Words of encouragement needed

(Alana ) #1

Hello all. I’ve been reading the forums for the past few weeks and decided to post myself for some extra motivation.

I am a 40 y/o female and have been practicing a keto lifestyle since Nov 6. One month in and have no weight loss or change in clothing size. I don’t use a measuring tape due to too many years of military measurements that just mess with my emotions. I am menopausal (or at least that’s what the doctors say based on my hormone tests and the lack of cycles).

I realize that loss can be slower for me because I’m a woman with hormone issues but it’s pretty discouraging.

I have tested my blood ketones just for reference. Yesterday AM 0.6 and this morning 1.3. Does this suggest that I am doing the right thing?

I do keep my carbs below 20g/day and am eating my fats like a champ. I do see the NSVs like lower appetite, good energy and reduction in hot flashes (my personal summer).

I would love to hear any personal stories of very slow progress or any advice you would like to share.

For now I’m going to KCKO as you all say. Hopefully I will see some visible changes soon.

(Allie) #2

Sounds like you’re doing great, just sometimes the body needs a bit of time to heal and rebalance itself before it starts burning fat.

(Dawn) #3

You have alot of healing to do young lady. I believe your body is busy right now. Once those insulin levels stay down consistently and your hormones are back aligned, the weight will start to come off. That was my experience. KEto works, please don’t give up on it. Stick with it and let it work for you.

(Christopher Avery) #4

Congratulations @Alana on the NSVs. I’m new to using a blood meter to measure ketones, just 6 days in. I understand that the range for ketosis is 0.5 to 3.0 mmol/L, so it looks like you are in range.

As for the slow/no loss, I’m sorry that it’s not meeting your expectation. I’ve been in ketosis for nearly 7 months and I’ve lost about 10 lbs. The first 6 were right away, so the rest has been like .5 lbs a month. Maybe its stress, maybe its wine and scotch. Who knows? I’ve decided I like the way of eating and intend to stay with it.

I also remind myself that not everyone experiences rapid massive weight loss on keto. Lots of us go slower.

I wish you well.
Christopher

(Alana ) #5

Thanks Christopher. I’m trying to be patient.

(Alana ) #6

I’m hoping this is just my healing phase. As long as I don’t start up my TOM again :slight_smile: I’ll be happy with the hormones getting in balance.

(OM) #7

My husband started keto at the advice of his endocrinologist because he was diagnosed with low T. He was trying to lose weight for years and although he exercised a lot and counted calories the lowest he got was 247 (he is 6’ 3’’). When he started keto he lost 5 lb the first week and then nothing for almost 3 months. He was ready to give up but he had a vacation coming up and he didn’t want to blow up from going back to carbs so he stuck with it. Just before he left for vacation he started losing, he got to 237 lb a few days before he left and 4 weeks later when he came back he was at 220 lb.
So sometimes you have to have patience, especially if you have a hormonal imbalance…

(Alana ) #8

Great testimony. Thank you.

(Liz ) #9

The hardest thing for me starting Keto back in March was definitely patience! So I get where you are at. I am a slow loser & I had so many questions about am I even doing this right?? I didn’t want to be wasting my time. So I read EVERYTHING, listened to the 2 Keto Dudes podcasts, and waited. And things definitely improved. It’s no exaggeration that there are invisible things healing up inside you & that takes time. Keto life is an evolution, rather than a place you get to and you are there. So hang in there!! Read everything & wait wait wait.

(Zoe ) #10

Hi Alana, I am glad to hear you are experiencing some NSV. I am loving the lower appetite and even energy too. I have found it slow going but I know some of my blood markers have improved. About 3 months in and I am seeing some visible changes in my face for example. I also find it worth it for the even energy and better mood plus for me I really, really prefer keto foods.

I found the FEMAIL 2ketodudes podcast http://2ketodudes.com/show.aspx?episode=32 really useful. I think I have noticed a similar thing for me with weight loss a brief initial loss (2-3kg) then much slower. But I think my hormones are balancing out and other things are going on in my body. I really appreciated the link in that podcast to talks by Robert Cywes. I have copied the link. He had some really new things to say. I really benefited from his perspectives on how we manage our mood.
http://livinlavidalowcarb.com/blog/tag/robert-cywes

Also talking about mood, measurements and ways to track changes. Think of other ways you can track progress. At this stage you may want to focus on sticking at keto- KCKO and making that stick. Something I have done is reward myself for consistency or good choices with non food things. Magazines, gum, homewares etc. When I have not lost I have rewarded myself for sticking at it or turning down biscuits and cake offered when visiting family.

#11

Hi Alana,

It sounds like youre really persevering and I just wanted to say well done and send a big dollop of keto-friendly encouragement!

Im a newbie to Keto and to the forum but one thing i did notice in your description that stood out to me was…

I am menopausal (or at least that’s what the doctors say based on my hormone tests and the lack of cycles)

Id be curious whether the docs had checked your adrenal or pituitary function, as the causes of the change in hormones, rather than the alternative explanation of menopause. Perhaps they have and, if so, just ignore me :slightly_smiling_face:

From my own experience, i had hot flashes, a stopped cycle, zero labido (sorry if TMI, but it’s relevant to endocrinology!), low mood and anxiety for a couple of years and decreasing energy. Im a few years shy of 40, so there was a chance of very early menopause too. I badgered my doctor for an endocrinology referal because of my own research. The endocrinologist made it clear he was basically humouring me. It was mortifying! Then they discovered adrenocortical insufficiency. And the lack of cortisol being produced by my adrenals completely explains the other symptoms. There are more tests still to do to establish the source, but it was a relief to know my own instincts were right and that a solution to get my old personality and energy back again could be in my future. That’s my story in terms of hormone fluctuations. I know that cortisol and others can impact metabolism. A lack of it can lead to hot flashes, a lack of labido, a stopped cycle, what looks like depression and avoidance, and fatigue - Put simply: because the body doesnt have enough energy to deal with stress from cortisol, it puts a stop on energy going to anything else … like reproduction, sociability, even temperature regulation.

Maybe that info won’t end up being relevant for you. But on the off-chance it is, its worth sharing :sunny:

AND a non-menopausal cause of the changes in your hormones could also explain the difficulty in weight loss. But you’re only a few weeks in, so I bet you’ll see changes soon enough :smiley: Hang in there!

Warmest wishes,
XoC

(Karl Bork) #12

You may have to start intermittent fasting with the keto.

(Alana ) #13

Thanks for the insight. I was considering an endocrine issue. I’m going to KCKO for now and see if things improve.

(Alana ) #14

I have done some IF. Usually it happens naturally due to my lack of appetite. But it didn’t result in any weight loss.

(What The Fast?!) #15

I had to start doing extended fasting to lose weight. I’m fasting 2-3 days at a time now and the weight is slowing coming off.

(Alana ) #16

I have read several posts regarding fasting. I’m not ready for that yet as I feel it isn’t something sustainable for me. I am considering an egg fast next week. Thanks for the response.

(What The Fast?!) #17

I’m about to try a bacon fast!

(Zoe ) #18

It is sooo frustrating thought isn’t it.

I keep remembering the quote-

“Your body needs to get healthy to lose weight,
Not lose weight to be healthy.”

#19

My pleasure.Good luck, and if you have any questions about the endocrinology tests in the future, feel free to message me.

KCKO :smile: