I am preparing for a lifestyle change. I have been dancing with it for several years. A ketogenic diet is easy and difficult at the same time. The ease of it comes after you are in ketosis and are fat adapted. The difficult part is the journey from consuming carbage to being in ketosis. Each individual responds differently and experiences varying degrees of severity.
So why a ketogenic diet?
I should state at the onset, I am not a doctor. I am not offering any medical advice. I am sharing my own journey through ketosis and why I decided this was the best way for me and my crazy messed up metabolism.
So here is my story...
I was a skinny kid. I grew up and wore a size 4 to a size 8 through most of my life.
In my mid twenties I was diagnosed with PCOS
I went to see an endocrinologist who told me to run 5 miles a day. Not helpful doc. At age 32 I became pregnant with my first child and I never could lose the weight from that pregnancy. After 2 additional pregnancies (where I had gestational diabetes) the weight just wouldn't come off.
I didn't eat a ton but I was addicted to carbs.
Over the years, I found Adkins and had some success. This was the beginning of the realization that sugar/insulin held the key to my issues. I eventually found Keto and over a couple of years I would go on and off of it. I was able to lose 20 lbs and keep it off, but wasn't fully convinced I needed to stick to it for life. I now know that my only hope of changing my body and health is to adopt a ketogenic lifestyle. This realization has come through reading books, talking with doctors, watching youtube, and listening to others who are finding success with Keto. I have also had periods on and off the diet and know firsthand the difference in my body. So, January 1, 2018 I am committing to go keto.
I want to document my journey because over the years I haven't found a lot of older women sharing on the internet. The truth is if you are a woman over 50, your experience is vastly different than a 25 year old man or woman. It is all about the hormones. I have heard of men dropping 70 lbs in the first 3 months of Keto. Often women will need to be in ketosis for 3 months before the weight will release. That is not easy. Here is another truth for me... I feel so much better while eating a ketogenic diet. So even if the weight comes of slowly I feel better everyday.
So how do you prepare for the ketogenic diet?
Strategy.
I drink one cup of coffee in the morning. It used to be a little coffee with my cream and sugar. Knowing that I need to come up with a plan for my morning ritual, I am experimenting with a few things.
For some people it is an easy transition, it is not for me. I am the only one eating this way in my household and I prepare meals for the family. That alone is challenging. I will try to share what I have tried and what works and hasn't worked along the way. The hardest thing has been finding a sweetner that keeps me in ketosis, that doesn't kick in cravings, and that doesn't taste icky.
Every body responds differently so you really do have to experiment.
If you are considering a ketogenic diet, please do research and talk to your doctor.
I have a list of books, websites, movies, and podcasts that have been helpful to me - located in the sidebar.
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