I *should* be in keto, but am I?
Anon2018
Posts: 139 Member
hi guys -
I have been trying to eat a low carb diet and have cut out grains and unnecessary sugars, but not necessarily trying to achieve ketosis.
However, as I've gotten to enjoy more fat/protein/veg based recipes, I have naturally kept my carb count at what should be keto levels. But am I in keto?
Here's my carb intake for the past few 5 days. Each day has had about 10-15 grams of fiber, so assume net carbs in the 30-50 range:
I didn't experience any flu, and I've been totally high energy with no cravings. My pee has been....normal? Light yellow/clear and no discernible smell.
And my second question is - if I'm NOT in keto, would dropping that extra 10 carbs a day (usually found in something like soy sauce, dressing, natural veg carbs, nuts, and a bit of fruit) to get to ketosis be beneficial? My goals are weight loss and I don't have any health issues. I am using low carb as a way to maintain my calorie intake and keep my energy up. I've lost about 4 pounds in the two weeks I've been at it.
Should I suck it up and buy the strips, or just keep doing what seems to be working?
I have been trying to eat a low carb diet and have cut out grains and unnecessary sugars, but not necessarily trying to achieve ketosis.
However, as I've gotten to enjoy more fat/protein/veg based recipes, I have naturally kept my carb count at what should be keto levels. But am I in keto?
Here's my carb intake for the past few 5 days. Each day has had about 10-15 grams of fiber, so assume net carbs in the 30-50 range:
I didn't experience any flu, and I've been totally high energy with no cravings. My pee has been....normal? Light yellow/clear and no discernible smell.
And my second question is - if I'm NOT in keto, would dropping that extra 10 carbs a day (usually found in something like soy sauce, dressing, natural veg carbs, nuts, and a bit of fruit) to get to ketosis be beneficial? My goals are weight loss and I don't have any health issues. I am using low carb as a way to maintain my calorie intake and keep my energy up. I've lost about 4 pounds in the two weeks I've been at it.
Should I suck it up and buy the strips, or just keep doing what seems to be working?
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Replies
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BTW - today is breakfast and lunch only, I'll probably come in at around 40 carbs today with my planned dinner (30 net)0
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If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Keep doing what is working until it doesn't anymore. Since you're just aiming for weight loss (fat loss I'm assuming) and you have no known health issues, there is no real need to go down to ketogenic levels. @Anon2018
I received this link just today in a newsletter!
https://marksdailyapple.com/where-i-part-ways-with-the-popular-keto-movement/
Oh, and when I say, keep doing it until it doesn't work anymore... For me, that means 12 weeks without a single tenth of a pound gone on the scale, half an inch gone off of a tracked measurement, difference in fit of clothing, change in pictures, inflammation reduction, or any one of other possible thousands of NSV's (non-scale victories).
If you are more alert, it is working.
If you are sleeping better, it is working.
If you have reduction in pain, it is working.
If your skin/hair/teeth/nails/etc. improve, it is working.
If you lose any weight, it is working.
If you regain fertility, it is working.
If you aren't hungry frequently and/or no longer ever get hangry, it is working.
And so on and so forth!9 -
KnitOrMiss wrote: »If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Keep doing what is working until it doesn't anymore. Since you're just aiming for weight loss (fat loss I'm assuming) and you have no known health issues, there is no real need to go down to ketogenic levels. @Anon2018
I received this link just today in a newsletter!
https://marksdailyapple.com/where-i-part-ways-with-the-popular-keto-movement/
Oh, and when I say, keep doing it until it doesn't work anymore... For me, that means 12 weeks without a single tenth of a pound gone on the scale, half an inch gone off of a tracked measurement, difference in fit of clothing, change in pictures, inflammation reduction, or any one of other possible thousands of NSV's (non-scale victories).
If you are more alert, it is working.
If you are sleeping better, it is working.
If you have reduction in pain, it is working.
If your skin/hair/teeth/nails/etc. improve, it is working.
If you lose any weight, it is working.
If you regain fertility, it is working.
If you aren't hungry frequently and/or no longer ever get hangry, it is working.
And so on and so forth!
Thanks - these are kind of what i'm thinking as well. I guess, my question for long time keto-ers is, if I'm so close, is there any benefit of me pushing to that next keto level? Like will it really rev up my weight loss or have any other positive effect?1 -
I agree with @KnitOrMiss...just keep doing what you're doing! If you want to experiment with keto levels, try it for a month or so to make sure you're really in ketosis (I've heard it takes a while for the body to adjust) and see if you're dropping more weight than before.
Personally, I've been doing keto since April but have wondered if there would be a big difference in my weight loss if i were to add more carbs! Too nervous to try though since keto has been working, haha1 -
Hey, @KnitOrMiss that article was excellent! Thank you for sharing!!1
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KnitOrMiss wrote: »If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Keep doing what is working until it doesn't anymore. Since you're just aiming for weight loss (fat loss I'm assuming) and you have no known health issues, there is no real need to go down to ketogenic levels. @Anon2018
I received this link just today in a newsletter!
https://marksdailyapple.com/where-i-part-ways-with-the-popular-keto-movement/
Oh, and when I say, keep doing it until it doesn't work anymore... For me, that means 12 weeks without a single tenth of a pound gone on the scale, half an inch gone off of a tracked measurement, difference in fit of clothing, change in pictures, inflammation reduction, or any one of other possible thousands of NSV's (non-scale victories).
If you are more alert, it is working.
If you are sleeping better, it is working.
If you have reduction in pain, it is working.
If your skin/hair/teeth/nails/etc. improve, it is working.
If you lose any weight, it is working.
If you regain fertility, it is working.
If you aren't hungry frequently and/or no longer ever get hangry, it is working.
And so on and so forth!
Thanks - these are kind of what i'm thinking as well. I guess, my question for long time keto-ers is, if I'm so close, is there any benefit of me pushing to that next keto level? Like will it really rev up my weight loss or have any other positive effect?
There are benefits that only keto provides. Read that linked article and it mentions them. But they are not anything to do with bodyfat loss. They are medical benefits.
You're no doubt in ketosis at least some of the time eating the way you are. Just like the article is talking about dipping in an out... being metabolically flexible.
Just keep up the good work and don't give test strips a second thought.4 -
My 52 weeks of keto experience was in maintenance for reason other than weight management or body comp. If keto itself causes weight loss or body fat loss, it didn't happen to me. Additionally, eating fat ( upwards of 75% of my daily maintenance calories) did not cause a weight gain or a change in body composition.
What I did discover is that the hunger and cravings I had endured my 2 previous years in maintenance (non keto), vanished while eating at a carb level of <20.
For that reason, though I no longer focus on being in ketosis, I still keep my carbohydrate intake at 50 or less the vast majority of days. Hunger and cravings are still under control. Therefore maintenance is much easier.3 -
MorningGloryLori wrote: »Hey, @KnitOrMiss that article was excellent! Thank you for sharing!!
Seconded! I liked that article a lot. Thanks, Knit!
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KnitOrMiss wrote: »If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Keep doing what is working until it doesn't anymore. Since you're just aiming for weight loss (fat loss I'm assuming) and you have no known health issues, there is no real need to go down to ketogenic levels. @Anon2018
I received this link just today in a newsletter!
https://marksdailyapple.com/where-i-part-ways-with-the-popular-keto-movement/
Oh, and when I say, keep doing it until it doesn't work anymore... For me, that means 12 weeks without a single tenth of a pound gone on the scale, half an inch gone off of a tracked measurement, difference in fit of clothing, change in pictures, inflammation reduction, or any one of other possible thousands of NSV's (non-scale victories).
If you are more alert, it is working.
If you are sleeping better, it is working.
If you have reduction in pain, it is working.
If your skin/hair/teeth/nails/etc. improve, it is working.
If you lose any weight, it is working.
If you regain fertility, it is working.
If you aren't hungry frequently and/or no longer ever get hangry, it is working.
And so on and so forth!
Agreed - this is an excellent article! Thanks for sharing. I've pinned it so I can reference it anytime I need a mental boost0 -
Also, I ordered some keto strips off amazon for $8. Figured it could just give me extra info, basically as to what my body's doing0
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The strips are fun but not reliable readings of your ketones, just a reading of the excess ketones you are excreting. I rarely register above "trace" even if I eat zero carbs for the day. Don't put too much stock in what they tell you.MorningGloryLori wrote: »Hey, @KnitOrMiss that article was excellent! Thank you for sharing!!
Really good article! I like:Ketosis isn’t the goal. It’s a tool to help you get to the real goals of metabolic flexibility, broad-based “Primal” athletic competency, protection against the epidemic of diet-influenced modern diseases—especially the alarming increase in cognitive decline conditions, and graceful aging.3 -
If fat loss is the goal, being in a constant state of ketosis doesn't actually matter. On the other side of the argument, there are some people who prefer or need to be in a constant state of ketosis, regardless of body composition.0
