Wanted to offer some encouragement, as well as a dose of caution, to folks who are new to the Ketogenic way of eating (WoE).
Going Keto, particularly if you’re not coming from a similar discipline like low-carb, or paleo, can have its challenges.
Those of us who’ve been doing it for a while can be pretty enthusiastic in our promotion of keto, which may at times make it seem easier than it really is.
Here’s the thing. Keto is easy, until it isn’t, and then it is again.
What do I mean by that?
Any time we start something new, particularly something that we perceive to be good for us, we’ve got a deeper reserve of willpower and enthusiasm that will carry us through the first phase of trying to build that habit. And, as it happens, keto has some seriously yummy and satisfying foods to sample, so between those two things, the first week or so of keto can feel like a breeze. Most people drop several pounds almost immediately as they burn off glycogen (and dump water), so there’s a short-term “win” feeling, too.
Then, things can get hard. Many people hit the dreaded “keto flu” when their bodies aren’t yet fully-adapted to making and burning ketones instead of glucose, yet they’ve drastically cut back their supply of glucose. This can include tiredness, dizziness, and generally feeling crappy. Most of these symptoms can be eased with some bone broth, or supplementing salt (salt water), etc., but it still stinks.
On top of that, if you don’t have a ready store of keto-friendly recipes, the meal plan can get a little boring. While it sounds wonderful to have bacon and eggs every morning, most of us enjoy some variety, too.
And at the same time that the keto flu hits, for many folks the weight loss stops, or slows significantly.
This is the point where many people get frustrated, and some quit, thinking that Keto doesn’t work.
DON’T DO THIS!!!
Once you get past this point, things start to get easier. When you have become fat-adapted, you will have more energy, and feel better, and probably far better than you did eating carbs.
And when you have been eating keto long enough for it to become a habit, something that is simply how you live, you won’t struggle with cravings (not as much, anyway), and you will be healing your body.
As has been observed in many threads already, each of us is slightly different. Younger folks, in general, will probably find it easier to lose weight more quickly on keto, while those of us who are a little more…seasoned…sometimes need to throw in intermittent fasting, or extended fasting, to get the fat mobilized.
At the end of the day…if you’re just getting started, be prepared for there to be challenges along the way. You may have some slip-ups where you indulge in carbs and end up regretting it. Or you may just be wishing that you didn’t have to eat defensively at restaurants, or read the labels on everything carefully to avoid hidden sugars. That stuff is a pain. But it’s worth it. Keep Calm, and Keto On, and you will be building a habit that promises good health, and a hopefully longer, healthier life.
It’s worth it.
( I’m in my 4th month, in the 2nd I lost almost 20# and felt the no hunger, more energy part then it stopped. I did not fall off the wagon or start eating carbs again. The next month only lost a pound, now I have gained back 4! I hate tracking but try to, when I track I don’t go over the carbs, and I am always way under on calories. I have not been able to fast because I am hungry all the time now. But I can’t eat a large amount at one sitting, I am a life long grazer and really fighting to change the bad habits of inbetween meal snacks. Getting discouraged.