Multiple questions from a newbie

(Chelsea Barnett) #1

Okay So here’s a bit about myself. I’m 25. 5’3. Weighing 186. I walk atleast an hour a day and I take care of my kids all day but that’s all the exercise I get. I previously lost 27 lbs by counting calories but I wanted to try the low carb bc I’ve heard so many success stories. So far, day 4 and I’ve yet to lose a whole pound which was discouraging because I was losing 2 lbs weekly with calorie counting but I think I’ve been retaining fluid bc of all the sodium I’ve been consuming since switching to lo carb. But anyways…here are my questions

Can you lose weight without eating a lot of fats…or are fats crucial for weight loss on keto ?

I started yesterday with seeing stars or flashing lights whenever I go from standing to sitting or vice versa. Could this be from my drastic diet change or should I consult with my eye doctor?

Do you guys count net carbs or total carbs?

My goal is under 20 carbs a day and first two days I did total carbs… yesterday i counted net carbs. But I want to be strict with this and not cheat so I was wondering if I should stay under 20 total carbs or 20 net carbs daily?

Any other tips or advice is appreciated

Oh and I had another post earlier about restless body…worse at night time. So if anyone else went through this…can you tell me how long it lasted for you

Thanks so much and I’m so excited to start this weight loss journey and life style change:)

(Ron) #2

This is a great place to start.
http://pwop.com/download/TheKetogenicDietInANutshell.pdf

(Edith) #3

The dizziness/flashing lights upon standing/sitting is most likely due to low blood pressure. Keto is very diuretic, and as you lose fluid, you lose electrolytes as well. You need to up your sodium to 5g or a little over 2 teaspoons of salt a day. Besides eating salted food, I get another 1.5 teaspoons through drinking salted water or bouillon every day. In fact, as long as you eat this way, you will need approximately 5g of sodium a day.

The restless body is probably from magnesium deficiency. It is another electrolyte we need to replenish, about 400mg/day. Magnesium helps muscles relax - all muscles. You will want to find a magnesium that is bioavailable to keep from getting the runs.

Gotta go, I’ll add more later when I have time or someone doesn’t chime in.

(Chelsea Barnett) #4

Thanks !

(Chelsea Barnett) #5

Thanks so much. Multiple people have suggested magnesium so I am going to try to get out and purchase some today! :slight_smile:

#6

Be careful of the type. I forget which is best, some will give you the runs others will not

(Edith) #7

This blog from Swanson’s Vitamins may help.

https://www.swansonvitamins.com/blog/chelsea/magnesium-types-compared

(Chelsea Barnett) #8

For anyone who remembers this post. I went to my doctors yesterday bc I was still having the dizzy spells and turns out my blood sugar is just really low and I’m dehydrated. Told me to push fluid and make sure I eat often.