Needing some advice...and a moment to vent.
Puppylynn
Posts: 5 Member
Hey everyone! I'm new to MFP and the Keto diet, so I wanted to take a sec to introduce myself. My name is Amber, and I've decided to try and change my life for the better. I'm roughly 190 lbs at the age of 24. I have severe back and knee pain from all of this excess weight, and I'm ashamed of my physical condition. I desperately need to feel healthy... the rest will fall into place.
I first saw the keto diet on Pinterest, and read more online. It sounds like a diet that can provide great results, but more importantly, one that I can sustain. I have to beat my laziness, but some high maintenance diets out there don't make it easy.
I was wondering, what is everyone's experience? Has it been harder or easier to follow than other diets? What motivates you? Also, does anyone have any tips for a newbie like me? Things you didn't read online but discovered for yourself?
Thank you for taking some time to help me out, and please feel free to add me!
I first saw the keto diet on Pinterest, and read more online. It sounds like a diet that can provide great results, but more importantly, one that I can sustain. I have to beat my laziness, but some high maintenance diets out there don't make it easy.
I was wondering, what is everyone's experience? Has it been harder or easier to follow than other diets? What motivates you? Also, does anyone have any tips for a newbie like me? Things you didn't read online but discovered for yourself?
Thank you for taking some time to help me out, and please feel free to add me!
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Replies
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Good luck! For me, it's so much easier than anything else. I've had multiple knee surgeries, and just with 10-15 pounds difference even my pain was so so so much less. My suggestion, in the beginning don't focus on calories, just focus on not eating more than 30-40 grams of carbs and 50-60 grams of protein a day, don't work out but walk and move, and eat foods that have good fats, nuts, avocado, olives etc. Drink lots of water, take some sea salt, or drink broth. Take vitamins. And also look into intermittent fasting. This is a helpful forum, it helped me a lot. Give it a few days and you will feel so much less hunger. Also look up keto versions of things you like. There is a way to fit most reasonable things in this diet.5
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This is a very easy to follow way of eating, IMO. And it feels like the anti-diet. Once you get past sugar cravings it is amazing what you're "allowed" to eat.
Best parts that keep me going when scale loss isn't happening (and I don't even have a specific health issue I'm addressing):
Not angry when hungry
Better moods overall
Ability to go long periods without eating
Squeaky clean teeth - all the time
No gas
Better sleep
Significantly lessened cramps during my period
Better skin
Best tip would be to read the stickied threads at the top of the page here and take seriously the info on upping your salt.6 -
And welcome! I'm Jessica
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Hi! I get so inspired by people like you because you have decided to put your health first. You're not beating yourself up but simply making a level headed decision and you're trying to get the right information to ensure you'll be successful. Nice one!
I'm very new to all this myself, coming from a vegetarian, high carb diet to now switching more and more to a high fat/protein, low carb way of eating. I think a low carb diet is a good option for weight loss because it helps decrease hunger so it's actually easier to eat at a deficit. It's great to get away from craving sugary, processed carb foods that have low nutritional value as well!
Also, I don't think you're "lazy", as you write. At least not more so than any other human as we've all been biologically programmed to preserve energy where possible and overconsume calories when we can. I have absolutely no sweets in the house, except for some (dried) fruit and stevia sweetened drinking chocolate, because it's not that I don't have any self control but it means I don't have to fight the natural urge to go for a quick energy hit when I'm tired...
I'll be curious to read replies of more seasoned low carbers/ Keto peeps, and please keep us posted on how you go!3 -
My biggest advice is to read the LCD launchpad up in the announcement section. Tons of great info for low carbing. There is also lots of very helpful and well informed people who are willing to help in the group. Most importantly increase your sodium to prevent dehydration (aka keto flu). You should be aiming for 3000-5000mg a day.5
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First, take a look through the launch pad on the main page of this forum:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10103966/start-here-the-lcd-launch-pad#latest
There is very important information about electrolytes and the "keto flu" (which is completely preventable) and other tips and resources that will make this journey much more successful and pleasant.
If you scroll through the various threads here, you will likely find several that have information you will feel was written specifically for you. If you do have a question not covered, feel free to ask. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience here.
Welcome aboard. IMHO, this is the best WOE regardless of health. Of course, there is no WOE that is perfect for everyone. This group has people everywhere from 150 g carbs a day down to 0, vegetarians to full carnivores. As long as people are respectful, they are welcome here.4 -
Oh, one more thing - take pics and measurements. It is very common to lose inches without losing pounds during some stretches. Sometimes it happens right up front sometimes it may happen after having lost several pounds. If you take pics and measurements, then you can see progress even when the scale may not indicate it.7
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Yes, do take the time to do this! I wish I did this regularly throughout! And keeping a diary can be helpful.cstehansen wrote: »Oh, one more thing - take pics and measurements. It is very common to lose inches without losing pounds during some stretches. Sometimes it happens right up front sometimes it may happen after having lost several pounds. If you take pics and measurements, then you can see progress even when the scale may not indicate it.
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Welcome!1
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Welcome! As suggested, the launchpad is an incredible resource, as are most of this discussion forum. Always remember is that there is not one specific thing that works for everybody the same way... expect maybe keeping an eye on electrolytes! Everyone has their own sweet spot, it may take some experimenting to find yours!
Planning ahead and food preparation are key for me to avoid last minute (bad decisions), but as I become more adapted, it is easier to wait (but I do not officially fast, it is simply not for me!)
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Welcome! First I would like to echo what others have said about reading the stickies and getting plenty of salt. It'll make you feel so much better. Second, remember to focus on all of the tasty and good for you foods that you CAN eat and not on the foods that you can't. Third, feel free to ask questions. This is a very supportive community full of people who are very knowledgeable and they are happy to share great information.
Best of luck!!2 -
This is the easiest and most successful diet I have ever tried, and the first one that I have ever felt like I could stick to long term. So glad you found your way here and hope you love it3
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Welcome to the group!
I can only speak of my experience - for me, this has been the easiest and most sustainable WOE that I have ever tried. I am almost never hungry (usually only occurs if I slip-up and eat simple carbs), I sometimes force myself to eat or eat out of habit - still trying to break that habit. I sleep better, I have more energy and I don't get the afternoon sleepies after lunch anymore.1 -
Has anyone mentioned to be sure to get enough salt/sodium??
Just kidding. I see it is in most posts above whether it is mentioned as salt, sodium or electrolytes. Heed that advice.
I'll probably be back later. If not, I'll just say this (cuz there is already great info posted):
Don't quit, don't quit, don't quit, don't quit.6 -
You've gotten the best advice possible thus far, so I'll just say listen, follow and welcome! Good luck to you Amber!
Omar1 -
I tried to count calories from the age of 18 til 37. I would do well for a day, a few days, a week and then I would cave because I couldn't handle being hungry anymore. I tried everything. I managed to lose a few kg here and there but by the time I was 37 I was 123kg and my doctor told me I was pre-diabetic. I also mourn for those years I lost being unhappy. My weight affected every aspect of my life. My ability to do things, my confidence, my mental health, my ability to be happy. It destroyed my marriage. My husband loved me and I despised him for being able to love someone so fat.
4 years ago I went keto. It was tough for the first few months. I fell off the wagon for four months last year when I had surgery and gained back 15kg (one carb led to all the carbs and I couldn't stop). But today, at 42, I am 88kg. Keto has given me back control of my life. I am no longer at the mercy of food. I'm not hungry all the time. I still love to eat, but I find it easier to stick to my calories. I have conditioned my thinking now so that I think "I don't eat carbs" much as a vegetarian thinks "I don't eat meat". In this way I can remain above temptation.
I lost my Dad last year. He was 68. I sat in the hospital with him for 2 days and watched him die. He was taken by diabetes complications, he was diagnosed with type 2 when he was 40. He is one of 9 and they all have type 2 diabetes. My cousin who is 50, slim and fit, has also been diagnosed. But she eats all the carbs. My doctor has confirmed (a couple of years ago now) that the change I made to eating keto has eradicated all signs of prediabetes. I plan to avoid it as long as I can, hopefully for good.
I also have less pain in my joints, and I can do much more than I ever have been able to before. I'm just sorry I waited so long to get my life back.5 -
@Puppylynn Welcome! You asked for things learned along the way. One thing I have found that's been helpful for me is preplanning. I jot down or log my menu for tomorrow usually after dinner tonight. That way, I know I have all the foods I need and don't need to make sudden substitutions which could lead to not so great choices. Also, I pre-prepare some food items on the weekend usually (I'm medically retired so am not working so the day doesn't matter for me). When I have busy days, it makes it much easier to get dinner made when I have something I don't have to make from scratch. So I might bake up a half chicken (enough for 2 here). Or I make a super batch of meatballs (lots of keto friendly recipes out there for those). I package them up in bags of 3 or 4 depending on the size (again enough for 2 here). I also make hamburger patties and freeze them. If you put them on parchment or wax paper in the freezer for a couple of hours and then transfer them to a freezer safe container or ziplock bags, they come out one at a time and are perfect for on the go eating.
Again welcome. And I put thumbs up about reading the LCD Launchpad. Great information.5 -
Thank you for the warm welcome! That's great advice on meal prepping; that's probably my weakest area.3
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@Puppylynn I added u! I hope you find this type of eating to be for you. It really varies person to person but for me I was addicted to high processed carbs and sugar and so this lifestyle of eating has greatly blessed me. I find that when I abstain from these types of foods I feel better mentally and emotionally and even spiritually. I definitely suggest going gradual with this. Because your body could go into shock if u suddenly stop eating a lot of carbs. I love the way I feel tho having switched to a keto type diet and I actually have more energy. I lost weight steady but not drastically. It definitely will come off tho if u stick to it. I love eating how I do. I eat a lot of healthy protein.. mostly chicken, some red meat, and I eat cream cheese and nuts as a bulk of my calories as well. I would suggest when u do eat carbs to go for low carb veggies like celery, lettuce, and to weigh and measure everything as well for proper portion control. If u do get carb cravings go for a sodium rich beverage like chicken broth or salt water (was recommended to me and does curb carb cravings). Be patient with yourself and don't worry if u fall back into old habits. Anything else u wanna know feel free to message me. Best of health to you and be careful! Hugs5
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@ShanBanKrup - I was the opposite - I dived into the deep end without stepping down, and my body reacted as if it was now bathed in the glittering sunlight of perfection...because this is what I desperately needed, but I had some outlying health issues and external life triggers, and I'm fighting my way back... So it CAN work for some... If I had tried to stair step down and lower my carbs slowly, I'd be face first in carbage right now. That type of plan doesn't work for me, at all, but we are all very different people...2
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You will inevitably encounter folks who don't understand this WOE and who will try to persuade you that it's too restrictive and difficult to follow.
Your crushing one-word response to these nay-sayers; BACON!!!!8 -
I'm really excited about these ideas, and I'm really glad there's a group here for help. I can already tell that I'm going to need to be very mindful of sodium. I've never used a scale for food before either, so I think it's time to start. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to feel healthy and pain free again.
I'm very curious about the sodium intake. I like the idea of chicken broth, especially in this weather! I'm curious, though, about the type of salt to increase. I've read people just adding more table salt, and other people insist it needs to be sea salt. Does it matter?2 -
I'm curious, though, about the type of salt to increase. I've read people just adding more table salt, and other people insist it needs to be sea salt. Does it matter?
I say NO. It doesn't matter. If you have table salt, use table salt. If you have sea salt, use sea salt. I personally see no reason to go out a buy a bunch of specialty food items for a simple diet. I have both because I cook a lot. I use either. Whichever happens to be closest. They have just about the same amount of sodium per equal measure.
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I'm curious, though, about the type of salt to increase. I've read people just adding more table salt, and other people insist it needs to be sea salt. Does it matter?
I say NO. It doesn't matter. If you have table salt, use table salt. If you have sea salt, use sea salt. I personally see no reason to go out a buy a bunch of specialty food items for a simple diet. I have both because I cook a lot. I use either. Whichever happens to be closest. They have just about the same amount of sodium per equal measure.
Thank you! I'm getting a week's worth of meals tonight, and I wasn't sure if sea salt needed to be added.1 -
Welcome to the club!!
I'm only about a month old here too. The results that I have achieved doing Keto in just 30 short days is truly amazing. I've done Atkins for years & also tried low fat diets & juice fasts before in the past. I've spent countless hours doing P90X & Insanity too. And I've never lost this much body fat this fast & this easily EVER. I seriously can't believe that I've never even heard about this Ketogenic diet until just a couple months ago. Keto is just pure awesome!!
I personally keep my net carb count around 16 grams per day. I also use those keto strips once a day just because seeing the color change is like a little extra encouragement for me -as confirmation that I'm still on the right track. Plus, I take pictures & measurements of my waist size, weight, body fat %, muscle %, and water % once a week. I like seeing & comparing the numbers of my progress -for extra motivation.
I have found that pepperoni is my perfect "go to" snack when I'm needing a little more fat to catch up on my ideal fat intake percentage ratios. Also, the fastest way that I've found to boost my energy levels up & keep them up (and quench any hunger) is with that bulletproof / keto coffee (salted butter, MCT Oil & coffee all blended together).
There is so much good information here. And as you have already experienced, this seems to be a very supportive & helpful group of people that hang out here. I like that most everyone here has common goals & maintain a positive, open atmosphere. You're definitely in the right spot!! I know I'm glad I found this place!!6 -
I only use sea salt or Himalayan salt, I refill my grinders when needed. But I have done this long before I started LCHF. I have always preferred the taste over normal table salt.2
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motorcyclekopp wrote: »Welcome to the club!!
I'm only about a month old here too. The results that I have achieved doing Keto in just 30 short days is truly amazing. I've done Atkins for years & also tried low fat diets & juice fasts before in the past. I've spent countless hours doing P90X & Insanity too. And I've never lost this much body fat this fast & this easily EVER. I seriously can't believe that I've never even heard about this Ketogenic diet until just a couple months ago. Keto is just pure awesome!!
I personally keep my net carb count around 16 grams per day. I also use those keto strips once a day just because seeing the color change is like a little extra encouragement for me -as confirmation that I'm still on the right track. Plus, I take pictures & measurements of my waist size, weight, body fat %, muscle %, and water % once a week. I like seeing & comparing the numbers of my progress -for extra motivation.
I have found that pepperoni is my perfect "go to" snack when I'm needing a little more fat to catch up on my ideal fat intake percentage ratios. Also, the fastest way that I've found to boost my energy levels up & keep them up (and quench any hunger) is with that bulletproof / keto coffee (salted butter, MCT Oil & coffee all blended together).
There is so much good information here. And as you have already experienced, this seems to be a very supportive & helpful group of people that hang out here. I like that most everyone here has common goals & maintain a positive, open atmosphere. You're definitely in the right spot!! I know I'm glad I found this place!!
This is an awesome start. One thing you will want to know is as your body gets better at using ketones, you will likely have less in your urine. If you want to test, you will need to get either a blood or breath meter.5 -
Hi there!!! Atkins, Low Carb, Keto has been alot easier for me. And I have done every diet under the sun, I get to eat until im full and satisfied and the food is delicious too! I can have what I want just a different variation of it. Cream Cheese Pancakes are delicious , no tears I cant have the real ones! And instead of chips I eat Pork rinds! Yum too!
My only downfall is Wine, Thanksgiving it and I fell off and seems to be hard gettng back on so we can do this together. I so want to be 135 and I am determined to do it! :0)3 -
mandycat223 wrote: »You will inevitably encounter folks who don't understand this WOE and who will try to persuade you that it's too restrictive and difficult to follow.
Your crushing one-word response to these nay-sayers; BACON!!!!
Ditto to this. And some of those nay-sayers are professionals. Several of DH's coworkers have started following keto after DH's wt loss (about 70 pounds now) plus another couple whose doctors actually put them on it (diabetics). However, one gentleman who has about 150 pounds to lose took the plan to his doctor who screamed at him (actually, literally screamed) that he would be dead in a month if he did this. The man is now reading a couple of books on keto to decide if his doc is right or nuts.
One thing I've learned is that I don't even have to mention my WOE to anyone. If they ask, I looked confused (and change the subject). I don't JADE to anyone about my WOE anymore and it feels good. JADE = justify, argue, defend or explain.
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Hey everyone! I'm new to MFP and the Keto diet, so I wanted to take a sec to introduce myself. My name is Amber, and I've decided to try and change my life for the better. I'm roughly 190 lbs at the age of 24. I have severe back and knee pain from all of this excess weight, and I'm ashamed of my physical condition. I desperately need to feel healthy... the rest will fall into place.
I first saw the keto diet on Pinterest, and read more online. It sounds like a diet that can provide great results, but more importantly, one that I can sustain. I have to beat my laziness, but some high maintenance diets out there don't make it easy.
I was wondering, what is everyone's experience? Has it been harder or easier to follow than other diets? What motivates you? Also, does anyone have any tips for a newbie like me? Things you didn't read online but discovered for yourself?
Thank you for taking some time to help me out, and please feel free to add me!
Welcome and I hope everything goes well for you!
I've been happy with keto. Definitely take time to read The Launch Pad section.
Overall for me it's been easier to follow than other diets. More satisfying, fewer issues with cravings, stomach issues, etc. I lost weight well and now I'm maintaining with LCHF.0
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