Posting for accountability really
So, backstory I am a cyclist who for years has eaten the standard high-carb pasta and rice based diet that we all seem to follow. But I also struggle to take in food while riding, always have; it makes me a bit nauseous. This has been a limiting factor for me.
So the switch to Keto was an experiment to see if I could switch myself to fat burning, this would negate the need to eat while riding to some degree, Also I should disclose that I am considered heavy for a bike-rider, probably 30lbs more than my buddies, but my legs are strong, so I keep up.
I have been trying for 20g carbs a day and usually missing by 3-4 grams, but recording Ketones of between 0.2 and 0.4 on the meter and stick. I have however struggled to get my fat intake above 50% - I suspect years of programming are still pushing me towards the leaner cuts of meat. Most of my fat is coming from full fat yogurt and avocados.
Lots of positives so far - firstly is weight loss, 19 lbs in the first month, so I am now getting towards where the rest of my gang is weight wise, this wasn’t my primary goal but it is welcome. I also now have a lot more energy day to day.
One strange non-scale victory is that My hair, skin and nails seem to be in better condition than they have been in years, this could be down to me supplementing collagen, but the difference seems to large to be down to this alone.
However there are negatives; remember that 19 lbs I lost? its not all been fat, my peak wattage has dropped off by about 5% and the Garmin scales confirm that some muscle has gone - only to be expected I suppose.
In terms of cycling overall, its not been good. For the first two weeks I could barely ride my bike - for the first week I couldn’t even complete a 45 minute Peloton workout that I do every morning as a wake-up. And on the road even a flat 5 mile spin was killing me.
But it is coming back now, my watts are still showing low, but I am back to being able to ride for 2-3 hours, although not quite as fast just yet, I seem to have lost all ability to sprint.
I am going to keep at it, I am not super-concerned about any further weight loss, but I now need to read up on maintaining and indeed growing muscle mass, I would like to get leaner, but not necessarily lighter if that makes sense.