New to keto & looking for friends/support

greatthatsgreat

Hey all! I am in my mid-30s, 5'5", and currently weighing ~253 lbs. This is the highest weight I've been at in years, and I don't know if it's age or hormones or genetics or all of the above, but lately if I even breathe in the direction of carbs, I gain like 9 lbs instantly. I've known for YEARS that lowering my carb intake and upping protein/fiber is the way to go, but I've never committed because ~bread is awesome, y'all.~ But that really has to change, because my knees won't let me run anymore and my doctor suggested bariatric surgery, something I wish to avoid.

I've done a bunch of research and have been following the Ruled Me guide(s). I'm only on DAY TWO, but so far the recipes have been delicious and my apartment is stocked with only the good stuff. I feel like I can make this work, but outside support has always been the thing that pushes me to keep going.

I've really enjoyed reading about everyone's experiences so far! Tell me more about why you started your LC lifestyle and what keeps you here? Also, I'm very intrigued to hear about some of the benefits you've noticed. Has your skin cleared up? Joints felt better? Health overall improved? Have you kicked some of your meds? Anything inspirational or any helpful advice is super welcome! Feel free to add me, too!

Thanks, all!

Meredith

ScottW3142

I'm 51 and started at 314 pounds. I started on 4/13. So far, I'm down 14 pounds, I don't get tired in the afternoon anymore, and I don't have any cravings for snacks or carbs. I was on this while on vacation and was able to stick with it - even at an Italian restaurant.

greatthatsgreat

@ScottW3142 that's awesome! I'm really excited to hear that your energy levels went up. I'm not experiencing fatigue yet, but I'm sure it will happen. It's nice to know there's light at the end of this.

RaleighCaldwell

52 and one year ago next month I was at 356#. Currently I'm back and forth between 265 and 270, but I've been traveling quite a bit and haven't stuck with it like I need to. Back on track now and will see the 100# goal before my start date anniversary of August 1, 2017. I follow LCHF, work out some, walk some, and try and have a calorie deficit on a daily basis.

greatthatsgreat

@AnvilTime nice job with your weight loss! thanks for responding

kpk54

My suggestion: keep it simple.

Use MFP to set your calorie goal for weight loss. Alter your carb macros to the about the # of grams you want to eat. Set your protein intake to 20-30% or even 35% as a start unless you have a medical reason to keep protein lower or are an elite athlete workout warrior and have a burning interest in eating protein at higher levels. Fill in the rest of your calories/% with fat when setting up your goals. You don't have to "hit" anything every day. You do want to hover around your carb and calorie amount and not routinely go too low on protein...depending of course on how high you have it set.

For me as someone who fortunately has a healthy body at the ripe old age of 64, it is sometimes fun to dig deep into research but in the end, weight loss and maintenance has come down to 1) calories, 2) setting my macros to what suits me for satiation (LCHF) and 3) eliminating the nasty little habits (related to over eating/calories) that helped me become overweight in the 1st place.

Also 4) a little exercise. "Experts" debate macros and foods all day long. I've never once read that a little exercise/activity is "bad" for the physically able. I'm not saying one has to start endurance training/running or a lifting/circuit program. Get a little exercise. Move. You don't have to move to lose weight but it does help. And most (if not all) would agree exercise is beneficial to overall health.

Eat less than you did and move a little more than you did...when you were gaining. I'm not minimizing the benefits of low carb or keto. I've been eating "this way" for 5 years. I must find it favorable. Every single day has not been perfect but I didn't quit. I still haven't quit. I'm still here, being effective for me, keeping it simple.

stacybaker707

Hello! I started keto a few weeks ago, dieting 32-33 days ago and have lost over 20 pounds. I find that I still get to eat pretty great food on keto and half the time I am too full to eat my daily calories.

greatthatsgreat

@kpk54 thanks so much for the helpful advice! i like the simplicity of "keep it simple."

greatthatsgreat

@stacybaker707 nice! feel free to add me if you need more keto friends!

__Roxy__

ScottW3142 wrote: »

I'm 51 and started at 314 pounds. I started on 4/13. So far, I'm down 14 pounds, I don't get tired in the afternoon anymore, and I don't have any cravings for snacks or carbs. I was on this while on vacation and was able to stick with it - even at an Italian restaurant.

I also started at 314 lbs! ☺
Just 10.5 months in and I'm now 220 lbs...
I'm a permanent convert. I will be keto/low carb for life (no sugar, no grains - no question!). This way of eating has completely healed my inflammation, hormones, and compulsion to overeat. I feel fantastic.

Good luck to everyone here, on your respective journeys!!

alannabanana75

I’ve been keto for almost a year...next week is my ketoversary. I am down 70 pounds, with only 2 1/2 pounds to goal

ScottW3142

River_Goddess wrote: »

ScottW3142 wrote: »

I'm 51 and started at 314 pounds. I started on 4/13. So far, I'm down 14 pounds, I don't get tired in the afternoon anymore, and I don't have any cravings for snacks or carbs. I was on this while on vacation and was able to stick with it - even at an Italian restaurant.

I also started at 314 lbs! ☺
Just 10.5 months in and I'm now 220 lbs...
I'm a permanent convert. I will be keto/low carb for life (no sugar, no grains - no question!). This way of eating has completely healed my inflammation, hormones, and compulsion to overeat. I feel fantastic.

Good luck to everyone here, on your respective journeys!!

That's awesome!

greatthatsgreat

@River_Goddess that's incredible! i'm really inspired by this and happy to hear about the additional health benefits (i.e., hormones, overeating, etc). Thanks!

ironmaidenchick

I've been keto since last August. 40 pounds down on keto and 100 in total overall weight loss. My skin is clear, I had a sore hip which used to cause sharp, stabbing pain which was awful at work, the pain is gone, heartburn gone, headaches virtually gone. I love feeling in control whereas food used to control me.

I do IF and love it. I eat 2 meals or sometimes only 1 meal a day and I am full and satisfied. I am 15-20 pounds from my goal. Alcohol is my downfall, it gets me off track and I eat *kitten* food and it makes me feel horrible. I learnt the hard way lol.

The first week is the hardest. Get rid of temptations. Commit fully and you will get results. I usually have a high carb day once a week it helps me keep sane and also helps if I am stalling. Good luck!

dangerousdashie

Hey, I’ve been strict keto without cheating for 1.5 years and 4 years going on and off of it.

For me I’m doing it for long term health but I’ve noticed a bit less skin out breaks.

I have gained weight on keto when I overate, so I’ve started tracking and weighing everything. Now I’m losing. Keto helps me feel very satiated even in a caloric deficit.

My advice is don’t keep non- keto stuff in the house. If there is something tempting that a family member has ask them to hide it from you. This isn’t so important after you’ve adapted, but it is in the beggining when you’re jonesing for carbs.

Take potassium tablets, I have to take like 20 tablets a day.

Get your calcium, I’m dairy free so I get my calcium from egg shells.

And your magnesium, I take natural calm.

Never intentionally cheat. This is totally debatable, but I do not have the will power to cheat and not go off the path. It’s better to make yourself keto versions of fun foods than to cheat.

Don’t go to a restaurant unprepared. Don’t go to a restaurant without knowing what you can eat there beforehand. Call the restaurant, read the menu. If you are going unprepared for social reasons, just get a tea. I always carry emergency EVOO with me so if I have to, I can order a plain salad and put olive oil on it (most restaurants do not actually have olive oil, but rather use vegetable oil or blended oils which is not hugely respected in the keto world.)

When you are transitioning get really good raw pickles. Raw pickles are the actual fermented cucumbers as opposed to the brined cucumbers and they are healthier but personally I think they are so much tastier and satisfying too. Also chicken broth is really good when transitioning. These salty foods are helpful in keeping cravings at bay.

That’s my advice!

Also here are some of my favorite fun keto store bought snacks:
Lily’s Chocolate Bars and chocolate chips
So Delicious Sugar Free Ice Cream bars and tubs
Smart Cake
Kite Hill Cream Cheese (if you’re dairy free)
Honest fizz
Honest Tea (some are sugar free)
Zevia Sodas
100% grass fed beef sticks, I don’t know the brand but they are at Trader Joe’s
Epic Bars (some are keto)
I used to love Quest bars but I feel like the ingredients are questionable and now I avoid dairy, but you can check them out too.

greatthatsgreat

@ironmaidenchick congrats on the weight loss and overall health improvements! forgive my ignorance, but what is IF?

__Roxy__

greatthatsgreat wrote: »

@ironmaidenchick congrats on the weight loss and overall health improvements! forgive my ignorance, but what is IF?

@greatthatsgreat
IF is intermittent fasting. It's when you eat all of your meals within a set time if day. For example, 16:8 IF would mean eating from, say, 10 am to 6 pm (or whatever 8 hour window suits your schedule best). The rest of the time is considered fasting and you consume only water, tea, coffee, pickle juice etc...

It has benefits of healing insulin resistance, improving digestion, and promoting autophagy. It pairs really well with Keto.

I intermittent fast daily - usually 18:6. I eat from 12:30 to 6:30 most weekdays... I do IF on weekends too but my eating window tends to be a bit more flexible

ironmaidenchick

Yes intermittent fasting. I do 16:8. I have never eaten breakfast so for me it works well :-) haha I must have said a naughty word up above as it says I eat kitten food! Alcohol and me equals bad food :-)

cricketpower

Ha, I thought people intentionally used the word kitten!

Kitten food. Now that's a new one!

ironmaidenchick

Lol so did I then when I looked back I thought whaaaaat!! Not sure how keto it would be :-)

greatthatsgreat

@dangerousdashie thank you for responding and providing additional pointers. i'm really impressed by your 1.5 years of 1.5 years of straight up keto. that's super cool. i'm on day 4 right now and i sort of want to punch everything, so i keep checking back with this group for additional inspiration, haha. i'm doing okay, though! you are all very inspiring.