New Guy just starting out and saying hi!

(Don) #1

Hello all! I just wanted to drop by and say hi! I find that if I do an introductory post, I am more apt to participate in other discussions. I haven’t started Keto yet…but will be in the next week or so. I need to get to doctor to let them draw some blood for lab results.

I go to the doctor about once every three months and get labs done. My Doctor has really been wonderful and is trying to work with me to tackle all of my health issues. Like about half of all the other 45 year old dudes in America, I have Metabolic Syndrome: insulin resistant, high blood pressure, high bad cholesterol, not enough of the good stuff, seasonal allergies…you get the picture. I’m on various meds and it doesn’t look like anything is changing much. I’m 6’3" and weigh 325 lbs. I carry ALL of my weight in my belly. Sound familiar?

Anyway, I decided that drastic measures need to happen. I went to my Optometrist about a month ago and weight loss came up. She asked me if I had heard about the Ketogenic Diet. She initially researched it because her husband has dementia but decided that she could benefit it also. From that I went on my on exploration to find info. Anyway…here I am…hopefully I can gain much information from the threads and all of your experiences.

Happy New Year…Don

(Marie Dantoni) #2

Happy New Year and welcome !

(Michael ) #3

Lol, that must be the problem I’ve had with physicians, i never asked the optometrist. :grin:
Good that you found a phd that’s open to science. Good luck with your journey. Lots of information in the archives here

(8 year Ketogenic Veteran) #4

Hey Don! Welcome!
Be sure and listen to the 2KetoDudes podcasts(the guys that started this forum). If you start with podcast #1 you will be guided through the process of going keto from the beginning.

Oh. And btw, if you go on the ketogenic diet and stick with it, have patience, ALL of your biomarkers of disease will disappear, including the visceral fat in your belly (that is what is making you sick). Read The Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung and listen to his podcasts as well. Fasting is the magic key to complete and optimal health.

(Michael ) #5

Not just the obesity code but his complete guide to intermittent fasting is superb

#6

Happy New year Don! Happy New you!!

#7

Welcome Don. Wealth of info here and lots of help.

#8

Happy New Year Don!
Measure your belly and get ready to be amazed at how much the Keto Lifestyle will love you. The people here are fantastic with a wealth of information and support and generosity. Think health.

(Darlene Horsley) #9

Happy New Year Don and welcome aboard!

(Don) #10

Thanks Brenda! I’ve already checked out the very first podcast. Answered a couple of questions I had. I told myself (and my wife) that I am giving this a real try for at least three months. In three months I go back to the doc and get a new set of blood tests. That will be telling. I’m hoping to lose some weight (or at least belly fat) in the process. If all goes even just moderately well…I will keep it up and go the long haul. I appreciate your input here. Really. Have a wonderful new year!

(Don) #11

Thanks!

(8 year Ketogenic Veteran) #12

Just promise you won’t be concerned about your lipids. They normally don’t level off until after 6 months on the ketogenic diet. If you stay truly low carb you will see your A1C go down. No doubt about it. If you’re lucky your waist will also get smaller your blood pressure will get better any sleep disorders will be resolved and your hunger should diminish.

(Don) #13

Sounds like a plan! Six months it is then!

(8 year Ketogenic Veteran) #14

Do you have a home blood glucose meter? You can buy one yourself pretty inexpensively at your local drugstore. My drug store sold one for $17 and it included 50 blood glucose strips. Your doctor could likely prescribe one for you and you could probably get it almost free . It’s worth asking. It can be very helpful so that you can watch your numbers go down. You can also use it to test your response to certain foods. Your average number will go down if you stay true to low carb. It will Trend down very slowly I suggest keeping a log. One of the very telling numbers will be your fasting morning blood glucose reading. the dawn effect causes a higher reading when we first wake up, and this number trending down shows a true reduction of visceral fat.

(Don) #15

No, I don’t have one…but I guess it is worth getting one, especially if they are that reasonable. I guess I always thought that blood glucose meters were super expensive.

I really appreciate all the help you have given me already!

(Consensus is Politics) #16

Welcome Home Don. Keto saved my life. It’s truly something amazing. Brace yourself, you are gonna get so pissed off at the establishment (government, medical community, nutritionists) for lying to you about things.

My HBa1c was 11.7%, it’s down to about 5.5% now after only 3 months.

Pay close attention to what thing like intermittent fasting (IF) is, it’s not as scary as it sounds. I’m doing it every day just because it actually feels right. I’m seldom hungry at all, unless I go for several days, and then it’s more of a “I really should eat feeling” than a “I’m starving” one.
For losing that weight, the number one most important thing to do is to keep your insulin output LOW, for as long a time as possible. Eating a typical 3 meal a day can prevent fat loss. You should consider one meal a day, or, just a 4 to 6 hour window where you eat. And don’t eat at all, or snack, outside that window so your insulin will stop acting as a traffic cop on your fat burning.

Calories, almost don’t matter at all. Don’t even count them. Rough idea of how many is fine, so that you at least eat enough. Eating fewer calories is not going to help you lose weight. Eating low carb, and then only within a certain time constraint (again, much easier than it sounds).

I lost 40 pounds in my first two weeks. I went zero carb (as close to zero as I could count anyway, not worrying about carbs from fiber or the less than 1 carb in my cream cheese or Heavy whipping cream. Just don’t have enormous amounts of those.

Take care! I’m sure you’ll have questions. Don’t be afraid to ask them! This is the best support group I could possibly imagine. These people are great!

(Don) #17

Thanks Bob! I really appreciate the information.

(Don) #18

Brenda, rereading your post got me thinking. So I checked my labs from July 2017 (last ones I have available to me), and it looks like my glucose levels are at 5.9%. Not stellar but not awful either…I think.

My insulin levels are a different story. Any way, do you still think I need a blood glucose meter? What about ketone strips or a breath analyzer. Going in for labs today and so I will likely kick off my keto lifestyle on Sunday or Monday.

(Joe) #19

Hey Don I’m new on this forum as well. Just started Keto today! Started listening to the 2 Keto Dudes podcast about a month ago in order to prepare myself for this journey. Good luck in your journey when you begin!

(Don) #20

Went to the doc to get my blood work done. I go to see her on the 12th for the results. But I decided that I am going to start things along this coming Monday. On Sunday, I will do all my measuring, weighing, and taking pics, as well as starting a journal. I will let you all know how it goes.