[cobbletts]

I am experiencing Leg Cramps... am sure it is due to the Natural Diaretic I am taking to help me shed the water weight my Chiropractor says I am carrying around... (about 5 gallons='s 40lbs)
I have lost 7.5 lbs in a week in a half...using the Diaretic... also changed to 3 balanced meals a day... havent been perfect, but am trying to stay consistent... have started a 45 minute work out (*suppose to be daily) but have only averaged 3x's a week so far...

No inch loss yet, but not dis-appointed considering the scales have gone down... (yeah)

I really need encouragement... and Support, cause I dont get much here at home.............. SAHM of 3... hubby on Road 5.5 days a week..... Truck driving, only home 1.5 days a week...

So.... Please shower me with some Email Support........
any advice welcomed...
Hate giving up the SUGAR>>>>>>>>>been ADDICTED SINCE I WAS BORN>>>>>>>>39.5 years...........

Potatoes, Corn, are regular staples when I eat at home....
Use to eating out.... Every Night.... Lunch, 4-5 times a week, and Breakfast...skipping alot......most of the time.....

so, can see a change in 3 meals aday....... am Full most of the time, and munchies havent been as often...... but still a long way to goooooooo.... to be consistent.....

229/221/140
39 Female

[loranden]

It sounds like you have experienced potassium loss, which can be noticed by the muscle cramps, accompanied by thirst and a great deal of urination. Your heart may also begin to skip beats-a very dangerous sign

Good potassium replacements are potato skins, oranges, bananas and spinach. In some cases, potassium supplements can be taken in either pill or powder form.

I would suggest, also, natural diuretics or not, having your potassium levels tested on a regular basis; this can be done via a blood test. And of course, check with your physician before doing anything dietary supplementwise, especially if you take OTC or prescribed medications.

[200club]

Deb - I can relate to the crazy sugar cravings.. Have you tried Splenda which is fake sugar but without the aftertaste that other sugar substitutes have. I am starting my weight loss today and have been reading several posts that have given me time out of the kitchen--I haven't eaten anything since I've been posting and reading. This is working so good I may be here all night. 260/260/140

[cobbletts]

I am down another pound... for a total of 9 lbs in 12 days.... but am sure like i said before the diaretic is doing most of the work...

I rode my recumbent bike for 1-1/2 hours today... and took a walk this evening... I missed lunch today... but we ate a very good mid-afternoon meal....., I had two thin slices of grilled steak ribs... a salad, cottage cheese, pea's and a little brown rice, also had a slice of cantalope...
I chewed slowly, and did not over flow my plate... kept portions sizes in check... YEAH... *** I am learning... ***

I am believing the scale will drop another pound tomorrow... mostly because I just ended my M/C and am sure that with the exercise, and one less meal, that I was good on my 40/30/30 that I will see it down again... if not thats ok too... (yes, i weigh daily) cause I am charting carefully and journaling everything...

I am convinced... I am going to Maintain this WOL....

I am going to be Healthy, and Thin again....

229/220/135-140
1st Goal 210
2nd Goal 195
3rd Goal 180
4th Goal 165
5th Goal 150
6th Goal 135-140 *(I vary every month 3lbs...) so in between is my goal...... 140 is where I want to be at maximum...when I am finished and Maintaining...........

I also want to sayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy~~~ I am excited about this for the first time in almost 5 years......... I am doing this for me... no one else.....

nite all, and GB
deb =)

[Suzanne 3FC]

Am I understanding this right, that your chiropractor said you have 40 pounds of excess water to lose? Do you have edema? Kidney problems, or some other health condition which affects water retention? The human body is about 2/3 water. Water is necessary for everything in our body to function, and when you lose too much your body will respond.

You probably shouldn't have more than 5 to 10 pounds of excess water to lose. Most people will lose this when they first begin a diet. Thereafter, your fat loss should be about 1 to 2 pounds per week.

Unless you have been diagnosed with a specific condition requiring diuretics, you probably should not take them. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water per day encourages the kidneys to naturally flush any excess fluids from your body. The leg cramps are a good sign that something isn't right. Potassium supplements or eating foods naturally high in potassium should help with that. However, you may want to re-evaluate whether you even need the diuretic. If you have kidney problems or another health concern that is causing a problem like this, then you should see an internal medicine specialist or general physician for advice and monitoring.

As soon as you stop taking the diuretics, you will gain the water back, and probably very quickly. This can be disappointing when you get on the scale. However, keep in mind that it's JUST water, and not fat. As long as you keep following your diet and exercise program, the fat will stay off, and your weight loss will resume.

Regarding the rest of your posts, it sounds like you are really doing well with your diet and exercise! You sound very motivated and serious, too, and that's good to hear. It's contagious, and helps keep us on track, lol!

Good luck

[cobbletts]

Yes,

You understood it correctly........... He is my Chiropractor, He is also an HERBALIST ... So he specializes in Alternative Medicine as well...

I am concerned about the amount of water I have... I am sure that I do have a Very Excessive amount of H20.... because of swelling and other related symptoms...

they have checked my kidneys, liver and just about everything... in the last few years........ only thing they have found so to speak...is one Emergency Rm Dr. Said I have Fibromylagia......., the rest say its all in my head.., I have degenerative arthritis in my left knee... and stiffness in my lower back depending on eating certain foods...
I also have been diagnosed with Costeocondritis which is inflammation of the cartlidge in between the ribs..... due to excess water, and weight and poor posture.....

I have many symptoms that could very well conclude that I am Type II Diabetic... however, that has not actually been diagnosed...
I have been told that my SED-Rate is Elevated..., and they dont know why...but that they didnt tell me how to lower it.. or what it even does....
I have been told that I have a Calcium Tumor on my right leg... that has moved 2" from its original site, but that it is nothing to worry about....

I am so skeptical of the doctors around here...it is pathetic... they are money hungry sucking leaches.......... and they dont really want their patients well...they just want them coming back again and again...

So I am trying a HOLILISTIC Approach...... good old fashioned REAL FOODS>>>>>>>>>> Less, and Less processed foods,
MORE MUCH MORE VEGY"S and FRUITS, and MEATS.......
which I love, but hated to cook before........ so I am now eating 3 meals a day... and trying to keep my portions in control....

I have not been able to eliminate SUGAR completely... but know that I am doing better then before, and I will get better as I go along...

I want to thank you Suzanne for your information...it was an eye opener to somethings I had not thought about, and something to research as well as to be able to ???? him on some of those things...

I also want to report that I have had no more leg cramps since I ate a banana and took some potasium pills....

I have not said what kind of Natural Diaretic I am taking because I dont want to give out any kind of medical information that could cause someone harm... I am under the care of a specialist... and dont recommend someone trying that on his/her own...

thanks again...
deb