So I literally decided to jump into a ketogenic lifestyle today. I’ve long known what ketosis is and more or less how to get into it, but I never wanted to give up carbs. I’ve had periods of great success with IIFYM type diets and simple calorie restriction, but it always seems to end with me slowly creeping back into a caloric surplus and putting the weight back on. I’m seeing that happening right now, and I’d really like to break the cycle if that’s possible. I’m kind of wondering what I’m in for in terms of the “keto flu” I hear about.
Due to some particulars of how I’ve been living for the last couple of years I wonder if I might already be a bit more fat adapted than the average person though. I’ve been fasting somewhere around the 16:8 schedule for years now (aside from MCT oil in my coffee which I take for energy). I exercise every day (cardio and moderate intensity weight lifting). I take about 3 tbs of MCT oil throughout the day because I like the energy it gives me.
My theory is that the daily fasting with nothing but MCT oil may already have my body primed for ketosis, and the exercise probably doesn’t hurt either. My main observation that leads me to this thought is that for me the MCT oil is very effective. My body must be able to process it efficiently due to having received only that for the larger part of most days, and therefor it is already well down the road toward being fat adapted despite a rather high daily carb intake (several hundred grams of carbs per day ultimately).
I guess my question is: Does this make any sense? It’s something I always thought about when I considered adopting a ketogenic diet. I guess now I’m going to find out one way or another. Anyway, thanks for any responses. This looks like a great community. I hope to become a regular here in the future!