Been doing so well... then a big slip

keto
newbies
fasting
(Cynthia D ) #1

I’m new, so hello everybody! I need some help and advice. I started my keto journey in April 2018 after being very sick. I had a blood glucose level of 400 after a meal! The doctor was very honest with me, told me I would probably need to start taking insulin on my next visit, and put me on metformin. I was scared and started taking my health and diet very seriously. In 3 months I lost 40 lbs, brought my A1C from 9.3 to 5.3 and started feeling fantastic. Dreams of being fit and healthy danced in my head. I started working out 3-4 days a week and I thought I had it all figured out.

Well… for the last 3 weeks, I’ve been eating carbs again, and I started skipping my workouts. It started with a little “reward” refeed meal. I thought carb cycling was a good idea. Maybe for some folks, but I don’t think it’s a good thing for me. It just triggers carb cravings for me.

Last night, I ate a large piece of chocolate cake. The exact same thing that put my blood sugar at 400! Thank goodness this time, my after meal blood sugar only reached 148.

I’ve gained 10 lbs, my fasting blood sugar went from 95 to 128 and my skin is inflamed, I feel bloated, and quite frankly ashamed and frightened that I’m down a dangerous path.

I’m thinking of a water fast to reboot and get back on the path to being healthy again. Any advice and encouragement is welcome. Thanks for taking the time to read this message.

(Kerin ) #2

Yup, it happens.
I am tired of being an indulger too.
I’m not diabetic, but the past month has been a uphill, one way, type of month with carbs.
I decided to fast for one day, I’m on my 34 hour now, just to let my body enjoy a time out.
I have had my coffee with whipping cream, I don’t know the fat fast very well, but I’m going to work soon and just want the energy to preform my job.
It will be ok as long as we forgive ourselves and get back on track!

(Jen) #3

Yes this has happened to me as well. My own personal experience is that I just can’t eat carbs. I am a genuine carb addict. I have to be very strict with myself. I can’t have just one berry or one of this or that. It all ends down the same path. Will that ever change? I don’t know. But I’ve accepted for now this is how it has to be. Some people will say not to be so strict as it will lead to a binge but I disagree. If you think a water fast to break that carb cycle will work for you then do it. Sometimes going cold turkey is the best and only thing that works

(Mary Jo Koplos) #4

You might consider a fat fast for a few days before your water fat. It helps ease you in and starts getting you fat adapted so the fast can go a bit better. Good for you for stopping the madness and getting back on track!

(Jane) #5

Congratulations on getting your A1c down to 5.3 - that is awesome!

And coming here for support. All you need to do is get back to keto and your body will thank you for it. Whether fat fasting, water fasting or just keep your carbs under 20 - whatever works for you the best and helps you stick it out to get fat adapted again.

(Nicole Silvia) #6

Don’t beat yourself up. It will only make you feel terrible and your mental/emotional health is just as important as your physical, maybe even more.

Simply observe what just happened. Take that in, think about it, etc. Use it as a learning tool and adjust accordingly. It will be 100x easier for you to get back to health than it was the first time because you’ve already walked that path. Be proud of who you are and what you’re doing :slight_smile:

(Cathy) #7

You have just learned the most valuable lesson and it is a tough one but soooo , so important. I had to learn it the hard way too but learn it, I did.

Getting back on board is your challenge and I would suggest that you take it like you did in the beginning. Eat when you are hungry. Keep carbs below 20g and remind yourself that carbs make you feel really bad. Consciously skip the exercise until you are feeling sure that you are back and adapted. I always think that too many people still have the thought that exercise will help them lose weight and that comes from the ol’ calories in/calories out failed hypothesis. It is pretty ingrained but know that exercise is to tone and strength not weight loss.

When I was finally successful in getting back on board, I decided that ‘protecting’ my ketosis was more important than just about anything I could do for my health. And, 9 yrs. later, I still feel the same.

(Jen) #8

This is brilliant!! Thank you for that thought, it’s an insightful way to look at staying on track.

(John) #9

Like everyone said , don’t be to hard on yourself, just start your routine again. I was in the same boat . My A1C was at 10.5 in Feb 2018 in June 2018 my A1C was 5.5 and I was no longer taking any diabetes meds!

Everyone will have different priorities that will motivate them . For me it was the diabetes and weight loss . Now that I am past my weight loss goal ( I was heavier then I thought ! Lol )
I’m now working on quitting smoking and building muscle.

You proved to yourself that you can do this and you did it !

I would love to hear back from you in a day or two and you tell us , your back on track ! Yup , it only takes one day to fix . If you ate better then yesterday your back on track !