Maximus & other Atkins followers

[Caren]

Hello,

I started Atkins 9 days ago. I only want to lose about another 7 lbs. I felt fine last week, but it seams like in the past 3 days or so I have no energy and sometimes feel sort of weak. I thought this was supposed to come in the beginning, not after I had already been doing it for one week. Is this normal? Will I go through this phase and then suddenly it will get better? I really don’t want to give up on it.

Caren

 

[Maximus]

Yes, it's normal. During the first two weeks of the diet your body is adjusting to burning fat for energy instead of carbs. Everyone's body adjusts differently so it's not really a surprise that it took a week or so for you to start feeling effects.

It took me at least 2 months to get back to my normal energy levels. Hang in there--it is tough at first but once you get used to it (and start seeing the amazing results) it gets much easier.

 

[Caren]

Thanks for you reply. I think I am going to have to cut back on my workouts a little until that happens. I don't really have a choice! The other day I did Gin Miller's Simply Step, which is usually just a fun workout for me, and I was dying by the end. I intended to do one of the Gym Styles after but there was no way - I didn't have a drop of energy left. Yesterday I did PUB with the intention of doing some cardio after, but again it was not possible to do another workout after. Today I did the Slim Series Firm it Up and that was about all I could handle.

 

[Pellmel]

I am also an Atkid - just in chunks. When I am on induction, I have a hard time doing Simply Step too.

Your body basically can run for about an hour on your sugar reserves. When you are on Atkins, the window is shorter, so Simply Step becomes grueling. When you get off induction your workouts will go better if you give yourself a little bit of carb-action right before you do it. Maybe 1/3 of an energy bar or sip some very diluted Gatorade midway. That will give you the "goose" you need.

I have used Atkins the past 2 years to drop a size, then I level myself off until the next chunk. It has been great for me. I had about 10-12 lbs to lose (I had lost 30) and they wouldn't come off any other way. I am very athletic during the spring and summer (I hike and mountain climb) and it is great to get down to climbing weight that way. I have learned to tweak my carbs so that I feel good without gaining weight back.

Good luck
Melissa

 

[Carla K]

How many carbs do you allow yourself in a day? I am trying to lean myself out. I have added a lot of muscle, but now I want to take some of the bulkiness out and lower my bf. I have cut my carbs to around 50-70. I was wondering if that was enough.

 

[Pellmel]

I don't hard core count them anymore unless I am on induction - and then I'm on 25. If I'm doing workouts, I would say 40 to 50 per day, tops. I really don't eat any sugar or white bread and about 90% of my carbs come from leafy veggies and low glycogen fruits with FIBER.
Melissa

 

[Maximus]

That's about what I do. During the week I stay pretty much below 30, on the weekends below 100.

But most of my carbs come from chocolate.