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Yesterday marked day one of being on the Keto diet. I have been hearing a lot about the Keto diet and have had a few friends who were on it for a while. Usually I do not buy into diet fads as I think the word diet means something temporary and not a lifestyle, which is what people need in order to stay healthy. I was also not interested when I heard you can’t have a lot of fruit and nightshade vegetables. So what changed my mind? Well I need to reset my life and detox my body.
Lets start with what is Keto? Keto, short for Kentogenic, is a diet that is low-carb, high-fat, and moderate protein that puts your body into ketosis. When you are in ketosis your body converts fat into energy. When you eat carbohydrates your body produces glucose and insulin. When glucose is used as the main energy source for your body, fat is not needed and therefore stored. The benefits of Keto is weight loss, increased energy, mental focus, control blood sugar, improves acne, and more. It is a diet given to people with epilepsy to reduce seizures, weaken cancer cells, decrease diabetes, and those with alzheimer’s. I, fortunately, do not have any of the above diseases. So why am I doing it? It’s great for inflammation and I want to lose weight.
Remember a few months ago I was experiencing an abnormal amount of inflammation.From Perioral Dermatitis to inflamed joints, I felt like my entire body was on fire during the entire month of March. The inflammation went away for a while but lately I have been feeling a little here and there throughout my body. I am hoping going on the Keto diet will get rid of the inflammation. This diet is not going to be easy to do. A lot of my favorite foods that I eat daily I have to give up. Foods like bananas, apples, sweet potatoes, dates, honey, and so on. What I didn’t realize was my diet, although in hindsight healthy, was filled with carbs and sugar. I want to do the Keto diet religiously for a month then switched for a Paleo lifestyle. I used to be Paleo but over the last year have been eating whatever I wanted. The reason why I am going to switch from Keto to Paleo is because I find it to be a more sustainable lifestyle. For Keto you can only eat 20% carbs a day. That really is not a lot. On Paleo you can eat more fruits– and I love fruit. Also Keto allows high fats like butter and cheese. This can be dangerous as people will over compensate the lack of carbs with putting butter on everything. This can increase your cholesterol levels. Everything still needs to be in moderation. Plus I do not like butter– yes I just said that. I find it gross.
During Keto you are not suppose to drink. I am still going to as I want to sustain a lifestyle, not completely deprive myself. As I figured out during dry January, giving up alcohol did nothing for me. I do not drink enough to really notice a difference. When I am at events I usually do not drink and if I do I will only have one glass. If I drink during the week I will not drink during the weekends. It’s all in moderation, so feel that having a glass or two during my Keto month is going to be ok.
In a way I am using Keto to retrain myself to go back to a healthy, clean lifestyle. Getting back to cooking more and eating healthy. I know if I am on some sort of “challenge” like Keto, I am more inclined to prove to myself that I can do it and will stick to it. I need that right now. I am excited to continue in my journey on the Keto diet. Honestly, I can’t wait to feel better, get rid of my inflammation, and if I happen to get abs I wouldn’t mind that either.
This definitely sounds like something I need! I just never have any self control with diets UGH
I have heard so many great things about Keto!! My body does well with high protein~!
I can’t wait to hear how you like this! I’ve heard about it but never known anyone who is trying it.
xx Rebecca
http://www.rebeccapiersol.me
Wow, this is so interesting! I am going to look into this more! I love learning about other ways of improving my health. Thanks for sharing!
Kileen
cute & little
I’m all about lifestyle changes as opposed to diets too! Good luck with the Keto diet. I’m excited to hear how it all goes for you!
xo, Laura
I’m excited to follow your journey!
I have heard so many good things about this diet and have been tempted to try it. I’m glad you shared this experience 🙂
-xo, Azanique | http://www.lotsofsass.com
You go girl! I’m interested in hearing about how this works for you.
can’t wait to hear your thought on it!! you go girl!
Do you know if the Keto diet is suitable for vegetarians? Everything I’ve seen about Keto involves lots of bacon, greasy meats, and beef 🙁
I’m not sure the keto diet would work for me. I am definitely a social drinker! Like Annie said, I am also vegetarian, so it probably wouldn’t be the best option for me.