53 yo female here reporting in on my success over the last month of Keto. I’ve been compliant with my goals 99% of the time even with being on vacation for two weeks of the last four ie. less than 20 carbs daily (many less than 10 carbs), 100 or more fat grams daily and around 55 grams of protein. I am grain and dairy free due to food allergies. I did have a glass or two of cabernet every few days but stayed in ketosis according to the urine strips. I naturally ate on a 16:8 or 18:6 IF schedule. No hunger at all. Blood glucose numbers looked fabulous. Weight loss is 11.2 pounds although most of that was lost in the first two weeks. I also lost 5 inches!
About 10 of those pounds lost had been gained over the summer while I was traveling to France and several other trips. So I’m basically where I started weight-wise at the beginning of the summer at 155. Getting below 150 has been a challenge for me but I’m going to KCKO. What adjustments or advice would you suggest for me for month two? Reducing carbs more? Ditching my beloved glass of wine? Longer fasting periods? I get my 10,000 steps in almost every day and do some yoga. (PS. I have Hashi’s and PCOS. I was taking Metformin for the PCOS but stopped it this month due to low glucose readings and eating only 1 or 2 meals a day.) Thanks!
One Month Report
Great to see those numbers. Especially in a 53 year old female. It can be tough for many older females. (Not implying you’re old. I’m old. You’re not. But, you are older than everyone that is 52 or younger)
Yes, I expect the metabolism to be a bit slower and weight to be more stubborn at this point. Peri-menopause, the thyroid condition and PCOS all work against releasing pounds. I have so many non-scale victories though. But that darn scale…*&#$%! Thanks for chiming in.
Great progress!
I’m a newbie as well, and I wish I had stayed compliant during my camping trip this weekend as you did on your vacation 
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I also have a hell of a time getting out of the 150s, so I am cheering you on 
Congratulations, @Aimingfor139! The NSV are amazing!
I’m a few days behindi you, and will report soon.
Will continue to cheer you on!
Congratulations! Those are pretty amazing numbers. I wish I could cut my carbs that low!
All 3 are good options. Also make sure you are feasting when not fasting. Continuous calorie restriction will only force your body to reduce its BMR. Switch it up, keep it guessing. When I hit a weight stall the first thing I do is stop all restrictions like EF but still follow IF for insulin stability. After a few weeks / 1 month I jump into AF / EF again the weight will move again. Life is about balance.
Aimeingfor139 Karen,
That glass of wine?
Ethanol, CH3CH2OH, is broken down into acetaldehyde, CH3CHO, which is toxic. Acetaldehyde is then broken down into acetate, CH3COO- which is finally broken down into carbon dioxide and water.
Ethanol will be metabolized before other sources of energy.
The science on the insulin response to the consumption of alcohol is mixed, at least according to the ADA, not that the ADA has any credibility. The Effect of Alcohol Intake on Insulin Sensitivity in Men
Personally, I have a major problem with wine, primarily that I do not employ the corkscrew as vigorously as is needed to keep from accumulating more bottles of wine than I can fit into my multiple wine refrigerators. One massive benefit to drinking wine is that Mrs. Hanson is very happy with a glass of red in her hand, or one in each hand.
If you stick to dry wines, consume moderately, and account for the calories, then a splash of wine is not much of a problem as long as you understand that the ethanol will be metabolized preferentially (your body gets rid of the ethanol first), but stay away from dessert wines, that delightful bottle of Château d’Yquem Sauternes or those wonderful bottles of Trockenbeerenauslese.
Congratulation on your progress!
À votre santé,
Richard
Thanks. I have a hard time feasting because I’m just not that hungry. I still manage to meet my daily macros. Calories stay pretty consistent with IF at 1300-1400 calories. I find if I eat earlier in the day, I have more hunger later. So how much increase in calories do you eat when you feast?
No dessert wines. Mostly Cabernet or red blends. I seem to stay in ketosis but I understand that alcohol/ethanol gets priority handling. Hubs and I enjoy visiting wineries and going to events where wine is celebrated. It’s some what of a social change which is the challenge. I suppose I could mix with sparkling water but I love big, bold reds! Nonetheless I’m reigning it in for November to test outcomes.
In vino veritas!
My Doctor told me not to drink my wine, but he is LDS. After a bit of research, I ignored that advice. I had planned to tell him that, as a devote to Dionysus, drinking wine was a fundamental religious obligation, but he was so happy with my progress at my one month followup he no longer had any issue with my glass of wine.
A weekend in wine country is one of the great joys in life.
Great job!! Congrats!
Good suggestions above.
I would think it’s still early- so you will likely see more benefits as time goes on.
After awhile you’ll want to think about maintenance and sustainability.
Good luck and KCKO!