The keto (ketogenic) diet is basically a very low carb diet where your body is forced to switch modes between using glucose for energy and using fat for energy. It's an amazing way to lose weight (in the first week you can lose up to 10 lbs which in large part will be water weight). The goal is to eat a good amount of healthy fats, have some protein, ensure you include fiber in the diet and stay hydrated as your body won't hold onto water the way it normally does.
I've been on the diet for about 3 weeks. I was only 160 lbs at 5'9" (which is considered thin by USA standards) so I didn't intend to lose much weight. I hit 150 lbs in about 2 weeks and am content with that lol. A guy at work has been on the diet for a year or more and says it's made his mind clearer. I'm still waiting for those benefits lol, but hopefully they come. I'm an electrician and also write a lot of code for a living so that would be a pleasant bonus.
I went shopping lol. I got lots of ground beef, cheese, bacon, grilled chicken, pepperoni slices, and salad. Also pork skins which I've had to learn to like (I used to consider gross, but now they're just chip-ish to me lol). I have noticed that I don't get hungry like I used to. Now I eat if my stomach growls and I am hungry. Before I would eat because it was time to eat, and I would eat a little more than is healthy. With the small weight that I've lost, pull-ups are much easier. I'm not super fit, but 6-8 pull-ups used to be about the most I could do. Now 12 and I'm done.
One difficult sacrifice was the Starbucks Soy Mocha with Whip. Make fun all you want, but that was my heaven. One cheat day or cheat meal per week is all I need to stick with the diet religiously. Early on I made simple mistakes like forgetting that hotdog buns are not allowed lol. I don't worry too much about counting carbs. I mostly just avoid them. Remember to have green veggies as you'll need fiber. Fiber carbs are fine as your body just passes them through (these are not the droids they're looking for lol).
I do get weird looks when I have a plate full of greasy bacon, omelet covered in cheese.. or grilled chicken covered in guac and sour cream as part of my "diet". Butter is encouraged lol. Overall it's pretty tasty.
Unknowns? I'd like to have my cholesterol checked at some point. I've heard it's actually not bad at all. I'd rather find out for myself instead of relying on research. Normally I'm all about science. The problem is.. you can find scientific articles that support keto, or the opposite. Keto helps against cancer? Or keto causes cancer? Coffee is good for you.. or bad? You get the idea. To some extent, different people will respond differently to the same diet anyway (genes and health history).
If you're interested in trying this diet, expect the first few days to be difficult. I took it fairly easily, but some people say they get really sluggish and sometimes have headaches.
The ketosis diet has long been a remedy for seizures. The following are some of the results of a study on this from this website: http://www.drperlmutter.com/new-study-validates-ketogenic-diet-epilepsy-treatment-adults/
(Now a report, appearing several weeks ago in the journal Neurology, reveals that in fact, a ketogenic diet is also profoundly helpful in adults as well in terms of treating epilepsy. This research, published by investigators in Maryland, found that there was at least a 50% reduction in seizures in 32% of patients treated with a ketogenic diet as well as in 29% of patients who went on a modified Atkins diet. In fact, 9% of those placed on the ketogenic diet and 5% of those placed on the modified Atkins diet had a greater than 90% reduction in the frequency of their epileptic seizures. These diets were designed such that the bulk of calories, between 67% and 75%, came from fat. The study revealed that “the anticonvulsant effect occurs quickly with both diets, within days to weeks.” Interestingly, the most common side effect was weight-loss which the office indicated “maybe advantageous inpatients with obesity.”)
Does anyone have any keto tales of woe or victory? I'd love to hear them!
I have used this diet for several years, and I can validate its effectiveness. If you stay disciplined, you will notice results very quickly. Not just weight loss, but you will actually feel better and more alert.
Much like other programs, the key is discipline. For me it is relatively easy to go without bread, pasta, potato for a couple of weeks, but then I start cheating. Which is stupid, because I not only gain the weight back, I go back to feeling sluggish and tired. My most successful stint with this lasted 6 months and I lost over 35lbs.
I am back on this program now, and hope to make it a permanent thing.
That's awesome! I'm really hoping to stick with it too. I talked with a vendor at work who said he had a stroke years ago and went on this diet and has almost got rid of his type 2 diabetes and feels much better. I love hearing stories like that.
I'm 61 years old 6' 570lbs and have been looking for a last resort diet as I am getting older and need something that will work.
Congrats to you and much success on your keto woe! Keto On!
I really wish more people would try this diet. I've told people about this and they say "that's interesting" and don't do it or "there must be another way". The benefits of doing a ketogenic are incredible and it's a real shame more people don't do this. I currently intermediate fast and eat the best I can. It's not easy but I'm seeing improvements. Thanks for sharing!
Yes intermediate fasting is great too! I read a book on it that was quite interesting last year. Also if you're curious about longevity and like to be entertained, Dr. Aubrey de Grey (Sens Foundation) is pretty fun to watch. He points out that even breathing itself is "bad" for you. Yes it keeps you alive, but with every breathe you take, you essentially age because your cells go through oxidative stress.
There's also ways to extend your Human Growth Hormone with HIIT which in turns extends your life but like with almost all things, there's a limit. I'll listen to the rest of this tomorrow.
I'll have to look into that. Thanks!
Give it a try! I think you will like it and it will be a game changer.
Hi There!
Great Post! I wonder how you’re doing?
I’ve been following this way of eating for about 6 months now. I’ve been a Type 2 Diabetic for over 28 years. I’ve managed to bring my A1C’s from 12 to 5.7. All my other health markers are much better as well! Triglycerides from 1200 to 70! I feel great and realize this way of eating is now a lifelong commitment for me!
Thanks for commenting! Yeah, I stopped the diet but not for any good reason. I have a feeling I'll try it again sometime. Glad it's helped you a lot, and welcome to Steemit!
Keto is here to stay. It has literally helped stave off family members that were in a pre-diabetic stage. It can easily become a fantastic lifestyle.. not a self depriving fad diet. I have never ate better and got to unleash my inner creative chef.
Thanks for the feedback! I plan on sticking with it too. One cheat meal a week is all I need lol.
I've never tried this on, but i have been on all the other diets, I haven't decided which one to pick tomorrow but this looks pretty good. I'm 6ft 570lbs and need something that will work.
If you do try it, you'll probably want to ease into the diet. I kind of went cold turkey on carbs but that's not advisable. I work with a guy who is about 350 lbs and he tried it and didn't ease into it. He mentioned feeling faint because of the fluctuations in his blood sugar levels. I wish you well and hope you consider the diet, though there's certainly a lot to consider and you'd probably also want to get blood work before and during and let your doctor know (that'd be a good idea whichever diet you choose). If you're like me, you appreciate numbers and trends, and all of that can be an excellent motivator.
Thanks for the information, I think I will ease into it.
@norrko, don't ease into it, jump in with both feet! I did 12 weeks ago and there's no turning back!
I have had a lot of questions about this diet!!! I really would love to try it. Thanks for the post.
I have been doing keto for 12 weeks and have released 20 pounds and lots of inches. I love how I feel and how my body is changing right before my eyes. Keto is the way to go. @yogimeg if you have any questions, let me know.
Oh snap!! Good job girl. I have tons of questions haha, I just had baby and would really like to lose some weight.. it is a high fat low carb diet, right?
@yogimeg yes it's high fat, medium protein, and low carbs from leafy green vegetables. Follow me, I share my Keto journey, recipes and tops. You can do it!
Keto changed my life. I really believe it could save so many peoples lives.
How so? If you don't mind me asking.
It showed me how addicted to sugar i was and how crappy i really felt. You don't know how good you can feel if you've never felt good. The science is showing how people can benifit from using a ketogenic diet.
It's amazing to go years thinking about things backwards and then to breakout of that box and experience truth yourself.
Keto changed my life as well. Sugar is so addictive and everything has sugar in it. I mean EVERYTHING even meat in the USA. the keto way of eating will help you look at food differently.
Science and information is very good for health, unfortunately to miss. Because health is everything to us, a healthy diet will add nutrients to our body enough, and a healthy body is in a healthy mind. And the person who does not take care of his health may be thinking less well.
I do not like diet, because my body is too thin ,,, good post, thank you.
I did not know this diet. I'll study more about it.
Thanks for the great article :)
This is a great way to lose weight and get your health in check.