Am I doing this right?

newbies
(Krista) #1

Hi there!

I’m new to this forum, and need some advice. So it sounds like I’m in the right place :slight_smile:

So for the past year, I’ve been conditioning myself for LCHF after a friend did it and lost a ton of weight. I’ve struggled with my weight FOREVER, have baby weight to boot, and basically ruined my metabolism with past eating disorders, drugs, and stress, so I was excited to give this a go.

I hadn’t fully committed, and wasn’t keeping track of calories, carbs, or anything until 17 days ago. I did the ketogenic calculator, downloaded MFP, and have been rigorously keeping track and weighing everything I eat. Pretty sure I went through the “keto flu” about a day and a half in, felt like crap and couldn’t drink enough water to save my flippin life! Once I passed that, I had some other side effects and then felt AMAZING! So much energy, no cravings for sweets (I’m a cake decorator in a bakery…so yeah, that’s never been said before!) Ketostix read I’ve got lots of ketones leavin my body, though I hear those aren’t terribly reliable. Haven’t purchased a scale yet…got weighed recently at the docs which was quite the catalyst for me to really take this head on…so I’m not sure if I’m actually losing. I don’t feel bloated and my clothes are slightly looser, so given my history with self image issues, I’m ok working with that for now :wink:

My diet has been mostly consisting of eggs, grassfed butter or coconut oil, cheese (but I’m pretty willing to never look at that again) along with green leafy veggies like spinach and kale. Have a crap ton of organic cauliflower rice, which is good, and I just stir fry with butter cheese and kale, and I’m portioning everything. Trying not to do too much protein because of my gallbladder. I do have hard time eating enough fat (135g per day isn’t easy) and I’m a working mom so if I’m not hungry, I can forget.

So, my big question is, does it sound like I’m on the right track? What changes should I make? I’m not diabetic so this is strictly for weight loss.

Thanks for reading my super long story, and I appreciate any input!

(Autumn Sangra) #2

Welcome!

#3

Hiya.
It sounds like you are doing everything right, yes. The main gauge would be that you feel great - good sign! Are you vegetarian? Not a bad thing or a problem just potentially limits the choice of what you eat and possibly also means that you may have to settle at a slightly higher carb intake than some. Depending on your health markers, that won’t necessarily be a problem as long as you maintain this great feeling good part and lack of cravings.
I say enjoy keto. Welcome to the forum. x

(Krista) #4

Thanks @Daisy!
Nope, not vegetarian. I just can’t eat pork (health not religion) and I don’t always have time to cook meat. So I get protein from eggs and cheese.
Im still getting over fat fear too, more for the sake of my heart. But I’ve read that whole thing has been debunked, just need time to get comfortable with it.

What should I expect as far as weight loss? What was your experience? I’ve seen people drop REAL fast, and heard some not have much success.

#5

Weight loss is super variable, depending on how much you have to lose, how old you are, what health issues you have, what your metabolic condition is, all sorts of things. I rarely hear of people who don’t lose any weight - assuming they want/need to. It can though take a long time to get started, especially for women I’m afraid.

I am a slightly unusual case as I have a gastric sleeve and lost most of my weight with that and a much more moderate LCHF woe. I got to my target weight about this time last year and then everything went a bit wrong! I put on 15kg between about now and September and that was when I decided to give keto a try as I had liked and done well with LCHF. I started right at the end of September and have lost about 10kg of the 15kg gained. I decided a while back though that I now eat how I want to eat and my weight will level out where my body wants it to. I have no intention of trying to force it to a place that I cannot easily and happily sustain. I want to be able to eat how I want to eat - and I do now. I expect I will level out between 65 and 70kg which suits me fine. My original target was 63 so I am not even that much different.

I hope that helps. Do shout if I can help with anything else though. x

(Krista) #6

Weight loss is never a 1 time deal is it? Haha there’s always ups and downs, but I’m so glad you were able to tweek it and reverse the hiccup :slight_smile:

I’m impatient with it, but I appreciate the support and will defiantly be reaching out!

Thanks a mil!

(Bob) #7

I started in March. I used a 5 day fast with bullet proof coffee to get over the keto flu in a short time. I tried Keto in February but couldn’t do it. Then I watched lectures, read articles and listened to podcasts for a month to educate myself. Once I understood how the body and a ketogenic diet works it was easy to restart in March. It was a learning experience to find out what foods worked for me. I learned that for me I need to stick to basic Whole Foods. I don’t do recipes or cooking meals. I have to count the amount of carbs and protein in grams in everything I eat. I’ll eat eggs, avocados, olive oil, MCT oil, canned sardines oysters and herring, wild salmon, grass fed ribeye, and leafy green veggies. Sometimes cold fermented sauerkraut and pickels. A very limited diet. Soon I will branch out to recipes and stuff like liverwurst, Swiss cheese and mustard on lettuce leaves. One of my favorites. I make home made chili for a treat. I find that going simple and basic is what works for me right now but everyone is different. It’s been a real trip learning what keeps me in ketosis. It get easier after the keto flu. I’ve been obese my entire life eating carbage and now will be healthy and losing weight weight without ever being hungry. Good luck. Keto works. Stay calm and Keto on.

(Jeff) #8

So glad you joined! I’ve been at it since August 2016. It sounds like you are on track. I just follow the adage: low carb, moderate protein, and high fat. I’ve never weighed my food or fussed over it. I’m down 33 pounds and still losing (ever so slowly). Let yourself acclimate to fat intake. It took me a while to really get that I have to eat a lot of fat. That’ll come with time and familiarity. Best wishes on your journey.

(Krista) #9

Oh man, so nice to hear all your experiences and success!
Welp, in light of all the positivity, I somehow knocked myself out of ketosis. I had one little bite of a hotdog bun, and I slept like crap last night (4 hours), tested 3 times today, went from a pink, to a tad bit of color, then beige :frowning:

I feel awful now, bloated and terrified of going through the flu again. Was it the bread? Lack of sleep? How long until I will be back In? Couple days or longer? Will exercise help jump start me back? I’m so disappointed. I’m not going to give up, I just wish Id stopped myself :frowning:

(Emma) #10

I know exactly what you feel.It’s hard letting go of what you though was true for your entire life. I was a huge fan of low fat cheese, milk, yogurt and everything that had the “low fat” tag on the container. I started keto recently and I’ve lost 19.5 pounds already, which according to what I’ve read is on the slower side… but I think you’re doing quite well. Im actually having a bit of a struggle increasing the amount of fat I eat because I keep thinking this will only make me gain weight (if it tastes good it has to be fattening right?-that’s what we’ve been conditioned to think) But it’s working…and at some point we just have to trust the process hehe, you’re doing just fine! :wink:

(Krista) #11

@emma1324 exactly! That’s been my struggle too. I have major fat fear, and yeah, if it tastes good, it’s bad for you! Haha But wow! 19 lbs?! That’s Awesome!! When did you start? I still believe slow is good, because it helps your body adapt and you stand a better chance at keeping it off, so good on ya!
Tested my ketones this morning and I was back in the maroon. So what was that about? Do hormones play a part in all that because I am nearing that time? Either way, after how crappy I felt last night, I’m not slipping up again. Worst feeling both emotionally and physically ever.
Thank you all so much for your support too. It’s so great to talk to peeps that understand! :sparkling_heart:

#12

Hello and welcome!!

#13

Welcome. My one bit of advice would be to try to get a little more protein/variety in. Can you eat turkey? I take deli meat and roll it up with some cheese (and olives!). I had my gallbladder out a few years back and luckily I have no issues/ill effects. I think you’re doing great! And wow, how strong are you being around the smell of a bakery so much? You definitely “got this!” :smile: