Just wanted to say, feeling sluggish in the beginning of induction is normal. I felt so awful my first 3 days. My headaches were horrible and I did not even attempt to give up caffeine at that point. About into week 2, I did get alot more energy. I got out of the house more, started walking, and was feeling much better. My heartburn is non existant now and thats worth alot in itself. Also, alot of those headaches, and aches and pains I had before are gone. It's much easier to get things done. My house is still no where near clean, (I have 3 kids), but it's better then it was pre low carb. I too had gestational diabetes with my last pregnancy. When I was told I had a 50-70% chance of getting type 2 diabetes in 5-10 years, I knew something had to be done about my weight, and my health. I had alot of crashes with my blood sugars before Atkins. If I did not have something sugary, I felt sluggish and like I would pass out. After eating something like that, I would get a short burst of energy, only to crash again later on. It was back and fourth like a yo yo. It's so nice to have the freedom of no longer living that way and suffering like that. My husband is type 1 diabetic and I see what he goes through with having diabetes. That was not brought on by his weight or eating habits though, like type 2 is. It could not have been prevented. Type 2 can be. Any kind of blood sugar highs and lows are early signs of pre diabetes. Stick to this WOE and you will not only feel great, but you will be doing wonders for your health and well being. Good Luck, and let us know how your doing.

Atkins since June 20, 2004
278/250/120?

Thanks Mystical. Yes I plan on sticking to this for life. I know that later on I will have to still fight cravings for junk food, but hopefully I will be more serious now about resisting. You are so right about diabetes type II -- at least we do have the ability to alleviate it, whereas type I is something the person is born with and cannot help. In comparison we are very fortunate. The gestational diabetes was certainly a big red flag, wasn't it? At the time it's not fun, but at least it makes us more knowledgeable about the consequences of continuing on down that road. Mystical -it looks like you are doing great too on the plan. Are you still drinking caffeinated coffee?

I couldn't resist checking the weigh scale today -- I was hoping that despite having had about 3 low carb bars over the past two days that what with all the cleaning I've done I might have lost some weight. Much to my delight I discovered that I'm down 1.5 pounds. YAY!!! Getting closer to onederland!

Is it just the heat and humidity around here, or has anyone else experienced huge thirst while on induction? I cannot believe how much water I'm wanting to drink. I am constantly thirsty. Yesterday for example I drank about 5 litres of water. Today as soon as I got up I drank 3 litres. As of right now I am at 4.5 litres. Never in my life have I craved water so much. Is this normal on induction? Does anyone know what causes it?

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Atkins 08/22/04 203/194.5/135 5'7"

I started LCE 8/16/04 nad felt awful for the first week. I had been such a carb addict that I was ALWAYS tired. I usually ate a pasta dish for lunch at work and by the end of the day I was yawning and sleepy. When I went to pick up my son I never wanted to do anything but sit. At the end of the first week I was ready to give up. I said I need Phentermine or some weight loss drug and forget the low carb it's not helping. (Of course I am one of the thousands that had been on Fen/Phen and lost a ton then gained it back.) That weekend I decided to stick it out for one more week (though I did falter and eat a chocolate bar Sunday night). Now at the end of the second week my energy is up and I am able to get down on the floor and play with my one year old. He is happier than ever and so am I. I still think about bread a lot, I have it in my house for the baby's grilled cheese he loves. But I am able to resist and the cravings are almost gone completely. I know I am just starting but the beginning is the hardest and I know you can get through it.

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Noël


Worry doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of its strengths.

Thanks Noel for the encouraging words. I am starting to finally come out of the fog. I still feel very wooden, but I'm a bit more alert than before.

I agree with you about being such a carbaholic that you're constantly tired. I was too. I don't remember any noticeable surges of energy prior to Atkins, despite being a caffeine and sugar addict. Maybe my surges were too slight, or I was just too tired overall to notice. I just remember chronic exhaustion and lots of insomnia.

I am hoping that soon I will feel more energetic overall, but if all I get is a stable amount of slightly more energy through the day, then I will be content with that.

When you write that you had a chocolate bar was it a low carb chocolate bar, or a regular type? What's the difference between your LCE and Atkins? Are you on a program similar to CALP?

I had another Atkins bar today. I tried to not eat it, after reading what everyone has written about how it's best to avoid them, but I was in a store with a lot of tempting junk food, so I figured I should eat the Atkins bar instead of grabbing some junk food. Today I was running around like crazy with no time to really make a half-decent meal.

It was a strange feeling to be feeling so wooden, yet forcing myself to run around getting things done as much as I could. Kinda like swimming upstream without a paddle. I sure hope this semi-zombie state dissipates soon.

When you were on Fen-Phen how much did you lose? Did you have any of the heart palpitations that others had?

That is great that you are on LCE just in time for your baby's second year. Soon you'll be kicking soccer balls out in the park with him! I see that you've lost lots of weight so far. Congratulations!

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Atkins 08/22/04 203/194.5/135 5'7"