Really discouraged

(Suzanne Barton) #41

I have read that epsom salt baths help. Going to give that a try as soon as I get some Epsom salts. How does a person know they are getting enough salt?
Thanks everyone for support and suggestions. I really appreciate it!

(Siobhan) #42

I have heard just supplement 1/4 to 1/2 tsp every 30m until you feel better. Track how much that is and there you go.

In general if I feel like crap, leg cramps, headache, tired, poor mood that is a sign for me that I dont have enough salt

Especially because it clears up when I have some salt

(Cindy) #43

Track your food in some way to determine what levels of potassium and magnesium youā€™re getting. Add in what youā€™re supplementing. Look at the recommended daily amount. Are you meeting that? If not, you probably need to supplement more.

I donā€™t do macros by percentage, so canā€™t help there. Determine for your size, weight, gender, and age range what your protein level should be. Keep protein around that level, carbs at 20 grams or less, and make up the rest in fat to satiety.

Hang in there. It gets better once you figure out what your body needs.

(Suzanne Barton) #44

Good idea. I know I donā€™t take in that much salt but I will up it to that starting now.

Thanks!

(Suzanne Barton) #45

Yeahā€¦totally not meeting that. Definitely gotta work on that. Do magnesium/potassium levels affect how body burns fat?

Thanks!

(Cindy) #46

Lots of smart people here, so someone can probably answer whether it affects fat burning. I just know it will make you feel bad and could quite likely explain your symptoms.

(Suzanne Barton) #47

Ok. Thanks very much!

#48

In a way Magnesium does. I am not sure about Potassium. Magnesium assists and can improve circulating insulin levels and blood glucose. Magnesium also makes free testosterone which helps with fat metabolism and the building of lean muscles. Also Magnesium is a mental health mineral. Symptoms of depression and anxiety may decrease with the proper supplementation. The amount of supplementation gradually increases over the RDA. And, it is a relaxant mineral.

(Christopher Avery) #49

Cronometer is a wonderful alternative to MyFitnessPal. Iā€™ve used them both.

(Suzanne Barton) #50

@elaine1
Thanks for that info! All I knew about magnesium was if you donā€™t get enough of it you get muscle cramps.

(Suzanne Barton) #51

So you like Cronometer better than MyFitnessPal?

(Christopher Avery) #52

I do, marginally.

(Suzanne Barton) #53

Hey, all ~

Just want to thank everyone so much for all the suggestions and encouragement. Tomorrow marks the end of week #9 for me and Iā€™m doing much better!!
I started adding more (lots more) salt to my diet (just dumping 1/4 tsp into my mouth and chasing it down with water) and also started supplementing with potassium.
Tracked my food for a few days, enough to know Iā€™ve got the right ratio of fat/protein/carbs, which was a big relief also.
I have more energy and not discouraged anymore!

Thanks!!!

(Linda Culbreth) #54

awesome!

(Allie) #55

Itā€™s worth getting a capsule machine and making salt capsules (this is what I do) as it makes things much more bearable.

(Doug) #56

[quote=ā€œSuzanneb, post:53, topic:14447ā€]
I started adding more (lots more) salt to my diet (just dumping 1/4 tsp into my mouth and chasing it down with water) and also started supplementing with potassium.
Tracked my food for a few days, enough to know Iā€™ve got the right ratio of fat/protein/carbs, which was a big relief also.
I have more energy and not discouraged anymore![/quote]

Suzanne, that is great! :slight_smile: Such a huge difference between it being a real struggle and feeling pretty good. (Reminds me of past diet attempts - eating ā€œsmaller meals more oftenā€ and no control on carbohydrates - where like clockwork on the 3rd and 4th day Iā€™d be feeling tired, sluggish, hungry and dispirited, to the point of quitting and often rebounding like a hound.)

Salt cravings - early on, with fasting and eating ketogenically, I got intense thoughts of an Asian buffet close by, and the Egg Drop soup they have. The soup, by itself, is nothing great to brag about, but the somewhat salty nature of it really hit the spot.

(Suzanne Barton) #57

Iā€™m to the point now where taking the salt by itself doesnā€™t bother me anymore but that is a great idea. I might check into that later on.
Thanks!

(Suzanne Barton) #58

Strangely enough I never got salt cravings. It would have been much simpler if I had though.
Instead I just force myself to take the salt. Kinda like medicine.
Thanks for encouragement!