I talked about reaching Ketosis (again) back at the beginning of this month. Ketosis in Low Carb Diets is a common thing – in fact, it’s the goal when you start eating low carb.
I had mentioned numerous times over the last few months that my weight loss had stalled. I attributed that to the fact that I was nearing my goal weight.
Although, I am not quite sure what my goal weight is at this point. The ideal weight for me specifically, that is. I certainly have no aspirations to be stick skinny.
I like my curves. 😀
I simply want to be in the best shape, and in the best health, I can possibly be at my age – and look fabulous at the same time. Is that too much to ask?? LOL…
The last time I hit Ketosis was when I first started eating low carb back in April 2011. I was incredibly cranky, weight was melting off, I had headaches… Fortunately I didn’t have any of the other common symptoms, like bad breath (lol). I never actually used a stick or strip or any other type of test to determine if I was in Ketosis.
It was just plain obvious.
Not long after that, with the weight coming off, the symptoms subsiding on their own, and me settling into the low carb lifestyle… I started adding in “products”. Things like low carb bread, Quest Bars, low carb brownie mix, etc. Now, there’s nothing at all wrong with these products. In fact, they’re awesome. Especially once you’ve reached your weight loss goal and you are simply maintaining a healthy low carb lifestyle.
That was not the case for me. I hadn’t yet reached my goal. And my weight loss stalled.
Then I started having a diet cheat day now and then. Not often mind you, and no binging, just the occasional carb here and there. Fortunately I never gained all the weight back that I lost. 😛 (VERY fortunate. LOL.)
Then, about a month ago, I decided to go back to “eating clean”. That means no products, no cheats, and a very strict diet of REAL FOOD with a total count of less than 20 net carbs a day. I wanted to lose a pesky ~5 pounds before my beach trip. And I did. 😀
Here are some example low carb meals I ate during that time. It was mostly meat, eggs & greens. Just real food, like I said, and no “products”. Grilled chicken salad, broccoli with cheese, eggs cooked every way you can imagine, etc.
I think it was on day 4 that I got a headache. And I was bitchy. LOL. And then the same on day 5 and day 6. But the weight was coming off the same as it did when I first started the low carb diet back in April – at a rate of about a pound a day or better! And that’s when I realized: I’m back in Ketosis.
It really made me ponder a few things. Like, whether “products” are a smart choice when you’re just starting out. That it’s better to eat “real food”. Why my weight loss *really* stalled back in the early summer, etc.
I assume the “products” mess up the diuretic part of the diet…
Anyway – right smack dab in the middle of all that, I went through a break-up. And I ate carbs. And I ultimately went off the low carb diet altogether – which has been a few weeks now. Fortunately I have only gained back 2 itty bitty pounds. LOL. Ugh. But I am currently just “taking a break” and taking care of myself.
I am not overeating, not binging, just taking a break. I am going to glide through the rest of this week, and then start back eating low carb on Monday. And when I start back, I am going to eat REAL FOOD until I reach my weight loss goal. Period. No bars, no mixes, no products. Just meat, eggs and my favorite low carb vegetables.
I would like to lose another 10-12 pounds, I want to tone up, and I want to maintain both. Once I get to the maintenance phase, I may treat myself to a few “products” now and then – but I don’t think I’ll be adding them in as a regular part of my low carb diet anymore.
Here’s a quick video I shot for my personal video blog, which talks a bit more about all of this and why I’m taking the short break:
Way to go Lynn!! Wise to realize what works for you and when. I agree, eating low carb is a lifestyle, not a diet – so in order to maintain that, you have to realize that the occasional ‘carb’ will be eaten.
I seem to always have problems with “products” because they usually contain an ingredient that gives me migraines. So for the past 3 years, as much as possible, my family has been eating ‘real food’. Nothing from a package that’s pre-made. I have been more low-carb than not, and am also easing my way into gluten-free as well. I have some weight to lose and some health issues to overcome, and this way of eating is part of my plan to re-gain my health in 2012. π
Very cool, Traci! I see so many people suffer with health issues and simply take meds for the symptoms – which can be a real rabbit hole that spirals downward. Starting from the inside out is always the best first step. Here’s to a Happy Healthy New Year! π *cheers*
Hi Lynn
Thanks to your inspiration I’ve finally started in on my low carb weight loss on Boxing Day. I’m very inspired as 2kgs down now and counting!! I was sad to think that my favourite occasional drink “LIFT” is now off the menu at “29” carbs. Can’t sacrifice my eating for just one drink though!! I like the simplicity of this arrangement as a way of eating.
I do agree with you that you need to be kind to your body and your mental attitude when you’re stressed, and that’s why I didn’t start until after the Christmas madness from my business as it was too stressful. I’m even thinking that I would like to focus on some lovely healthy gift boxes for 2012. I wrote an article on my blog and I would love your comments about what I could add to a gift box – perhaps even a Low Carb book?
I’m looking forward to being healthier and fitter and feeling fabulous in 2012!!! Yeha. Thanks for your inspiration Lynn.
That’s awesome, Diane – congrats! I’m looking forward to a healthy New Year as well. π *cheers*
On gift boxes, perhaps low carb cook books and things like nuts & sugar free candies?
Thanks Lynn, I do like those suggestions. Are there some books that you’ve found to be more exciting than others that would definitely hold the serious low carb dieter’s interest for a good period of time?
Honestly I haven’t read any at all – but I’m open to suggestions. I wouldn’t mind finding a couple good ones to read. π
Good for you! I stayed at 5 lbs over my goal for months–then suddenly dropped it–recently lost another 5 while sick with a bad cold.. leaving for Hawaii tomarrow so I plan to do some “cheating”–want to eat a Philly cheessteak one day–have some pineapple one day-figure one bad thing a day for 5 days won’t add much weight–than back on board with maintenance when I get home–happy New Year to you
Cath
Hawaii sounds fun! Enjoy your trip, and your splurges. π We’ll ALL be back on track together when you return! π
“I like my curves.”
So do I… But not quite as much as a former co-worker, who took a look at one of your videos, and said, “Wow! She’s a *looker*! I want whatever she’s selling…”
“Things like low carb bread, Quest Bars, low carb brownie mix, etc.”
IIRC, I *warned* you about that…
OTOH, I have a hard time feeling really sorry for somebody who has less than 50 lbs to lose.
When I saw a doctor earlier this year, he felt me up and insisted I go home and lose 50 pounds. I laughed. I can’t personally imagine myself 50 pounds thinner (than I was at the time). 30 maybe. But 50 would make me look like a crack addict. LOL.
I still don’t know what my “ideal weight” is exactly, but I figure I’ll know it when I get there.
And no worries on feeling sorry for me – because I don’t. No pity parties here! I was fat & happy, and now I’m thinner and still happy. LOL. I’m simply on a mission to look and feel my best so I can truly ENJOY my 40’s!
That’s good (for me, the 40’s were a really good decade). I recently had a skinny VA doctor (at least two decades younger than I) tell me I was 90 lbs overweight (he also said some other stupid things which exposed his profound ignorance regarding nutrition). I would have offered to arm-wrestle him, except I would probably have injured him by tossing him over the table.
Interestingly, folks following a healthy low-carb, high-fat diet tend to plateau at a weight about 20 lbs over the “ideal” weight — and are better-looking, healthier, and more fit than they would be at the “ideal” weight. Also, one of the things the insurance industry has noticed (I used to work in insurance) is that people who are 5-15% over the “ideal” weight tend to live longer than skinny people.
You’re definitely on the right track. The scales are relatively unimportant. Just eat Real Food, and enjoy the results (BTW, your article has inspired me to write a blog post on New Year’s Resolutions, which I hope to finish sometime today).
I am not 100% sure but I think one of the reasons that people get “keto flu” and feel a bit cranky during the first week of ketosis is due the decrease in potassium and sodium in your body, I think this happens when you use up your glycogen as your entering ketosis. I am not sure at all but I hear a lot of people that feel better after increasing their potassium and sodium with a bit of salt and advocado added to the diet.
Anyway I definatly agree with you that eating good natural food that has not beed processed much is the way to get the most out of low carb living.
*Disclaimer: This advice is just what I have read on reddit mainly*
Ditto – I don’t know the exact science behind it. Just that it works. Which is good enough for me. π
This is interesting, because, I never experienced any of the symptoms as I started the low-carb diet and I DID have both Avocado and salt almost daily (I love both!).
Sorry to hear about your breakup Lynn but it sounds like it’s for the best. Sounds like you both have been so mature about it.
I totally fell off the wagon over the holidays. I ate tons of carbs due to my junk and chocoholic family having it everywhere ’cause they said it’s Christmas – you got to have sweets! There’s where I got LOTS of headaches and I think a few carb hangovers. Sadly I gained back 8 lbs in about two weeks!
Anyway, Good news is I’m back on it too for almost three days now and I dropped five pounds FAST, that’s the fastest I’ve lost since I started – must be in one heck of a good ketosis state. I’m aiming to stay there until I loose to my next goal weight. π
Thank you Angela – I think we’ll both be much happier for it. π It’s been about a month now, so all is well. Congrats on losing 5 pounds so fast!! I’m on the same mission this week. Eating super clean and expecting some pounds to just melt right off this week. π