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I feel for the author. I have also struggled with my weight my entire life. At my heaviest, I was 265lbs. I definitely struggled, and continue to struggle with
by zachruss92 8y ago
I feel for the author. I have also struggled with my weight my entire life. At my heaviest, I was 265lbs. I definitely struggled, and continue to struggle with body issues. I was definitely addicted to food and was an emotional eater. I literally had a term called "stress cheeseburgers" as when I was stressed that's what I'd do.
I finally decided to make a significant change last year. It started with me doing meal prep for my lunches. Previously I would eat out for lunch every day, and I would never make good choices. I was able to lose about 35lbs by just doing that and making no other changes in my life.
In August, I decided to start the keto diet. I started not for the weight loss reasons, but for the lifting of the "brain fog". I didn't realize how much carbs controlled my life until then. Eating keto 100% changed my life for the better:
* My relationship with food has completely changed. I am now concerned about what I'm eating, nutritionally speaking, instead of just quantity and taste. I am eating a lot more whole foods.
* My overall pain level has gone down significantly (I have back problems).
* I literally crave vegetables. My first couple of weeks I ate nothing but bacon and other unhealthy meats. After a while, all I wanted was a big plate of broccoli!
* I have much more energy and mental clarity. I also noticed my recovery time from working out is lessened.
As of this morning, I weigh 196lbs. I don't know how long keto is sustainable for, but I plan on sticking to this for the long term. If I do stop, I will definitely apply the lessons I've learned from going keto: mostly eat whole foods and carbohydrates that have nutritional value.
- mtgx 8y agoMagnesium is known to be depleted when stressed. You should consider adding that as a supplement. Also high stress = high cortisol = high glucose production (even from fat/gluconeogenesis) = high insulin = increased rate of fat storage and insulin resistance/diabetes https://idmprogram.com/closer-look-cortisol-hormonal-obesity-xxxx/ https://idmprogram.com/closer-look-cortisol-hormonal-obesity...
- zachruss92 8y agoAgreed, there are electrolyte depletion issues with keto. I take a magnesium supplement daily. I eat enough greens & salt that sodium and potassium aren't an issue for me.
- brandnewlow 8y agoAmen. I dropped from 235 to 182 a few years ago doing keto and it definitely was like a fog being lifted. Unfortunately I’m back up to 225 but my life’s in a different place with new demands and stresses to figure out how to work healthy eating around. It’s a constant struggle!
- leetbulb 8y agoI feel you. ~260 to 164, back to 215, but on it again! Stay strong!
- guitarbill 8y agoFor me, with keto, I have much less of a hunger feeling, making things more manageable (As I've said in another thread). Agree with the mental clarity also. How did you stick with it though? I can do the diet, but find it hard to do with social stuff. For me, doing keto was quite a lonely thing.
- johnkpaul 8y agoWhat social stuff? I have vodka sodas if I need to drink. Almost every restaurant will give plain foods with butter on the side (usually for free).
- zachruss92 8y agoI agree with vodka sodas, I will also occasionally have a Michelob Ultra (2.4g carbs per bottle). I don't have any issues eating out either.
- misiti3780 8y agohow long did it take you to go into ketosis - im on day 10 and still havnt not gone in (im not really overweight)
- rgoodwintx 8y agoRule of thumb (Keto for mostly 15+ yrs, from 300lbs to 180) is 2-3 days, and at least Atkins version is those 2-3 days at <20 carbs. "Being in ketosis" is hard to track; the urine test strips are helpful but not always accurate. Someone came up with a breath analyzer at some point but I lost track of the project. Some recent stuff has shown that a 24-36hr fast can "kick start" ketosis as well; anecdotally it seems to work for me, but again I have to kind of go by feel. (Or if I note that I suddenly drop the 3-5 lbs of water weight that came on when out of ketosis.)
- zachruss92 8y agoThe breath analyzer that is being hyped right now is called Keyto. You can also get blood testers and prick your finger. I don't track myself being in ketosis on a daily basis, but I can definitely tell if I go over based on how I feel.
- johnkpaul 8y agoI have been keto for a little over 2 years in case that is anecdata for length of sustainability.