Thread: Hi. I think I need some help with Atkins....

Originally Posted by lustforlife

am getting very bored with the menu, but really want to lose the weight so I am about to keep on.

if you're bored with your menu, look to recipes and moving past induction. (i know - you're not happy with your rate of loss now. gimme a minute to get to that.)

I am still extremely tired on the lcd. I take in between 15 and 20 grams of carbs,

being tired is not typical more than a week or two into the program. i think there's a possibility you're not eating enough and would quite possibly do better at a higher carb level. especially since you report being very active.

After the first 3 weeks I started to get high bp's and major headaches. I went to the Dr. but didn't find it much help.

this is also highly atypical. most people report feeling good and having elevate blood pressure go down following a LC program. so please make sure you continue to follow up with your health care provider as appropriate.

I have only ever came into moderate range with the ketone strips and that was around the 3rd week, I am now not showing any signs of burning fat.

ketoisis is a yes/no thing. if you are showing any, you're in ketosis. people who drink lots of water often have lighter colored sticks, but this does not mean they are not doing as well as someone with purpler sticks. we say it's like being pregnant. you can't be "sorta" there.

My measurements are not going down, my clothes fit the same and the scale is saying I have lost about 8lbs in the course of the 7 weeks I have been on the diet.

you're right to look at a number of measurements of progress. you're making some progress on the scale and i supect the inches/clothes will follow that eventually (they seem to happen at different times, but darned if i can find a pattern to it)...but since you're not feeling well overall, i would take that as an indicator you need to make some changes. listen to the bod.

i would suggest you move on to owl at this point and start upping your carb level. i realize most ppl are afraid to do this when they are not losing at a rate they would like, but for some, it actually gets things moving for them. people with higher activity levels often tolerate higher levels of carbs, and the levels someone feels best at varys a lot between individuals. if you're undereating, your metabolism also tends to slow, making you listless and creates probles losing.

Some ppl I talked to who have done Atkins in the passed told me they were always in the large range of ketones and they lost at least 20lbs the first month. Am I abnormal? should I try a different diet? I think I am in need of some major encouragement.

it varies too much from person to person to compare notes. there is no "normal" rate to lose. i know that's frustrating, but read around here, you'll see an endless variety of experiences. and i addressed the ketosis strips earlier. and some people lose without ever showing on the strips.

I will need to cut out the rice I love and have done well without it.ect. Anyway I was wondering if maybe sometimes ppl who don't drink loads of pop or have coffee 5x's a day..ect. are those ppl known to lose slower?

it's not clear from this if you're saying you still eat rice or not? don't. and drinking coffee and pop do not help you lose. for some the caffiene can cause problems, for others no. but drinking water helps.

I also have a strange taste in the back of my throat, could this be ketones? most ppl say it a metallic taste but for me I am tasting like a very sweet taste on my throat like I just ate a candy bar! could this be ketones?

yeah, that's most likely what it is.

so my advice is - take a deeep breath.
move to owl.
make sure you're taking supplements
make sure you're eating enough.
don't sweat the strips or the scale.
monitor your physical wellbeing -just take your time and let how you feel physically serve as your compass for how you're plan is going.

good luck!

servere headaches is a medical issue, not a low carb eating issue (a month and a half into a program.) per our policy on discussiong requiring medical consultation, i'm closing this thread.