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My Experience with Ketogenic Diet
Nutrition | August 13, 2015
I recently followed the Ketogenic diet (click on the link to learn more) for over 6 weeks and I wanted to give you guys my honest opinion and an overview of my own experience.
It wasn’t my first time doing Keto, however it was different from the first and second time I tried it. They say 3rd time is a charm, and it sure was this time around. Our bodies are really good at adapting and the more you do something, whether it be exercise or diet, your body becomes better and more efficient at dealing with the situation. In this case, I have noticed a huge difference in the rate that my body adapted to the high fat diet and using fat as a main source of energy, in comparison to my past 2 trials. It felt like my body was telling me: “oh, are we doing this again? I remember, and I can do better this time”. It took me only 3 days to get into Ketosis, however I was really diligent and followed strictly the jump start rules, I have posted for you guys.
The entire adaptation period took about 10 days, which is quite fast. Some people take as long as 3 weeks. These were the stages of my transformation to a burning fat for energy:
The first 3 days I was peeing every 10 minutes like a 4 year old, and had to drink a lot of water not to become dehydrated. Some people experience headache during this time, but I was ready. I was drinking a lot of water, had salt if I started to feel tired (mostly in the form of home made chicken broth), and I supplemented with Pottasium and Magnesium.
After the first 3 days I have already noticed an increase of energy that lasted the entire day. I didn’t feel like I wished I could take a nap during the afternoon, and despite how busy I was, I didn’t feel overwhelmed (we were in the process of moving into our new home, and I have a lot going on with my book, supplements, clothing line, ZGYM, etc.). I noticed my body started to appear slimmer, because my body was no longer retaining water. I have also noticed I didn’t feel any stiffness in the mornings, and my flexibility had started to increase noticeably. The only problem was the lack of strength I felt during my workouts. After doing a single push up I felt like like I had already done 20 reps. It’s the weirdest feeling to feel exhausted like that after doing a beginner-style workout, when you know you’re in really good shape.
I did not have cravings for carbs or anything sweet and I wasn’t experiencing hunger the way I normally do. Not that I normally starve or something, but in Keto I was just not hungry for hours on end. I had to remind myself to eat.
During the 2nd week my frustration with strength and endurance continues, however I am slowly seeing an improvement. I exercise daily so I notice even the slightest change in my performance. After 10 days, my stamina was back to where it was when my body was using glucose as the main energy source. That’s when I knew my body had finally adapted and it felt amazing. I was utilizing all the fat I was eating to generate energy for my brain and muscle activity.
After the first few weeks, besides having more clarity and having a constant flow of energy, from the time I woke up until the time I went to bed (which I expected), I was taken by surprise when I got my period and didn’t have any cramps! Normally I suffer 2 days every month from really bad to sometimes debilitating cramps that I can’t deal with. This time however, without taking pain killers, I had no cramps! Even though I did notice my energy was lower, I didn’t feel as exhausted as I normally do during this time of month.
I went off Keto after 6 weeks, after we moved to our new house. I didn’t stop because I had some uncontrollable cravings but because I just simply wanted to enjoy my glass of wine in the evening watching the beautiful sunset from our new back yard, I wanted to enjoy a bowl of cherries while sitting by the pool, and I wanted to prepare delicious salads with juicy peaches which are currently in season. It’s just the romantic in me that wanted all those things.
I believe the Keto diet is an amazing sugar detox and it’s worth trying especially if you need that sustainable energy throughout the day. This is helpful if you need to be really focused on important projects for your job or school. Fat has been proven to be a far better quality fuel than glucose and even though it’s not as widely spread news yet, you are going to hear more and more people turning to Ketosis mainly for health and energy purposes.
Remember, you have to give yourself at least 2 weeks for a complete adaptation. Some people left comments saying that this diet can’t be healthy if it makes you feel like a crap at the beginning. Well, that’s not true. Remember, that your body doesn’t like change. If you have ever recovered from an addiction to any harmful substances like cigarettes, alcohol or drugs, you may recall the horrible feeling of withdrawal. Your body was not happy, when you tried to quit, you felt horrible, and this is exactly why so many people have a hard time quitting the unhealthy habits. Sugar is the unhealthy substance you’re trying to quit, when you go into Keto. Of course it’s not going to be pleasant to go through sugar withdrawal. I used to be a chain smoker, believe it or not. I remember the headaches, anxiety, moodiness and constant coughing each time I tried to quit. I gave up a few times and the cigarette made me feel good again. How is it possible that I didn’t feel better instantly when I stopped smoking if it’s so much healthier for me not to smoke? It’s because our bodies hate change which makes any adaptation period uneasy to deal with.
After 6 weeks I stopped doing Keto and went back to earning my carbs with my workouts. I’ve maintained that lifestyle for almost 8 years and I’ve felt great and have gotten great results. Although there were a lot of benefits to being in ketosis, you have to be very strict and I don’t think it’s for everyone, all the time. It’s fine to detox for periods of time but I personally prefer to control my carb intake and enjoy the foods I love on a regular basis. In a sense, I’m a carb addict that controls her intake. I’m all about owning it, instead of living in denial. I believe I can stay fit and healthy following this lifestyle and live a very long life.
Unless, I get some horrible disease like cancer, if that happens I’ll go back to ketosis long-term. Research shows that cancer cells can survive only off of glucose and that Ketogenic diet has the capability to starve those cancer cells and heal people. I’m wondering why this information is not spreading already like a wildfire… If giving up sugar can actually save your life, why aren’t there more programs out there and information to help people do it? Oh wait, are those expensive cancer treatments making a lot of money for the big companies? That makes sense then, let people use more drugs and put them through chemo rather than letting them know that there’s a more natural and completely holistic solution that might save their lives. Here’s a great article about Dr. Fred Hatfield who had only about 3 months to live before he got introduced to Ketogenic diet and starved those cancer cell f**kers. There’s no doubt in my mind that I would instantly stop eating carbs and sugar if I was diagnosed with cancer. I mean, that’s a no brainer, right?
Private Member |
Thank you, Zuzi, for sharing this useful information! It might be life guarding!
Private Member |
I am reading a lot of stuff lately about cancer and heart related disease for example:
“The China Study” by T.Colin Campbell.
”
The China Study examines the relationship between the consumption of animal products (including dairy) and chronic illnesses such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, breast cancer, prostate cancer and bowel cancer.[3] The authors conclude that people who eat a whole-food, plant-based/vegan diet—avoiding all animal products, including beef, pork, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese and milk, and reducing their intake of processed foods and refined carbohydrates—will escape, reduce or reverse the development of numerous diseases. They write that “eating foods that contain any cholesterol above 0 mg is unhealthy.”
So i think that the less animals and animal based product we eat the better.I’ve started already,2 months without and feel great.
Private Member |
That’s awesome! Good on you! I feel it would be difficult to me to cut cheese… 🙁
Private Member |
sydney, nsw, australia
Hi Zuzka,
Thanks so much for sharing your experience with the Ketogenic Diet. I find the connection between the diet and cancer treatment extremely fascinating.
I’ve recently gone off the diet because I’m visiting friends and family in Canada. I’m seriously thinking about going back on it when I get back to Australia. I get chronic hip pain from a previous injury and while I was in nutritional ketosis I had zero hip pain and was crazy flexible. It felt like my joints were super pliable and lubed up from all the fat I was eating. Since going off the diet (and having a few glasses of wine), suddenly my hip pain is back. I feel as stiff as an old lady after a tough week of workouts and it sucks.
Again, the connection between sugar/glucose and inflammation and cancer is incredible. I hope we start to hear more about the benefits of this diet.
Private Member |
usa
That’s it, I’m gonna do this. I’m turning 32 in a couple of weeks and I am sick of feeling run down, cranky, and foggy far more than I should. I work out with you Z almost every day and eat pretty healthy but still am frustrated with aches and pains I feel I should not have at this age. I need clarity for school, work and my workouts! Thank you for explaining your experiences and giving a great prep talk!! 🙂
Private Member |
It was good to hear your take on the ketogenic diet, it’s not something I intend to try any time soon. I am not so keen on strict diets, but I think there are some extremely healthy principles in the keto diet and I respect anyone who has principles about the food they eat.
Sugar is definitely something I avoid as much as possible, I will however make an exception for birthday cakes 🙂
I stick to complex carbohydrates whenever I do eat them and otherwise it’s all veg. I used to live on a terrible diet, consisting mostly of highly processed food and way way way too many doritos…
Ever since I changed my lifestyle, I haven’t been tired all the time, moody or suffering from aches and pains. After I eliminated artificial sweeteners, I also stopped getting migraines – I hope that can help someone who is currently suffering from them, it’s certainly worth a shot.
My main weakness at the moment is probably the obscene amounts of tea I consume, although it’s sometimes tough to figure out whether or not caffeine is good or bad for you – it seems to vary from year to year.
Private Member |
curitiba, parana, brazil
Hi Zuzka, nice post about your experience with Keto diet. I have one doubt, you mentioned that Keto diet generally has the ratio: 60-75% of calories from fat (or even more), 15-30% of calories from protein, and 5-10% of calories from carbs. Which diet has the ratio of more protein, less fat and lesser carb? Is it the low carb diet? Do you know the ratio of low carb diet? Thanks, see you, take care.
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I felt amazing and got into the best shape of my life with this diet then after about six months I ended up with severe adrenal fatigue that I’m still recovering from. It’s been 4 years.
Private Member |
Hi Ashlie may I ask if you also did intermittent fasting as I have read or watched a video of Stephanie Person Skater where she was cautioning people about this as many people or not really keto adapted o highly adapted and do long hours of fasting – as this could strain your adrenal glands too much. Just wondered
Private Member |
I’m interested in hearing more about your experience with adrenal fatigue… are you saying the keto diet caused it? Just curious. Thanks!
Private Member |
The last paragraph is absolutely ridiculous. I cannot believe you are claiming sugar is the reason for cancer, or that not eating it prevents cancer. And that “they” (government/doctors/pharma/who knows) aren’t keeping silent for the big bucks. Come on. If you really believe that, would you tell a cancer patient that they are ill because they ate sugar? No. Would you tell them they should quit chemo to try a more holistic approach? I hope not. Please do not write such obviously ill-informed statements based on some internet research, even if they reflect your opinion.
Private Member |
@Paula, I have to agree with you on this one. Zuzka usually has really educational stuff with a lotta research and stuff. Thats been my experience since being here the last 6 months. Maaaybe this one slipped through the cracks? hehehe 😉
Private Member |
Well, Paula…what Zuzka says about cancer and sugar…its true. Google a little bit and you ll see. You can also read a lot of story from people, that get well from cancer, just because they changed their food. And btw, chemo its not even good for body, it doesnt help.
Cant believe that everyone doesnt know about that :/. Its sad.
Zuzka…red wine is ok on keto. It even helps to get in ketosis faster.
Private Member |
She didn’t say sugar causes cancer, it feeds off sugar.
Also, 100 percent of people with cancer are acidic
Private Member |
lake tahoe, nv, usa
No I wouldn’t tell a cancer patient they got ill because they ate sugar. I’m saying cancer feeds off of glucose. It’s a fact. You need to do some research 😉
Private Member |
That’s not what she said. She did not say sugar is the reason you get cancer. She is saying IF you GET cancer that it has been proven that the best cure is refraining from eating sugar, to starve off the cancer cells which LOVE sugar. AND YES CANCER CELLS DO LOVE SUGAR, SO THE MORE SUGAR YOU EAT THE MORE IT FEEDS THE CANCER CELLS ( But ONLY if you have cancer already. You DO NOT get cancer from eating sugar, Zuzka never said that). Please do not twist her words to try and find something to get upset about. Go re-read that last paragraph before you get on the defensive. By the way this is a RN writing this and I can vouch for this research.
Private Member |
I know she didn’t directly say that, but it was implied in the way the paragraph was written. I am aware that cancer cells utilize glucose for growth, I just found it overly simplified to say that not eating sugar is a way to cure cancer. And I honestly took personal offense at the part about “let(ting) people use more drugs and put them through chemo” because pharmaceutical companies want to keep this a secret. “Those expensive cancer treatments” have saved millions of lives, and for all you know, mine too. Excuse me if I have offended someone. I just happen to strongly disagree with the way the information here is presented. I also happen to believe in modern medicine and clinical research, not Dr. Hatfield (who isn’t a MD), who seems to have been lucky with his own approach. I just wouldn’t go so far to say abstinence from sugar trumps chemotherapy. But then again, we’re all just sharing our opinions here, right?
Private Member |
I feel as though surviving Chemo drugs and radiation is pure luck. Because technically all they are doing is killing off every good and bad cell in the effort to try and restart your system to produce non-cancer cells. Which is a huge risk. Because although there are so many success stories, also remember that there are many who did not survive because they were not as lucky. Cancer meds are not “magic medicine” and yes imagine if the government found out less expensive ways to cure cancer I am 100% sure that they would not broadcast it. Think about it, how would the Pharmaceutical Companies make money if there are no sick people? Something to think about. But Congrats on being one the the lucky ones and surviving!
Private Member |
uk
Pharmaceutical Companies do not make people sick. They respond to demand that sick people create. Just like any other industry they just react to what society needs. And yes chemo is no magic cure but do you have any other alternative in your mind? If you ever got cancer how would you feel if your Dr told you there are no drugs available go home and try coconut oil? Think about it:)
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I see that you only saw what you wanted to see in the comment I wrote above. So if you would like to re-read the comment before you respond? That would be great.
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Healing cancer by not eating sugar? I think we have a Nobel prize idea right on this fitness blog. All that cancer research must have been for nothing.
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Ya know, after reading it again, I’m kinda happy about it. Zuzka did provide a source in dr. Hatfield from the Christian broadcasting network. As a believer this was kinda refreshing 🙂
Private Member |
I guess that will come as a surprise to you, but the Nobel prize was given for that “idea” already a long time ago ( in the 1920s). The pharmaceutical industry is a bitch that doesn’t care about people’s lives. Not eating sugar wouldn’t make them earn money.
Private Member |
I think it’s brave, bold, and honest to say that sugar causes cancer! Your detractors have said nothing intelligent in rebuttal.
Private Member |
That’s not what she said. She did not say sugar is the reason you get cancer. She is saying IF you GET cancer that it has been proven that the best cure is refraining from eating sugar, to starve off the cancer cells which LOVE sugar. AND YES CANCER CELLS DO LOVE SUGAR, SO THE MORE SUGAR YOU EAT THE MORE IT FEEDS THE CANCER CELLS ( But ONLY if you have cancer already. You DO NOT get cancer from eating sugar, Zuzka never said that). Please do not twist her words to try and find something to get upset about. Go re-read that last paragraph before you get on the defensive. By the way this is a RN writing this and I can vouch for this research.
Private Member |
québec, canada
Those people just love to do that, twisting somebody’s words just to mess around. If they could just read twice before!
Private Member |
I know I see it all the time here! But finally I decided enough is enough and I had to say something lol.
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@ Paula and @ Jenny
I didn’t read that sugar is the cause of cancer; but it’s proven that tumors utilize glucose as their main source of energy supply and therefore it helps. And cutting sugar helps since 1920’s for eplicetic children and more and more for cancer patients. There is an actual study about this in University Clinic Würzburg in Germany for example: https://opus.bibliothek.uni-wuerzburg.de/frontdoor/index/index/year/2012/docId/6132
Greetings from Germany
Private Member |
Regina,
Im so glad you bought this up about epileptic children, i have posted a comment of personal experience below which really highlights the need to look into the epileptic benefits for any one at any age. Even though keto/atkins hasnt long term cure epileptics older than 8-12 years old, it can help them reduce their medication under strict diet control. For any epileptic, anything is worth a try that could aid in even the smallest way.