How long to stay in ketosis?

#1

So it seems on this forum, most people are doing Keto as more of a lifestyle than a 21 day thing. I have heard a lot of conflicting opinions about how long to stay in Ketosis. I’ve heard that it can be damaging to stay in it too long, does anyone have any thoughts on this?

In one of my books it says to “carb up” two days a week, (Dr. Mercola) He essentially says this because “…if your insulin levels remain low for a long period of time, your liver won’t get the message to stop making glucose, and this will drive up your blood sugar levels.” (Fat for Fuel Ketogenic Cookbook, Dr Mercola, pg.4)

But some of the topics here say that going over on carbs one day makes them feel sick.

Just curious if anyone else has come across this info and what they transition into as a lifestyle. And when to transition?
Thanks!

(Alan Williamson) #2

Carbs are for suckers. Low insulin level will lead to good health outcomes. The bottom line is that it depends on a person’s priorities. What are they looking to do?

(Michael King) #3

My personal experience has been that if you only attempt to “go into ketosis” five days a week and out the other two days then you will basically torture yourself. You may not even get into ketosis in the first five days. There is some variation you will discover in your journey of eating ketogenic in how you may want to do it.

There are many transitions I’ve discovered in my short year of doing this and it is basically that if you want to change your body in a permanent way you must do intermittent fasting and preferably work up to 24 hour plus extended fasts. I choose to come out of ketosis after being in for a month or more. Transitioning into a lifestyle of keto only forever is not for me. I fast so that when I get out of ketosis I don’t really gain anything back. And when I’m in ketosis or not in ketosis 99% of the time I only eat in a window of 6 hours (1PM-7PM).

For me this works well. I eat cake on birthdays, drink a coke every once in awhile, and I never feel guilty nor do I gain any weight back.

#4

Thanks for the feedback:)

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #5

Being a sugar addict, I don’t think that it is safe for me to eat a significant amount of carbohydrate without bad effects. I plan to remain ketotic for the rest of my life. Since I love bacon and I love losing weight without ever feeling hungry, I expect to enjoy the remainder of my life, however long or short it may prove to be.

#6

For myself:

  • Keto is a lifestyle decision, based upon sustainable benefits.
(Empress of the Unexpected) #7

I don’t want to go back to rice, potatoes, bread, pasta. Entire bag of potato chips, never. Maybe tacos twice a year, but: I am trying to make sure I don’t become diabetic, and trying to lower my tryglicerides. Meat, fish, berries, nuts, seeds, dairy. That is a balanced diet.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #8

And above-ground veggies.

(Consensus is Politics) #9

Here here! I feel the same way, Paul. I’d add one more thing to the losing weight part. Not needing to do exercise to get it to come off! :cowboy_hat_face:

I have a stationary bike: boring. I hate running. Bicycling in this area is dangerous. So now I get all my exercise putting the smack down on the Horde. It may not be very physical, but can get very mentally challenging.