Dr. Atkins Diet is For Adrenal Fatigue

If you've followed my blog at all, you know that I am always on some kind of roller coaster. I was looking back and see that I've been on an exercise binge, done Weight Watchers and also had several crashes. Welcome to my world! ;-)

So, here's the latest and the greatest that I would like to share with you, my adrenal fatigue friends. And I do consider you my friends, because we share a problem that most of the world does not understand.

To the point at hand: I have done Weight Watchers on and off for some time now. At one point, several years ago, I lost about 35 pounds on the program. However, I was not well, meaning that physically, mentally and emotionally, I was a basket case! I did not feel good, my hormones were out of whack and I felt very out of control.

Shortly after that, we moved to a place that is only second to hell itself. We took a church and the people treated my husband and I like dirt. We aren't perfect people, but we walked into a VERY bad situation. So, rather than gain weight, the extreme stress caused me to lose even more weight!

By this time, things had completely fallen apart in this new church, in this new town, and we moved back home! Thank God for HOME! I was so happy to be home, that guess what I did? Yep, I ate. And ate. And ate some more! It was at this time in my life that I decided that I am a "happy eater." Some eat when they are stressed, but I eat when I'm not!

So, after I gained it all back (and then some!), I decided to go back to WW again. But it wasn't the same this time. I had lost my momentum and I couldn't get into it. I waited a few more years - which was in 2010 - and then tried again. At the beginning of this year, I decided that I can't do WW anymore. I wasn't doing it right, they changed the program, plus our group leader was leaving.

After getting off WW completely, I began to have some odd symptoms. I was hungry all the time, craving everything sweet and gaining quickly. I talked to my friend, the chiropractor (Dr. Bob) and he told me that I really needed to go Low Carb, specifically, the Atkins Diet. Dr. Bob had been a patient of Dr. Atkins, so he knew the the program fairly well.

I did take the plunge and start. It's not been impossible, but it has been interesting. The first two weeks were called Induction where you eat only certain foods and it's a pretty strict diet. After that, you can add more, but very slowly. I am only in week 3 and I'm doing okay with it.

I'm not losing alot of weight. I lost some, but I know that with my faulty metabolic system, and the adrenal fatigue, that's to be expected. What I have noticed, however, is that my blood sugar is not so unstable. I'm able to go for longer periods of time without eating. The dizziness and sick feeling in my stomach are gone. Instead, I eat alot of protein, only 20-25 carbs per day, and eat vegetables that are low in carbs. I also eat Atkins bars and drink Atkins shakes.

I was feeling a little frustrated tonight over my inability to eat much, especially when my family goes through McDonald's and everyone gets ice cream... and I watch... and I can't have any. I logged into the Atkins forum and the people there were really nice in encouraging me and helping me understand where I'm going.

However, the real clincher came when I did a search on Adrenal Fatigue and Atkins. I came up with this website that basically tells the world the the Atkins Diet IS the diet for people with Adrenal Fatigue (and other problems too!). This lady explains why Atkins works for people like us and how it can be tough to lose weight with the way we are.

So, I implore you to give it a try. I'm only on week 3 and I have only lost 3-4 pounds. That is really sad. But, I am not giving up because I am not doing this to lose weight. I do not want to be a diabetic, have unstable blood sugar, and be dizzy and tired all the time. Dr. Bob even told me that my AF may be caused by all of the carbs I eat.

So, yes, I'm on a new roll. I have a feeling that I will be here for awhile though because I think I've found something that works to help me get better. If you already do Atkins or are considering it, leave me a comment and let me know. Here's to hoping the best for you - energy, strength and blessings from above!

MIA

Yes, I have been Missing in Action! However, I promise to be back soon because I have things to share with my AF/CFS friends about what is going on in my life and how I am dealing with AF/CFS in the midst of my life right now! I hope you are well and feeling better!

Adrenal Fatigue Booster Club

 I recently read an article called "Join the ADHD Booster Club." It was in a magazine I get to help me deal with my daughter who has Attention Disorder Deficit. What encouraged me about this article was the fact that the author had learned how to deal with her ADHD in her own unique way.

She had not taken her meds faithfully and just didn't do what she needed to in order to help herself. One day, the light came on and she started doing what she "should" do and her world suddenly became better. She felt better, she had more energy and she felt more in control of her situation.

I think that too often, those of us who suffer with adrenal and chronic fatigue are much too hard on ourselves. Here's what I have learned about myself: While the rest of the world seems to be enjoying life, making mistakes, taking one day at a time, I am always pushing myself to the limit. It doesn't matter rather I enjoy my day, no mistakes are allowed and I spend too much time worrying about both yesterday AND tomorrow.

The article went on to explain how that if this lady keeps her car lights on all night, the battery will work for awhile, but eventually, it has to give out. If we, with our chronic fatigue and health problems, continue to run, without doing anything enjoyable and relaxing, our energy will be completely depleted. That's why I like the concept of the energy envelope.

We only have so much energy... if we use it all, we have no more. Wow! Profound, huh? And yet, we do this day after day. We eat poorly, stay in toxic relationships, don't get enough rest, and try too hard to be perfect. No wonder we are tired!

Is it okay to take a nap, watch a movie in the middle of the day, and eat some wonderful dessert? You'd better believe it. Waste a day if you need to. However, don't stay there. Once you've rested and/or indulged, you will feel better and be able to get back on track again.

Here's a couple of quotes from the article I especially enjoyed: "A bubble bath, a massage, a key finder, a change of meds - I found out what boosted my brain and went for it. You should, too." Here's another nugget of truth: "There is no shame in needing a boost of two - or 20 - for your brain. Everyone, especially you, deserves support to live a fulfilled life."

Those quotes just give me a fresh breath of air. Do what you need to do to feel better. Oftentimes, we are trying so hard to keep up with our physical needs that we forget our emotional well being. Sure, you might not feel like going to that Christmas party, but how will you feel after get there? If you're like me, you will feel rejuvenated. In fact, I will forget myself in the midst of chatting and laughing with friends (and eating yummy treats!) and feel like a new person. Sure, I might be a little more tired the next day, but my emotional health was given a big booster shot at that party. Remembering that I have friends who really care about me, hearing some trials of others and laughing so hard I cry... these things help me get my mind back on track.

So, while the author of this amazing article encourages ADHD folks to join her booster club, I am invited YOU to join my Chronic Fatigue Booster Club! When you find something that helps you feel better, do it often! Buy something that you've been wanting (not needing!), call that friend you've been missing, go to church, do whatever makes YOU feel better!

If you take this challenge, leave me a post and let me know about it! I hope everyone will join my new club, especially as this busy holiday season approaches. Check back because I will be be writing soon about dealing with the holidays without become stressed to the max!

God bless~! Have a wonderful, fulfilling day!

*Although I was not able to find an online link to the article I wrote about, I did want to point you to the lady who wrote it. I found her website to be so positive and encouraging for anyone... even those of us who suffer from this crazy tiredness and soreness! Why? Because she has found ways to cope and stay positive. We need to be thankful for the way God made us and strive to keep a positive attitude about ourselves and our lives in general! Have a good one!

Come 'Holy Spirit' I need thee