Hello all, i am new to this forum, i tried low carb a few years ago and it worked just fine, but then, well i stopped and it all came back, and then some. So in December 07 I started going to a pers trainer and watching the carbs. About a month ago I started back on Atkins full time and haven't looked back. I have lost appx 30 lbs in three months, and 10 lbs just this past month alone, so I am getting closer to my goal and the gym is making the big difference for me. Before when I did atkins, i lost the weight but still felt bad, like I didn't want to wear cute clothes. Now I am not even at goal and already buying backless dresses, and halter tops, which is extremely exciting for me, and my trainer is very supportive. She is one of the few "professionals" that I have met who understands that low carb works, and can work long term. I plan to be at 135 by the end of August, so I have a long way to go still (about 30 lbs) but i will get there.

I am always looking for low carb recipes and motivation tips, especially for the gym and for stalls!

I have been in the med to dark pink for a few days, drinking TONS of water, so I know its not dehydration, but I can't get to sleep. I woke up at 8am today (early for me) and its now 2am and I am still wired. Has this happened to any of you? Any tips for getting through it?

Holly, congrats on the losses!

I've heard of people with your sleep problem after losing weight, although I've never experienced it myself. You might have to adjust your sleep times, and perhaps get used to the fact that you might not need as much sleep now as you used to. Unless it's affecting your daily routine, I wouldn't fret about it.

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Nita

Holly, and congratulations on your weight loss. When I lost a lot of weight, I found myself staying up later and getting up earlier, with more energy. As a result, I adjusted my lifestyle to accomodate this. It is good that you have established a goal weight. However, be careful about extrapolating a rate of weight loss to arrive at a date by which you expect to reach your goal. It doesn't work that way and people tend to think they have failed when they don't reach their goal by a set date. Besides stalls, as your body adjusts to your reduced weight, you can also expect that your rate of loss will slow dramatically as you get closer to your goal. That is part of the normal process of Atkins as you transition to maintenance and maintaining your new healthy weight.

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Henry

Welcome Holly, and congrats on your progress so far!

Henry's given you some good advice on goals already, so I won't repeat it, other than to echo the idea that as you get closer to goal, losses often slow down and you can't let that impact your attitude much, because it's just part of the process for many.

I do think that combining the gym with the low carb is a killer combo, though, and continuing both is your best bet for reaching your goals and maintaining at the level you want.

are the sleep difficulties new? you may also find that as you weigh less, you may be more sensitve to caffiene, perhaps, or medications if you take any, so you may end up making some adjustments there.

it's all a process of finding your groove, from what i can see. sounds like you're certainly moving in the direction you want.

glad to have you with us!

I personally am much more energetic LC than pre LC, but have never personally felt like LC impacted my sleep. I sometimes have trouble sleeping when I have lots of things on my mind, I've found, but not so much tied to the weight or eating plan specifically.

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Fat Baggage- Is Yours Packed?

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I too had the wired cant sleep issue which for me is opposite of usual. I could get 8-10 hours of sleep easy before. I started back on LCE last Saturday and this issue seems to be improving for me already. I had to reduce one of my meds. I wonder if my digesion is not eating up all my energy now that I've changed my eating habits so drastically.

Like to know what you figure out.

Kerry

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