I'm struggling with low carbing.

[Faverolles]

Have been low carbing since the beginning of the year.
I love the food, love the science behind it and generally find it easy to stick to.
However, I don't feel well on it. I don't feel healthy, my skin looks dry and awful despite drinking loads.
I'm also constipated.

It was my birthday last week and I've ended up having a few days off (eating cake, biscuits, chocolate etc) and feel much better in myself, more energy, more impulse to get out and go for walks, and I can go to the loo fine!

Does low carbing just not suit me, or is there a way to make it work for me?

Can I start the day with porridge and low carb from there, or will that not work?

I don't think I'm anaemic.

You're on a major sugar high Fav! Watch out for the crash .

Is there a pattern in the day to you feeling sluggish? How is your sleep? Caffeine intake?

One other idea may be to add in some lentils, quinoa or chickpeas to a meal - they are carbs but have the benefit of relatively high levels of protein and more nutrients and lower GI than say, potatoes, rice or bread. They may tip the balance in terms of energy for you, but still keep the weight loss going.

There are different ways to low carb, Sleep . I chose Paleo/Primal.:)

This carb curve from Mark's daily apple (Primal) shows the difference between varying levels of carbs.

I'll have a browse of Mark's daily apple to motivate myself again.
Have lost the plot again today, practically inhaled a chocolate mug cake
Sugar crash is yet to happen as I keep topping up the levels.
I seem to have gone from motivated to self destruct.

Happens to us all Faverolles

I think it takes time for the balance to even out between missing the fun of eating carbs and feeling their bad effects. When I first started years ago I did six months flawless keto and felt great, then absolutely crashed and burned at Easter. I had digestive problems, migraines, generally felt horrible for ten days afterward as my poor body had to deal with the junk I'd put it. Since then, if I ever think of chocolate or cake or banana bread or any of that, I automatically remember how physically unwell I felt in the aftermath of eating that sort of thing. Smelling sweet food actually makes me a bit nauseas now.

You have a choice now. You can do back to standard diet, or you can have another crack at low carb or primal. And then, if you happen to fall off the wagon again at some point, you can make another choice. That's the beauty of it, it's your choice, and you get to decide.

I started low carbing at the same time as you & until about 2 weeks ago I felt similar. No energy, constipated etc then suddenly Whoosh, it all clicked into place. I feel great now, no energy crashes etc. I do think it had a lot to do with taking supplements. I think my body needed magnesium and chromium. Plus it takes some people a few weeks to be keto adapted (rather than just a fortnight). You might be one of them.

The other big thing that sticks out is your water consumption. Water has a huge bearing on constipation. BIWI' s post about it is really quite valid, no matter whether you up your carbs a bit or not. I also have found for me that nuts help, about 50g natural shell on almonds, every other day or so.

Whatever you decide, good luck with it