Dear all, it is happening! Everything I was hoping when I transfered to keto and so much more. I am into keto 2 months now. Before that - I was eating some kind of paleo (no sugar, no gluten, occasionally sweet potato and some fruits). I am regular gym goer and runner, also I have autoimmune issues. My main reason for swithching to keto was to solve health issues, boost energy and endurance (I am full time secretary to the board in very large company with extremely demanding schedule, and I have family life - two kids, husband and a hunting dog). Around my First weeks of Keto I have experienced severe keto flu, extreme fatigue that was almost permanent the whole time and it was so heavy that I had problems at work. Besides that, I sucked at gym the whole time and my runs were crappy (I also opened the post here on that topic :)). I was tired all the time, nauseous, not able to function properly, sucked at gym…and I was ready to give up. But I didn’t because my Health issues were solved (I was asymptomathic from the First few days on keto). And I thought that everything will eventually settled into place. I got myself blood ketone meter and my ketones were always in the range from 0,9 to 2,7.
The whole time I was straight keto, no cheating. And finally, for the last few days I feel that something great is happening. First of all - my gym performance were improving and there was no crashes afterwards, then I went for a run and it was great! My speed and endurance were almost superhuman (considering the time before)!!! This past few days I am almost unstoppable. I have so much energy; I am productive, focused, always in action… no fatigue, no napping needs, I feel so light on my legs, no muscle pain after gym, no water retention! I am absolutely amazed with everything. Sorry for long post (I just need to share) and some typo’s (English is not my 1st language). Also - the message for all newbies: don’t give up! If you want/need - I can write what helped me and what I have learned/experienced through this 2 months. In the past I had one keto fail so now I know what I was doing wrong in the past.
It's happening! :) :)
@sonja0601 your story is spot on and hopefully it will inspire others starting out to keep with keto. It takes time to heal on the inside but it is so worth it!
I really have to say that I am amazed. I don’t have hunger attacks, I don’t feel “weak”, I am able to be more concentrated and somehow (I don’t know how to explain this) I feel light. This energy is overwhelming! I feel (and it is like that) like I don’t have the “pause” button 
But I have to admit that this transition period (and please note that before this I was almost a year gluten and dairy free!) was very hard for me. Not mentally (I don’t eat junk food or sweets due to my autoimmune illness for many years) but phisically. The weakness and fatigue was so hard that there were moments that I wasn’t able to get up from the chair at work.
I experienced the same fatigue. It was oppressive! I was running 4 miles, 3 times a week pre-Keto. After starting Keto, my runs got worse and worse until I could only speed walk (when I had the energy to do that). 4 weeks into Keto and yesterday I was finally able to run more than 2 miles. It’s going to take a while to build back up. I have a 5k this weekend, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to runnthe whole thing. Kind of disappointing since two years ago this was my very first 5k and I missed placing by about 20 seconds. After that I realized I could actually be competitive and started winning my races.
But now that Keto flu has subsided, I am pleased with how I feel and confident that I will get back to where I was and even better.
Three years (or so) ago I had my failed keto experience. I didn’t have the patience and I wasn’t informed well so I went for a 10k race with no adaptation and that was one of the worst experience ever. I mean, I almost colapsed at the end and don’t need to say that I finished the race last. Ok, only the 90 year old granpa (it’s true!!) was behind me :). Few days ago I went for a 10k run just from curiosity and to see if something has “moved” - and I was truly amazed. Like somebody turn the switch “power on” or “start engine” and I was running so light like never before. And I was able to control my tempo and breathing.
Just curious, were you keeping up with electrolytes? I faced the same issue at the start which was resolved by increasing supplemented magnesium and salt, and potassium rich foods.
I did. At least, I think I did. I was supplementing really hard with magnesium, lemon and salt water, potassium, all sorts of vitamins and supplements. But I think that didn’t worked for me. Keto flu and the fatigue were unbearable. As I said, there was some moments that I was feeling like a rag doll. No energy in arms, legs, no strenght to even get up from a chair. That was stage one, after 5 weeks I had much more energy but it seems like it was depleting quickly. For example - I went to gym and everything was great (and I thought: the strenght is back) but afterwards I was feeling crappy for few days. And by that I mean really crappy, like no energy, nauseous, headaches, water retention… I am now around two months into keto and it is working like magic 
So my point is that my body just needed to be adapted.
Exact same feeling here. I’m pretty sure I’m out of the Keto flu but I’m still building back up now. I have energy but my legs haven’t adjusted. I’m kniw I’m not fat adapted yet, so I’m sure this is the problem.
Oh, and I just got some new kicks. Didn’t realize how broken down my running shoes were until I tried on the new ones. So that should make a huge difference too come Sundays race.
One last note, try running completely fasted. As someone who had always run on carbs, it’s hard to think you shouldn’t get an energy source before a run. But trust me. You do not want to run after eating a Keto meal or even snack.
If you aren’t fat adapted yet like me, your energy levels probably won’t be where you want or need them to be, but it’s so much better than running with nausea. And eventually when you are fat adapted your body should run off your fat stores and not need an added fuel source.
I have noticed I do need to hydrate more now though. No used to only being water when I was running 5 miles or longer. In shorter runs, as long as I had a water bottle waiting formmw when I was done, I was good. Now I get so parched I have to sip about every 1/2 mile. I don’t really care for this change as I don’t like wearing a belt with my water bottle, but I have to right now. I also don’t like the feeling of sloshing in my belly if I sip too much. Hopefully this will also get better.
That’s great. I can’t wait to get to your stage. I am on day 4.
And your english is better than most people who’s first language is english!
As a matter of fact, most of my runs were always fasted. It’s something that has always worked for me. But in the early stages of keto, runs were impossible for me. Now those “keto heavy legs” are no longer the issue and it is really unbelivable how light I feel. This morning, at 6:00 AM I was with my dog in a long (3,5 miles) and fast walk and when we were done - I was almost sad because I was supposed to go to the work. I was feeling like I could and want to do another 3,5 miles :D.
For attention of Sonja0601. Interesting! Could you please help with an idea of a diet plan? I failed keto & I think it was because I was eating too much cheese & butter … I don’t go to the gym either …don’t know if I can succeed with just dieting! Did u control your portions too? I mean food portions.
Hi! As I wrote earlier - I have failed few years ago with keto because of too much dairy and too much protein and too little fats. Here in Europe dairy is packed with carbs and I didn’t pay attention to the labels. So this time I decided to cut out all dairy. Before switching to keto I was already eating paleo without grains, gluten and dairy - so that transition was pretty easy (mentally) to do. I don’t have any cravings for cakes or sweets of any kind because I don’t eat them for years now. I don’t eat breakfast either for the last 5 or 6 years so that part was also easy. Usually I drink my version of bulletproof coffee in the morning (coffee, 2 spoons of coconut oil, 1 spoon of coconut milk) and then I eat some version of lunch around 2 pm at work (2 hard boil eggs and some sardines or similar fish ) and then when I come home I eat the largest meal of the day (some meat or eggs, spinach, asparagus or zuchinni, lot’s of olive oil or pork rinds and maybe some fatbomb for dessert). And that’s it. I don’t count macros or anything - I just have the feeling what is enough for me. If I am hungry - I usually take one or two more fat bomb or cut some bacon stripes and piece of avocado. I am really regular at the gym and I run every week and taking daily long walks with my dog - so,honestly, I would advice some sort of activity. There is a lot of excercise programs that can be done at home. When I am short with time I do some kettlebell workouts at home and it is great.
But, the keto at first will deplete your energy levels so maybe it is best to start easy and concentrate to dieting. Hm… If you have some question - shoot. I will gladly answer.
You are giving me so much inspiration! And all the responses too. I am just starting and the last two months I have been a bit all over the place but I am starting a Keto program to help me stick to it. I ran a half marathon while in the start of Keto and I completely bonked at mile 8. Got my worst time ever in a half and felt awful so I kind of fell off. But lately I have been looking more into runner who Keto and I am truly motivated and know I must absolutely put the work in and stick with it through the flu and the rough patch to get to the good place. So seeing this really helped me. Thanks you so much. I am interested in you fueling or daily if you eat in a time window or intuitively. Plus you macros. Zero carb or allow a bit more or proteins stay moderate. I think my lifestyle is close to your. Demanding job and non stop. Thanks so much for you post!
Hi Monita. Thank you for your words. Honestly, there is no much inspiration - I am just being straight with my experiences. For me, the keto transition is/was very hard physically. As a matter of fact, after few great days (written above) yeasterday and this morning - I feel like crap again. Yeasterday afternoon I have experienced again some nausea and keto-fluish feelings but much lighter than some months ago. And I know that the adaptation is still in the progress. So I am expecting tommorow positive peak again ;). At the moment I cannot imagine to smell or eat coconut oil - I think I am going to puke :), later will be better. Regarding your questions - I don’t count anything. Sorry. It is just too much for me and my job is so dynamic that sometimes I don’t have the time to eat so macros don’t mean anything to me. Also, I am not into keto for weight loss. My carbs are pretty low and I eat some small amount of veggies only in the evening at home. Regarding the protein - since I don’t count or measure I rather stick with smaller amount so maybe that I am in deficit with protein, who knows? I eat aproximately 2 or 3 eggs a day plus some small piece of meat at home. Or, instead of that piece of meat - I eat small can of sardines in olive oil. The rest of everything is fat. Coconut oil, raw cacao, pork lard, olive oil… Literally. That is pretty much it. I dont eat brekfast for several (more than 10) years - instead I drink my version of bulletproof coffee without butter since I don’t eat dairy. i just put one or two spoons of coconut oil, 1 spoon of coconut milk and that’s it. That is the whole thing with my eating. And years before keto I was eating some version of paleo with the same food, but I had more veggies and occasionally sweet potatos and fruits. Because of my autoimmune illness - for the several years i dont eat any sugars, sweets, cakes, junk food or anything similar (frozen, precooked, made in the factory). I have the advantage to live in the part of Europe where we still have organic food straight from the land.
AWESOME SAUCE! Please mail a little of that energy over to … JK! 
I’m so glad you’ve “turned the corner.” KCKO!
Thanks for sharing your keto story. It really does help to hear what you went through, what you ate, and how long you felt sluggish. I had a couple questions but also think you need to eat a lot more greens and low carb veggies now that you’re adapted. How are you doing now?
I am also a trail runner, I take my dog with me, and a daily gym class goer. But lately I only do half the hiit w/ weights class because I think I’m over doing it. I love high intensity with long rests in between. I have over use injuries I’m trying to heal. I also love yoga!!
I was wondering were you able to workout out at the gym and do weights or anything in the beginning? I’m not sure if my macros are right to get into ketosis. I think my carbs, veggies are too high in the beginning. I’ve tried over and over to get into and stay in ketosis. But I don’t feel or see any progress on losing any fat so I cheat here and there and start over the next day. I am mostly just eating very healthy low carb foods, organic veggies, meats eggs, fish, some cheese and butter and nuts in moderation not daily cheese or nuts. Only 2 walnuts or 2 Brazil nuts.
I have tried my own version of bullet proof coffee with one tbsp of coconut oil, cinnamon, cloves, tumeric added and a drop or two of stevia. So good! But I went back to drinking black coffee in the morning before my workouts and fast daily until 12-2pm for health benefits. I try to only eat two meals a day, also for health reasons, but I do seem to snack btwn lunch and dinner sometimes and I’m not even hungry. I have two teenagers who constantly want and eat junk food. It’s really hard to be around it and not give in occasionally. I always make a healthy low can dinner for them nightly except on weekends.