Anyone know how to overcome the low-carb lethargy?

[MissMillie]

I just started back on South Beach to lose some weight before my surgery. The first two weeks are very much like Atkins. I'm on day 2 and I have NO energy. I'm sure this has something to do w/ the lack of carbs.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Qanisqineq]

1. you are going through sugar withdrawal

and probably caffeine withdrawal. You could try to take some iron.

[meegbear]

2. Have some carbs?

:shrug:

[texastoast]

3. Exercise?

That always pumps me. After.

[Ediacara]

4. It'll pass after your caffeine withdrawal headaches

But be prepared, tomorrow you'll have a headache like you've never had before.

Well, that is, if like 99% of Americans, you're addicted to caffeine.

I am at the end of Atkin's week two, and I've actually become pretty jittery and surprisingly energetic, it just takes a while for your body to get out of the sugar+caffeine mode and into the yummy-yummy-fat mode.

[MissMillie]

10. actually, I don't consume caffeine regularly

thank goodness.

Most days I drink decaf, if I drink any coffee at all, and my diet soda is usually 7-up.

[loftycity]

5. Your blood sugar is taking a plummet

I would do a good carb and soon. You'll find the balance.
Baked Potato---hmmmm.. in fact earlier in the day is good and lay off late afternoon into evening. Before bed have just a bit--you burn plenty of carbs about 3 to 5 am. That's why people wake up in the middle of the night blood sugar is too low.

[southerngirlwriter]

6. It's Sugar withdrawal.

You should wake up on day 4 or 5 feeling better than ever.

I'm in a low-carb diet group at church (some Atkins, some South Beach) and that is our universal experience. :shrug:

[alpizzy]

7. I did Atkins years ago...

I have a vague memory of the book suggesting to take
extra potassium in this situation. I'd grab an Atkins book
and check potassium in the index. Good Luck!

[Tank in Texas]

8. wait a while...

... takes a couple of weeks to lose the "carb cravings." After that you'll be fine.

[Maddy McCall]

9. Drink a diet coke and wait it out...

if you can get past the first week, your energy will return.

Best wishes! :-)

[Philosophy]

11. I went low-carb for a whole year

Plus caloric restriction and weight training. It took me a couple of weeks before I felt all there again, but after that I felt the best I ever have in my entire life - I was lean and mean with six-pack abs, and my mind was so clear I swear I must have gained at least 10 IQ points. I even got to the point where eating sugar made me feel ill.

Then about a year ago I fought my way through a big bag of candy and totally relapsed. Now I have a gut and I weigh about 20 pounds more than I did then.

Just this past week I started back on that diet - I'm even cutting out all sugar except a little fruit. I don't feel as bad as last time, and I'm resolved to stick with it this time because I want that feeling back.

[Habibi]

12. It should pass in a day or two

I didn't have this problem on Atkins, but I've heard of folks who have. It's probably withdrawal of some kind. Drink lots of water and wait it out. If it doesn't get better in a few days, you probably need to up your carbs a little. Low-carb isn't for everyone.

[FlaGranny]

13. Personally, I did not do the 2-week beginning diet.

I just started with the regular diet. I never felt any different at all and I lost weight, just not as much I would have if I'd done the first two weeks. I didn't see the point of it. I've been on it for two months now and have felt fine the entire time. Most carb cravings went away after a few days or a week or so.