Hi all, I spent the last few days lurking here and I like the atmospere! I am hoping you can tell me if being extremely thirsty is normal for induction (Atkins) I am nearing the end of my 4th day and I was sure I was over the withdrawals, but I am so darn thirsty! Here is what I have been doing....

I have had 18g - 22g of carbs per day so far (mostly from cheese and leafy salads)
I drink about 5 liters of water a day yet still feel thirsty.
I have purchased and read the books DANDR & A4L so I am pretty sure I know what I am doing, but there is probably some room for improvement (like less cheese).

Has anybody else been this thirsty, or could something be wrong with me?
BTW - I am peeing alot too, I 'd say proportionately to what I have been drinking.

TIA!!!

Welcome, Nadiahhh.

I dare say that, at your weight, you might actually be drinking too much water. 5 liters is 170 oz. Generally, the rule is a minimum of 64 oz, with a good rule of thumb being about one ounce of water for each two pounds that you weigh. Beyond that water can, in and of itself, act as a diuretic.

Try scaling it back a notch to about 84 oz - like 2 1/2 to 3 liters. You may find that the thrist scales back a bit.

HTH!

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You might be eating things that have too much salt. Lunchmeat, processed meats, and some low carb products will do it to you.

Welcome to the boards and best wishes in your new WOE.

Thanks, I will scale back what I have been taking in and hopefully that will curb my thirst.

I don't think it is added sodium/salt, I have been eating all my meat unprocessed with the exception of mild sausage for dinner on day 2. I don't normaly season with pure salt either, I like pre-mixed seasoned salt (haven't used it this week to)

Welcome to the forum, Nadi. Have you always drank a lot of water?

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Ozzie's Place

Well, I must say that I have never heard of drinking TOO much water causing more thirst... perhaps a diuretic, but that is a good thing .... will have to "research" that. In any event, welcome to the board!

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196/135-135

Hi Again! Thanks for your responses! I have limited my water intake to 2-3 liters a day and the thirst has subsided, so have the trips to the bathroom!

Kumus - I have always drank a lot of water, one of the good habits I picked up while on Weight Watchers (which ceased to work for me 2 years ago - but I did drop 80 lbs)

I am into day 8 of induction today and I am very satisfied with my results I am down 5 lbs and 1/2 inch in my waist! Yaay! I feel lively and my moods are MUCH more level. I never would have thought sugar/carbs affected me like that, but that must be what it is because diet is all I have changed. Plus this is sooo much easier to follow than WW, I am full and don't feel the need to snack before bed anymore. The withdrawals were nasty tho. DH is considering starting too after he drooled over my "leaning tower" burger. (burger patty topped w/ onion, tomato, green pepper and cheese, Broiled until done) He was never interested in WW, even though he is nearing 300lbs.

That went waay off topic! Any how, have a good day!