Hello All! I am Susan. I began my journey into the no carb zone about 1 1/2 weeks ago. Since I have so many questions, I am forever online searching answers. Your site kept coming up, so I figured I may as well join.

A little about me... My husband and I have been moving around for his work for the last 3 years. We finally settled down in March to a home in North Atlanta. I have been a comfortable (even though slightly larger than I wanted) 150 during the traveling years. Something happened in August though and I ballooned to 170, my biggest ever! Now for anyone wondering, I am only 5'5", so either of those weights is technically not ideal per the doctor.

I am not an unhealthy eater, but I just couldn't seem to shake even a single pound. When I started thinking about what I ate though, it was mostly composed of carbs and little protein. I am the girl who makes pork chops and noodles for my husband, but only ate the noodles (thinking this was a good thing). Wrong answer.

Last weekend, with only 3 weeks to my younger sister's wedding, I decided this was it. I had to get myself under control and begin the induction. I have to tell you though, this was a major decision. I have been a believer in Dr. Weill and am still not sure that no carbs is the most healthy thing in the world. It has been so much simpler than I ever imagined though!

My husband is a meat and potatoes kind of guy with the metabolism of a
rabbit :fork:. It is very simple to adapt his meals to suit me. I love vegetables, so no problem there. It is actually easier to adapt now than whenever I was trying to count calories or anything else.

Now, here is my biggest problem...I have NO energy. And I mean none! I was fine for the first 5 days. Then on day 6 I thought I could sleep for hours. I was fine again for days 7, 8, & 9. But yesterday and today have been murder, which brought me here today. I am typically a high energy person, so I don't like to sit still. I honestly can barely wake up. AAH! With seeing the success I am having already, I am in no way planning to give up. However, I need my energy back. Help !

Sometimes it takes a while for the body to adjust to the new way of eating. Give it time. A week and a half is just the beginning. You sound like you are doing good so far. I found after two weeks I was full of energy, but I had been severely lacking before LC.

Good luck.

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Noël


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

just a commentary on your post - this is not a 'NO CARB' plan. You have to get the 20 carbs daily during induction. Your body needs it. So, if you are trying to get by with less than that, you will be tired. Most should come from vegetables, but you need to be close to that number for the best benefit.

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Mary Kay 1/1/04 - 232
5/19/08 (5/23/08) - sw226/(cw222)/mg210/fg160

Are you taking a multivitamin? I hope so. Also a B complex and Vitamin c is very helpful, I find, in boosting my energy levels.

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my blog

To me, 20 grams is no carbs :square:. But you may be right, I haven't eaten as many vegies over the last couple of days.

I have been taking vitamins for over a year, for other body deficiencies. I guess I will have to add to that pill intake. Right now I take B6 and fish oil (or flax seed, I can't remember which).

Thanks for the tips.

Remember to subtract the fiber from the veggies as well--I looked at veggies like this--I didn't get into the situation I was in eating them so by eating them maybe I could get out--I treat anything green and leafy as free--only count the things I put on top of them. . .I have so far lost 65lbs on that thinking so it is working for me!

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Lori

232/190/130
My other journal http://www.lowcarbeating.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1130

Hi Susan, welcome to LCE! I know you'll find lots of info and great support here. Have you chosen a particular plan? We recommend getting the book for your plan, read & re-read. Dr. Atkins explains the phenomenon you describe as your body truly starts burning fat for energy instead of carbs. It happens when you use up the glycogen stores. You may be a little achy along with it, drink plenty of water and take an OTC pain reliever like Tylenol if need be. Hang with it, Susan, it passes in a couple of days and your energy will be restored.

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Ozzie's Place

no carb zone? what is THAT?
i see you mentioned eating vegetables... so you ARE getting carbs... but is this some sort of diet you have found? "THE NO CARB ZONE? "
doesnt sound healthy to me..

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kims SECOND journal is HERE
kims new blog
KIMS BLOG !!
SUGARFREE BLOG

Maybe I shouldn't reply right now, but you just reminded me why I should not join a board. People half read and respond with smart remarks. Had you read down through the posts, you would have seen a nicer way to address my mis-statement. You would have also seen my response that I think 20g is no carb, considering the amount I used to eat. Maybe I was wrong and I will just visit for the ideas I have come across...

Susie, Kim probably just scanned your message. I knew what you meant when you said "no carb zone" . . . but it does sorta kinda sound like a diet . . . like "The Zone." Please do not give up on this site. I am a relative newbie here and I have found it very helpful! There is a lot of good advice, and support for when you need it. Because there are so many low-carb diet plans out there, it is important to mention which one you are following. Then we will know how to reply. If you are doing Atkins, I know he mentions this great surge of energy. Well, I didn't get it either. And I was tired in the beginning to. You are putting your body through a complete change. It needs to adapt . . . and it will. Sounds like you just need to wait a few more days. I did add a Vitamin B complex vitamin to my vitamin arsenal, and that seemed to help.

Please keep us posted. You will really find that our group is helpful and we do care.

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Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

20 sometimes does feel like none! I would not take what Kim said too hard, my initial reaction to your post was much like hers. . .no I didn't say it, but I did think it. Had I not read the rest of the replies or if they had not been there I would have probably said something much the same. Give the site time, it is a big part of the reason I am where I am today--the support I got here from all the subscribers and now friends!

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Lori

232/190/130
My other journal http://www.lowcarbeating.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1130

people have so many misconceptions about low-carbing that we notice (and point out) statements that seem erroneous. my initial reaction was the same as kims...you said no-carb two or three times, even though i think you probably meant it jokingly. but folks like me who have done this awhile are very attuned to possible and popular misconceptions, and are usually pretty quick to the draw to correct them. overall, i believe this is problably a good thing, although it may occassionally result in a misfired communication from time to time.

i think kim was trying to get you back on track with humor, but sometimes that doesn't translate as easily via boards. personally, i find that if i assume everything that is said to me is in good humor, it's not much of a problem if it in fact wasn't. 'cause i'm still happier either way. and really, i think it almost always is meant well, anyway.

i've found participating in the boards to be a very positive experience for me personally, and have also found that sometimes people have found my contributions encouraging, uplifting, or helpful in some way. to me, that makes it worth the trouble to contribute, despite the fact that occassionally the diversity of personalities on the board means there may be someone who i don't personally click with.

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EatSmart Nutritional Scale Review

Hi Susan and welcome to LCE!!!!

Like Goddess pointed out, we vets of LCing have heard the misconceptions over and over til we're blue in the face. And the media doesn't help the cause with their pictures of greasy cheeseburgers, bacon and eggs as their definition of low carb and asking "Is THIS healthy?" So some of us are a little trigger happy when we hear a phrase like "no carb." I don't think Kim meant any insult to you. She's actually a very kind person, giving lots of good advice and has a great sense of humor. It may be possible that things got a little misinterpretted here. Please don't give up on the boards here. You came to the right place for advice, help and encouragement and that's what we're here for.

A great many of us are here to help newbies. Others are here to get help. Please give us all a chance to help you on your journey.

Now, to repond to your initial concerns. It is normal to go through a period where all you want to do is sleep. And if your schedule allows that, DO it!!!! Sleep is very healing. If you think about it, you were poisoning your body with sugar and starch and you need to heal. There is a detoxing period and an adjustment period.

What book and plan are you following?
Are you drinking plenty of water to help detox?
I was incredibly tired when I first started out and found that b-complex also helped me tremendously.
I agree with the "no limit on veggies" rule. (allowed veggies that is) And be sure and subtract your fiber so you aren't cutting your allowed carbs short. Our brains, kidneys and eyes DO need some carbs (glucose) to function properly, so don't be afraid to eat GOOD, whole and healthy carbs.

You might find the beginner's guide up there at the top of the page most helpful. There's also a recipe link at the top in the green section. You'll find lots of help up there and also in the home page. There are stickies at the beginnings of all the different threads here. They are invaluable.

I hope we can be of much help to you in your low carb journey. And who knows, eventually you will be one the vets doling out precious knowledge you've learned along the way.

Hang in there, WELCOME again and stick around, we're glad to have you with us!!!!!!

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