Two Weeks in, feel like crap!

#1

Please don’t think I’m being inpatient here, but I just would like some input as to where I’m currently at with my Keto journey.

My details:
6ft1 Male
17st 8lbs
2,300-2,500 cals daily
200g of fat (sometimes more)
118g-130g of protein
10g-25g of carbs (depending on if I eat sausage which has a few more carbs)
3ltr of water daily
12g salt daily
3,000mg potassium daily (estimate)

In my last post I mentioned I have M.E./CFS, and I know it’s one of the most weirdest illnesses known to man due to its multiple dysfunctions (metabolism included). I have to say, my mind feels more clear which I’m happy about. However, it’s the fatigue and the body aches that have just got worse for me.

I don’t know if this is a Keto phase or my illness disagreeing with my diet. The only things that come to mind is thyroid, or going from a high carb diet to literally no carbs in a short time.

Any input or opinions would be welcomed :slight_smile:

(Jay Patten) #2

This is normal.

People will yell at you “Salt! Salt! SALT YOU IDIOT!”

But really, even with salt and supplements, you’re probably gonna feel like crap for a while. This happens with ANY change in diet, but this is especially true with sugar.

Sugar f&%ks with your brain chemistry just like drugs.

#3

Cheers mate. Just hope it’s Keto and not my illness refusing to play nice lol.

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

Hang in there! It will take several more weeks, but you should start feeling much better over time.

We need more salt than they recommend, and the kidneys excrete more of it when we stop eating carbohydrate. Twelve grams a day is at the low end of the healthy range, so you could stand a bit more if you want it. The symptoms of keto “flu” are the result of not getting enough sodium, so if you feel dizzy, light-headed, headachey, or constipated, you could do with a bit more salt.

It what you’re feeling is lethargy, however, the reason is that when we’ve been eating carbohydrate for so long, our cells get out of the habit of metabolizing fat. So there is this changeover period when we’re no longer giving them glucose, but they haven’t quite adjusted back to burning fat again. But as you continue in this way of eating, you should start feeling more energy.

I too have some kind of chronic fatigue, the result of a bad viral infection in 2006, and eating a ketogenic diet has made an enormous difference. Before keto, it used to be all I could do to get out of bed and go to work, some days. Now, I can do chores around the house, such as spending four hours mowing the lawn, or hauling bags of stove pellets around, without needing several days in bed afterwards to recover. Keto has given me my stamina back.

#5

Thanks for the reply mate. I just feel exhausted as if the life has been wickedness out of me. Aching all over just a heavy feeling within my body.

The metabolising fat theory seems pretty legit. I’m sticking with it, it would be nice to feel physically improved that’s all. I’m glad you’re doing well on this diet.

(Frank) #6

The day before I started really feeling better I said to my wife that nothing that makes me feel this bad can be good for me. I kept the faith and it’s been smooth sailing since then. I can’t tell you when your “day” will come but it will. Hang in there and trust the process. KCKO.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #7

Hang in there! I was fortunate, in the sense that so much started happening in my life when I went keto, I wasn’t really paying attention to how I felt physically. (I’ll spare you the gory details, but it was non-stop from March through to September, just one thing after another.) Angst can be a great distraction, lol!

#8

I hope that is the case with me mate. I just feel weak, exhausted (too tired to meditate sometimes). My knees are in pain also. I just feel like a bag of shit :joy:

#9

Not too familiar with those conditions, do u have medication for them like muscle relaxants or some strong based painkillers ? Also everything that ur eating looks really good so just give ur body time to adapt and see how it goes.

(Scott) #10

If you feel like crap in the beginning you are doing it right! Give it time.

#11

No pain meds mate. All natural supplements. Cheers.

#12

Really? Fair enough. I’ll ride it out.

Cheers.

(SELENE) #13

I’m two weeks in and I feel sickish. And lethargic. I think the prob is I’ve pulled back on carbs but am not firing on keto yet. I took a blood keto reading and it 4.2. Lots of ketones in body not being used. I hope it uses soon as the weight is dropping of me and I’m not in it for weight loss. I need stabilized soon. I have strong feeling this is the right direction tho. I need the energy!

#14

Are you getting a lot of sodium (salt)? Our body has no place to store sodium, just circulates in the blood … we need a top up every single day.

Plenty of water?

Are you eating enough fat? Too much protein makes me drowsy and weak.

But it is early days, your body is channging so KCKO (keep calm keto on). Check in a week or two.

(Little Miss Scare-All) #15

First week I felt great. 2nd week was terrible for like 3 days. I couldn’t eat a damn thing, the smell of everything was nauseating. Despite my upping all of my electrolytes majorly, I still felt sick, albeit, less sick. But like the end of week 2 is where I really started to feel better. I’m on day 23 and feel a heck of a lot better than on day 14, night and day even.

It’s even my time of the month, and I’m full of energy. I’m usually not even full of energy when Im not going through that time of the month before keto. Interesting is all.