If your low-carb plan is low enough in carbs, the first 2-4 days are going to be the worst. By the end of day 3 or 4, you’re generally golden.
Induction flu usually causes dizziness, headaches, nausea, cravings (fun combo), foggy-brain, and abnormally lethargy. This is due to the body moving from burning carbs for fuel to burning fat. As well, the body is de-toxing.
In short, it’s like being Amy Winehouse, minus the boobie tattoos.
The first three days are a nightmare.
Day 1: (all day) OMG! It’s a Twinkie! It’s. Not. Moving! I must have it-oh nonononoono! I can’t have it. Will. drink. water… Why. am. I talking like. William Shatner.
Day 2: (morning) OK. Who is spinning the room? And why did I just try to dial in AM radio on my toaster?
3 pm that day: OMG! It’s the same Twinkie! It’s. Still. There! TwinkieTwinkieTwinkie! I’m kissing the wrappper. I won’t eat it. La la laaaa. OK, Twinkie. No Twinkie. *sniff* Must. Fight. Twinkie…
Day 3: (morning) TWINKIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! Nom nom nom I’m not the Cookie Monster. Not. Cookie. Monster. OK. OK, I can do this. Focus. Bacon. Bacon is my Twinkie. Yes. Hostess Bacon. BACON! NOM NOM NOM!
(afternoon) I am just going to lick the Twinkie. Yeah! That’s it! No! No! That’s not it. I made it two days so far. The last time I made anything two days in a row, it was those cool leg warmers on my Ronco Knit-O-Matic. Must. Resist.
Day 4. Whoa Nelly! I’m down 5 pounds, feel clear-headed and I haven’t woken up in the gutter with a brown bag filled with Twinkies and the tell-tale yellow crumbs on my breath. I am HE-Yaled! I can walk! I–I–I can DANCE! YAY-ES! *Stomps on Twinkie*
Day 5 through the rest of your life: Suck it, food pyramid!
So, my friends, even though it’s a wanker, stick with it. What is 72 hours? You can spend craving-time napping, exercising (gently) or doing something fun that has nothing to do with bagged yellow sponge cakes.
Keep hydrated, eat even when you don’t want to, and be kind to yourself. We’re all in this journey together.
My Twinkie comes in the guise of a potato. Only I don’t normally lick a potato. ew?
So true Jamie… That first step is a loo-loo! But once you clean your glasses and get them on right side up, you can see that step, and step right over it…
All the rest of your steps will feel like you are frolicking in a meadow full of wild flowers…
Skipping and dancing all the way. And of course, always stopping to actually smell those flowers…
ahhh, it’s true bliss…. 🙂
I needed to read this so badly today. I’m on day 2 and came into work dragging. I passed a box of cheez-its, oatmeal creme pies and donuts thinking I would feel better if I had just one, , , ,
Instead I have decided to slack off all day, only do what needs to be done and leave after I get my 8 hours in.
I will go home, make fajitas (no wrap) and go to bed. 🙂
amy– Def on the eww potato licking. It’s be like eating a glue stick.
Shelley– Amen! Testify, and love your use of imagery there.
kelly– Going to bed is the nicest thing you could have done for yourself, second to reasoning the very real reasons you felt like nitrogenous canine waste warmed over.
My teenaged son was on his second day of induction and hated life yesterday. He fell across the chaise with his hand over his forehead and said, “I’m DOOMED!”
This is the second time Ive logged onto your page and the second time I almost peed my self (laughing so hard)… My boss thinks something is wrong with me… You are a gem! Please, please keep this going…
Printing this and puttin it on the fridge.
NO TWINKIES.
(Even if they are very good at persuading me to eat them!)
Fight.
The.
TWINKIES!
(you can do it!)
Thank you for your inspiration! I am so happy I found this website I am 7 days into my induction. I have been measuring all my foods and because of your oopsie recipes I totally can keep from eating other things. I even have gone a little lower than 20 carbs(ok twice now)
I was wondering do you have any recipes for a low carb orange Julius drink!!I’d love to try it!!
Unbelievably accurate but replace twinkies with any chocolate and fruit product 🙂