Got some questions - need some advice

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Rob - 25 Jan 2004 17:23 GMT

Hey folks, I have some problems that I cannot find answers for about
Atkins/low carb diets -- I figured I'd try this newsgroup because most of
the folks here are dieting themselves.

I'm 37 years old, 6'2", hover around 225 - 230 pounds... I could stand to
lose 30 pounds. I work out regulary 2 - 3 times per week. I've tried
Atkins several times, but run into problems after a few weeks.

1. I cannot break the 210 pound (15 pound weight-loss) plateau, regardless
of what I try (prolonged induction).

2. Constipation!!!! regardless of heaping teaspoons of fiber and lots of
water.

3. After a week or more on Atkins, I lose energy - especially if I try to
excercise. I try to run 2 - 3 times per week for at least 30 minutes, and
do push-ups/crunches daily. After a short time on Atkins, I run out of
energy on the track after just 3 laps. My 1 1/2 mile time is at least 2
minutes off, and I rarely have enough energy (or will-power) to continue
running after 20 minutes (2 - 2 1/2 miles). I simply run down like a
battery, and in my mind at least, I feel like I can't continue the diet
after about 2 1/2 to 3 weeks. My last attempt to remain on the diet lasted 2
weeks.

4. I have heart disease in my family -- I couldn't find any information
concerning an autopsy on Dr Atkins. I would really like to know if he
suffered from high cholesterol/triglycerides etc.

Any hints or tips on any of these problems would be appreciated, thanks in
advance.

I do have one good aspect of Atkins to share -- I'm a long-time sufferer
from acid reflux and take medicine daily. When I'm on Atkins, acid reflux
goes away!

Rob

Reply to this Message

The Queen of Cans and Jars - 25 Jan 2004 18:10 GMT

> Hey folks, I have some problems that I cannot find answers for about
> Atkins/low carb diets -- I figured I'd try this newsgroup because most of
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> 1. I cannot break the 210 pound (15 pound weight-loss) plateau, regardless
> of what I try (prolonged induction).

have you tried counting calories? carbs don't mean anything if you're
still eating too much food.

> 2. Constipation!!!! regardless of heaping teaspoons of fiber and lots of
> water.

are you *really* constipated, or just not going as often as you're used
to? if it's true constipation, eat vegetables and nuts. or just take
some ex-lax.

Reply to this Message

Rob - 25 Jan 2004 20:15 GMT

> > Hey folks, I have some problems that I cannot find answers for about
> > Atkins/low carb diets -- I figured I'd try this newsgroup because most of
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> have you tried counting calories? carbs don't mean anything if you're
> still eating too much food.

Counting calories? No. I don't have much of an appetite while on Atkins. I
would guestimate that my intake is between 1000 to 1500 a day. The more I
think about it, thats a high estimate. I can tell you that according to the
ketosis strips I use, I remain in the moderate to large readings of the
scale.

> > 2. Constipation!!!! regardless of heaping teaspoons of fiber and lots of
> > water.
>
> are you *really* constipated, or just not going as often as you're used
> to? if it's true constipation, eat vegetables and nuts. or just take
> some ex-lax.

**REALLY** constipated. a week between bowell movements. I doubt if ExLax
is a safe long-term cure.

Reply to this Message

The Queen of Cans and Jars - 25 Jan 2004 20:47 GMT

> > > Hey folks, I have some problems that I cannot find answers for about
> > > Atkins/low carb diets -- I figured I'd try this newsgroup because most
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> ketosis strips I use, I remain in the moderate to large readings of the
> scale.

people tend to underestimate these things. if you're eating less than a
thousand calories a day, you should be losing weight. i still suggest
that you count them and find out exactly where you are. be accountable,
if only to yourself. guessing doesn't do much for you in the long run.

and being in ketosis doesn't mean squat. people lose weight all the
time without being in ketosis. direct your energies towards something
that really matters.

> > > 2. Constipation!!!! regardless of heaping teaspoons of fiber and lots
> > > of water.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> **REALLY** constipated. a week between bowell movements. I doubt if ExLax
> is a safe long-term cure.

eat some vegetables, then. drink lots of water. get some exercise.

constipation is not the same thing as not having to go often; it's
marked by painful and difficult elimination. if you don't have those
symptoms, you're not constipated.

Reply to this Message

tcmedara - 25 Jan 2004 18:44 GMT

(snip)

> 3. After a week or more on Atkins, I lose energy - especially if I
> try to excercise. I try to run 2 - 3 times per week for at least 30
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> feel like I can't continue the diet after about 2 1/2 to 3 weeks. My
> last attempt to remain on the diet lasted 2 weeks.

(snip again)

> Any hints or tips on any of these problems would be appreciated,
> thanks in advance.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Rob

Rob,

I'm new to the NG and pretty new to the low carb diet, so I sure there's
better, wiser advice than I can offer. However, I'm in much the same boat
as you -- I want to lose about 15-20 lbs (I'm 5'9", currently at 190) and
work out pretty hard a few times a week. My inability to shed the spare
tire, I've concluded, is a result of the refined carbs I've been pumping
into my system for years. I'm just starting my second week, down 5 lbs and
none of the binge cravings I was having every afternoon. I like what I'm
seeing and feeling so far.

I've defiinetly noticed an appreciable difference in my physical/athletic
performance in the last week. I posted a question to this group and got a
few tips. I also expanded my internet search to learn more about sports
nutrition in general. I won't attempt to summarize -- I'm not that smart
and will probably get something wrong. In general, however, I've concluded
that exercise on a low-carb regime is going to require some careful
managment of carb intake. I'm doing the South Beach regime (Atkins lite?)
but it starts with a similar two week period of extremely low-carb intake.
I've resigned myself that during this phase (or anytime I choose to return
to it) I'm going to have to accept some diminished energy levels during
exercise as my body depletes glycogen and doesn't restore it right away.
I've got one more week on phase 1 and am curious to see how the addition of
a few carbs will impact my performance. I'm just going to be careful about
how and when they get reintroduced to my diet.

Same experience with heartburn/acid reflux. I've been fighting that problem
hard for a year due to daily anti-inflammatory medication and haven't had a
problem since starting the diet. Completely forgot about it until reading
your post. Reason enough to stay on a low-carb regime right there.

Good luck and post up your experiences. Sounds like we're facing similar
issues so it always helps to see how others deal/overcome them.

Regards
Tom

Reply to this Message

Rob - 25 Jan 2004 20:17 GMT

----- Original Message -----
From: "tcmedara" <tcmedara@REMOVEhotmail.com>
Newsgroups: alt.support.diet.low-carb
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2004 12:44 PM
Subject: Re: Got some questions - need some advice

> (snip)
>
[quoted text clipped - 55 lines]
> Regards
> Tom

Thanks Tom, I'll look at the South Beach Regime you mentioned and see if
thier are any other low carb regimes for athletes/people who work out. In
the meantime, I have to keep my energy up for some physical activities this
coming Tuesday. Which means today - I get to be "BAD" ;-)

I'm hoping to start again Tuesday evening.

Rob

Reply to this Message

martymkm@webtv.net - 25 Jan 2004 19:55 GMT

2. Constipation!!!! regardless of heaping teaspoons of fiber and lots of
water.

Hi Rob;
I also had this problem. Tried the fiber and/or water route, stool
softeners, nothing worked. But what did was MOM (milk of magnesia) every
four or five days, IF NEEDED. (I don't like the thoughts of putting
chemicals in my body unless it's a have to case.) It's the only thing
that I can get to work for me personally. And Dr. said it was OK.
Once out of induction it's much easier to deal with.
I've only had to do it a few times in 6 mo.
Hope everything comes out alright <G> Marty

Reply to this Message

DebH - 25 Jan 2004 20:56 GMT

Russell Stover's SF mint patties - quantity 4. Don't do it every day, and
make sure you drink your water on the day that you eat them. No need to go
a week between movements if you don't want and no need to take yucky
laxatives as long as you have a "typical" reaction to sorbitol.

Good luck!

DebH

296/273/230

> Hey folks, I have some problems that I cannot find answers for about
> Atkins/low carb diets -- I figured I'd try this newsgroup because most of
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
>
> Rob

Reply to this Message