New to the forums, looking for help

[everythingstaken]

This is week two of induction for me, but now I'm too the point where I need some help with something, and I've done all the research that I can do, seeing as many "Anti-low-carb" websites as I can handle.

If anyone has any wisdom to share, or suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it!

Background: I'm a perfectly healthy 22 year old (Aside from being overweight of course!). I work out daily, I take calcium/magnesium, multi-vitamins, omega3's, and potassium suppliments. I drink 100oz of water a day, and I don't even SMELL anything that's offlimits to the diet.

Issue: I'm so sick! I could only make it through 1/3 of my workout today and 2/3 of my workout yesterday. I'm weak, my legs ache (not the worked-out-too-much ache), I'm woozy, fatigued and generally all around miserable. I feel like I have the flu.

Am I alone or is this a normal thing, and is there any way to fix it? Or am I worrying for no reason whatsoever?

Thank you in advance for any advice you can give,
Liz

[Maggie]

Welcome, Liz.

Most people are feeling much better by the second week of induction. Sure you don't actually HAVE the flu?

Since you use that term induction, I assume you are using the Atkins nutritional approach. Have you read the whole book?

With a heavy exercise schedule, you might have a higher CCLL. You might consider moving to OWL.

[KCTinter]

Maggie is right on (as usual). I remember when I started induction, my legs felt "rubbery" and heavy. I had a hard time going up the stairs without tripping. But I think this only lasted about 3-4 days. In your case, your heavy exercise schedule may be playing a role. You did not mention how much weight you lost your first week on induction. You just may have to increase your carbs and move on to OWL. Please let us know how you are doing!

[bkloots]

If I read Atkins correctly, during induction, your body is converting from using readily-available carbohydrate fuel to less-handy protein/fat fuels. During that change-over process, your body might not be supporting the kind of workouts you're used to.

Either backing off on workouts a bit, or bumping up carb levels a bit might be helpful. In a short while, you should be able to resume a comfortable level of exercise.

Recently I started running again. I've found that I need to add a few more carbs in the form of veggies or fruit to support that effort.

[everythingstaken]

Maggie, I think I'm going through it a little later than usual because the first week I didn't eat clean. Second week I dropped processed foods and now get all my carbs from vegetables.

I'm going to try to keep this up as much as possible, hopefully I'll feel better in a few days. Until then I'm going to have to back off my exercise routine a little bit and stick with just walking. Then I might add fruit.

To answer questions: I lost 6 pounds the first week, and yes I'm using a modified Atkins approach. But I'm not limiting my veggies, just the type. I don't eat much cheese since it seems to bloat me, so my diet mainly consists of eggs, lean meats, fresh veggies and the occasional whey protein shake.

Hopefully this will pass soon!

[Goddess]

hello.

if you ate much with sugar the first week, it may be that you're going through the withdrawl stuff the second week, i dunno. and if you were eating processed or lc "junk food" stuff, that may be it. some people process sugar alcohols just like sugar...or perhaps you're extra-sensitive to the process; some are. i wouldn't expect it to last more than 4 days or so after going "clean" though, if this is the case.

many folks don't limit veggies, either, and i'm of the opinion that it's fine that way. from the things you're saying, it sounds like you're doing things well. and as other folks said, if your workout schedula is heavy, then you may need more carbs to support it.

please do keep tabs on it, though, because you normally don't expect to see that stuff this late in induction. if it doesn't clear up soon, you may want to look to other possible issues, 'cause you're supposed to feel good soon!