GlennM's Journal, 27 September 2011

Thats great that you had a weight loss!!! I have hit a plateau and I also suspect its from artificial sweeteners. When did you quit using them? Was it difficult? Do you have any tips for me? 

O btw,I just read on the Atkins website that charlie horse cramps can come from the diuretic effect the diet has on your muscles.The quick fix they suggested was eating a serving of broth (not low sodium kind) twice a day or using 2 tbs of soy sauce in your foods.The sodium keeps the muscles from dehydrating and cramping up. 

Thanks - I have been using lots of salt, but yes - I do believe I am dehydrated much of the time and I easily drink at least 80 oz. of water a day. I will get some more broth the next time I head to the store, I don't have much around. I'm sure everyone can use this tip at one point or another with low-carb dieting... 

If you are drinking 80 oz of water a day on top of all your other liquids you may be causing yourself to pee some of those essential minerals. I don't have time right now to Google it, but there is a limit to how much you can safely drink.  

reinventing - I quit over this past weekend. It was VERY difficult. Anyway, as circumstance would have it I ran out of Splenda and Equal, not even Sweet 'N Lo around. I am not even using Stevia. And so what I have been doing is adding apple cider to flavored tea - 1/16 - one might add more if they wish, so it is still low in carbs. 4 to 8 oz. of juice per 64 oz. Just use up what you have or start now, I gave myself one last Diet Coke Saturday. I don't bake so don't need the sweeteners in complicated recipes. I really think it is the main reason everyone stalls on every diet now... 

Buffy - I take lots of vitamins. But yes, I must remember to take extra minerals. Even on times when I wasn't doing Atkins strictly I went into the E.R. a few years back and they told me I was dehydrated, and it was like - do you know how much I drink? I don't think it is safe to drink over 120 oz. a day - I was a nurse so know about water intoxication, one must be cautious...  

One site said men should get more than 80 oz. a day from water and food, but athletes might need more or those who work out a lot. Remember, we sweat a lot more than we realize, especially in summer. Some people advocate more than 64 oz. - which is the minimum... and remember caffeine is a diuretic too... 

Anyway, that is not what I drink in water, but mostly my total intake - which is now flavored iced teas, like raspberry, lemon, orange, apple, cherry, blueberry, etc. I add some fruit juice too. I don't like water too much - my town's tap water is dreadful. I went to my niece's place in New Hampshire maybe eight years ago and the water was so good there was no need to flavor it. And I think filtered isn't much better and distilling it isn't healthy. I like Evian and Perrier, but don't have the income to buy it so flavored iced tea is what I mainly drink now... 

Congrats on the loss buddy....and the non use of sweeteners...have fun shopping for your new shoes...gotta run and do more dusting.... 

Thanks Bren - by the way the writing is going well too in a month or two the western will be done and I will be sending all first three books out. I may go out this evening if Bruce wants after work... 

Great news Glenn, I can't wait to hear you are published...That will be one fine day...:0).. 

I don't lose weight either if I have any artificial sweeteners. Glad you figured that out for yourself. Did you know 1/2 an avocado has more potassium than a medium banana?? And you can have it on Atkins. Also broth should help you rehydrate without losing minerals, especially if you make your own bone broth. That is what the doctor told me, anyway.  

Thanks Sara, yes - avocados are around and are a bit pricey, but I do like them and will maybe get some today - mushrooms are also an excellent source but are a bit expensive too - I remember you posted about the mushrooms and avocados in the past. I do think after I had broth yesterday it helped, this morning no leg cramps. The artificial sweeteners are hard to let go of, they're in so many foods. But it is a start at least in the right direction...