1st week on Keto, in Ketosis, 17-7 IF, no weight loss, feeling awful but not hungry

(Hilary) #1

Hi. Here is my story.

I’m 48 years old, female, still have normal cycles. (TMI?!?) I’m about 5’5" and weigh 174lbs. I have a five year old son, stay at home mom, not active enough.

I have been a yo-yo dieter most of my adult life. The first time I gained a lot of weight was in my 20’s when I was living in Japan for 2 years after college. I gained 50 lbs!! I attributed this to eating (and drinking) a lot of carbs and eating fried foods that reminded me of home. When I returned to the states, after a year of being fat and feeling so low I learned about the Zone diet (mid 90’s diet fad). I started it, felt great, exercised a lot and lost about 65 lbs on it quickly. I was in my 20s then and had the time and energy to make all of those recipes and do the food prep, and run about 6 miles a day. But of course, as soon as I stopped eating that way about half the weight came back and I’ve been up and down about 30-40 lbs over the last 15 years or so. I now have 2 bad knees with little cartilage left from years of dance and running and I also have fibromyalgia and a postive ANA (auto-immune issues.)

I started on the keto diet one week ago. Not only did I start on the diet but I have been intermittent fasting 16-17 hours of the day. The first morning after starting a full day the scale dropped 3 lbs, which was expected. It hasn’t moved since. I have been in ketosis regularly (testing obsessively throughout the day and evening.) Today I signed up for this forum and I also downloaded a keto app to help me count my macros because I’m assuming I’m taking in too many fat calories which might explain why I’m in ketosis but not losing weight. I did measure my waist one week ago and it hasn’t changed at all.

I noticed around 2 days in that I started feeling very restless at night, almost “buzzing” with a body anxiety–very hard to explain and very unpleasant. I have added electrolytes which may have helped a tad but still feeling very “off”. Maybe keto flu? I’m definitely drinking enough water, at least 64 oz a day. I feel like I’m in the dark trying to find my way. There is just an overwhelming amount of information out there, can only take so much in.

The only positive thing I can say right now is that my IBS symptoms have completely vanished in one week and that is remarkable for me. It was only 1 week ago that anything I ate caused me severe gas, bloating and tearing pains in my gut. My overall body inflammation seems a bit better but I’m also on medication for that, which I hope to be able to quit altogether if I can make this diet work for me.

It’s great my gut feels better but I have to lose weight. My fat clothes are tight, I feel ugly. I had my son at age 42, I’m the oldest mom in my son’s class. It may sound shallow but I dread going to his school functions and being the old, fat mom with all of those skinny millennial moms in their cropped shirts and skinny jeans LOL.

I will gladly accept and advice or encouragement that anyone is willing to share. I want to make this work because I’m so encouraged by my irritable bowel being gone so fast but otherwise feel like my skin is crawling, or like I want to jump out of my skin, if that makes sense. Is it too soon to jump into fasting? Am I doing it wrong? Why am I not losing weight in ketosis? Maybe I am crazy.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read my rambling story. Sending my best wishes to all out there trying to live a healthier life.

(Paul H) #2

Welcome! Only a week… already getting positive results is perfect. Keto is not primarily a weight loss diet. Producing ketones and being fat adapted are different things. Fat adaptation usually takes longer. I understand you impatience…I am having my own issues with that as well. Sounds like you have a good start and will work out the details. You will get some great responses here asking for details and they understand the details around here…lol

(Jane- Old Inky Crone) #3

Welcome, you’ve come to the right place. There are many very smart people here who can guide you. One thing I would caution you about is expecting to lose a lot of weight fast. It goes slower for us females, and after only a week in you’re no where near fat adapted. It does take time and patience to allow your body to do its thing before you start seeing results on the scale. Another thing many on these forums will tell you is that this is not a weight loss diet, it is a health improving way of life.
That said, I had the exact same response as you with the weird body anxiety feeling, inability to sleep, and a general feeling of weakness and no stamina when I started. It will pass if you stick with it. Also, don’t worry about the calories, often we lose more weight by increasing our calories from fat! If you can hang in for the first couple months I think you’ll be amazed with all the benefits you receive. Keep Calm and Keto On!

(hottie turned hag) #4

No girl, not crazy :crazy_face: at all (heh based upon your post that is).

I am certain others shall reply with excellent sage advice as this forum is wonderful for that; many experienced, wise folk and kind as well.

What you are is too impatient for results. Trust me on this; though better responses to this effect shall surely follow mine.

I started this in Aug 2017 and didn’t weigh myself until…prob Nov. I am obsessive and knew if I weighed at all (I don’t own a scale for this reason) I’d get sucked into a vortex.
I am a data freak yet did this to avoid the very thing you’re now experiencing.

I could see changes, and by the time I finally weighed I was 146 and MUCH SMALLER so I had to’ve been around 160+ when I started. I am v short and small framed, me at 160+ resembled a barrel, ugh. I may’ve been even more, I never weighed I tell ya.

I am now (as of last weigh in April, next is May 30) 116. I’m 55, 5 years postmenopausal,weight came on AFTER menopause so I was in worse endocrinological shape than you yet still had terrific results.

I shall now defer to the wise heads sure to follow and leave you a :hibiscus: for encouragement.

(Carl Keller) #5

Body fat is locked up in our fat cells and our hormones are the tumblers that have to all line up in order for the fat to be freed. Eating LCHF can heal our metabolism and make our hormones start behaving how they are supposed to. It takes more time for some people that others so if you are not losing weight right off the bat, take comfort that your body is healing. Weight loss is not the purpose of ketosis; it’s merely a pleasant side effect.

One hormone that is often overlooked is cortisol, the stress hormone. This alone can prevent weight loss so the very act of worrying about not losing weight, might be part of the problem.

My advice is to eat single item, whole foods while keeping your carbs low. Eat when you are hungry and stop when you are full. Try not to snack and be patient with the process. I’ve noticed that it takes some people a month or longer before they notice results on the scale. It’s even possible to lose inches without losing weight. I know it sounds like a paradox but one possible explanation is that when fat leaves our fat cells, it’s replaced with water and this exchange can recompose our body. So take measurements and take notice of how your pants fit.

(Jane) #6

In spite of the media hype the weight does not just “fall off” on keto. It is not linear. You WILL stall. Commit for 3 months then evaluate if this is right for you. It takes your body a while to adjust to running on fat instead of glucose so please be patient.

Stop measuring your state of ketosis - if you track your carbs and keep below 20 you will be in ketosis. If you are using pee sticks it is fun to see them turn purple and verification you haven’t eaten hidden carbs but it is only measuring ketones you are wasting and peeing out. No correlation to fat burning.

Welcome to the forum!

(Hilary) #7

Thanks to everyone for all the great info. I was definitely expecting quick results. When I’ve done Atkins (I know, a different diet) the weight melted off so I assumed keto would be the same. I think I get it now. As for measuring ketones, is the only way to know for sure if I’m fat burning is if the scale moves? Everyone is mentioning being “fat adapted”. I’m not sure I understand this concept, but I’ll keep googling til it clicks. Thanks so very much.

(Scott) #8

I recommend getting through the phase of carb withdrawal and having some time to settle in before starting IF.

(Jane) #9

Use a tape measure and take measurements, once a week. No way to measure whether your body is burning body fat or plate fat, even using a blood ketone meter.

Fat adaptation happens when your body becomes more efficient at running on fat and it is gradual and no way to measure so you have to make some assumptions based on how you feel.

The strongest indication is when your hunger reduces to the point you forget to eat and skip a meal w/o trying. This takes anywhere from 4-6 weeks to 4-6 months. Yeah. Big variation.

But this is where the magic begins. You will naturally start eating less and can cut back on your plate fat a bit and not get hungry. You can start fasting and reducing your eating window without a lot of effort. Cravings much reduced.

All this reduces your insulin response so you can start burning your fat stores.