New to Induction and dying

I am extremely overweight and snore way too much. It is hurting my
marriage, so I decided to read Atkin's book and lose weight. I am in
day 3 of induction, and am dying, or at least I feel that way.

In January, I got my last blood test and my cholesterol was 224, which
the doctor said was higher than the 200 recommended, but she was
surprised it was so low and told me to make a small change to my diet
and it will go down. Of course, I didn't, but I didn't start eating
alot more either, so my cholesterol is probably about the same. I
don't remember my blood sugar, but it was not a problem either.

I weigh about 395, I dont know exact because I want to lose weight and
buy a scale that will work for me. If anyone knows a good place to
get a higher weight-limit scale relatively cheaply, I am all ears.

Anyway, I have eaten the following meals in the last 2 days, including
today:

Eggs/Bacon/Cheese, Eggs/onions/ham/bacon/cheese, a steak, some shrimp,
using margerine instead of cocktail sauce, some more egg/cheese this
morning, and also ham/cheese roll-ups at work with some mustard on
them.

Now, I don't think I am hungry as I know a hunger headache and I dont
think this is one. However, I do think I know why I am feeling like
crap...the fact that during Induction, I am not suppose to have any
caffeine.

I used to drink alot of Diet Pepsi, like over a 2-liter a day in
total. I also drank a cup of tea every day in the morning. Now, I
switched to Caffeine-Free Diet Pepsi(I went with the no caffeine, but
there was no way I could survive without the aspartame, which he says
to avoid, but doesn't say it adds carbs. he does say it could stunt
your weight-loss, and if it does, I'll go off it.) For now, I am
dying and can't figure out what to do. I am taking a one-a-day
vitamin, with no iron, and a L-Glutamin table daily to stop sugar
cravings, and they are working. I took some advil, and that does help
the headaches/fever, but does anyone else think I may become addicted
to Advil here? I am nervous, but for some reason, I am not really
craving food and especially am not craving sugar, so I don't know why
I am sick.

Thanks in advance for the knowledge.

This is about the right time for your caffeine withdrawals to develop
into headaches. Did so for me, too: but you can get through it, and
it's not really that big a deal, if you think about it: the caffeine
does not own you. You own your body, don't forget it.

I was probably drinking about 6 cups of coffee (w/ caffeine) a day,
and now don't drink any except on rare occasions.

Are you doing any exercise? It can help you feel more invigorated,
too...

Frank Lynch
The Samuel Johnson Sound Bite Page is at:
http://www.samueljohnson.com/

I did my first induction in March of 2002. Felt much like you for almost 8
days. Then on day 9...woke up and never felt better. Caffine and Carb
withdrawal will all but kill you.
But it does pass...eventually...

One note - you said "using margerine instead of cocktail sauce".
Atkins recommends real butter instead of margerine - less of the bad
cholesterol for you to deal with.

Just my 2 pennies

"Chris Fiorentino" wrote in message
om...
I am extremely overweight and snore way too much. It is hurting my
marriage, so I decided to read Atkin's book and lose weight. I am in
day 3 of induction, and am dying, or at least I feel that way.

In January, I got my last blood test and my cholesterol was 224, which
the doctor said was higher than the 200 recommended, but she was
surprised it was so low and told me to make a small change to my diet
and it will go down. Of course, I didn't, but I didn't start eating
alot more either, so my cholesterol is probably about the same. I
don't remember my blood sugar, but it was not a problem either.

I weigh about 395, I dont know exact because I want to lose weight and
buy a scale that will work for me. If anyone knows a good place to
get a higher weight-limit scale relatively cheaply, I am all ears.

Anyway, I have eaten the following meals in the last 2 days, including
today:

Eggs/Bacon/Cheese, Eggs/onions/ham/bacon/cheese, a steak, some shrimp,
using margerine instead of cocktail sauce, some more egg/cheese this
morning, and also ham/cheese roll-ups at work with some mustard on
them.

Now, I don't think I am hungry as I know a hunger headache and I dont
think this is one. However, I do think I know why I am feeling like
crap...the fact that during Induction, I am not suppose to have any
caffeine.

I used to drink alot of Diet Pepsi, like over a 2-liter a day in
total. I also drank a cup of tea every day in the morning. Now, I
switched to Caffeine-Free Diet Pepsi(I went with the no caffeine, but
there was no way I could survive without the aspartame, which he says
to avoid, but doesn't say it adds carbs. he does say it could stunt
your weight-loss, and if it does, I'll go off it.) For now, I am
dying and can't figure out what to do. I am taking a one-a-day
vitamin, with no iron, and a L-Glutamin table daily to stop sugar
cravings, and they are working. I took some advil, and that does help
the headaches/fever, but does anyone else think I may become addicted
to Advil here? I am nervous, but for some reason, I am not really
craving food and especially am not craving sugar, so I don't know why
I am sick.

Thanks in advance for the knowledge.

The caffeine withdrawl can DEFINTELY trigger headaches.. it is a
vasoconstrictor, which is exactly why caffeine in certain headache
medications can work. I use it as part of my migraine treatments and it
works great. Soemthing alot of people have a problem with is *weekend
headaches* because they drink coffee all week at work then don't on the
weekends. My husband had the same problem until he started having a cup of
coffee every morning at home on the weekends. Then he started tapering off
how much he drank during the week till he was down to just one *gotta have
it* cup in the morning, and he doesn't drink it at all on the weekends much
anymore. Induction can be hard for people to handle but the side effects of
feeling so lousy usually go away in a few days. I would suggest ignoring the
part about no caffeine.. if anything is going to hurt you more it would
probably be the aspartame if you are sensitive to it. Try coffee, if you
like it.. or one of the splenda based colas with caffeine, and try weaning
yourself off it more slowly than the cold turkey style you did.

Now about the snoring.. Even though it can be weight-related, losing weight
will not always or usually take care of it. PLEASE go do a google search on
"sleep apnea" and then call your Dr about getting tested for it. It can
cause so many more health problems for you, worse than the excess weight.
And having so much excess weight can cause things to be even worse. I spent
the better part of two years sleeping in another room because of my husbands
snoring. Losing weight did not help him. He investigated all the options and
now sleeps with a CPAP unit.. That stands for continuous positive air
pressure.. sounds horrid.. but it's worked absolute miracles. I have gotten
so used to the sounds of it.. like a steady rush of air.. that when he is
out of town I have to turn a fan on for the noise, lol.

Good luck on your battle and join us often. This place is a massive source
of support.

Teeb


"Chris Fiorentino" wrote in message
om...
I am extremely overweight and snore way too much. It is hurting my
marriage, so I decided to read Atkin's book and lose weight. I am in
day 3 of induction, and am dying, or at least I feel that way.

In January, I got my last blood test and my cholesterol was 224, which
the doctor said was higher than the 200 recommended, but she was
surprised it was so low and told me to make a small change to my diet
and it will go down. Of course, I didn't, but I didn't start eating
alot more either, so my cholesterol is probably about the same. I
don't remember my blood sugar, but it was not a problem either.

I weigh about 395, I dont know exact because I want to lose weight and
buy a scale that will work for me. If anyone knows a good place to
get a higher weight-limit scale relatively cheaply, I am all ears.

Anyway, I have eaten the following meals in the last 2 days, including
today:

Eggs/Bacon/Cheese, Eggs/onions/ham/bacon/cheese, a steak, some shrimp,
using margerine instead of cocktail sauce, some more egg/cheese this
morning, and also ham/cheese roll-ups at work with some mustard on
them.

Now, I don't think I am hungry as I know a hunger headache and I dont
think this is one. However, I do think I know why I am feeling like
crap...the fact that during Induction, I am not suppose to have any
caffeine.

I used to drink alot of Diet Pepsi, like over a 2-liter a day in
total. I also drank a cup of tea every day in the morning. Now, I
switched to Caffeine-Free Diet Pepsi(I went with the no caffeine, but
there was no way I could survive without the aspartame, which he says
to avoid, but doesn't say it adds carbs. he does say it could stunt
your weight-loss, and if it does, I'll go off it.) For now, I am
dying and can't figure out what to do. I am taking a one-a-day
vitamin, with no iron, and a L-Glutamin table daily to stop sugar
cravings, and they are working. I took some advil, and that does help
the headaches/fever, but does anyone else think I may become addicted
to Advil here? I am nervous, but for some reason, I am not really
craving food and especially am not craving sugar, so I don't know why
I am sick.

Thanks in advance for the knowledge.

Chris Fiorentino wrote:

I am extremely overweight and snore way too much. It is hurting my
marriage, so I decided to read Atkin's book and lose weight. I am in
day 3 of induction, and am dying, or at least I feel that way.

In January, I got my last blood test and my cholesterol was 224, which
the doctor said was higher than the 200 recommended, but she was
surprised it was so low and told me to make a small change to my diet
and it will go down. Of course, I didn't, but I didn't start eating
alot more either, so my cholesterol is probably about the same. I
don't remember my blood sugar, but it was not a problem either.

I weigh about 395, I dont know exact because I want to lose weight and
buy a scale that will work for me. If anyone knows a good place to
get a higher weight-limit scale relatively cheaply, I am all ears.

Anyway, I have eaten the following meals in the last 2 days, including
today:

Eggs/Bacon/Cheese, Eggs/onions/ham/bacon/cheese, a steak, some shrimp,
using margerine instead of cocktail sauce, some more egg/cheese this
morning, and also ham/cheese roll-ups at work with some mustard on
them.

Now, I don't think I am hungry as I know a hunger headache and I dont
think this is one. However, I do think I know why I am feeling like
crap...the fact that during Induction, I am not suppose to have any
caffeine.

I used to drink alot of Diet Pepsi, like over a 2-liter a day in
total. I also drank a cup of tea every day in the morning. Now, I
switched to Caffeine-Free Diet Pepsi(I went with the no caffeine, but
there was no way I could survive without the aspartame, which he says
to avoid, but doesn't say it adds carbs. he does say it could stunt
your weight-loss, and if it does, I'll go off it.) For now, I am
dying and can't figure out what to do. I am taking a one-a-day
vitamin, with no iron, and a L-Glutamin table daily to stop sugar
cravings, and they are working. I took some advil, and that does help
the headaches/fever, but does anyone else think I may become addicted
to Advil here? I am nervous, but for some reason, I am not really
craving food and especially am not craving sugar, so I don't know why
I am sick.

Thanks in advance for the knowledge.

I felt bad around then too--a mild headache and almost a bit like
I had the flu IIRC. However, I was careful about the caffeine. I
find I can avoid THAT headache by ratcheting down the amount I
consume gradually and not going cold turkey.
--
Jean B.

I had some strange feelings during induction too, lightheadedness, headaches,
dizzy etc. I was a total Diet Coke addict, drank between 6-8 cans daily. I
switched to Diet Cheerwine, its sweetened with Splenda, not aspertame, and
gradually got myself down to 1 can per day. I never did drink coffee of any
kind, but withdrawl from the sodas were bad and took several days. Aspirin did
help. Also, drink alot of water, it helps too.

Good luck! In 2 weeks, you'll be stunned at how good you feel...truly! Keep
us posted on your progress.

Kira
225/210/140
LC since 8-6-03

Hang in there! It gets better. The first 8-10 days are hard but soon you
will feel more enegry and less cravings. My husband has lost 30 lbs
eating LC and he is snoring MUCH LESS! It's great! We both feel more
rested in the morning. Good luck.

Andi
256/225/175
LC since 7/19/03

Chris, possibly you are just coming down with a virus.


I took some advil, and that does help
the headaches/fever, but does anyone else think I may become addicted
to Advil here?

Impossible. You will be fine. If you take a lot, it may eventually upset
your stomach a bit.


... for some reason, I am not really
craving food and especially am not craving sugar,

This is good news. It's one of the great appeals of the Atkins program.
(along with rapid initial weight loss for many of us)

I think you may just be under the weather for other reasons (viral),
and/or anxious about all the changes in your diet. Hang in there; you
will do fine.

- Anne

Some tips:

First off, for the first two weeks there is NO limit to the quantity
of food you can eat (except for specific foods, like 4 oz cheese per
day). This part is about adapting, don't bother dieting yet. If it
makes you feel better and helps you get through the first two weeks,
eat more (think "comfort food"). LC ice cream and cheesecake are very
useful for this, if you don't mind a few off-induction rules.

Second, for cheaply weighing yourself, buy two $20 scales and put one
foot on each, and add the numbers. Not as reliable as a single scale,
but useful anyway.

Alternately, use a board as a lever to cut your weight in half on your
existing scale. This will also move the scale out from under you, if
you're having a hard time reading it.

Start taking a multi-mineral.

Try waist watcher's soda if you really want soda.

Finally, persistance is key. This is an *adaptation*. Once you
adapt, you'll be fine.

In article , CFioren317
@excite.com says...
Anyway, I have eaten the following meals in the last 2 days, including
today:

Eggs/Bacon/Cheese, Eggs/onions/ham/bacon/cheese, a steak, some shrimp,
using margerine instead of cocktail sauce, some more egg/cheese this
morning, and also ham/cheese roll-ups at work with some mustard on
them.

Sounds tasty, but you need to include vegetables, too!

Now, I don't think I am hungry as I know a hunger headache and I dont
think this is one. However, I do think I know why I am feeling like
crap...the fact that during Induction, I am not suppose to have any
caffeine.

If you are used to ingesting a LOT of caffeine, you might want to try tapering
off, as opposed to cold turkey. I've had caffeine headaches, and they really DO
make you feel like you're DYING! If you are going to be making this change in
eating a way of life, then tapering off won't make a huge difference in the long
run. Maybe every other or every 2 cups you can alternate decaf/caffeine for a
few days. No sense in making yourself feel lousy when you are ALREADY shocking
your body into a new way of doing things.

Diet Rite cola is caffeine-free AND it is sweetened with Splenda, rather than
aspartame. You might want to give it a try if you can find it.

I am nervous, but for some reason, I am not really
craving food and especially am not craving sugar, so I don't know why
I am sick.

Fatigue and sometimes nausea is pretty common during the first week as your body
tries to adjust to burning fat instead of carbs. Hang in there -- it usually
passes by the second week. Then again, maybe you ARE coming down with something
and it has nothing to do with your new way of eating.

Hang in there -- you CAN do it!

--
Saffire
205/185/125
Atkins since 6/14/03
Progress photo: http://photos.yahoo.com/saffire333