and have not had this extra boost of energy kick in.....in fact, I feel a little fatigued and weary when exercising. I have been taking the necessary supplements and at least 500mg of Magnesium and Pottasium aspartate eah day...seemingly the main culprit in low energy and light headedness and mild cramping.

Anyone got any ideas on what's going on and when I'm likely to get my energy levels back up to at least where they were before???

I do enjoy the Atkins approach, but the lack of energy is a bit of a drag given that I was expecting more than I had before but haven't realised it.


Anyone else had a similar experience of any other info on the subject.

Regards


Rolf

Hi Rolf,
First of all, I'd like to welcome u on behalf of everyone in this forum. I'm also a newbie myself, so I'd let the more experienced low-carbers answer your questions about the light-headedness & mild cramping. I hope that u'd be feeling better soon. U said that u've been getting a nice purple on the ketostix? That's usually an indication of not drinking enough water. When I first started this WOL, I was only averaging about 1 litre of water a day & I wasn't losing any weight. Last month, I started to drink at least 4 litres of water a day & I started to lose weight (I have a long history of yoyo dieting, so it's really hard for me to lose even a few lbs now). Water is my best friend now.
Rolf, good luck & happy low-carbing.
Bebe

Hi there......

I suspect that it's your carb intake that is the culprit. If you have a fairly intense workout program that you are keeping up, you need more carbs than someone that is not exercising or exercising lightly. I'm currently doing BFL and before I started was holding around 15-20 carbs a day. Now I'm up to 35-40, still losing weight and feeling fabulous!

You might check out the sticky thread in the BFL forum for more information on LCing and working out.

HTH
Marlaine

Thanks for the tips ladies. I have been drinking alot and suspect that so few carbs in an otherwise active lifestyle might not necessarily give me the required energy....although I thought it was suppossed to.

I'll persevere and see how I go.

Cheers


Rolf

Rolf,

I had been feeling a bit blah a week or so ago, and Nat had suggested to me that I try a potassium supplement....like NuSalt, etc....if you are exercising, and in ketosis, maybe you need potassium??

good luck!

It was suggested to me here on this BB that I wasn't eating enough calories. I am making the attempt to eat more and have finally managed to get up over 2000 a day, but I was told I need up to 3000.

I have just started this climb, and don't know if it will affect the loss, but I do have more energy. Maybe you should calculate the number of calories you are ingesting, just to be aware. I use fitday.com and it is a lifesaver--tells you just about anything you want to know. You need 10-12x your weight in calories just to sustain life. If you exercise you need more.

I hope this helps you.

Carol