How long to get back on track?

(Amanda ) #1

I’m 7 weeks keto, meeting macros every day even with a glass of wine here and there. I am 5’2" tall and weigh 110 pounds. I started keto not because I was actually diagnosed as being T2 diabetes, but I felt so out of whack. I was hungry ALL the time, even waking up in the middle of the night regularly hungry! I think now that I am sensitive to carbs, as all people are but I might be even more sensitive than some.

Fast forward then to 7 weeks on keto. I have lost zero weight, and although not my goal, a little bummed. I have a very small frame so 110 is actually heavy for me. My legs have actually gotten thicker since doing keto, and not due to exercise.

Last night, after a rough week at work I enjoyed a 4oz glass of wine and also had some Lily’s chocolate. That is the largest carb intake I’ve had in the 7 weeks by far. I had a nice dinner of sauteed shrimp in olive oil, eaten with avocado and lettuce wraps. I was very full after dinner.

I woke up at midnight STARVING and ate quite a bit. Woke up again at 6am starving and feel like I’m right back to square one! Have i maybe not even successfully been in ketosis? Did the wine and chocolate just temporarily disrail and then how do I correct? thank you!

(LeeAnn Brooks) #2

5’2” and 110 pounds? I’m sorry, but even with a small frame that’s pretty damn small. I’m 5’2” and small framed and wearing size 2 by the time I get down to 115. I’ve never been below 109 my adult life and it was really underweight for me. My rib cage was complete bone and sticking out.

How much weight do you want to take off?

Could you be hungry because you’re not eating enough? How many calories are you consuming a day?

I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be so critical. I’m just wondering if you have unrealistic expectations for your body. It’s hard to go underweight with Keto, so you may not be losing because your body is already at where it wants to be.

(Amanda ) #3

I do feel that was a bit harsh! I do understand tho - looking at the numbers, it can sound ridiculous. But I have a belly that flops over my pants and my thighs rub together which is uncomfortable and not how I am used to being shaped. Forgot to say I am 41. This new 10 pounds appeared over the last year. I have no desire to be sticks and stones, just fit back into my regular clothes. It’s really like the numbers on a scale are complete garbage since all body shapes are so different!

According to MFP, I eat about 1800 calories a day on keto!

(LeeAnn Brooks) #4

I appogize for being blunt. It’s simply hard for me to fathom that much difference in a 5’2” frame where 18 pounds (I’m 128 as of this morning) would make that drastic of a difference. My goal weight is 120, which should bring me back into wearing size 4 for most my clothes.
Actually, I may not need to get down to that as I’m noticing I’m fitting into clothes I normally couldn’t at the same weight when I did LF diets. Even some of my size 6 clothes are already fitting loose.
Im 44 years old.

Perhaps what you need more than weight loss is body reconfiguration. Like I stated above, I’m smaller than I was at the similar weight on LF. If the scale stays the same but your size goes down, will you have considered that a success?

(Sarah Slancauskas) #5

I’m 5’2" and weigh 49kg (110lbs) and feel I could happily drop a couple more and still be a nice weight. I wouldn’t consider it too small, especially if she (like me) has a petite frame. You feel every single bit of weight if you’re petite. I’m hoping to get to 45kg (about 100lbs). I’m not desperate for it but that’s my ideal weight!

(Amanda ) #6

Yes, I’d be fine with putting away my scale and having weight shift around to wherever but preferably not on my gut! Clothes are definitely not loose. LOL.

(LeeAnn Brooks) #7

I would suggest to start taking measurements. My weight has been going down slowly, but I was shocked last time I check my measurements at how much they had changed for the better.

(LeeAnn Brooks) #8

I want to apologize again for my tone. I’ve had problems with eating disorder in the past and I placed my own personal experiences onto you. When I was 109 I was extremely unhealthy.

I should know by now that everyone isn’t different.

(Amanda ) #9

No worries at all. I appreciate you weighing in. I did not mean to offend anyone out there struggling with weight loss. I weighed 40 pounds more than this in high school but once I was able to get out of my house and make my own food, I’ve never been that heavy again (except pregnant). I totally get it.

#10

Over the long haul, adhering to a LC diet should increase carb tolerance, not decrease it. Alcohol and carbs both effect ketone levels, but dosage varies individually, and its impossible to determine the degree without testing. The best tool for this is a blood ketone meter.

Perhaps you’re at the appropriate weight, but have a higher body fat than you’d like. If that’s the case, IF and resistance training may be more effective at body recomposition for you.

(Amanda ) #11

IF is definitely my goal! I will keep working towards it. I am just flabbergasted at people that can fast for so long. I can’t even do 12 hours yet without getting shaky and feeling starving!

(LeeAnn Brooks) #12

I thought the same thing. First I thought “how can I go without breakfast.” Then I found one day it was pretty easy to skip breakfast, so I went to TMAD with a 16:8 IF schedule.
Then one day I was doing a ton of yard work and forgot to eat lunch. That was my first OMAD.
EF still seamed impossible and people were talking about going multiple days. It sounded crazy.
Then I inadvertently had a whole day without eating, so I thought “what the hell, let’s give it a shot.” And I went 40 hours.
Then I did my first planned EF and just broke it this morning after 60 hours. It was actually pretty easy. I only broke because I was too tired, not because I was hungry.
So I fed today with two meals and I’m going to start fasting again tomorrow.

In time it will come. But for now, don’t go hungry. It should be a natural progression. Don’t force it before your body is ready. If you’re finding yourself too hungry, either go back to 3 meals or ramp up what you’re eating to see if that carries you through to your next meal. Remember, fats will satiate you better, so be sure you’re getting enough of them.

You can do this!!!

#13

I feel you, an extra ten pounds can easily become twenty and then you spiral out of control. Best to nip it in the bud before it becomes a problem.

(LeeAnn Brooks) #14

One more thing. That shaky feeling could be your electrolytes.
There’s an easy way to check. If you start to feel shaky, suck on a little salt. If the feeling goes away in a few minutes, it’s definately an electrolyte imbalance.

(Amanda ) #15

Oh wow, ok! I have been drinking one electrolyte enhanced beverage a day but I will definitely try that. That could make sense because it is usually in the morning and I probably am a bit dehydrated and low on electrolytes early in the a.m.

(LeeAnn Brooks) #16

Yes. I usually have 3 per day. If it’s a long run day for me, I may have more.

(Amanda ) #17

I hadn’t ever conceptualized it like that - body recomposition as opposed to weight loss. thank you.

(Amanda ) #18

Oh wow, 3 per day! Good to know. And it’s really hot here now so sweating more. Hope I can get some long runs in soon.

(Mel Simpson) #19

I am 5 feet 1 and 1/2 in tall and weigh 140 lb. I feel I am almost at my goal weight and can’t imagine weighing 110 lb anymore. I think my face would really start sagging. I wear a size 2 to a size 6 and a jean size of 24 to 26. It just goes to show everybody has a different body. My original goal weight was 135 but now I think it will be 1 25. I used to be 108 and felt just right at that weight I can’t imagine being that weight now and wouldn’t want to be. However everyone has to feel comfortable at the weight that they are at. Good luck to you. Make sure you’re looking at your body rather than the numbers which it sounds like you are doing. If your stomach is hanging over your pants and of course you are going to want to do something to make that not happen whether it is exercise or dropping a few extra pounds of fat.