Should I Keto?

#1

Trying to lose weight as well as build body muscle. I’m not sure if I am in Ketosis (considering buying Ketostix to check) but I’ve been eating about 1200 calories a day and about 50% protein (taking Isopure whey isolate with water)~ 130 g of protein, and then half and half carbs and fats so about 30 g of each. I know my carb intake should be lower but with the hour of kickboxing and body weight training I do everyday plus cardio through running for 30 minutes or biking, I was told to up my carbs. I haven’t had any success losing weight but I am getting stronger/more muscular.

The supplements I take are CLA/L-Carnitine BPI Health with my Super Max Pre-Workout, a multivitamin, B Complex and Green Tea ECG Extract as well as my Isopure protein shake.

I would like to lose weight (about 20 pounds or so). I’m about 140 pounds and 5’4 and was recently diagnosed with PCOS. I’m considering switching to a Keto Diet and would like any advice because regardless of how strict my diet is, I am unable to lose weight.

(Mike W.) #2

I’m sure more people will chime in, but I would drop your carbs to 20 (they’re non-essential and you don’t need them to workout), cut your protein in a bout half and quadruple your fat. Step one is being fat adapated and teaching your body to burn fat. I guess the biggest question is, are committed to this way of eating for life? Chances are if you start eating carb heavy again all the weight will come back.

(Kristin Rogers) #3

PCOS is reason enough to go keto. It’s really good for that, as PCOS is a condition caused by high insulin levels/insulin resistance, and keto (especially with intermittent fasting). Lots of folks with infertility related to PCOS find pregnancy success after going keto (so be careful if that is not your wish)

If you were to go keto, I would second the call to decrease carbs to 20 a day, and probably lower the protein too.

My inclination is to advise lowering your exercise load while shifting your diet to one lower in carbs and protein and higher in fat. I think that you need a period where your calories may be higher (don’t count them) and filled with lots of fat. As long as your insulin is high, it is hard/impossible for your body to access your fat stores for energy. I think giving yourself the chance to get fat adapted will be worth it long term for weight loss and health.

Eat lots of fat, don’t take protein shakes and give it a little time, maybe while taking it easy at the gym for a few weeks until you get that keto feeling – where you don’t need to eat because your body can use it’s fat reserves.