Another informal survey: how did you initiate ketosis when you began your current keto dietary regimen? In other words, what exactly you did to get into keto, about how long the transition took and whether or not you used any tests to confirm your status, such as urine test strips, ketone blood tests, etc. This survey is open to one and all to share their experience. The objective is to determine how many different methods people use to get into keto, and approximate proportions of those using each method. Iâll use myself to illustrate.
The first week of January, 2017, I had some blood tests scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday that both required preparatory fasting. I started fasting on Monday in preparation for the Tuesday test and afterwards just continued the fast in prep for Wednesday. After the Wednesday test, I decided just to continue fasting for a couple more days to get into ketosis. I had been keto for a couple years several years previously, so I had a general idea what itâs all about.
My primary intention was to start eating a more healthy way to maintain my general health for whatever years I have left. I was 71 at the time and I am now 74. My secondary intention was to lose about 15-20 pounds to get my weight back to 160 where I feel good. From previous fasts I knew that the second day would be the most uncomfortable, but that beginning the morning of day three it would get way better. Thatâs exactly how it went.
I did not use any test methods to determine exactly when I was in ketosis. I simply used my hunger. On day two I experienced what I refer to as âcarb hungerâ, which is like that flesh eating plant in the movie Little Shop of Horrors demanding to be fed constantly. By the morning of day three, the carb hunger gave way to what I refer to as âketo hungerâ, which is like the company accountant reporting at the monthly board meeting that outgo exceeded income and the company had to dip into the strategic cash reserve to make up the difference. No screaming, wailing and moaning like the day before.
I should also mention that I did not experience any carb withdrawal symptoms (aka keto flu). I also stopped eating - cold turkey - all the carb-rich foods I had been eating bigly previously. These included: ice cream and frozen yogurt, bread, pasta of all sorts, potatoes, rice, pastries and other stuff I donât remember any more. Never missed any of it.
So, whatâs your story? Please share it.