Hi Everyone;
I’ve been reading on the forum for about two weeks now and really enjoyed the content and the atmosphere of this list. I have also already learned a great deal from you, and I would like to join the discussion.
As the title implicates, I’m female, 54 years old, 5’ 6" tall, and I’ve been keto since Oct. 15–six weeks more or less, and have been doing well with a drop of 23 pounds (starting weight 205) as of today. (Seeing that 182 on the scale felt very good this morning).
I’m currently in lazy-keto mode, keeping exercise fairly minimal, and getting lots of extra sleep. One thing I’ve been learning from this list and my other research is that moderation is the better path and not going all-out on exercise, although I’m very muscular naturally (I squat about 90 pounds and deadlift around 280)
I feel much better in terms of reduced inflammation / bloating, better sleep, and great energy with a relatively painless fat-adaptation. I am no stranger to fasting and paleo, but had lost my way and was eating way too many carbs and was often having beer on weekends even though I know it doesn’t agree with me.
I’ve been off bad fats, sugar, and processed foods for many years with some relapses, but my belly bloat has been with me for twenty-plus years due to the stress of care-giving alone a difficult parent for several decades and working in a job with not much security as the sole wage-earner in my family.
I love trail running but had to sideline last year due to a knee injury which is still stiff–I’m hoping keto will help that.
I consume quite a bit of produce and the farmer’s market is my favorite place to shop, and I have always eaten good-sized portions, but recently I am feeling happier and less-stressed focusing mainly on meat and animal products. I am eating much smaller amounts and feeling very little hunger so compliance has been relatively easy. I find, however, I don’t want vegetables lately and I greatly value the easy prep, little waste, and very satisfying feeling of eating nearly all meat. I love fat and and have never been afraid of it–no low fat anything pretty much in my life so that is not a problem for me.
My general questions, if anyone can share some experience and wisdom are:
- What would be a good way to start my trail running again (but at a walk) in terms of frequency and heart rate? (i.e. more of a very light and relaxed interval or low / slow)
2.Would going mostly zero-carb be appropriate for me given my age, menopause, and weight-loss goals?
3.What would be a reasonable initial goal given my typical weight the past twenty years has been between 180-195 pounds?) I know it is individual, and I am really doing well in clothing fit–down from a size 11 to 9 and really headed towards 7 in pants, though upper body and torso still “thick”.
- I enjoy fasting and really want to do it, but I don’t want to “rush” my process and since I’m getting good results with simple eating window restriction (16-8 mostly, with two meals per day, quitting before 4-5 in the evening) Does it make sense to keep doing as I am, or to start getting the fasting days happening in Dec.?
I’m a patient person, but want to maximize what I can. . .