No power in legs?

(David) #1

Hi to all. I go be TWTourist on most sites. I started on Keto for weight loss but gain so much more. I’ve lost about 45 lbs and 4-5 inches off my waist. My A1C has gone from a 7.0 to a 4.8. All of which has put a big smile on my face. The problem is I went for my first bike ride since starting the keto diet and had no power/strength in my legs. The first hill I came to I stood up and my thighs screamed NOOOOO. What is going on? It’s been about 3 years since I’ve done a century ride and very little riding in the last two years. My HR was low. Breathing was steady. Just had no strength in my legs. Any ideas as to what is going on or help is appreciated.

(Allie) #2

How long have you been keto? Sounds as if you’re still going through adaptation as performance does tend to dip, but comes back up. Using a good quality salt pre-workout is likely to make a big difference if you’re not doing it already.

(David) #3

Since the beginning of Dect. I’ve also started weight training about 3 weeks ago. I don’t use any pre or post workout drinks since I’m trying to do all my workouts in fasted confition.

(Allie) #4

Salt is just salt, not a preworkout drink, just regular salt. it will not break your fast but will help your performance.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #5

If your problem is that hypovolemia is inhibiting your performance for the first 40 minutes of a ride, that is cured by drinking some bone broth 30-45 minutes before getting started, to bring your salt and fluid levels up.

If your problem is that your performance level is bad throughout your workout, then it’s becuase you are not fully fat-adapted yet and should ease up until you are.

Fasting will be easier if you wait until full fat-adaptation, as well. Also, bone broth does not break a fast, and it’s a good idea to have a cup each day—especially if it’s homemade broth, because it will have magnesium and potassium as well as sodium in it, if you simmered the bones long enough.

(Chris) #6

Could this not have something to do with it, in addition?

(David) #7

Thank you for the replies. As for salt, I have not use table salt since I was about 7 or 8 years old. Back then it was believed to lead to heart disease. The doctor took it away from my dad after his open heart surgery and he took it away from the family. BTW I’m 56 now if it makes a different. I do take a potassium and magnesium pill twice a day. I’ll check into is bone broth. My riding partner thinks I lost to much weight too fast and just lost muscle. I was fine going down hill and on the flats but as soon as we got to an incline. He would drop me. :frowning:

(Chris) #8

Table salt is just chemically treated salt that has sugar in it. Next time you’re at the grocery store, look at the Morton’s label and you’ll see things other than salt in it, such as dextrose. Humans can’t even use the artificially inseminated iodide present in table salt. You need sea salt from ancient seabeds, and no it will not cause heart disease.

(David) #9

It can. But I wouldn’t believe it would not be this big of a problem. I would hope I could handle a few hills before my legs started to cry.

(Chris) #10

I would definitely try the sea salt then.

(Allie) #11

That’s why I said to take a good quality salt. Table salt is crap. Sodium is ESSENTIAL, especially with any sort of activity that pushes your body…

(David) #12

Yes the medical community is better informed about salt and heart disease now. But since I lost my taste for salt as a kid I never bought any as an adult. I’m getting more information about sea salt and pink salt since a lot of people add it to their Keto diet.

(David) #13

Thank you for the video. That was very interesting and informative.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #14

Your profile says you only started a ketogenic diet in December—that’s barely long enough to adapt your muscles to metabolizing fat. Give yourself a couple more weeks at least. Your performance will come back, it just takes some people longer than others.

(Scott) #15

I am a runner and it took me three full months before I could run five miles without my legs crying. You will get past this and it will hit you one day “hey my legs are okay and I feel great”

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #16

Thanks for chiming in, Scott. See, David? I told you it would be okay!

(KetoQ) #17

Hi David –

Congrats on the weight loss. With respect to the lack of leg strength, perhaps you just need to rebuild it – after all, it was your first ride in two years. It may have nothing to do with the keto diet or salt intake at all.

The weight loss may correlate to some improved health markers like insulin sensitivity, but that doesn’t necessarily correlate with physical fitness. The reason I say that is from my own experience, I’ve lost 60 lbs the past year and have done a lot of walking and some biking, and as a result, my legs developed a bit more muscle and tone.

But it wasn’t until November that I rededicated myself to weight training and started a bodyweight squat challenge on this board, where I have really increased strength and muscle mass in my legs.

When I was on a swim team years ago, the coach would say the best way to get in swimming shape is swim training, not running. So my advice is to put in the miles and hill training on the bike to get you back to where you were.

Good luck,
Q

(David) #18

Paul I did not think about hypovolemia. That may be part of the problem. I donate plasma twice a week.