Hello:

I just started to follow LC on Monday (5-17) and have lost 5.5 pounds as of this morning. Is this too fast?

Also, I have been having leg cramps at night. I read in the Atkins For A New You that this could be caused by not enough sodium. I have been making sure that my sodium is at least 1 tea a day. Any sugguestions?

Hello, welcome. You sure are flowing right along great. Congratulations. Realize that most all of that lose is water, which if you are dehydrated can cause leg or muscle cramps. Increase your water intake to a lot - at least ten 8oz glasses a day if not more. Also, my husband used to get horrid leg cramps at night and I started him on a high daily dose of vitamin D3 (2000mg) He hasn't had a leg cramp in almost a year. I would also switch to natural Celtic Sea Salt if you are going to supplement, it is way better nutritionally than table salt. But it is equally important to drink a lot of water.

Good luck.

That initial fast weight loss is probably just water weight rather than fat loss so I wouldn't worry about it. It's important to stay well hydrated so keep drinking water.
Most often magnesium supplements sort out night cramps.

Magnesium albion patent chelates are recommended by krispin here. bear in mind she suggests a total magnesium input of up to 10mg per kg. ideal body weight.

Magnesium malate is usually well tolerated and effectively absorbed.

Magnesium chloride and magnesium sulphate, Dead Sea Salts and Epsom Salts dissolved in your bathwater or in a foot spar (bowl under the PC soak while you blog) allows uptake transdermally.

Magnesium bicarbonate water DIY is cheap easy and delicious.

As a successful low carb diet tends to increase the acidity of your urine and this may increase calcium excretion and indeed kidney stone formation it may be a good idea to regularly use bicarbonate water to reduce the tendency for increased risk of kidney stones that seems to affect 6% of people on severely ketogenic diets (those used for epilepsy management.

Diet Soda's may have a similar alkalizing effect this abstract suggests may help kidney stones.

PS purcy55 is quite right that increasing Vitamin D3 intake MAY improve uptake of magnesium (it improves calcium uptake as well though).
The magnesium works in synergy with vitamin D3 it's well worth ensuring you supplement with both rather than just one. 1000iu/daily per 25lbs is usually required to achieve a status around 60ng/ml. Code ~~~~~~ saves $5 at IHERB UK readers limit order value below £18 or pay VAT + £8 post office handling charge. But USA readers may find the same examples listed above cheaper at Amazon/vitacost. depending on shipping.

Thanks, I will kick up the water intake as well as continuing the sea salt.

take potassium---- that is cure take before bed or as needed-- on Atkins your body kicks out Pot ( K )------mag does not hurt but key is K--- your sure dont want any more sodium you get more than enough with the salt on foods

Thanks Zxcvbn. I am in week 3 now, and no longer getting the leg cramps at night. I increased my calcium and vit d and that fixed it for me. The weight loss has continued very nicely, I am 191.5 now.

I was not over doing the salt, only making sure that I used the amount in my seasoning of my foods thru out the day.

Thanks,
Roxanne/ringamajig

sounds your are doin fine---i got burned out after 40 lbs and now started back and back below the 200 rapidly----started walking hour a day and that works good luck

That is one part of the plan that I have not started yet, (exercise) the new Atkins book says to wait 2 weeks to start. I should have started this last Monday, I am not sure why I can not get motivated to start, I know that it will help me to continue losing and get healthy. I will have to work on this.

Thanks,
Roxanne/ringamajig

I am not doing a commercial but I went crazy and bought a pair of those Sketcher shape ups---Absolutely great and will change your whole posture plus a great walking workout

Yes, I have wanted a pair for sometime now, they are kind of pricey for our limited budget. I just got a 30% off coupon from Kohl's and might just have to treat myself.

Thanks

If you're interested in improving posture, look into Vibram Five Fingers. Best shoes I've ever worn

Karrmer:

Where do I find these?