Hi Everyone!

I'm new to the Atkins Diet and of course to this forum.
I am hoping that someone can help me. This is my
situation. I have been the same weight for years. In
the past year I gained 12 pounds. That may not seem
like a lot, but I am rather petite so I really felt the difference.
Any ways, I haven't eaten red meat in a few years time...
because I always found it extremely hard to digest and
it caused serious discomfort. Recently, I decided to go on
the Atkin's diet with my fiancee. I have been on the diet
since Monday - so this is my 5th day and I am in Ketosis
(I did the urine test), but I have gained about 3 more pounds
since I started. I was pleased however that my bowel has
been more regular - as constipation use to be a problem.

Any ways, I am following the diet (strictly) and each day, I
am getting more and more hungry. I guess that might be
normal. I've never been a big eater either, so this suprised
me. But the real concern is the 'weight gain'. This does
trouble me because I am getting married next month and
I don't want to be heavier than when started. I don't know
why I'm gaining weight ~ as I have read that I should eat
well to increase my metabolism & get enough protein. I
hope that someone can help me out ~ has anyone else
experienced weight gain at the beginning? If so, for how
long? What should I or what can I do?? I would appreciate
any advice that you might have.

Thanks, Danni

Hi Dani!

To make suggestions, we need a bit more information. What does your daily menu look like? How many calories are you getting? Are you drinking 64 oz. of water a day minimum? Are you taking any supplements? Are you eating any low carb bars (some people have a problem with those)?I will say that if you are hungry, EAT! Just eat protein and low carb veggies and stay around 20 grams of carb per day, but not all at one time. Feeling cruddy is somewhat normal for the first week or so because of carb withdrawal, but after that you should be feeling better if you are following the plan correctly. My husband and I started losing weight immediately, but perhaps someone else can address that concern but my first thought is that perhaps you are not getting enough calories and so your body is responding as though there were a famine going on and is holding onto all the fat that it can. It could also be water retention.

Hello Lisa,

Thank you so much for responding. I haven't really been counting
calories much because I was told that it really isn't necessary
if I follow the Atkin's plan. I have been eating like a horse in
my opinion, but maybe it still isn't enough. You are right about
the water though... I don't think that I consume enough. Would
that really make a difference? Could that cause weight gain? I
don't know if I understand why that would cause me to gain so
fast. I know gaining another 3 pounds doesn't seem like a lot,
but I am nervous that I'll gain even more. I am petite and all the
weight that I have gained this past year prior to the diet has
been in my belly - which is uncomfortable and noticeable. So
more weight is scary. I'm sure you understand. You also
mentioned vitamins. I am taking a daily vitamin supplement as
well and of course I strictly monitor my carbs... I actually went
into Ketosis before my Fiance did. I am feeling a little low in
energy and irritated, but I realize will pass. Any other
suggestions? How long should I keep going before re-evaluating
whether or not I should continue on this diet?

Thanks, Danni

Danni...

I'd honestly give it at least the full 2 weeks of induction before re-evaulating. Not drinking enough water could very well cause you to retain water. Same principle as not getting enough calories; not enough water and your body thinks there's a drought going on and does it's best to hold onto whatever water it gets. The best thing for water retention? You guessed it...more water..64 oz a day minimum! Has anyone mentioned Fitday to you yet? It's a great free resource to help you track where you are for the day with carbs and calories. The web address is www.fitday.com You are right in that Atkins isn't a calorie restricted diet, but it's important to make sure that you are getting enough. Most recommendations that I have seen are for at least 10-12x your body weight in calories each day and because this way of eating tends to naturally depress your appetite a lot of people have to work at it to get enough. For you that would mean right around 1,500 calories. Also, 60-70% of those calories should be coming from fat. Before you gasp and faint, remember that 1 gram of fat has more than twice the calories of 1 gram of carb or protein (1 gram of carb or protein = 4 calories, 1 gram of fat = 9 calories), so it doesn't take as much as you might think to attain that goal. Your hunger clues me in that you are probably not getting enough fat or calories and perhaps both. Something else that you should know is that the less weight you have to lose, the slower it will come off. What you have sounds like water retention to me. You didn't mention how long it took you to gain those 3 lbs, but it's physically impossible to gain that much weight in fat in a few days' time. That would mean that you would have had to take in 10,500 more calories than you actually burned (1 lb fat = 3,500 unburned calories). Re-read the chapter on induction and hang in there! Let us know how you're doing!