Keto, anyone?

ikeandmike1212 · September 2017

Greetings from sunny Florida!

I have been on a ketogenic (HFLC) eating plan for the past two months and I have lost 26 pounds, which puts me about 25% towards my goal. During my journey (I am an accomplished cook), I have discovered almond flour, coconut flour, flax seed flour and a great sugar alternative, that does not produce an insulin response. I was so happy when my flourless bread turned out perfect the first time, the flourless "hamburger buns" were flawless and I can actually have a cup of coffee with heavy cream and "sugar".

This journey began after a gallbladder removal and digestive issues that caused my stomach to bloat after 2 bites of of food. After visiting the gastroenterologist, I was told I had delayed digestion, for which he prescribed a ton of antibiotics. As a person who had very thick hair, the patchy hair hair loss I began to experience and out of control psoriasis was depressing. After visiting my primary and the appropriate specialist, I felt helpless when my conditions appeared to worsened. In all of this, I was constantly advised to loose weight, but all my sincere efforts failed.

After my dermatologist performed certain tests, I was informed that I had internal inflammation. I researched the causes for internal inflammation, which led me to the ketogenic eating.

In the past two months, after removing ALL refined sugars, rice, processed starches, potatoes, pasta, fruits, tea, soft drinks, etc., from my diet, my digestive issues have subsided by 95%, the psoriasis is resolved, I have more energy and my hair is growing back.

In eating the "keto" way, I noticed that I function for longer periods of time before becoming hungry, whereas before I could have breakfast and feel that I was starving an hour later, causing me to me more and of course, gain weight.

If you are following a ketogenic meal plan, I'd like to hear about your journey.....

aeloine · September 2017

Such an amazing journey!! Congrats on all the progress and for sticking with it!!

There are a lot of threads where people discuss keto. Doing a search of the forums will definitely help you find a community to join and a support group of people who are doing the same thing. You won't be disappointed!

ikeandmike1212 · September 2017

Thanks!

ElorasMomForever · September 2017

I've been on keto for about a month now (with a two day break on my birthday that messed me up). I've lost about 9 lbs. so far. I've noticed that I'm less bloated all the time now which automatically makes my pants fit better. I'm doing this mostly for weight loss, you have a much better story than I do! Just started intermittent fasting and that seems to be helping too.
If you want a keto friend, feel free to add me!

Dawna954 · September 2017

Hello from Canada (Snowbird to Florida)

I too am following Keto. I had similar digestion problems and underwent endoscopy and colonoscopy to find out that my diet and my weight were the big problems. I also developed a severe respiratory illness that has now been attributed to GERD.
I have been Keto for almost a month. Down almost 10lbs and feeling much, much better. Ditched the pills for my GERD and have no more issues. In fact, they subsided after only one week.

I could use the encouragement and would love some of your recipes! Tried to send a friend request but it bounced back.

ikeandmike1212 · September 2017

I didn't want to throw too much out at first, but I think if you get your fat percentages right, intermittent fasting can be done easily. On weekends, as I wake up later, I eat breakfast later, add a little more fat, skip lunch and add a little more fat to dinner.

I just pinned down some great fat bomb recipes...great to have on hand to ensure you enough fat!

...and yes you can be my "keto friend"

lose100ali · September 2017

I started Keto about a month ago. I had been counting calories and I was eating about 1200 calories. I was hungry ALOT and the scale had not moved for about 3 mos. I switched to keto on the advise of a trainer at my gym. It has been about a month and I am down about 15 lbs. I am also not feeling hungry all the time.

ikeandmike1212 · September 2017

Dawn,

Thanks for sharing. It seems that there are a number of us new to "keto". We'll experience better health and weigh loss together.

ikeandmike1212 · September 2017

lose100ali,

I her ya'. I am from the south, where a typical breakfast, would consist of grits, egg, sausage, bacon, toast and coffee or juice. How can you eat that and feel that you are starving one hour later?

Answer: Fat belly, insulin resistant and cells that are starving for food causing you to eat more and you know the rest.
It feels good to try and actually get results.

Keto Life!!!!

Sknemneorbust · September 2017

I just started keto this weekend and am looking for support along the way. Not really sure what I'm doing yet. I'm a type 2 diabetic and have 80+ lbs to lose.

GlassAngyl · September 2017

Low carb has been great for me. Better skin, more energy, rapid weight loss! I get a few keto days on here and there but it's only been two months for me as well and I keep slipping up. But even with so many "oops" days I have lost a total of 22lbs. I don't think I'll ever go back to eating the way I use to unless health issues arise requiring it.

ikeandmike1212 · September 2017

Sknem...I was recently told that if I didn't loose weight, diabetes was on the horizon...so I made the necessary changes

GlassAngyl... HFLC is certainly a journey but the rewards seem well worth it. I got sick of feeling sick and I dove in with both feet. I know after I get my digestive issues under control, I can gradually add healthy fruits to my diet, but as for now, I have to give myself a chance to heal...

ladipoet · September 2017

Hello and welcome! You've made great progress so far. Congratulations on that and keep up the good work! Also, I suggest you check out the following main low carb daily forum group here in MFP. It's where most of us Ketophiles tend to hang out:

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/discussions/394-low-carber-daily-forum-the-lcd-group

hlpatrick · September 2017

Hi! May I ask what sugar alternative you are using? Thank you for sharing!

ikeandmike1212 · September 2017

I have tried stevia products before, but I couldn't deal with the aftertaste. The product I use is xylitol-based. The product is Swerve. It's expensive but it lets you experience some sweetness without the insulin response, that we are all obviously trying to control, among other things.

FancyPantsFran · September 2017

That's fantastic!! I have been reading up on Keto... My gall bladder has been acting up and I just cant seem to get rid of this belly. How did you start?

ikeandmike1212 · September 2017

My journey is as I described. I searched the internet looking for information to control internal inflammation and eventually landed on the Youtube series, developed by Dr. Berg. Dr. Berg is a chiropractor and a nutrition expert. I viewed ALL of his videos and that's where I discovered ketogenic eating. He discusses cravings, nutritional deficits,underlying caused of disease, etc, in layman's terms so that anyone who wants to can understand it.
Based on "medical opinion," I had my gall bladder removed, yet the pain persisted. I was not offered nutritional support, I was told that surgery was the only intervention.
After seeing Dr. Berg's, it seems that the gall bladder removal was totally unnecessary. I will have to take ox bile for the rest of my life in order to digest fats.
Sadly to say, I have gotten more from this doctor, whom I have never seen or paid, than from doctors I have been visiting regularly over the past two to four years.
When you realize that you can take charge of your health and you don't have to accept being sick, feeling bad, and living a life that's propped up by meds, it will invigorate you.

kin7960 · September 2017

Hi, a 71 year old male here. I have been on the Keto for about two months. I have lost 10 to 15 pounds and a lot of inches. I feel better and have learned to quit eating when I feel full. I love food and just don't want to stop eating good food but I'm learning. I believe sugar is the number one enemy of american health. I read labels and there is sugar in everything.

ikeandmike1212 · September 2017

Good morning kin7960,

Congratulations on your 71 years of living, which are owing to the quality of food, air, etc., that I will never know. My Dad will be 87 soon and he is also the beneficiary of lifestyle that is all but gone.
We are all given a human body and at the end of the day, it's up to the individual as to what we put into those bodies.
My co-workers are noticing my weight loss but when I explain what I'm doing, the first thing they let it be known is that they don't intend to stop using refined sugar. I haven eaten sugar all my life, with no one but me to pump the brakes. I ended up with out-of-control weight issues, headed toward diabetes, chronic hunger, chronic migraines, and body wide inflammation.
As for me, I had to decide between sugar or better health. I am still amazed at how in about six weeks how many of my health issues have been resolved!

kwcrane · September 2017

I join your group I am trying to understand the keto way of eating to help my digestive issues and lose weight.
So far I've lost 21lbs and I have 80 more to go.

GlassAngyl · September 2017

ikeandmike1212 wrote: »

Sknem...I was recently told that if I didn't loose weight, diabetes was on the horizon...so I made the necessary changes

GlassAngyl... HFLC is certainly a journey but the rewards seem well worth it. I got sick of feeling sick and I dove in with both feet. I know after I get my digestive issues under control, I can gradually add healthy fruits to my diet, but as for now, I have to give myself a chance to heal...

I was constantly feeling sick (hypothyroid, no gall bladder, ibs, pretty sure pre-diabetic, and yeast issues, skin issues..) I never heard of keto until my client (I sit pets) told me enthusiastically about it. I was skeptical abdnit still took a week for me say "F it, what can it hurt?".. That and I'm from the "low fat" gen so high fat seemed.. counter productive to wanting to LOSE fat. Dropping sugar is obvious but carbs weren't. I didn't do research. I just did what my client said to start.. drop all grains, pastas, and breads. And within a few days, WOW! I felt good! THEN I started researching keto! My sister in law and brother were "I don't diet!" But I finally convinced them to at least cook that way for a bit. Now they both are keto obsessed. Even my 67 year old dad who btchd and complained in the beginning is loving it. My son loves it. Only my daughter and nephew hate it. My daughter cause she's a teen girl who loves her chocolate and donuts. My nephew because he's a spoiled brat and was the only child for 9 years so his mom gave him whatever he demanded.. corn dogs, McD's, nuggets, pizza.. no veggies or real foods. Now she is making him eat keto too since he can't even run and play with other 8 year olds because he is so out of shape.

ikeandmike1212 · September 2017

I stumbled on Keto doing research about internal inflammation. In doing this research I found a doctor on Youtube who addresses so many health issues, that seem to have poor/deficient nutrition as a root cause.
Processed foods that are quick ad easy to obtain, that seem to save time, are filled with ingredients that our bodies were not designed to ingest. In the meantime, we are starving at the cellular level as our insulin levels climb.
Have you ever noticed that after you eat home-cooked meals for a while and then consume food from a restaurant, how you can taste the chemicals in the food? If all things are equal and chicken is chicken, why does the chicken you cook at home taste like chicken but the restaurant chicken tastes like something else???? Hmm...

hhfromga · September 2017

Just wanted to peek in and say Hi! Been on low carb since February, Keto since March. I've lost about 50lbs, and many many inches. It certainly is a pain those first few days, but becomes so much easier as you go.

Congrats on your success so far!

ikeandmike1212 · September 2017

Hello kwcrane,

You can do internet searches and I'm sure, you'll find lots of information on Keto meal planning. I follow Dr. Berg on Youtube. He does an excellent job of explaining why as we grow older, weight loss is definitely harder but not impossible. He explains that nutritional deficiencies are the underlying cause for most ill health effects and how excess sugar in our bodies cause insulin resistance (fat mid section) and out of control weight gain. His videos are usually 2-3 minutes long, easy to understand and extremely informative. I watched ALL of his videos before I began my journey and I haven't had any problems. Go to Youtube, in the search function, enter "Dr. Berg, Keto". You will not be disappointed.
As for your weight loss goals, it seems that you are on the same track as I am. I am so thrilled to have lost 26 lbs after years of weight loss deprivation and failure.

I think we can do it!

Neaton2965 · September 2017

Wow amazing thanks for sharing. I too am going through a journey and would love to be a part of a keto community. May I ask how did you get started. I'm so glad I read your post. Have a great day.

Neaton2965 · September 2017

Thanks for the tip watching Dr. Berg. Also I too have no gallbladder maybe I too need to try ox bile to digest fats.

JustRobby1 · September 2017

It's important that new people understand what fad diets are, and what they are not. Keto, like any other named regimen out there is only as successful as it's ability to produce a caloric deficit. This is illustrated in the attached chart. From a weight loss standpoint, you won't lose any more weight by following a fad diet provided the calories are the same. This aside, there are plenty of subjective reports from followers that "I feel more full" or something similar. If that's you, great! But don't fall into the trap of thinking you can only lose weight on a fad diet. It's a trap I know well from past experience.

Perhaps more importantly is that new people get out of the mindset of "diet" entirely. In order to be successful the change needs to be of the lifestyle variety and one that can be sustained indefinitely. The chances of a person staying on keto for life are infinitesimally small. Such restrictions would be not only inconvenient to living any kind of a normal life, but you would also become so bored with it you would want to shoot yourself. Being on a weight loss journey and tracking calories is stressful enough for someone new to this, without adding the additional frustrations that come with adding restrictions. Most people who start a weight loss journey here or anywhere else will fail. That is the sad but true reality. The reason for this high rate of attrition is largely due to unrealistic expectations and people going about it with the wrong mindset. Just something to think about.

dmsl977 · September 2017

I just started keto a few days ago and already can tell a difference! It definitely requires planning and forethought, which in turn keeps me from mindless eating whatever is convenient. Please add me as a friend! I would like to have more support through this journey.

ikeandmike1212 · September 2017

JustRobby, I agree with everything you posted but in the quest for better health, everyone has the option to pursue what works for them.

In my writings here, there is no way I can convey to anyone the pain I felt every time I took a single bite of food, and finding that accessing medical assistance proved to be futile and I was getting worse every day.

Is Keto restrictive? Yes. But on the other hand, when I was eating whatever I wanted to, that very freedom is what got me to where I was. Sick and getting sicker. Therefore, I am prepared to deal with those restrictions. Am I saying that I will never eat another piece of fruit or a sweet potato? No. Gradually those items can be added back to my meals gradually, over time. will I return to eating cakes, cookies, and other refined and process "foods"...No

While ketogenic eating has produced weight loss for me, I had other issues that were not being addressed, so that weight loss was just one issue. I personally have chosen my health over eating things that are marketed as food that led to decline in my health.

As I have stated before, everyone has to choose what they feel is right for them. Do your own research. If ketogenic meal consumption is doesn't work or one feels that tracking meals and choosing what to or not to eat is too cumbersome, then don't do it.

GlassAngyl · September 2017

Keto isn't considered a fad diet. It's a commitment to a lifestyle change. And the minority's of ppl who have tried did see a reduction in hunger. It's just that the majority also considered it too restrictive and quit before reaping real mind changing benefits.

It isn't for everyone. It isn't necessary to lose weight. It's easier to lose weight on this change if you ARE insulin resistant. But like any lifestyle choice, you will FAIL if you are the type of personality that finds faults in anything that makes you uncomfortable. Those who find eating whatever they want more sustainable, yet can't seem to lose weight because they refuse to "starve" themselves.. Who use family as an excuse as to why they fail... Who call any diet that didn't work for them "fads" because they don't like the menu.

I don't find it restrictive (or expensive) at all. We can have meat, butter, BACON, cheese, veggies, fruits in moderation (Oh no! Moderation! How restrictive!!! Oh wait.. I'm sorry, why are you fat again? Moderation issues?) You can even make keto pizzas and keto NOODLES SND BREADS! Dear heavens.. the restrictions..

ikeandmike1212 · September 2017

Hello Neaton2965,

After watching my health steadily decline, I knew I had to do something. Dr. Berg said he ate four eggs for breakfast. I followed his lead. I started using this site to track what I was eating. From my experience, if you can document what you're eating, you can really see how you've been eating a) too much of the wrong things and b) not enough of the right things.

My Advice:

1) Watch all of Dr. Berg's video FIRST, as he gives some excellent information about nutritional support;
2) Stock up on a weeks worth of eggs, bacon, cruciferous vegetable, (cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, etc), leafy greens for salads and whatever else you need to need to eat. You cannot skip these veggies...and yes,7-10 cups /day!!!
3) If you, can buy grass-fed beef (less hormones, antibiotics, etc); if not, get the 80/20 beef.
4) On the weekends, cook a variety of meats for the week so that you can put together a meal quickly.
5) If you get cravings, Dr. Berg has a wonderful video which addresses your specific cravings and the deficiency causing it;
6) Identify a sugar substitute; I settled on Swerve (xylitol).
7) Locate a fat bomb recipe; I thought I wouldn't need these but they have come in handy on the days when I needed to increase fat consumption without increasing protein. I made Peanut Butter cups and Cream Cheese and Lemon fat bombs (pics on my profile). These are stored in my freezer, as an occasional treat. These are sweet but fat bombs recipes can also be savory.
8) Eat your three complete meals but do not snack in between. Every time you eat, you will have some degree of insulin response. Decreased carbs and three meals (no snacks) should decrease the quantity insulin required.

Hope this helps!

Keto, anyone?

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