I’ve been strictly keto since Sept 12, tried one long fast (6 days) and OMAD the rest of the time. After the long fast, I figured the it was difficult because I wasn’t deeply enough into ketosis so have tried being patient. 48 hours ago, I started another long-ish fast only to find I’m still feeling weak and tired this morning. This is despite lots of potassium, magnesium and constantly nibbling on salt. I’ve got a boat-load of fat on my body - why can’t I access it? What could possibly be keeping my insulin high? My meals have been pretty much bacon, eggs, cheese and salad a couple of times with lots of fatty blue cheese dressing. I’ve been IF’ing like a fool. What does it take to drive insulin low enough to allow access to my “freezer”?
I know, KCKO, KCKO, KCKO…
Mary
Getting Insulin Low Enough to Access Stored Fat
You’ve been Keto since Sept 12, so 2 1/2 weeks. My personal experience, I was not yet fat adapted at that point. In ketosis yes, but my body hadn’t yet become efficient at accessing and using my body fat for energy. I’d suggest continuing with Keto for a few more weeks and I’d personally avoid extended fasting until it feels natural and good to do so. This hit me at about 8 weeks in.
Hi Mary, the first two months (minimum) should be about nothing more than eating keto and getting fat adapted. Fasting etc is advanced stuff which your body should tell you it’s ready for usually by one of two methods.
- You don’t want to eat and have no appetite. It’s easy not to eat. So you don’t!
- You have been steadily losing weight, you’re deep into ketosis but you’ve plateaud out for 4-6 weeks plus. Your body is adjusting to a new set weight and some fasting will help move things along.
Personally I don’t lose if I IF or fast, I only lose if I eat when I’m hungry and stop when I’m full.
Don’t try to run before you can walk? And you knew this was coming…KCKO! 
I didn’t feel fully fat adapted for probably 3-4 months. Now doing OMAD is easy, early on it was torture. Listen to your body, when we say it’s “easy” not to eat we mean effortless. Like you work all day and at like 3pm you have your first thoughts of food because you have to decide what’s for dinner.
Thank you guys - truly! I keep feeling that I should be able to do this or I must be able to do that and it’s really calming to be told that when I’m ready, it’ll be easy. If it’s not easy, I’m not ready.
I broke my fast with bacon, eggs and stinky cheese. No guilt!!!
Thank you…!
Once you are fat adapted fasts will be easier. Also, you may want to feast keto style a few days before a fast and then start it when you cannot stand the idea of eating more
^ This. To be successful in fasts, you have to make sure you eat enough on days you don’t fast. Or at least that is what was discussed in the obesity code pilot podcast from the 2keto dudes.
Yes, the “feasting” part is much harder for me than the “fasting” part. And even when I do pre-plan all sort of lovely keto meals, I usually find my eyes are bigger than my stomach.
I can see that this is going to take some practice…