What am I doing wrong?!

#1

Hey all, I have been lurking around these forums for several months but this is my first post. I would like some advice if anyone has the time. I started keto in March of this year and have been fairly strict. I don’t eat fat bombs, sweets, sodas or junk food. I make my own mayo and salad dressings, I drink 80-100oz of water every day, and my only other beverages are coffee and tea. I recently gave up dairy as well. I probably eat between 1000-1500 calories per day, I exercise an average of 3x per week, sometimes more. I bike quite often, I love to hike, play tennis and some water activities like paddle boarding. I ate fairly healthy before keto and never had bad cravings or keto flu. I haven’t invested in a blood or breath meter but the urine strips always indicate ketones.

I’m not losing weight. I’m a 5’3” female and weigh 150 as of this morning. I started at 156 the beginning of March and got down to about 148 within the first two weeks, which was great. After about two months I was at 144 and I went to a friends house for drinks and burgers. I ate my burger as a lettuce wrap and had 4 vodka sodas, that’s it. The next day I was 154! It took me another 8 weeks to lose those ten lbs I gained, how? The same thing just happened again, I had only vodka soda and gained 6lbs over night last week. The scale hasn’t budged since. The dairy removal is new so I’m hoping it helps but I am looking for other suggestions. Can I just never drink alcohol again?!

Edit: I also do IF, most days eat between noon and 6pm

(LeeAnn Brooks) #2

I’d normally think it was just water weight, but alcohol is dehydrating and it should have come off quicker than that. Maybe you do have a sensitivity to alcohol.???

Have you taken measurements? Richard from 2ketodudes was on a weight stall for 18 months but reduced his waist 8” in that time frame.

#3

Thanks for responding, I thought it would have been water weight too and come off much faster. I haven’t taken measurements but I wear the same pants and belt to work every day, I’ve lost one loop in the last 5 months. I took before photos too, I can’t see a difference. I don’t think I have an alcohol sensitivity either. I used to drink 2-3x per week, I thought the big reduction in that would help too, I’m at a loss.

(less is more, more or less) #4

I keep posting this video, but it’s a common question. This is the doctor Carl now sees, BTW, so very relevant, here.

#5

Thanks. I’ve seen tbis video before on here and it’s great, I’m just not sure that it applies to me. I have degrees in nutrition and biology and am well aware of factors like hormones, how food is processed, how to determine macros, etc. I also don’t think this is a “stall” because I very slowly lose the weight I gain. My concern is the dramatic ten pound gains overnight that don’t come off, it doesn’t make sense.

(Brian) #6

Two things came to mind…

#1, One thousand calories isn’t much, especially for a very active person. It sounds a lot like starvation mode.

#2, your weight gains, at least the ones you’ve noted seem to follow alcohol consumption. Maybe it’s time to put alcohol into the same category as carbs and say bye-bye.

Maybe not that helpful but it’s what came to mind.

Good luck!

#7

You’re probably right about both, it’s always been difficult for me to get out of the mindset of keeping my calorie intake as low as possible. I know better but it’s hard to break.

#8

I’m mid 30’s (age no doubt is a factor in weight loss); I was looking to loose 42lb… lost 30lb fairly easily with IF and EF and keto; but that last stone is proving a stubborn! I don’t think that’s uncommon either. I expect it could take a lot longer with persistence, experimentation and numerous techniques to shift it.

Also be aware; I picture weight gain like a balloon; once it’s been blown up that size it’s stretched, so it goes back easier to that weight (and of course easier with the age of the balloon); so it can be a real challenge.

But on the other hand; if you treat it as an enjoyable challenge, maybe it can be that, instead of a frustrating experience? (oh yeah; and I’ve been sober almost a year; I’m entirely confident alcohol absolutely wrecks your metabolism; of course impairing the liver for days or weeks and the liver is vital for everything and weight loss).

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #9

Love the guy! “If it says ‘keto’ or ‘low-carb’ on the label, don’t eat it!” :+1:

“You can go days without a sweet taste in your mouth, and I promise you won’t die!”

(Jeanne Wagner) #10

I love Dr. Berry!!! He’s great.