Ketogenic Diet

Subd! In on keto as well. I'm 3-4 weeks in, and not doing for the weight loss, but I've seen about a 10 pound loss (194 -> 185ish). I'm sure I'm not doing it perfectly, but I feel so much better than when I was on my "eat everything I see" diet.
Some of my favorite healthier/low [net] carb options are:

KetoBark chocolate: 15g carbs, 13g fiber = 2g net carbs
https://www.choczero.com/collections/sugarfree-keto-chocolate-bark (also available on Amazon) - this stuff is delicious and really cures a sweet craving

Almond flour pizza crust: 5g net carbs per serving
https://spiteorflight.com/2012/04/24/almond-flour-pizza-crust/

Almond flour is incredibly expensive at normal grocery stores ($10 a pound), but at Sam's club I just found 3lbs for $5 [same brand, too!]

Stevia as a sugar substitute (when absolutely 'necessary')

Water intake is up, caffeine intake is down because I generally feel more energized, and no more caffeine headaches!

 

Salt does not effect keto, but keto effects salt. LOL

Sodium will not throw you out of ketosis, but when you do keto you will initially drop a lot of water. So it's recommended to increase sodium, potassium, and magnesium intake to help prevent the "keto flu".

 

I am no longer following keto.

I have been having some GI issues I just can't identify. Not to be gross but dealing with intermittent vomiting and stomach pain along with other gross things since May of this year. Just can't figure out what's going on. I've lost 38lbs since January (only 20 was intentional).
I only got sick once in 4 weeks on keto. So that dietary change has been the best at getting rid of symptoms. I just don't want to maintain keto because I can't eat as many vegetables as I want.

If anyone has dealt with any odd GI issues and has any advice please offer.

I have been blood tested for Crohn's and Celiac, I have not had confirmative biopsies however (because no one wants to have to do that).

 

Haha thats what I figured but it read funny haha

 

For something happening that long I would throw away any seasoning or long life products you have in your house if you haven't already.

 

So Keto was working best for your situation, but you don't want to continue? Seems like it would be the opposite.
My wife has Crohn's ( past 8 years officially ) , I know certain veggies and nuts/seeds will cause bad flare ups of intestines some times so bad not allowing food to pass through.Causing just what you are describing .. It's possible, what you are eating is the culprit. Maybe start keeping a dietary log and really try to weed things out that seem to make you feel worse. Hope you get it sorted out.

 

We just moved so everything is new. Nothing has been kept around.

Keto has been OK but not perfect. The issue I had with keto was the weight gain and I really want to eat veggies lol.

I'm sticking to low carb and it's working well. I just get sick randomly at times. I have had a handle on food issues the past couple years (I have an autoimmune condition that is heavily associated with GI problems) but lately new things are starting to cause issues and I'm not sure what.

I had an xray today to test for blockages and hiatal hernia.

Did your wife's Crohn's come on abruptly or slowly over time?

 

I hear you. But if less veggies or no certain veggies is going to help you feel better I'd say it's worth not having.

Maybe you need to go full Carnivore Diet. haha

Her Crohn's I would say she's had both versions. Some have been caused by stress slowly. Food related is usually abrupt.

You have any issues with Stress?

 

Haha no I do better when I eat a lot of veggies, very minimal carbs and meat and fats. I don't necessarily need to have my carbs low enough to be in ketosis to avoid symptoms.

Lately I'm starting to have more issues with vigorous exercise. If I do heavy cardio were my HR is up, I basically get pain around my diaphragm and feel like I'm having a heart attack. As my HR goes down it goes away. Light cardio makes me feel better.
Now I'm having gas pains which I never had before.

Trying to find out if food related... or something physical or both. Like you said inflammation leading to almost like a pseudoblockage issue.

Yes, I have a lot of issues with stress. Especially recently. Stress triggered my last flare up with my autoimmune conditions (Hashimoto's).

 

So my fellow Keto friends. Been doing this for about 6 weeks now, was very excited the first week or 2 I instantly lost about 5 pounds.. However have totally stalled out there. Just wondering what other peoples experiences have been, but I am starting to get discouraged and maybe I'm doing something wrong.. I have an APP to track my intake and daily breakdowns and I'm very good about staying very close to 75% fats 20% protein and 5 % carbs. netting around 21-23 g .. Started at about 223 now at 218 and holding.. I have been keeping my calorie count under 2000 a day (my app recommends 1675) which i try to get as close as possible.. I do exercise regularly. but i do work a desk job during the day.
My general daily intake has typically been hard boiled eggs for breakfast (w/mayo) some sort of protein and cheese for lunch sometimes I throw in or mix match an avocado or leafy green with ranch, and then a reasonable meal for dinner meat and veggies .. Absolutely no bread, pasta, or added sugars with the exception of 1 or 2 meals I was out and couldn't really avoid it.. Any recommendation or advice? I could try a fast or something, but i really hate to go that far, unless i have to..I have had a lot of success on other diets in the past but I'm not getting younger and if i stray at all i gain very fast..

 

I did it for 6 weeks and lost 31 pounds 211 to start, 180 at finish.

 

You could try intermittent fasting for a week to break your plateau. 16 hours no eating daily. I usually ate a “brunch” and dinner. This usually helps me when I stall.

 

Hang in there, it takes time. Rome wasn't built in a day. Forget the scale for a moment. How do you feel? better ? More focused?

Know if you have a meal or 2 that blows you out of ketosis. It's going to take a little time to get back in to fat burning mode (few days) . No big deal, that's life. If you aren't sure about something, it's better look it up on the fly if you can or to just not eat it. If you know you are going to a restaurant, pull up the menu online on your phone and prerun the menu so you aren't rushed to make a decision when ordering. (At least that's what I try to do lol)

What is your total carb count? Might be "over eating" which is slowing the process. Some people are more carb sensitive than others per the reading I have done. Try to lower the net carbs to say 18g a day to see it that gets you over the hump.

Fasting is good thing do to. Try eating twice a day Lunch and dinner. Don't anything after dinner - Lunch next day (black coffee, water okay).

Stick with it!

E

 

All good advice here... this is so cool! When I made this thread I was hoping to find a few folks doing the same journey.

Update: now hitting 205

I’m only 5lbs away from two Benjamin’s which was my initial goal.
I think my “maintain” goal will be the real test...

I’ve learned that I can slightly “carb up” post-excersize and still retain a state of ketosis. From what I’ve read it helps maintain muscle mass.

My wife is doing well too -she’s down about 20lbs as well.

We both feel great, energy levels are up and my sleeping pattern is like clockwork. (Funny, I get up to pee at least once per night - never used to do that prior to keto).

Honestly, at 44 I feel like I’m in the same shape I was at 24...

*knocks on wood*

 

Pretty much... prior to keto I was a once-a-day throne guy, now it’s every two to three for the most part.
Kinda like having campers butt all the time

 

I second the intermittent fasting. Just be aware that anything that triggers an insulin response is breaking your fast.

 

About 5 years ago I did the same thing. I started at 212 and got down to 148 (I’m only 5’7” on a good day) in about 2 months. I was losing about a pound per day. I gained most of it back because I like food.

Fast forward to now. Last Monday 10/8 I started this again @ 196.2 lbs. This morning I’m at 187.8 lbs.

Haven’t worked out once but physically active at work.

I’m basically eating meats like brisket, baked chicken, bacon etc. Lots of grilled veggies and some cheese. Still figuring out WTF I’m supposed to be eating. Open to suggestions.

Haven’t felt hungry at all and no headaches yet, except some allergy sinus pressure on Thursday.

The only sugar I’m taking in is from my dealbreakers. When I started I told myself no matter what there are two things I will not give up (dealbreakers). My favorite drink, the Arnold Palmer (50/50 lemonade/unsweet tea) and caramel macchiatos in the morning.

So far, so good.

 

I love 50/50! I just get the zero sugar kind now.

 

I had the same issue on keto. I was gaining weight. I never lost anything.

Your protien is likely too high. I too was at 25% and I think for some thats still too high.

I’d give 20% a try.

 

Brisket is OK as long as there is no rub and no sauce. BBQ sauce is liquid sugar and most rubs are all sugar as well.

I also do not think you can maintain keto and drink lemonade or macchiatos. Way too many carbs.

So I think you are going to have to pick. Keto or those drinks. Obviously you have been successful keeping the carbs low which may be all you need to do.