I wonder if anyone can tell me how much longer I'm likely to feel so washed out. I started Aktins on 3/1 and even though it's been nearly 2 weeks I am still pretty fatigued and sluggish. I do my walks, housework, yardwork, etc but it's like pulling teeth. I have to rest all the time like a little old lady (no offense to any actual little old ladies on forum). I'm normally irritatingly (to others) energetic. This feels very different to me. Will I suddenly notice my energy returning or is it possible that this is just the trade off you make when you don't eat a lot of carbs?

Also, has anyone ever heard of acne suddenly clearing up on this WOE? I'm thinking it may have something to do with withdrawing sugar? I'll take it no matter what the cause. I'm 40 years old and haven't enjoyed such a clear complextion since I was about 11. What a totally cool unexpected "extra"! Cheers.

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Cindy
161.5/153.5/120

HI IBON, YES I've seen many people post that their acne has cleared up, WOOOHOO!!!!

I felt like I had been drugged with sleeping pills the first MONTH of doing this. But when I upped my veggie intake and started snacking more, I felt 100% better!!! So there's hope. Just hang in there, it WILL get better. Your body is going through an adjustment period. When it finally gets the idea of using ketones for energy, it should get much better. I also found that B-complex helps tremendously!!!!

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also, just a thought - I know several of us didn't get the 'net' carbs thing at first, and were way under the 20 carbs for induction.

If you are using Fitday for tracking, be sure you deduct the fiber showing at the top of the charts. I didn't realize I needed to do this and was getting more like 12-13 carbs/day - and that is just too low.

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

Agree with the above posts and can't urge a B-complex supplement enough to help with that sluggish issue. I too was that way for 4 weeks, finally added supplements and WOW, felt tons better!!

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Currently Pregnant and expecting bundle of joy the week before Christmas

You didn't say if you were taking a vitamin supplement or not--if not add one in and give it a couple of days. It only took me about 2 weeks to "perk up" but I was pretty washed out for the first week and sleepy on and off hte second but by the third I was back to my old self with even more energyt han before. Give it time as you detox your body needs its energy in other places! Good luck!

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Lori

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

Hi IBON,

It took me at least 2weeks of feeling like I had the flu before I started feeling somewhat better. Supplements are essential. Make sure you are eating enough food. I also have to take extra potassium or I will get muscle twitches and leg cramps.

It took 4 weeks before my insulin levels came down to more normal levels (230-120) After 4 months they are 114 in the am. Not as low as I want but much better.

Yes, my face is clearer than it has ever been. In my case the energy has just gradually improved with the journey. I feel better therefore I am more active, exercise more, ect. I am sore today from exercise but it's a good sore. Listen to your body and take care of its needs. If you need extra sleep right now get it. If you need more fuel, eat it. Limiting bad carbs is a good thing all the way around. Lack of energy is not because you need the white, refined stuff. Water intake is key also. A little dehydration can make you feel wiped out.

Hope this helps

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restart 06/07/2008

244/200.5/150

Besides making sure you're getting at least a good vita/mineral supplement, it's also helpful to make sure you don't go over 4 or five hours without having at least a legal snack.

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BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

Thanks for all the advice everybody. What a great response!

I think I am feeling like 2-3% better every day. It's like getting over some bad illness or something. Sometimes I get tired TYPING!

I'm drinking my water though I tend to have to "cram" in the evening to make my 75 ounce regimine (this is half my weight in ounces). This doesn't do my sleep pattern any favors as you can imagine.
Everybody seemed to suggest supplements. I take a wide variety of supplements daily but now wonder if I'm taking the "right stuff" since I still feel weak and tired.
Daily Supplements:
One time daily's are - the best Multi I could find, 600mg Calcium (no D added since it's fat soluable), 250 mg Magnesium (aids in the absorbtion of calcium), 550mg Potassium Gluconate to ward off any potential cramps, 400mcg Folic Acid for reducing heart disease and cancer risks, one 400mcg Chromium Picolinate for assisting insulin in the metabolism of fuel, and two Co-enzyme Q10 for energy production plus
one 1200mg Omega-3/Omega-6 Fish Oil twice daily, one 500mg L-Glutamine before each meal to stave off sugar jonesing, and one 500mg L-Carnitine three times daily with meals to aid in the metabolism of fat.

My multi contains 4mg of B6 and 25mcg of B12. A few people specifically mentioned B-complex being important. Should I find a B-complex supplement or will it be too much with what's in my multi? I hope I'm getting enough right now because I don't know if I can choke down another pill. Thanks!

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Cindy
161.5/153.5/120

okay.. im going to ask something befor im sure if you are a female.. (i didnt check ur profile)
but could you be going threw the "change" of life.

I have been haveing alot of tiredness and irregular TOM, my dr is running tests but one of the things she sugested is "change" of life.. for you it is a little more understandable than me. I'm only 25 yrs old, but they said it is possible.
just a thought?

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01/02/04-248{ 4/29/04- 218} 6/30/04- 204
7-05-04 198 8/30/04 - 190 (got lost after that-)
4/03/08- 261 -
Goal-140-145

Wow, you really are taking a lot of them. Anyway, a B complex could help. I take one that contains 50 mg of all the major B parts. Additionally, any good B complex would contain 400mcg Folic Acid. You could replace that one with a B complex when you finish it.

BTW: I also take a multivitamin, I don't think it would be too much. The only thing that I have heard that would be a problem is vitamin A, but that is not an issue here.

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Started Atkins on 9/20/03
235-->190; 150 goal

one a day weight smart seem to give me a boost

I second paladin about trying a B-50 complex. It really can't hurt, and the B-vits are extremely important to so many phases of both metabolism and neurotransmitter function.

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BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

I second Mary Kay's suggestion that you make sure you're getting 20 NET grams of carbs - that is to say, the total amount of carbs minus the fiber. Although you are wiser now, those vestiges of "low cal/low fat" mentality are hard to get rid of, and I recall from one of your previous posts that you sometimes have trouble keeping your calories up as high as 1200. Do make sure you aren't short-changing yourself on food overall, and veggies in particular.

Best wishes,
Sky
Atkins since 8/02
186/144/under 150

More great ideas and suggestions. Thanks again everyone.

To reply to the most recent posts:
I don't think I'm entering menopause. I didn't notice any problems (weakness, fatigue) until 4 days after starting Atkins which, from what I understand, is normal. I'm just concerned that it's going on longer than the book had lead me to believe. Gilley79, I hope you find out you're just having an easily correctable hormone imbalance. Menopause at 25? That wouldn't be very fun. Good luck.
I just put B-50 complex on my grocery list. One more pill to swallow. Yuck. Oh well, it'll be worth it if it works. Thanks y'all.
I do know about fiber not counting. I count digestible carbs only. Good thought though. I was having trouble getting enough calories but this has "corrected" itself over the past week. I'm getting around 1800 per day now - and my weight loss accelerated! Man, I love this WOE. I even went over on carbs a little bit on a couple of days but I'm still in ketosis so who cares. I feel like I'm going crazy. Eat more, lose weight? Huh??? Yipeeeeeeeeee!

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Cindy
161.5/153.5/120

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by IBON4IT:
More great ideas and suggestions. Thanks again everyone.

To reply to the most recent posts:
I don't think I'm entering menopause. I didn't notice any problems (weakness, fatigue) until 4 days after starting Atkins which, from what I understand, is normal. I'm just concerned that it's going on longer than the book had lead me to believe. Gilley79, I hope you find out you're just having an easily correctable hormone imbalance. Menopause at 25? That wouldn't be very fun. Good luck.
I just put B-50 complex on my grocery list. One more pill to swallow. Yuck. Oh well, it'll be worth it if it works. Thanks y'all.
I do know about fiber not counting. I count digestible carbs only. Good thought though. I was having trouble getting enough calories but this has "corrected" itself over the past week. I'm getting around 1800 per day now - and my weight loss accelerated! Man, I love this WOE. I even went over on carbs a little bit on a couple of days but I'm still in ketosis so who cares. I feel like I'm going crazy. Eat more, lose weight? Huh??? Yipeeeeeeeeee! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That sounds good to me!!

I think I have been weak and lethargic because I'm not getting enough calories.

What should I eat to increase my calories, yet stay under a 20-30 a day carb count?

I bosted my weight loss last week by excercising, but I need to increase my energy/calories to do that again!

Thanks! Mary