Tired all the time

[catsrus]

I've been on Atkins about a month now. Lost 10 lbs. during induction. Have been up a lb., then down a lb. since. No real progress. But my real question is, why am I so tired? - This is a normal complaint with me, even before Atkins, but it's worse now. I've had my tyroid tested many times - it's just great. I take vitamins, supplements, etc. Just wish I could find something to give me energy. Any ideas anyone?

[Keisha]

Hiya, do you reckon your getting plenty of veg, up to the 20gms allowed? Cos it would appear, that less is not better. Also, how about you water intake, keeping it up above the 64 ozs a day? Are you sure you're not favouring a "low fat" menu? You need to keep the fat intake up, it's what makes you lose weight!

:yay: :yay: :yay:

Having said all that, between weeks 3 and 6ish, I was quite often feeling very fatigued, especially climbing stairs and suchlike, my legs just did not want to lift up, but it's gone away now, and I feel GREAT, so maybe yours will too ( we hope). Perhaps if you post a couple of your typical days menu's, we can all have a look at it and see what we think.

[edie]

Add potassium, look for Nu Salt on your supermarket shelf,(not No salt, NU salt, which is ALL potassium) and sprinkle some (say 1/4 teaspoon) into a tall drink and sip it, or you could sprinkle it on food.That helps me. Without fruits or fruit juices or potatoes, all good sorces of potassium, we do not have as high of a intake. Hope that helps, if thats what you need you will feel revitilized quickly..Edie

[catsrus]

My menu generally, for Saturday - Thursday would be, either 4 boiled eggs or a small hamburger & 2 eggs & 1 cup coffee for breakfast; 1/2 Atkins Morning Start bar & 1 cup coffee for coffee break. An Atkins shake for lunch. If hungry by mid-afternoon, I have the other 1/2 Atkins bar. When I get home at 4:00 (I work early hours) I go ahead & have dinner of hamburger, or steak, or pork chop and ususally spinach or lettuce with oil & red wine vinegar. Depending on how hungry I am, I may have about 1 cup green veg, or 3 or 4 big strawberries. Or else later in the evening I have the strawberries, and sometimes, have 1/2 of a regular Atkins meal bar or else 1 oz. of cheese. Occasionally, midafternoon I might have a diet coke, or a glass of tea. Then, on Friday's (and I know someone will say I have to quit this, but my committment to do it comes before the LC committment,so don't make that suggestion please) I do a juice fast for breakfast and lunch. Before LC, I had fruit juices, but now I either have tomato juice (ick!) or chicken broth. I fast until 5:00 or thereabouts depending on when I've been able to have an hour in prayer, then I eat a normal LC dinner. On all days, I drink LOTS of water; that has never been a problem for me. Oh, and I get lots of sleep; between 8 & 9 hours usually; mainly because I can't function the next day if I don't.
The potassium sounds like a good idea. I haven't looked yet, do you know, do they make a potassium supplement? I have never seen the NU salt, but will try to find it.
Thanks to anyone who has suggestions.
Cats

[edie]

The Nu Salt is by the other salt things and spices etc. about only $1.50 for a container, a little goes a long way. They do have pills I think but are a small strength, which some find harder on the stomach. I don't know where you live but in Mass. it is in all the supermarkets. Good luck. Oh, and I think there is a thread about Nu Salt here somewhere., probably under some potassium thread. It works so good for me, my girlfriend asks me if I'm tired or droopy, have you been taking your potassium, and invariably it's when I have forgotten, so there must be something to it! That' The thread is how I got turned onto it about a year ago. Let me know how you make out. K?...Edie

[Redeemed]

Atkins said something about people who feel tired all of the time. Maybe go back and read your book. I am pretty sure he states people who are tired and or have headaches, have a metabolism that cannot keep up with the weightloss process. He suggests upping your carbs until your metabolism can catch up.

Best wishes!!

~*Shannon*~

[catsrus]

I found a Potassium supplement, 596 mg per pill; 1 per day recommended. - Is this enough? Or since i think I'm low, maybe I should take 2 instead??
I also had more veg. carbs today (mainly because it's Sat. & they were earily accessible, as were the absolute no-no's). Have managed to do laundry, go to tea w/ an elderly friend, do about 1 hr of yard work - but that's it. I feel like sleeping, but can't really fall asleep. Body just feels like it's too much to drag around. -------- How long does it take for potassium to kick in, if that is the problem?
Cats

[edie]

I'd start with one pill, daily, or what ever bottle recommends. That amount of potassium is about what is found in 1 banana or baked potato, so it should certainly be safe I would say. I do not know how long the pill takes to dissolve in your stomach to get benefit from it, but the nu salt in water helps by half an hour. Seems like you don't feel any different, then all of a sudden you think oh, I feel peppier now...lol Good luck...keep us posted...Edie

[freckles]

While it is perfectly normal not to lose during the 3rd and 4th weeks on this woe, it is possible that your lack of energy and your lack of loss is due to the number of shakes and bars you are having. Could have absolutely nothing to do with it, but just wanted to throw that out there for you to consider.