Keto anyone?

[Chubbymama]

Hello - I'm new here, first time logging on. I'm just wondering if anyone has done the keto diet and had success? My husband and friends know people who have dropped 20+ pounds on this diet. I've lost 5 in 6 weeks. I'm getting frustrated because I am working so hard to lose another 15.

Does anyone have any tips or suggestions on how to be successful at losing weight while eating healthy and working out? I'm even turning down pizza...and that is hard. I'm doing everything that I can but I'm just not satisfied with the time it is taking me to lose weight.

Thanks in advance!!

[Daves_Not_Here]

@jshaf - keep it going, man!  I hope you are taking pictures.

Also, I've continue to hear anecdotes about how people who lose a large amount of weight on Keto find their skin shrinks with them, and they don't have sagging -- it will be great to hear how that works for you.

[jshaf]

Sent from Mail for Windows 10
Maybe if your younger but my skin is sagging, guessing because I am approaching 50 (48 right now) and the fact that I am losing it so fast. Thinking it might reduce over time, I don’t remember the rate the skin is replaced but it is at least yearly so guessing in a year from now I might see a difference. Guess I will have to wait and see.

[Dominique]

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@Daves_Not_Here wrote:

I've continue to hear anecdotes about how people who lose a large amount of weight on Keto find their skin shrinks with them, and they don't have sagging.

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I’m skeptical about this, as I can’t see the mechanism by which eating in a certain way while losing weight should result in tighter skin. Like @jshaf observed, I think total weight loss and age are far more important factors. And there are probably genetic differences as well.

[Daves_Not_Here]

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@Dominique wrote:

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I’m skeptical about this, as I can’t see the mechanism by which eating in a certain way while losing weight should result in tighter skin. Like @jshaf observed, I think total weight loss and age are far more important factors. And there are probably genetic differences as well.

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@Dominique and @jshaf - forgive me as I feel a rant coming on:  When it comes to Keto, I'm becoming skeptical of my skepticism.

I was skeptical of reports of increased mental clarity, but then I experienced it for myself.

I was skeptical of reports of reduced inflammation, but then I experienced relief of severe arthritis for myself.

I was skeptical of reports of bonk-proof cardio, but then I experienced fasted 4 hour bike rides for myself.

I was skeptical of reports of improved blood lipid profiles in spite of increased fat consumption, but then I got my own improved blood test results.

I was skeptical of reports of diabetes reversal, but then I experienced of the loss of pre-diabetes for myself.

I was skeptical of reports that one could feel great (instead of tired and hungry) during rapid weight loss, but then I experienced it for myself.

I was skeptical of reports of reduced sleep requirements, but I now wake up alert at 4:30 before the alarm clock.

I was skeptical of reports of reduced appetite and cravings, but I was able to effortlessly to convert to eating only once a day with very little hunger.

So now I hear reports of lack of loose skin by those who lose a massive amount of weight, including the holder of the record for world's longest fast of 382 days, going from 456 to 180 pounds.  Dr. Jason Fung, author of The Obesity Code and Intermittent Fasting proponent reports that the patients in his practice find they lose weight with relatively little loose skin.  Perhaps I should be more skeptical, but my own loose skin has recently tightened.

I realize that Keto is held in contempt by the healthcare establishment currently presiding over an Obesity-Diabetes-Heart Disease epidemic that financially enriches them by $500B per annum and for which they pretend to have no clue how to remedy ("DUH!!  We have no idea what's going on.  Maybe gluttony and sloth.  But avoid that Keto, and **ahem** that Atkins!  Just avoid fat and keep the money coming"), but I'm getting skeptical of their skepticism (not saying that you @Dominique speak for said establishment, as you have obviously achieved impressive results yourself).

As to a possible mechanism, Fung holds that Intermittent Fasting increases autophagy, a process of "self-devourcing" of cells.  I'm curious if this could affect loose skin, and if it has more to do with Intermittent Fasting than Keto.

[Nora58]

@Daves_Not_HereI am eating within my macros and calorie count but the weight remains unchanged after 43 days whats going on. I walk 5 miles with the dog 2 to 3 times a week workout on the rock climber use light weights and use Jungle gym XT straps for my upper body which seems to be where all the weight is. suggestions????  On my walks I am in the range of 70 t0 90 min cardio and 10 peak and I am not running just not window shopping. I weight 140 some days and 137 on others and I am 4 ft 9.

[Dominique]

@Nora58: the ketogenic diet may have wonderful side effects, but for weight loss to happen with it, it’s still all about calories. The fact nothing has happened on that front in six weeks suggests your calories are not where you (and/or your Fitbit) think they are. It’s not uncommon for people logging their intake to underestimate it, and it’s not uncommon either for Fitbit to overestimate your energy expenditure. If both are off (in the "wrong" direction) by - say - 250 calories, a 500 calories deficit may turn into no deficit at all.

You cannot "spot reduce" fat, so doing exercises focused on your upper body will not necessarily cause fat to be lost there. Muscle development can be targeted, however: someone doing a lot of biceps curls will likely get bigger biceps.

[Daves_Not_Here]

Hi @Nora58 - I'm agreeing with @Dominique - you cannot spot reduce.

You are at "homeostasis" as evidenced by the history you reported.  My bet is that if you continue to eat and exercise at your current levels, you will continue to maintain your current weight.

Here is my favorite video on this topic, previously provided here by people smarter than myself.

My suggestion:  change something.  Unless you aspire to run marathons, I'd focus on your eating.  I'd experiment with changing macro-nutrient ratios, e.g. plant-based or low carb.  Also, experiment with changing the window of time in which you eat every day.

Good luck, and please report your progress!

[Smulloy]

I'm 63 and have lost 28 pounds since January. I'm down to 163 lbs and don't have saggy skin yet. Certainly not more than someone my age. LOL. My focus is avoiding carbs and sugar as much as possible. I can eat a lot of fat without putting on the pounds. Mainly eating real foods, full fat, butter/coconut oil in my coffee. I also eat a fair amount of protein and fresh vegetables with some berries.

One great aspect of Keto is that I don't feel hungry.

[Daves_Not_Here]

Hey @Smulloy - sounds like things are going well for you.  I am eating in a very similar way to you, and am finding that Keto keeps my appetite suppressed.  Also, I find I can kill my sugar cravings by eating green and black olives, pickles, avocado and sauerkraut.  

[Smulloy]

My addiction was always chips and bread. But I’ve managed to stop craving. Your treats are certainly ones that I enjoy. After reading your post, I had some olives. It had been a long time. Mmm.

Sent from my iPhone

[HillB2]

I have been ketogenic for 2 years now.

STILL WAITING ON FITBIT TO MAKE MACROS A GOAL OVER HERE!!

The way of life is NOT for everyone, and if someone is only looking for a quick weight loss it should be noted that unless a proper, long term, monitored reverse diet is completed, the weight will pack on twice as fast as before when carbs start being consumed. 

Ketogenic is based on a average percentage of macro diet. I, for instance, used a 6% carbs, 25% protein and 69% fat percentage while loosing weight, and now that I have been in maintenance for a while, I now sit at 6%, 34%, and 60%, respectfully. 

I did not start ketogenic because of a weight loss goal, but because my nutritionist recommended a major lifestyle change when, in my late 20's, I began developing food allergies and suffered from chronic migraines. He started me on a few books and since then I have maintained my literature on the subject and advocate it to anyone who is willing to make the change for life, not just for weight loss. Unlike many "diets", Keto doesnt focus on rapid weight loss-no matter how many people think it does!- it focuses on sustainability. It is one of the easiest commitments for lifestyle change in the long run, and highly flexible as you understand your own body. 

A few resources I would like to recommend to people before they get started, or if they are looking to understand any stalls or issues:

-KETO by maria and craig emmerich (this is not recipes, its a fantastic literature on the history and scientific breakdown of how food effects our bodies!)

-Ketogenic 6 ingredient cookbook by elizabeth jane

-Bacon and Butter by celby richoux (our personal favorite and "man focused" as my husband says)

a ketogenic calculator to help you see what your diet would look like, its a good idea to start at about a 15% deficit, don't worry, you'll still get a good "whoosh":

https://keto-calculator.ankerl.com/

a blood ketone meter (this is NOT NEEDED, but for those looking to commit to the lifestyle, it can help to determine which foods and drinks can throw your body out of metabolic ketosis. metabolic levels are from .5-4.5 ketones per mmol/L and prime benefits are gained in the 1.5-3.5mmol/L range. these benefits include (but not limited to) mental clarity, even energy, weight loss or maintenance based on intake, and in my case, only one migraine in 2 years. I recommend the KetoMojo brand ketone meter and it can be purchased on Amazon.

overall, Keto is not for everyone. Cheat days can offer bloating, medical grade gas, feeling lethargic and weight gain, so although it is ok to cheat, the first couple of times it can REALLY suck. it takes an average of 6 weeks to become fat-adapted. this is where your body stops looking for carbs and starts looking for fat to fuel basic human function. cheating even once in the first 6 weeks can derail everything. alcohol should be little to none until about the 2 month mark, and then slowly reintroduce things that are less harmful. realizing that a major staple in keto is the lack of legumes and gluten... beer is really hard on some people, even if it fits their macros! and if you cant give up bread, pasta, beer, fruit, and milk for life (excepting cheat days, if you so support them) then keto is NOT for you.

Although I closed down my old instagram for privacy reasons, I have a new one up where I suggest foods and drinks, and people can follow mine and my husbands journey. if you'd like, you are welcome to follow and I can recommend many influencers who are fantastic at showing the world what keto looks like. the handle is questionableyketocouple

I truly hope this information and resources can help some people and allow them to realize that Keto isn't meant to be a fad or a new hip diet, it's a lifestyle that should be entered into with education and flexibility!