I just started the atkins diet and not sure if this lo-carb eating is the thing for me. I find this very hard to do. MY first day went ok. This is only my second day and I can't seem so get full. Keep going to the kitchen to see what I can munch on. Please help me to get through the induction stage of this diet. Also had a headache the first day.

Everything you're experiencing is normal!

Remember, the purpose of induction is to break carb addictions and retrain your body to feel full on complex carbs and fat.

Right now...drink plenty of water, eat more protein if you want it, and take some pain relievers for the headache. After a few days, the headache will subside, and you'll find that you're getting full on less!

Hang on...you can do it!

Emelia

"We can only learn to love by loving." - Iris Murdoch, Irish writer
294/208/174 since 25-Nov-01

I bet you are running to the fridge every so often because you are 'craving' something. And if you are like me it is something like m&m's, ice cream or pop corn. You are probably not -really- hungry.

I did the same thing munching on cheese curds and trying all the stuff that I was aloud to eat. Towards the third day I felt bloated from all the stuff I had eaten. Now I am almost in week four and I get a headache and the pit of my stomach aches. Then I try to remember when I ate last. My job has me eating at funky times and it is bad to go more than like 6 hours without eating on Atkins.

It is way different from the way my stomach used to gurgle and growl all the time. I feel real hunger now.

Fall 2002- 193
LC since August 2003
183/176/150

Shay, hang in there. You will feel much better before long. Induction is really tough! The good news is that you live through it and lose weight.

Lots of Luck!

Susan ( AKA Northwest)
207/178.5/160

when you are on induction...it is like a journey....unsure of where you are going....and doing so in a "fog"....once you get through the two weeks...you begin to see the sunshine and break through that "fog"...it gets so much better....you will feel AWESOME...trust me...trust us...IT IS WORTH THE JOURNEY THROUGH THE FOG!!!!.....keep coming here and use us as your lighthouse!!! we will help guide you....

If I set a goal...then when I finally reach that goal..I am afraid that I will use it as a license to eat..therefore..I have no goal...only to stick to this wol FOREVER!!!

Hi Shay,

Water... lots and lots of water! That'll help the headache, especially if you use the first sip or two to swallow some Tylenol or the like<g>. I'm no expert on induction as I don't follow a pure Atkins approach, but if you are truly hungry, then eat something that's on the 'good 'list and KNOW that you are doing something that's good for you. Maybe pick up your Atkins book and reread some of the early chapters to reinforce the whys and how this is going to change your life... it's a distraction and an excellent way to keep your will power strong!

Hang in there! You can do this!

Ginger 43/F
159/149/135

Life is NOT a dress rehearsal

Im pretty new on this whole "low-carb" idea as well. I just moved to a new city and am getting used to the water here (eww) but ive been on this site for just a few minutes and i've already seen the importance of drinking much more water than i am. Also, because of my "student budget" it has been a bit difficult eating properly this first week of induction.

I do find, however that I tend to be a bit tired lately. I sleep far more than usual and even nap during the day. Could this be at all related to the diet?

Also, i never thought i could even go a week without carbs but i seem to be doing ok. Im shamefully being somewhat slack about it here and there because i haven't properly researched the diet yet but im wondering if it gets easier than this? What can you allow yourself to have after finsihing with induction that you couldn't before?

Yes, the weariness is most likely from the diet. Naturally, if it continues for more than a week, you should consult a doctor but 99% chance, it's your new way of eating.

During the first 2-3 weeks of this woe, you're body is adjusting to some dramatic changes and it takes a little while. Your body is switching from "carb burning" mode to "fat burning" and this takes alot of energy.

Just take a nap when you need to and don't worry if you're sleeping a little longer than usual. After the first 2-3 weeks you should come out of it (as soon as your body is adjusted to its new life) and you MAY actually require LESS sleep than before lc. That's what happened to me. I was REALLY tired the first 3 weeks or so and then BOOM! Tons of energy all the time and felt perfect after only 7 hours. I always try to get 8 but I hate laying in bed staring at the ceiling so I usually just get up!

Drink your water and good luck.


LCE Member since 2001
http://www.ilovelowcarb.com
Low Carb & Loving it!

I want to thank everyone for replying. Thank you for the motivation and the encouraging words. I know the first week will be rough, but I'm going to hang in there. Thanks again.

Shay
205/205/150