Keto SOS-- am I worth a shot?

haileighdevries1

I'm 19 5'1 and 113 lbs. doesn't sound like much but for my size and age I should be closer to 100lbs. I don't want to be skin and bones but I'm definitely fluffy in my gut because of adrenal fatigue and cortisol tends to drop it all right there (yay). I want to go keto because of the hormonal benefits, no stressful restrictions, and obvious weight loss until my body finds its happy place. Am I too small to do so? I definitely have some to lose.
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Additionally, I've been trying it out with little success. I keep my net carbs between 17-25 definitely under 40 on a bad day! Maybe mid 30s. However, I still feel like I'm getting fluffier! Do you think it's that I stopped working out and am losing muscle mass and tone? I could easily weigh myself but I don't want to rely on numbers. I want to go based more on how I feel and I feel bigger in my stomach area. I have gone over my calories only three times and not by much! Any opinions? All are welcome! Or any advice on exercise? Thanks you guys!

queenliz99

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/113609/relatively-light-people-trying-to-get-leaner/p1

nvmomketo

I do keto for the health benefits too (blood glucose control, autoimmune disease control, less pain). It can help, but I don't think of it as a good short term weight loss tool. For weight loss you need to have CI<CO. One can overheat on a keto diet and gain weight, although that isn't the norm, and it won't help you spot reduce.

It will probably improve your health and reduce your appetite, and possibly help you make healthy food choices though. There are some pluses to the diet.

Your size would not make keto less effective. You may need to keep carbs a bit lower than a 6' man, but if you stay around 20 g of carbs you can be pretty sure you are in fairly deep ketosis.

Make sure you double your salt intake to 3000-5000mg per day. It will help the switch be smoother.

I sometimes feel fluffier when losing because my skin is looser. I seem to lose fat and then my skin tightens up some after the fact. Have you weighed or measured recently? Have you actually lost weight or inches?

haileighdevries1

I've lost weight, about half a pound! I just weighed myself. I think I need to up the salt, good tip I forgot! I've been feeling super weak and extremely thirsty lately. That's probably my issue. But your right-- gotta let the body take its time. I'll keep my carbs down, thanks so much!

StaciMarie1974

Before going high sodium - do you have any concerns of high blood pressure? At 19 I would imagine not, but if heart disease runs in the family its something perhaps to consider.

My daughter is 5' .71" and about 98 pounds. If you're a similar build then I can imagine 10-15 pounds could make a difference. Keto may have benefits for you, but ultimately weight loss is about CI<CO. And at your size, it will be a slow and steady process. A smaller body just does not burn that much. So aim to eat 1300-1500 calories per day, increase your activity, and be sure and strength train. And expect results at the rate of 1-2 pounds per month. Focus more on overall health, and let weight loss be a welcomed side effect.

And if you're having energy and other issues, also make sure you're getting proper vitamins/nutrients. If you have not been for a checkup recently, this could be a good time to do so.

haileighdevries1

StaciMarie1974 wrote: »

Before going high sodium - do you have any concerns of high blood pressure? At 19 I would imagine not, but if heart disease runs in the family its something perhaps to consider.

My daughter is 5' .71" and about 98 pounds. If you're a similar build then I can imagine 10-15 pounds could make a difference. Keto may have benefits for you, but ultimately weight loss is about CI<CO. And at your size, it will be a slow and steady process. A smaller body just does not burn that much. So aim to eat 1300-1500 calories per day, increase your activity, and be sure and strength train. And expect results at the rate of 1-2 pounds per month. Focus more on overall health, and let weight loss be a welcomed side effect.

And if you're having energy and other issues, also make sure you're getting proper vitamins/nutrients. If you have not been for a checkup recently, this could be a good time to do so.

Ugh this is perfect! Thank you so much for this input. I do believe I should be taking in more nutrients and I'll be starting a multivitamin today. I was at the doctor last month because I also have amenorrhea (7 months) and the nurse took my blood pressure four times and then twice in my other arm bc I have low blood pressure. I assume it's another symptom of adrenal fatigue. I also understand that a smaller body burns less so, I guess I'll just take it as a nice bonus on top of the keto diet! Thank you so so so so so much! Sometimes I just need to be grounded about the facts rather than comparing my journey to someone else's.

auddii

StaciMarie1974 wrote: »

Before going high sodium - do you have any concerns of high blood pressure? At 19 I would imagine not, but if heart disease runs in the family its something perhaps to consider.

My daughter is 5' .71" and about 98 pounds. If you're a similar build then I can imagine 10-15 pounds could make a difference. Keto may have benefits for you, but ultimately weight loss is about CI<CO. And at your size, it will be a slow and steady process. A smaller body just does not burn that much. So aim to eat 1300-1500 calories per day, increase your activity, and be sure and strength train. And expect results at the rate of 1-2 pounds per month. Focus more on overall health, and let weight loss be a welcomed side effect.

And if you're having energy and other issues, also make sure you're getting proper vitamins/nutrients. If you have not been for a checkup recently, this could be a good time to do so.

All of this.

And as far as I know, there's no reason that size would affect whether or not keto works for you; you just will have to try and see if it's something you're willing to stick with long term.

Abby2205

haileighdevries1 wrote: »

I could easily weigh myself but I don't want to rely on numbers. I want to go based more on how I feel and I feel bigger in my stomach area.

Feelings are very inaccurate. If you don't want to weigh yourself, what about measurements?

haileighdevries1

I ended up weighing myself because there's no reason to guess! I am smaller now (half a pound) which seems fo be normal on keto. I think I'm just feeling fluffier due to my loss of tone and definition?