Good luck to you Kerin. I hope you can find a way of eating that works best for you. I have done some of the very restrictive autoimmune recommended diets and they were very helpful in ridding me of excess fluid retention and inflammation. The best for me was Stage 1 of the GAPS diet that is recommended to heal a leaky gut. I had issues later when I tried to progress through the Stages and add in veggies. The meat broth and bone broth still form the basis for my current way of eating. Have you been tested for food sensitivities? That also helped me pinpoint what foods I can best tolerate.

Finding what works for you is so important! I have been fortunate that after about 45 days of being meativore I have been able to try different foods and see how they affect me. I have been able to eliminate foods that cause negative symptoms (runny nose, abdominal bloating, generalized pain...) I consider LCHF to be a life saver, for me. Good luck to you!

Hi Kerin!

Thanks for checking in about this, and being part of this group. I love the variety of approaches in this supportive community.

I've only been at this for three months, but find it works best for me if I allow myself a wide range of carbs, and fluctuate up and down within that range. My range is something like 30-85g carbs, honestly. I know that sounds like a lot, and sounds like dipping in and out of keto and never getting adapted, which should feel like hell... but for me, it works. I think I am fat adapted, because my body seems to easily get back on board after a higher carb day or two.

I've noticed that after diligently staying under my calorie/carb goals in MFP for several days, my energy dips and I feel hungrier, usually end up having an "over" day, and then feel much better the next day and ready to get back on the wagon. Maybe this means my goals are set a little too low. Or maybe I need to accept this as a normal fluctuation for me. I've read recently about how we humans are made for feast-or-famine, not a constantly equal food intake from day to day (Jason Fong/Andreas Eenfeldt), and I wonder if that's going to be my MO from here on out... at least until menopause, anyway.

I'd love to know if FODMAPS or a different elimination diet works well for you.

However you decide to proceed, I hope we can still be friends.

Mary

I agree with nvmom. If I go over 50 carbs, I am kicked out of ketosis. Going back to my <20, I used to go back through the flu. Now that I'm keto adapted, I'm back to fat burn mode in less than 2 days.

That in and out of flu a year back was killer. It wasn't until I dropped to keto levels, that I felt stable for the first time. You have to take into consideration that I am insulin resistant and type II as well, so stability is a major plus for me.

SkinnyKerinny wrote: »

Thanks so much everyone! I LOVE this group!!!

It is obvious lower carbs are the answer since especially sugar was a taking a huge hit on my health. But maybe they are too low. I didn't realize 150 was still considered low carb. I've been at around 30 to 60 most days.

I just want to be able to continue to improve, be able to function (think clearly at work so I don't lose my job and have enouugh energy to take care of my pups) and lose weight. I stalled out at 10 pounds down and am not able to exercise except walking on the "good" days and usually for small amounts like 10 minutes at a time. I feel like instead of making progress I'm going the other way-- less energy every day.

I just had a thought-- I wonder if it's a magnesium deficiency. I have overlooked taking that recently. I just took 3 mega pills so hopefully that will help get me to the market and back home today.

What about trying to do something "slow carb" like south beach if you don't feel well with as low as you have been....
Good luck finding what works for you!

@SkinnyKerinny I just had had an experience lately feeling short on energy. I had dropped just under 200 from 210 and I wanted to drop on down to a solid 195 so I stayed with only eating two meals a day but still around 2600 calories. Thursday evening I started back to eating another 400 calories around 10 PM and today my energy levels have started to rebound. I did eat 3-4 grapes this morning but carbs are still under 50 grams daily.

Do you think you may just have been under eating too much?

I am going to maintain at or just under 200 for awhile and monitor my energy.

I think some are correct when they say never drop weight non stop but let the body readjust every 10-20 pound drop. It helps prevent regains too if we learn how to maintain on our way down I have read. I did maintain at 220 for 90 days and ate all the food I wished still staying very low carb.

Only you know your body.

If you are so much better now than a year ago, why not keep at it ? I know that after an initial weight loss, I felt stalled for quite a while, but it is perseverance which is keeping me going. And if anything, my brain fog has much improved or disappeared with under 30g carbs daily. I have never felt better, and I wish the same for you.

I am 50 pounds lighter than 11 months ago. I have tons of even energy throughout the day and a clear mind. I have improved flexibility and physical endurance. I am happier ! I think high fat helps.

Whatever you decide to do, I wish you all the best !

Ketogenic diets work great. Until they don't anymore. Some people just do better doing other things at different points in their journey.

I lost all but the last 10lbs (that's 92 so far) doing keto, (<50g carbs total). But the past 6 months or so I've really been struggling with the chronic fatigue popping up again that had plagued me since I was 19. I've tweaked all kinds of things, more fat, more protein, more calories, been keeping the electrolytes on the up-and-up, cutting out artificial sweeteners, even carb-cycling. But I was still tired. I'm also always hungry all the time. Keto lost it's satiating effect for me. I've started upping my carbs over the ketogenic threshold. I've randomly checked my blood sugar after carbier things (like a banana) 2 hrs pp and it hasn't been over 95. So no worries there. I'm still LCHF, I'm just staying out of ketosis. It's nice to have an apple. And a little bit of roasted carrots in my stew. I can have some chili sometime. And I have found in just the 2 days I've been doing this that I'm not having any trouble staying under 100. I don't think I broke 85 yesterday. And I had a small bowl of popcorn! Which I ate because I wanted it and because I was afraid I wouldn't be high enough to stay out of ketosis. I haven't had anymore carb-mares at night so far (those of you who have them know what I mean. Mine are very intense and stressful and I wake up stressed.) I don't care about the couple pounds of water weight. I'll still get to goal eventually. I'm also having less trouble hitting my calorie goal now. So my macros look a bit like: 20% carbs, 25% protein, 55% fat.

Intellectually, I feel like a traitor to the keto-cause. But I'm really not sorry. I'm quite happy to have more veggies in my life. I'm making almond flour crackers and bread sometime this week. In the trenches, it's every gal for herself. We got to discover our sweet spot for best health. It WAS keto for me. Now it may be something else. No shame in finding what's best for you. That's smart. This is all a huge experiment in progress.

I hope you start feeling better soon, Kerin.

SkinnyKerinny wrote: »

Darn! I guess I'm one of them. I was so hopeful too.

I have been feeling more and more like an engine trying to run on an empty tank so I need to look for something else apparently-- and I think it will be much more restrictive (like an autoimmune diet).

I just want to let everyone know that this has been the most delightful experience being in this group. The support and caring is beyond awesome.

Anyway thanks so much to everyone who had responded to my questions-- and not even that-- who have responded to any questions. I've learned so much from all of you. I probably will hang out and lurk since I just love this group even if the LC WOE isn't really working for me.

xoxox

Kerin

I would agree with Sabine about going slower like Med diet. This doesn't mean I disagree with anyone else on the thread. I think for some people one way is the way an if you lurk the threads and get to know people and what tools they use you may find the most successful people employ many tools. Success and the path someone takes isn't for all so keep reading and learning. Continue to explore options and decide how to go about your plan.

I was listening to Herm Edwards the other night(an NFL player, coach, and commentator) and he spoke of players coming to him and saying "Coach, I have all these goals!" He would look at them and say "Great!" "What is your plan?" A goal without a plan is a dream, So, write out your goal, make a plan, be flexible, get frustrated, learn, and grow. Last thought- - - > is a very good book by Charles Duhigg where he discusses habits and willpower. It has served me well. Best of luck.

Been on the road using the tablet is not working out so well to type.

newmeadow wrote: »

SkinnyKerinny wrote: »

I truly don't know the answer either about keto flu-- I know this doesn't feel the same as when I first started LC but it still could be a "flu" effect.

If it's helpful, I consider myself low carb at about 100 carbs a day and I sometimes go a little over. I still feel very much a part of this group and contribute freely when I feel like it.

I do not exercise and have no immediate plans to begin any sort of routine.

I'm losing 8 to 10 pounds a month, but that's because I count calories. Eating or drinking grand amounts of fat or oil just makes me feel nauseous, so I don't do that.

The pain in my hands, feet and joints is mostly gone. Anxiety and chronic low mood continue to improve by the day to the point of being barely noticeable on most days. No more constipation. No more sinusitis. Lung inflammation greatly reduced. Cystic acne not completely gone, but on it's way out. I know it will take 6 months to a year to accomplish this. I require much less sleep. I have become ambivalent about food. I can take it or leave it. My compulsion to eat huge amounts of food, or even strong feelings that I need my meal RIGHT NOW is gone. I have the energy to do whatever life requires of me, including work hard on my feet at my job.

You don't need ketosis or anything close to it to reap the wonderful health benefits of giving up grains and grain products, legumes, starchy vegetables and added sugar.

Kitnthecat wrote: »

If you are so much better now than a year ago, why not keep at it ? I know that after an initial weight loss, I felt stalled for quite a while, but it is perseverance which is keeping me going. And if anything, my brain fog has much improved or disappeared with under 30g carbs daily. I have never felt better, and I wish the same for you.

I am 50 pounds lighter than 11 months ago. I have tons of even energy throughout the day and a clear mind. I have improved flexibility and physical endurance. I am happier ! I think high fat helps.

Whatever you decide to do, I wish you all the best !

Agree.

baconslave wrote: »

Ketogenic diets work great. Until they don't anymore. Some people just do better doing other things at different points in their journey.

Thanks for sharing that baconslave. You're in good company too; Tom Naughton and Peter Attia both have added more carbs to their diets.

No one should ever feel bad for eating as many carbs as their health, activity level and plain old preference allows. Low carb is just a tool... a miraculous, life changing tool for some but still just a tool. If it stops working it would be foolish not to switch it up and find your new best way to eat.

I am VERY thankful Baconslave shared her story..we are all so jacked up on how successful LCHF can be that when there IS a snag we blame ourselves.

Just taking a beat..breath..and keep trying, not stressing, reduce tha Cortisol..and continue.

as others have said there is no better alternative….