Starting with the keto lifestyle

#1

Hi, my name is Michael and I’m 23 years old. I’m a very sporty person. Anyway my goal is to live a healthy life and get even more in shape.

I’ve heard a lot about the ketogenic diet. However I would love to learn from you all.

Cheers,

Michael

#2

Hey, Michael. Welcome to the forum, and the keto lifestyle!

God, I wish I had started a healthy lifestyle at your age. I’ve told people many times, since starting keto, I feel 10 years younger than I did 10 years ago. It’s true that keto has changed my life for the better, and I am thankful to have a more hopeful outlook of my health for the future.

It’s very encouraging to hear from people your age being concerned about their health and taking action to achieve that. I would say that is the first step in any education; that will to act. There is much we can learn from each other around here. Just stick around, and you’ll be teaching us something new.

(Michael - When reality fails to meet expectations, the problem is not reality.) #3

I started keto at the age of 71, 3 1/2 years ago. It was the best thing I ever did for myself. :sunglasses:

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #4

Welcome to the forums! At your age, I could eat anything I wanted without gaining weight, but at a certain point in my thirties, the pounds started accumulating, and I wasn’t putting on muscle! I wish I had known about the ketogenic diet back then, it would have saved me a lot of grief. By embarking on a ketogenic diet at your age, you are doing yourself a greater service than you may realise.

The key is to greatly reduce your carbohydrate intake, and to listen to your body. Calories are not as important as what foods we eat, since the body’s hormonal response to the kinds of food we are eating will determine whether we store fat or metabolise it. As long as you stick to modest quantities of leafy greens and above-ground veg (i.e., avoid starches, legumes, and grains, and above all, avoid sugar in all its forms), you should be fine eating as much protein and fat as you are hungry for. Eat when hungry and stop eating once your hunger is satisfied. There is more you can do to optimise your health, but doing just this much will go a long way to keeping you happy and healthy.

#5

Hey Darren

Thank you so much for your encouraging words! I look forward to being part of this forum to learn from more experienced people!

Wish you the best.

#6

Thank you so much for your advise. I’m started a few weeks ago to reduce carbs. At the beginning I felt like something is missing because I do a lot of sport. But now my body gets used to it and it feels great.

Cheers, Michael

(Michael - When reality fails to meet expectations, the problem is not reality.) #7

You may find this study of interest.

Keto feels strange to some folks at first not only because you’re no longer eating a lot of stuff you’d been eating before, but also because many folks go through a phase of carb withdrawal where the body actually experiences deprivation and craving for the old foods. It’s very comparable to overcoming an addiction. You’re very young so I don’t expect you will have much difficulty making the transition successfully. I did at my age without a glitch. :wink: