I'm suddenly gaining weight after 6 months on keto :(

#21

Great idea about the thread–thanks! Re: IF, Keto, and macros I’m wondering if there is another thread here, or research inclusive of people like me----having about 10-15 lbs of belly fat to lose, no medical problems, post-menopause, exercise regularly and “nothing seems to work any more”…

(Jana) #22

That would be me. I fit all of those except that EF does slowly bring the weight down. I end my 7-day water/tea/salt fast in a couple of hours. Then I plan to add more protein and less fat. I think a thread focused on slow weight loss would be great. I have some ideas and I’d like to hear what has worked for others.

(mole person) #23

This is my experience. I’ve done several 3-5 day fasts and I’m positive I’ve lost some muscle just based on strength differences when I next hit the gym. BUT, the muscle comes back super fast and I’m usually back to lifting the same weight as before the fast a week or two later. So the muscle loss from a 5 day fast is either minimal or you grow it back way faster than it went on originally.

As a caveat, I’m within ten pounds of my goal weight when I fast. People with more fat to lose may lose MUCH less muscle than people like me.

(Bunny) #24

Some questions to ask self?

  1. Half that weight you think your losing could likely be water retention weight despite how long you have been doing the ketogenic diet?

  2. Lifting weights? Muscle mass weight?

  3. It is not the weight lost from fasting or the calories your eating, it is the water your drinking that your seeing on the scale?

  4. Amount of both fat and protein eaten per meal may need to be adjusted if weight loss is the goal?

  5. Should you really worry about 10 pounds when half of it water weight?

#25

@atomicspacebunny Hi Bunny, I agree with the direction of your questions for many folks, but are these directed to Ilana? it sounds like she’s basing her muscle-loss hypothesis on her performance in the gym, not on the scale, and her observations fit the research. Also, unless I’m missing an earlier post, she’s not complaining about scale weight; she just used that to explain that she might have a different result from someone who has more fat.

@Ilana_Rose, thanks for chiming in. I find this so interesting!

#26

I’ve never fasted for more than 48 hours. Do you continue your workouts during the fast?

#27

@atomicspacebunny If your questions were directed at the original post (mine) I’ll answer them one by one with my thoughts.

  1. I’m not sure why I would suddenly be gaining 8 lbs of water weight, or alternately, lose water weight only and
    then gain it back. The weight is all in my belly (where I normally carry it).

  2. I’ve been lifting weights for years and years, and if I’d gained 8lb of muscle I’m hoping it would show up
    somewhere other than my belly.:rofl:

  3. Not sure what you mean.:confused::wink:

  4. Yes! Trying that next.

  5. Pretty sure it’s not water.

I appreciate your (and everyone’s) thoughts, and I apologise if your post was meant for someone else and I answered it anyway! lol

@Explorer a sloooooooowwww weight loss thread sounds great! Or maybe one titled “10-15 pounds to lose”?

(Jana) #28

I usually have no problems exercising during a fast, whether short or 7-day. Even during my water/salt 14-day fast last November I exercised everyday. If I recall, exercising while fasting also increases autophagy. The key factor is getting enough salt. So when I start to feel fatigue, I take more salt and water.

My daily routine of exercise includes 30 minutes of aerobics mixed with 2 minutes of HIIT (elliptical) every 10 minutes. (Soon I want to add resistance training of lifting weights.)

(Karen Parrott) #29

I really had to balance my fat:protein ratio AND time restrict my eating.

No joke. I was obese 40 years, normal weight now for 6 years. In years 4-5 of weight maintenance I started to regain. Upping my protein (still higher fat, but trading some) and adding early time restricted feeding (eTRF) in (I typically eat 18:6, six am) most days.

After for 4 decades of being the fat chick, I said “Oh HECK no” and took immediate action. No, a little bit of extra protein (beef or chicken or tuna) does not raise my blood glucose. It does seem to help with maintaining muscle mass (age 52, 5’1", menopause 4 years now)

Nobody will take your keto card away from you because when you eTRF, guess what you get? Ketones. Yeah. Just saying.**** Don’t tell the Keto Police and they won’t pester you.

This may or may not work for you, but don’t let anyone keep you from trying. Best wishes and check your liver enzymes while drinking and while not drinking. I’ve run into too many folks who have to drop alcohol completely because their biomarkers just get worse as they age and drink.

Let us know hw things are doing. I like Dr Naiman’s approach. I have a narrow window between body fat gain, so I have to work every single day on maintenance. 6 years, 5 months.

(Jana) #30

gardengirlkp I am so glad you posted here. It’s very supportive to hear from ketoers who have been overweight for decades and lost it all on keto. Then the weight starts to return. Your method of keeping the weight off sounds do-able.

Can you explain more about your fat/protein ratio? Your 18/6 window is very easy for me. What about dairy? Some people can’t handle dairy. I like it but do much better without it.

Do you exercise? If so, what kind and how often. I have heard that exercise is good for reducing insulin resistance and for building muscle but not so vital for losing weight.

I am so impressed with your results. :sunglasses:

(Jana) #31

Gardengirlkp, what is eTRE? I have not heard of that before.

(karen) #34

Keto to satiety with a 7 hour eating window, TMAD unless I fail to eat enough at lunch, keeps my weight steady. A 3 day tea-water fast will bring my weight down about a pound after the rebound, and I seem to be able to maintain the new weight with keto to satiety. So far so good, I’m curious to see if this keeps working for me.

(Maria W) #35

That’s good to know. I didn’t know it was so inexpensive. Do you find it worth it?

I have used that website for recipes. I really like their recipes.

(LeeAnn Brooks) #36

Diet doctor usually offers a 2 week free trial, and it comes with a customizable 2 week meal plan complete with shopping lists and recipies.

(Jana) #37

Maria and Annie, I joined dietdoctor.com about two months ago. The first month was free. Whenever I get a new email link, I do feel supported with knowledgeable and highly skilled doctors regarding keto. My keto lifestyle is very simple, so I don’t use recipes or meal planning from this site.

(Jana) #38

Karen,
I am very moved by your extraordinary achievement. There are several things that I’d like to share with you to give you some healthy food for thought.

I, too, include chocolate but in the form of powered cacao. I add it to my tea along with carob power. The carob is one of many ways I add pre-biotics.

You say you consider yourself to be a food addict. I, too, have had that view of myself. But lately I have been treating this condition with two methods, which have revised my view of the concept of being a food addict. I now have a much different view of myself and what’s truly going on.

I researched leading experts on the micobiome and began to relate to and feed the 90% of the cells in and on my body that are not human DNA. I feed these cells what will optimize a diverse and healthy micobiome. As a result my moods have profoundly mellowed and my food cravings have greatly reduced.

What motivated me to do this is seeing evidence that when the microbiome is dominated by harmful bacteria, it can dictate what you eat, feel and do. That alarmed me. Now I have a healthy, interdependent relationship with the microbiome that I carry around with me and I have far less cravings.

Secondly, I started a cleansing process, using the book called The Prime, by a Californian Neurologist. I used it for three months and will repeat it twice a year during the spring and fall. I still continue some of the remedies throughout the year. I highly recommend going through this method of cleansing. There are several remedies that are adaptagens, like Ashwaganda. It is simply amazing at curbing cravings. I add it to my tea twice a day.

Just some tips to consider. :blush:

(Karen Parrott) #40

@loosewire let us know how it works for you. I deleted my other post as I don’t think they really added to your original question KCKO

(Pan Dulce) #41

@loosewire I know it’s a bit late, but how did it go? I’m having a similar experience (though I am thinking maybe mine has something to do with drinking Ultima electrolytes powder everyday). I’d love to know what you tried and how it went!
And happy New Year!