Help! Emergency Time!

Wilbur · 08-11-2010, 03:20 PM

Hi Friends!

I was faithful to Atkins for 2 months! Well on my way into OWL...(except for a planned mini cheat last Friday, but I was good all weekend after that and had some awesome long distance runs)

Two days ago, I got really sick...earache, nausea, pounding headache. I missed work and I finally went to the doc this afternoon. Turns out I have a raging inner ear infection caused by water not draining properly from my ear canal due to an injury to it years ago.

Ever since I started getting sick, I feel like I am going to throw up all the time. I actually did vomit twice yesterday. The thought of my formely beloved low carb food turns my stomach, and when I do eat, it has been rice and ice cream. I weighed this morning and I am up 2 lbs. I tried eating low carb this morning and made it til 3pm. I ate a salad with ranch dressing and a slice if cheese. It was all I could stomach. Then, I got a prescription for anti-biotics and the doc told me not to take them on an empty stomach or else it would hurt. I had to eat something and I ate a cup of ice cream. I am so ashamed and disappointed. I know that tomorrow is a new day, but now I have to re-induct, and it is EXTREMELY hard for me to get back on track if I falter. I get a mindset of "I can just start tomorrow...I better enjoy X food today before I get back into the swing of things."

I know I am using being sick as an excuse, but the damage has been done. How do I limit gains going forward (I am not going to eat anymore tonight, just sleep)? Most importantly, what strategies would you use to get back on track tomorrow (even if I still feel pukey!)

Help me. I was never "on" Atkins long enough to see such success before, and I have never been in this situation. eg: where cheating could actually undo all my hard work!!

peanutte · 08-11-2010, 03:37 PM

Get rid of the rice and ice cream. Just get rid of them.

You have lower carb choices that could have been less aggravating to your system than cheese and salad with ranch. Plain yogurt is part of OWL and it would have been better than ice cream, at 6 or 7 grams of carb per container (for the Greek stuff). When I'm not feeling well, I make a simple vegetable and chicken soup with lots of garlic and ginger--or even just have a mug of chicken broth. Sometimes plain-scrambled (not in butter) or soft-poached eggs aren't too upsetting to my stomach. Since you are well into OWL, frozen berries are another thing I really like eating when I'm sick. If you're a person who allows SF sweets, you could have SF Jell-O.

Believe me, I used to love white rice when feeling ill--it was the only thing that sounded good to me--but it's not on my plan now, so it won't make me well, it will only make me gain weight.

When you have those panicked thoughts of "I better eat more of this stuff before I start again," try to remember that you've already had plenty of that stuff and all it's done is set you back. Having more of it isn't going to make it taste better and it isn't going to make you feel better, physically or emotionally. You're only 8 pounds from goal! Don't undo your hard work! You're worth more than ice cream and rice.

Take care and I hope you feel better.

sparkysarah · 08-11-2010, 03:45 PM

Being sick can definitely make it hard to stick to low-carb. It's happened to me before too. I agree with PP about getting rid of ice cream. The chicken soup idea is good too...soup is great for when you are not feeling well.

Think about the great progress you have made and try your hardest to eat on plan. Even if you cheat a little bit try not to eat any items with sugar in them. If I were nauseous I would cheat and eat a lower carb piece of toast with butter (or you could try Ezekial bread). Hope you feel better soon!

Jennyl · 08-11-2010, 03:56 PM

Don't be too hard on yourself. Just get back on track now. You can't change what happened, so try to look at it as a learning experience. I don't know many people who never have a few bad days. It doesn't mean you won't continue to be successful in the long run. Take care of yourself and I hope you feel better soon.

Wilbur · 08-11-2010, 06:58 PM

you guys are awesome. I threw away the rice and ice cream. luckily, I have no qualms about "wasting" these "food" items, because they aren't really food. I already feel better from my antibiotics kicking in, and I am going to be drinking chicken broth if I feel ill tomorrow. I also plan to eat mashed twice-baked cauliflower in place of rice if I feel I need it. I WILL NOT blow this and I WILL make my goal. Onwards and downwards!

Speck333 · 08-11-2010, 06:59 PM

scrambled eggs, broth, cottage cheese... I know you're unwell, but try to make better choices. Sorry about the pain, don't fall too far afield!

Speck333 · 08-11-2010, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilbur

you guys are awesome. I threw away the rice and ice cream. luckily, I have no qualms about "wasting" these "food" items, because they aren't really food. I already feel better from my antibiotics kicking in, and I am going to be drinking chicken broth if I feel ill tomorrow. I also plan to eat mashed twice-baked cauliflower in place of rice if I feel I need it. I WILL NOT blow this and I WILL make my goal. Onwards and downwards!

good for you... sorry, we were posting at the same time.

peanutte · 08-11-2010, 07:05 PM

Good job reclaiming your focus, Wilbur.

Synesthetic · 08-11-2010, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilbur

you guys are awesome. I threw away the rice and ice cream. luckily, I have no qualms about "wasting" these "food" items, because they aren't really food. I already feel better from my antibiotics kicking in, and I am going to be drinking chicken broth if I feel ill tomorrow. I also plan to eat mashed twice-baked cauliflower in place of rice if I feel I need it. I WILL NOT blow this and I WILL make my goal. Onwards and downwards!

YAY! that's totally the right attitude. We've all been there -- something about being sick makes every comfort-food craving kick in. I think it's because when we were kids, sick meant comforting food and lying on the couch while mom brought mashed potatoes. I know the second I think I'm getting sick my brain says "oh you should have spaghetti!" as though it has some medicinal quality.

But I think that you have to discover the things that comfort you now that are on plan.

I hope you feel better!

happylabs · 08-11-2010, 08:21 PM

Yes, don't be too hard on yourself. It is tough when you do not feel well. Glad you are back on track. Good luck and hang in there!

Blondie Baby · 08-11-2010, 09:10 PM

YAY!!! Great job throwing that stuff away!!!!!! Hope you're feeling much better now. And for future reference - I like yogurt with a scoop of protein powder and some nuts or berries, a good strong broth, tea with LOTS fresh ginger.

08-11-2010, 03:20 PM	#1
Wilbur Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: USA Posts: 148 Gallery: Wilbur WOE: Atkins	Help! Emergency Time! Hi Friends! I was faithful to Atkins for 2 months! Well on my way into OWL...(except for a planned mini cheat last Friday, but I was good all weekend after that and had some awesome long distance runs) Two days ago, I got really sick...earache, nausea, pounding headache. I missed work and I finally went to the doc this afternoon. Turns out I have a raging inner ear infection caused by water not draining properly from my ear canal due to an injury to it years ago. Ever since I started getting sick, I feel like I am going to throw up all the time. I actually did vomit twice yesterday. The thought of my formely beloved low carb food turns my stomach, and when I do eat, it has been rice and ice cream. I weighed this morning and I am up 2 lbs. I tried eating low carb this morning and made it til 3pm. I ate a salad with ranch dressing and a slice if cheese. It was all I could stomach. Then, I got a prescription for anti-biotics and the doc told me not to take them on an empty stomach or else it would hurt. I had to eat something and I ate a cup of ice cream. I am so ashamed and disappointed. I know that tomorrow is a new day, but now I have to re-induct, and it is EXTREMELY hard for me to get back on track if I falter. I get a mindset of "I can just start tomorrow...I better enjoy X food today before I get back into the swing of things." I know I am using being sick as an excuse, but the damage has been done. How do I limit gains going forward (I am not going to eat anymore tonight, just sleep)? Most importantly, what strategies would you use to get back on track tomorrow (even if I still feel pukey!) Help me. I was never "on" Atkins long enough to see such success before, and I have never been in this situation. eg: where cheating could actually undo all my hard work!!

08-11-2010, 03:37 PM	#2
peanutte Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 10,208 Gallery: peanutte Stats: 188 then/118 now WOE: Atkins maintenance Start Date: 01/03/09	Get rid of the rice and ice cream. Just get rid of them. You have lower carb choices that could have been less aggravating to your system than cheese and salad with ranch. Plain yogurt is part of OWL and it would have been better than ice cream, at 6 or 7 grams of carb per container (for the Greek stuff). When I'm not feeling well, I make a simple vegetable and chicken soup with lots of garlic and ginger--or even just have a mug of chicken broth. Sometimes plain-scrambled (not in butter) or soft-poached eggs aren't too upsetting to my stomach. Since you are well into OWL, frozen berries are another thing I really like eating when I'm sick. If you're a person who allows SF sweets, you could have SF Jell-O. Believe me, I used to love white rice when feeling ill--it was the only thing that sounded good to me--but it's not on my plan now, so it won't make me well, it will only make me gain weight. When you have those panicked thoughts of "I better eat more of this stuff before I start again," try to remember that you've already had plenty of that stuff and all it's done is set you back. Having more of it isn't going to make it taste better and it isn't going to make you feel better, physically or emotionally. You're only 8 pounds from goal! Don't undo your hard work! You're worth more than ice cream and rice. Take care and I hope you feel better. Last edited by peanutte; 08-11-2010 at 03:47 PM..

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08-11-2010, 03:45 PM	#3
sparkysarah Junior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 36 Gallery: sparkysarah Stats: 5'8" 183/166/155 WOE: Low carb Start Date: 12/1/2012 started again	Being sick can definitely make it hard to stick to low-carb. It's happened to me before too. I agree with PP about getting rid of ice cream. The chicken soup idea is good too...soup is great for when you are not feeling well. Think about the great progress you have made and try your hardest to eat on plan. Even if you cheat a little bit try not to eat any items with sugar in them. If I were nauseous I would cheat and eat a lower carb piece of toast with butter (or you could try Ezekial bread). Hope you feel better soon!

08-11-2010, 03:56 PM	#4
Jennyl Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: GTA Posts: 45,055 Gallery: Jennyl Start Date: manana	Don't be too hard on yourself. Just get back on track now. You can't change what happened, so try to look at it as a learning experience. I don't know many people who never have a few bad days. It doesn't mean you won't continue to be successful in the long run. Take care of yourself and I hope you feel better soon.

08-11-2010, 06:58 PM	#5
Wilbur Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: USA Posts: 148 Gallery: Wilbur WOE: Atkins	you guys are awesome. I threw away the rice and ice cream. luckily, I have no qualms about "wasting" these "food" items, because they aren't really food. I already feel better from my antibiotics kicking in, and I am going to be drinking chicken broth if I feel ill tomorrow. I also plan to eat mashed twice-baked cauliflower in place of rice if I feel I need it. I WILL NOT blow this and I WILL make my goal. Onwards and downwards!

08-11-2010, 06:59 PM	#6
Speck333 Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 5,453 Gallery: Speck333 Stats: 181(16)/163(12)/99(0) ~ 5'2" WOE: Semi-Primal Start Date: Atkins restart: Jan. 3, 2010 (7/99 original start)	scrambled eggs, broth, cottage cheese... I know you're unwell, but try to make better choices. Sorry about the pain, don't fall too far afield!

08-11-2010, 07:05 PM	#8
peanutte Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 10,208 Gallery: peanutte Stats: 188 then/118 now WOE: Atkins maintenance Start Date: 01/03/09	Good job reclaiming your focus, Wilbur.

08-11-2010, 08:21 PM	#10
happylabs Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: USA Posts: 1,172 Gallery: happylabs WOE: Atkins Start Date: June 1, 2010	Yes, don't be too hard on yourself. It is tough when you do not feel well. Glad you are back on track. Good luck and hang in there!

08-11-2010, 09:10 PM	#11
Blondie Baby Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Posts: 3,580 Gallery: Blondie Baby Stats: 213/126/130 WOE: JUDDD with LC	YAY!!! Great job throwing that stuff away!!!!!! Hope you're feeling much better now. And for future reference - I like yogurt with a scoop of protein powder and some nuts or berries, a good strong broth, tea with LOTS fresh ginger.