Hi all,

I know I was told yesterday by Gil (sp.?), that I was having fluid trouble. This past month, my scales were tipping at 164. I can't remember this happening before. Today My scale says 158, which is right around what I have been weighing the last 2 years, that is actually high for me, as I weighed 145 through much of my 30's.

I drank a lot of water (10 glasses). I suppose I am really going to have to watch salt. I am taking Vitamin E, B, Potassium and Calcium Magnesium.
I am going to try and exercise as much as possible. I ran 9 miles this week.
I am cutting back on diet drinks and cheese. Any other advice?

-R.M.

I have to tell you that I have never had a problem with water retention before in my life until I started Atkins. I gained almost 4 lbs of water weight in one week.
I gave up all liquids but Water. I drink 6 - 24 oz bottles per day. I also had to give up salty snacks like BBQ pork rinds. I will try to put them back into my diet when I get off induction, but for now I have to stay away from them.
Once I started drinking the water and cut down on the salt I could feel a difference, it did take about 4 days to really feel back to normal and flush out my system. I weigh in tomorrow so time will tell how I have done. I have been drinking that amount of water now for 10 days so we will see if iIhave lost anything.
Good luck and keep the water flowing!! HAHAHA Mary

Hi Rosemarie.
Sounds like you're on the right track. You've already taken all the recommended basic measures to avoid/fight water retention:

Upping your water intake (although you could up it even more.)
Taking cal/mag/potas supplements.
Cutting down on salty foods (porkrinds, cheese, bacon etc.)
Exercising.

You ought to see some results soon.

If you have a stubborn water retention/oedema, you might want to try some dandelion tea, which is a mild diuretic. Not too often though.

Thanks! My friend told me about dandelion.

I guess I have a problem with sodium. That would explain the huge jump in numbers. I was eating hot wings and then I looked at the sodium, yikes!! 550!!
Guess, I can't have those.

I do love cheese!!! My kids were laughing, I was making cheese soup, and topping it with salsa!! Guess I can't have that.

I am happy to report I do not feel hungry at all. The guys at work asked if I wanted pizza. I knew I would feel bad if I had it. I didn't crave it at all.

-R.M.

Glad to hear that you are making the proper changes that will help in your future successes. Sodium is a big problem!! And then drinking all this water to help metabolize the fat.......... uuuuggggghhhhh what an awful feeling. Hope to hear that these suggestions helped you out.