Hi all,

Third time on Atkins and this time the diet and exercise are clicking

My problem now is that after I exercise I get a low level headache that lasts the remainder of the day. I'm starting my third week (two weeks of strict induction) and just now adding a couple of more carbs to the diet. I have dragon breath so I know ketosis is going on, In fact my son says I have a contrail of bad breath as I walk :o . I'm drinking at least 10-12 glasses a day of water, and I still have cravings for it. The headache feels like a hangover, which I know is from dehydration, so could I be sweating out more than I'm pulling in? The first week of induction I hadn't started the exercise routine and had no headaches or any of the flu like symptoms some people get. Just since I've stepped up my activity have the headaches started.

Thanks,
Ed

I noticed that I get "snigglin" headaches when I walk really fast, and they do tend to kind of hang on. I take a Tylenol and it seems to sweep it away. I am not big on taking pain killers, but this works for me.

Carolyn

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Restart 06/01/08 = 192
06/09/08 = 190.4
06/16/08 = 188.6
06/23/08 = 187.6
06/30/08 + 188.6
First Mini Goal 07/01/08 = 187


"I'm gonna "Make it After All" (Terry Joe Terrell)

Ed, it sounds like you are off to a great start! If you are doing induction, could that be a caffine withdrawal headache? If you add back a 1/2 cup or so of coffee, maybe that would help?

If that doesn't help, I guess I'd back off on the intensity of the exercise for a few days to see if the headaches get better. What kind of exercise do you do? If it's out in the sun, do you wear a hat?

A good rule of thumb for how much fluid to drink (preferrably plain water) is about 1/2 ounce for each pound of weight. I.e., a 200-lb person would need about 100 oz. of fluids, more if it's hot or strenous exercise leads to lots of perspiration.

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~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

I'm wondering if you're working out hard enough (and since you're doing a great job on hydration) to require a little electrolyte replacement following your exercise? Maybe a couple of ounces of a sugar free sport drink when you work out?

(Saw a recipe for homemade somewhere: make a package of sugar free koolaid, add 1/4 teaspoon of lite salt (potassium chloride), add another 1/4 teaspoon of regular salt and artificial sweetener of your choice.)

Just a thought.

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Maggie,

I like the idea of the homemade drink. Would that be a source of potassium too? I've cut out my daily banana and am looking to keep the ol' potassium going.

In the meantime, I'll try a sugar free sports drink. I'm lovin' the exercise, just not the headaches. Thanks!!

I think the potassium chloride Maggie suggests (e.g., Morton's Salt Substitute) is a good source of potassium.

Did you know that 1/2 an avocado has as much potassium as a banana for about the same number of calories? The fat in avocado is a good, healthy fat, btw.

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~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

And, how's your neck posture while exercising? Do you hang your head forward on the tread?

If you do a similar amount of exercise outside, do you still get a headache?

( I'm asking a lot of questions here because there are so many different causes for headaches. )

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~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Yes, for the homemade sports drink, you'll find "salt substitutes" near the salt in most supermarkets. These are generally potassium.

As for the avocados ... there's no better - or yummier - source of potassium. And it's low carb legal, too.

Hope you sort out where your headaches are coming from.

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