Still struggling with energy

(David) #1

Now 18 days since I last ate anything other than animal products. My diet has mainly been rib-eye steak, with some ground beef, pork belly, salmon and occasional egg yolk and gard cheese (coffee and cream in the mornings)

Positive changes, I can sleep for England for the first time in years. My digestive system is pleasantly painless and my mood has lifted enormously.

On the negative side, I crash in energy mid afternoon.

I am eating when hungry, stopping when full, not skimping on fat, but not going overboard either, and drinking plenty of water and adding pink salt to taste.

Anyone any ideas on the normality of all this. I’m pretty relaxed with it but would appreciate an uptick in the afternoon energy levels to get more work done.

(bulkbiker) #2

Are you eating a specific times or just when hungry?

(Lonnie Hedley) #3

18 days eating this way. What were you eating before? Did you come from SAD, keto, etc?

(David) #4

Just when hungry. Stop when I’m full. I’m not overly worried. It’s nice sometimes just to express feelings to people who won’t judge the way of eating first.

(David) #5

Bit of a mixed bag. Don’t smoke or drink, but it’s been a bit of a low carb/high carb roller coaster for 5 years.

15 years ago I was 196lbs (6ft male). Through low carb I got down to 182lbs and felt fit and strong.

Then some life crises through me for a six and this year saw me put on anti depression meds. I also have auto immune issues. I hated the meds so decided to go carnivore for the health benefits.

Don’t get me wrong I had no energy before either. I this old body is taking a little time to repair.

I’m sticking with it. Just needed to express a little. Thanks for the rest response.

(Lonnie Hedley) #6

Ok. I was going to suggest it’s REALLY early in the process and energy levels should get better. But, if you’re just here to vent, then by all means let it out. :triumph::stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

(David) #7

I’ll take your advice anyway. Its like a digital arm around the shoulder :slight_smile:

(Lonnie Hedley) #8

Like I said, REALLY early. Your body is going to take time to adjust. It should get better. One thing to try would be to take a little extra sodium. You mentioned being tired in the early afternoon. You could try taking about 1/4 tsp. It’s crazy how sodium can add a little boost.

I’m at lunch now. Was feeling a little drained 20 minutes ago. HEAVILY salted my food and I’m ready to go for the rest of the day.

(David) #9

I will try that. Thanks. Can I ask how your carnivore experience was?

(bulkbiker) #10

But 1, 2 or 3 meals a day or?

(David) #11

It has tended to be two meals a day, lunch and fairly early dinner. For breakfast I have a couple of cups off coffee with heavy cream.

(Lonnie Hedley) #12

I’m what the purists call a “dirty carnivore”…or a filthy keto eater. I eat ground beef, bacon, butter, and eggs. Trying some different raw cheeses. I’ll add reduced sugar ketchup and sugar free bbq. And because I don’t want it to go bad, I’ve been trying to use up a bag of nutritional yeast.

But, I’m finding my body (and bowels) does a lot better with animal products than it did with vegetables.

(bulkbiker) #13

Ok sounds pretty much like me… if you can i’d keep going for a week or two and see how the afternoon tiredness goes. I don’t think I get it but have been IF for the past 3 years (no breakfast) along with keto and have been carnivore 95% for the past 3 months.

(David) #14

Thanks. Heading out for a steak tonight. Beginning to feel the hunger creeping up. So much better than the “feed me Seymour, fed me now” of earlier carb days.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #15

I haven’t moved to carnivore yet, but my experience on regular keto is that I don’t have the kind of brimful energy that other people get, because of a type of fatigue syndrome that resulted from a bad viral infection I had back in 2006. So you may have some physical issue preventing you from feeling like the adverts.

However, if your sleep has already improved, I would guess that you should see other things also improve as time goes on. If you weren’t eating keto before, you will need at least 6-8 weeks to become fully fat-adapted, probably more. It has to do with various bodily processes, including the recovery of the mitochondria from oxidative damage, so it’s highly variable. So give the process plenty of time. I’ve been keto a year and a half and am still noticing improvements.

For example, my current energy level and stamina, though still not brilliant, are far better than they used to be, pre-keto. I can now do physical work around the house without having to spend two days in bed, recovering. I’ll definitely take it! :bacon::bacon:

(David) #16

I’m with you there. Even now, 20 days in, I feel more balanced somehow. Its weird but nice.

I had a negative event last night which sent me into a mind state of “nothing’s worth it” and “I need smarties” just as I was vulnerable to before I changed how I ate.

I got as far as the cupboard, and even smelled a piece of chocolate, but didn’t succumb. This morning, the blues had passed and I felt normal again. Balanced returned.

Previously, the blues could last for days and Sap the life out of me.

That alone is worth persisting with this way of eating.

Thanks for your thoughts.

(David) #17

I’m sat here typing with empty arms.

I went to the gym this morning and really struggled to make my usual weights and time under tension. Now 8 hours later I am still pretty energy less.

I feel happy but tired.

Can I add struggling with strength to struggling with energy.?.

(Lonnie Hedley) #18

This is common. Many find that they don’t feel as strong on Keto as on carbs. I’m really vane, so I’m about looking good than worrying about how big a number I can bench. Abs and vascularity > lifting gains for me.

There are some that find adding dextrose in a pre-workout before lifting helps. Something that you can metabolize quickly during the workout. Those smarties you mentioned might have been a good option. The only issue is if this causes you to spiral out of control.

(David) #19

It’s good to know that what I am experiencing is not unusual. My own body goals are to be slim but strong.

I think the smarties would be more of a black hole than a downward spiral :smile:

I am thinking of having some cold mashed potatoes before a gym session once my 30 day strict carnivore initiation is over. We will see…

(Lonnie Hedley) #20

Matt from KetoConnect has used Karo Corn Syrup (0g high fructose corn syrup) in his preworkout. Not sure if he still does, but I think he said he noticed a big difference. Gets you a few carbs that metabolize quickly during your workout. Get that pump bro!!! :muscle::muscle::muscle: