Starting Keto January 1st

(Mike list) #1

Hello everyone
I have been tossing around the idea to try the Ketogenic diet with my girlfriend for a couple months now and finally we have agreed to start. I have found and been listening to the 2 keto dudes podcast and I love it. Just wanted to introduce myself and get involved in the forums.

(migorstmarseille) #2

Welcome aboard, @NjMike. You’ll find everything you’ll ever care to find here, some really great people, recipes, searchable database. It’s as satisfying as a rasher of bacon.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #3

Welcome to the forums. You don’t have to wait until the new year to start a ketogenic way of eating. Just saying. :grinning:

(Naomi Brewster) #4

But it’s a memorable date! I started 20/2/17 and still have to look at my diary to check the date.

#5

Why wait, start reducing your carbs now if for only the awareness.

(Mike Glasbrener) #6

Welcome. You’ll find great support here! Even if you don’t persue keto till January you can still toss trash carbs between now and then. It’ll help a lot when you start keto… Just a thought… If not you’ll still be fine. It’s only a couple of weeks or so till then.

(Rick) #7

If you start lowering carb consumption gradually over the next several weeks, your transition will be MUCH easier and your keto flu symptoms greatly reduced.

#8

You’ll wish you started today! Haha! Welcome aboard!

(Rob) #9

THIS!!!

(Mike list) #10

Thanks everyone for the welcome! I have started decreasing my carbs already and I’m not feeling bad about it!!! A little extra info, I am about 180lbs and I work a very Labor Intensive job. I’ve heard of Keto before and was just scared to try it as I have a huge sweet tooth but after reading and listening to some Keto centric podcasts I said screw it!!! And my girlfriend agreed. What should I expect??

#11

It takes many weeks for your body to ramp up fat metabolism. While ketosis will kick in right away to meet your essential needs, you’re not going to have the same level of energy you’re used to during the adaptation phase. While fasting isn’t required, I’d suggest restricting your carbs to one meal in the day while you adapt (no sugar in coffee, etc). That will recharge your glycogen so you don’t bonk on the job, but not eating carbs for most of the day will keep your insulin levels low, allowing body fat to be used.

Once you’re in ketosis, your body is going to excrete a lot more salts than you’re used to, including sodium, magnesium, and potassium. If you start feeling light headed this is likely the culprit. Your body will get better at holding onto these electrolytes, but you’ll have a much easier time if your body is fully charged at the beginning. You’re probably fine with sodium, but for potassium and magnesium, make sure you’re eating meat and/or plenty of leafy vegetables for the next couple of weeks.

For your huge sweet tooth, try eating an avocado when you get a craving. They have a bit of carbohydrate to get over the sugar craving, but they’re also full of fat to get rid of your hunger. If you’re working hard, you’ll burn through their carb content quickly and go back into ketosis. They’re also a great source of potassium, which can be a bit trickier to replenish than sodium if your options for grocery shopping at work are limited to a vending machine (if you start getting light headed, you’ll be glad for the potassium source). Cheese is another good option.

I find when I am in ketosis that I sweat much easier. You may have to hydrate more than you’re used to.

As you work a labour intensive job, your body will probably want to burn over 3000 calories a day if given the energy. If you’re getting most of that from fat, you’ll need at least 250 grams per day of fat, from your body or your food. Load up on salty, fatty food. As long as the carbs are low, your body will stop you from eating too much. I’d start eating one high fat, very low carb meal a day right away to teach your body to burn fat. Best would be the first meal of the day to extend the fat burning and ketosis that started during sleep. Go ahead and start your day with half a pound of bacon. Once you can have a breakfast like that and don’t hunger for lunch, you’re at the point where full-on keto will become easy.

#12

Welcome @NjMike!

Ive heard of Keto before and was just scared to try it as I have a huge sweet tooth…

Your sweet tooth may just end up loving The Keto WOE! Mine sure does. Check out recipes for Fat Bombs. There are plenty of low carb, low sugar ways to keep that sweet tooth happy, and prevent you falling off the wagon when you first transition over and still get the hankering. Im a former sugar addict and ive been doing Keto for barely two weeks. I wouldn’t have believed someone if they’d told me I could have gotten off the sugary stuff and (gasp) still actually really enjoyed food. My diet now feels more indulgent than it ever did in the past!

I didn’t do any easing into Keto. I went head first and cold turkey, and got quite a horrid ‘Keto flu.’ It was short lived though. Sounds like you will both have a good chance of a real easy transition because you’re going low carb already!

I posted a question last week about my current reaction to candy and chocolate, and you might find the discussion in there helpful too. Search for ‘candy tastes awful now’ and it should come up. I dont yet know how to link to other posts :smile:

I predict you and your gf are going to love it, and i hope you get to try out a few keto meals before Jan 1st too. (Psssst look up Fathead pizza, or Keto pizza. Delicious!)

All the best and I hope you post some updates!

#13

Start by attacking the sweet tooth. Clean out the pantry, fridge and freezer of anything that supported your sweet tooth. Start carrying a bottle of water and drop all soda, even diet anything has to go.

Your metabolism is probably very high, so the carbs will clear out quickly but your body won’t know how to back fill the missing carbs yet, at least not fast enough,

Pick a fat like avacodo, start eating one a day as you are reducing your carbs. Now your body has something to consume and convert as the carbs make their exit.

You’ve made the decision, now start removing items that will sabotage your progress and start implementing new good ingredients in order to form new behaviors and patterns.

Keep it simple, don’t over think everything, You have plenty of time to learn more.

Keto is a lifestyle more than a diet, you will make of it what you want. Once you start recognizing benefits you’ll really lean into the discipline and everything starts to become natural.

Welcome.

#14

Welcome! I’m new to. I have been KETOing for 40 days. Try to start with the acceptable foods list- many are online and keep it simple!! Its very fun :slight_smile:

#15

Hey @NjMike I second this one. Fathead pizza rocks, even my kids like it. Welcome and hope your transition goes well. My biggest hurdle was getting over the idea that I was going to suddenly drop dead from eating this way! :laughing:
Now I eat my sausage and overeasy eggs with a big smile and add salt to my coffee.

(Mike list) #16

I am already looking into Ketones and workout supps that won’t kick me out of ketosis once i am in. Do you guys and gals use Ketone supps? Eating Bacon and eggs for breakfast is maybe my favorite meal in the day…as for coffee i am not a fan but i will be trying to get into Keto coffee as it does sound delicious.

(Dan Dan) #17

“…as for coffee i am not a fan but i will be trying to get into Keto coffee as it does sound delicious”

I would not add an addiction to my diet if I was you :thinking:

The only supplements you might need are multivitamin/mineral, prebiotic with a probiotic and electrolytes :grinning:

I would start IF at the same time :smiley:

Keep it simple don’t make it harder than it has to be :wink:

Good luck and much success in your journey in IF/EF Keto WOE :grin:

#18

Yeah, ive heard its good as tea too. You could try it with something naturally caffeine free like Redbush/Roibois?

#19

@barefootbob and @NjMike

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I just attempted my first Fathead pizza and it turned out pretty darned deeeeelicious! Really simple plain cheese and herb. OMG this way of making pizza is the best!

Xo

(Mike list) #20

One that pizza looks amazing!!! Also is Keto Coffee that good? To call it an addiction makes it sound like it will hook me quickly.