Can anyone help me....what's the difference between Atkins and South Beach?

[TammyinTN]

I'm just wondering because I'm losing weight, but I feel rotten...as in no energy to exercise. I might need more carbs than I'm taking in to have enough energy to exercise...iykwim. Basically....help!

[Ellie]

Short story: SB allows more carbs in the beginning than Atkins does. :-)

[TammyinTN]

Should I just stick it out for the second week and hope by week three to add a few more carbs? I'm down 26.6 lbs. total so far, but I still have 24 more to go and I want to exercise. I'm missing my running and daily walks because it's all I can do to get my other stuff done.

[Ellie]

If you're doing Atkins (by which I mean that you have his book and are following the steps), you do 10 days of the Induction phase, and then you begin adding in carbs until you quit losing weight. The book has a schedule for how many carbs to add each week.

 

I did not seem to have less energy when doing Atkins. Could it be that you're not feeling well because of something other than not enough carbs? IDK...I'm just thinking out loud. :-)

[Trilliums]

As I understand it (no expert, but have read some atkins books) if you are feeling poorly and dropping weight very fast, you probably are loosing electrolytes. Atkins books recommend things such as using soy sauce, adding extra salt, drinking salted broth, taking a multivitamin, including protein more frequently, adding more iron rich foods and increasing carb intake if the others don't help.

Keep up the great loss!

[TammyinTN]

Thanks guys for your responses! I'm going to try to eat first thing in the morning and see if I feel better. Maybe I'm not eating enough protein, but I'm certainly drinking enough water --8 glasses. I'm going to have some broth and see if that helps. Thanks again! :)

[wapiti]

Thanks guys for your responses! I'm going to try to eat first thing in the morning and see if I feel better. Maybe I'm not eating enough protein, but I'm certainly drinking enough water --8 glasses. I'm going to have some broth and see if that helps. Thanks again! :)

 

Maybe you're not eating enough fat.

[Susann]

May I suggest that you post your question here also?

 

http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/atkins-induction/

 

Also, the first week a lot of people are hit with "Induction Flu" which sounds like what you have

[TammyinTN]

I'm going to up the amount tomorrow.

[TammyinTN]

Wendy---I just finished week one.

Thanks for the link Susan. :)

[AlmiraGulch]

 

Maybe you're not eating enough fat.

 

I was going to say this same thing. Eating enough fat should give you more than enough energy to workout with no lows, like carbs will do. I'm doing a high fat/low carb diet now and have been since January 2. I've never had more energy in my life. I also realize that everyone's mileage will vary, but there is some great science between eating healthy fat and having sustainable energy.

 

Also, if you're drinking as much water as you say but not doing enough to replace the sodium and potassium it could definitely lead to energy lulls.

[Brilliant]

I exercise a lot. And I had to add back a few carbs because I just.could.not get through my runs. I'm eating a bit of fruit every day - either 1 serving of berries or half a grapefruit. And twice I've had a small portion of sweet potato with dinner the night before my long runs. Just small "cheats" like that. So I'm not officially doing induction, which I really wanted to do...but I am still losing weight.

 

Oh, I also added even more fat. I was tracking my food and was at about 60% fat. But I've added a bit more, (so much salad dressing!), and although I'm not tracking my food in detail anymore, I'm certain I'm above 60% now.