Starting Keto Newbies

[lukiebebe]

Hey!

Starting Keto from tomorrow. Wedding is in 7 months! I lost a bit of weight before Xmas, but in these last two weeks it's piled back on quite drastically :/ saw a photo of myself today and I looked like a balloon!

My cousin started keto in May 2023 and has lost over 2 stone. From 11st 4 to 9st! This gave me the kick up the butt to do this. I'm not only doing this for my wedding, as I genuinely want to feel slimmer but it'll be a bonus if I can lose a stone or 2 to fit nicely into my wedding dress. Currently - 12st 13lb (might as well call it 13st) mummy of two boys (3 and 2) so tough to lose baby weight!

I'm so new to it though and trying to educate myself on what I must do. I'm trying not to put too much pressure on myself though or fixate on numbers because that tends to freak me out and I give up.

Would love to meet anyone else on here who is thinking to do the same this year.

Speak soon.

[swimmingdory]

Saying hi. I'm trying keto this time too. Did it before but not for very long, wasn't very planned and got frustrated with it. So trying to do plenty of research and find easy options around how we already eat and incorporate 16;8 (once the hunger subsides). Expect it'll be a tough couple weeks whilst we transition from carb hunger. Food shop coming tonight.

Wedding will be a great motivator for you.

[lukiebebe]

@swimmingdory hiya thanks for posting!
Pleased to hear despite trying it before you're happy to try again. I told my DH2B that I wanted to track properly, otherwise I'm certain I'll too get frustrated and give up (I tend to do this often when I get overwhelmed). Other there any particular apps you're using to help you track?

My cousin swears by the keto app (purple logo) I'm tempted to purchase that. Sod's Law, they upped the yearly price as soon as Jan 1st hit !

[Unabletomitigate]

Try Eric Westman on YouTube, he has a very straightforward approach.

And if you like podcasts, all the keto ones on STEM talk. But start with Gary Taubes, episodes 124 and 125
https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalks/

The science behind metabolism is fascinating and it is a shame it is not more widely known.
Good luck!

[swimmingdory]

Haven't found a great app yet so will look at that one. Someone recommended carb manager but seems very American and not much going on in the forums.

We had quick and obvious results last time it's just a lot of effort which I rebelled against. I do that so need to watch for something easy in those times. Is your man doing it with you? Will always make it easier

[lukiebebe]

@Unabletomitigate

Hiya! Thanks a lot for this! I'm going to check this out now :) super helpful.

@swimmingdory yes I've heard about this app too. Yeh I'm doing it with my partner which is great. He always gives things like this 110% and sticks to it religiously and always loses weight quite easily. It's inspiring but at the same time I get a little frustrated when the weight comes off him so quickly and it takes ages for me. He used to be a personal trainer so I find fitness and healthy eating is wired in him! Me on the other hand I fall off quite easily and I love carbs and choc too much.

Are you doing it with anyone?

Had my first keto breakfast this morning- egg muffins (with veg and bacon) handful of almonds, few cubes of cheese and some blueberries. I just need to count calories... worked out my macros on ruled.me website.

[FlabMonsterIsDietingAgain]

Have you checked out the low carb bootcamp topic on here, this is the current thread but there are loads of threads with recipes and encouragement in the topic

January 2024 Low Carb Bootcamp - this one's a dry one! http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/lowcarbb_bootcamp/4968953-january-2024-low-carb-bootcamp-this-ones-a-dry-one

[Greentomatoes21]

Keto is great for weight loss but carbs pop up in pretty much everything so you do need to track consistently, or at least until you get used to it. I just use my fitness pal and can track all macros that way. Keto recommends under 20g carbs a day - this is reallllly low. I had success with starting at 40g per day and gradually reducing as hunger subsided.

[swimmingdory]

@lukiebebe yeah my other half will do it with me but more on the he'll eat what he's given sense 😂 men always lose quicker it's annoying but think the key with this one has to be that the point is to make it a lifestyle that you can live with rather than quick loss.

I'm the same as you carb crazy and fall off wagon easily so really trying to not make this massive and just bit by bit. Food is coming tonight and I have a loose meal plan sorted.

When we did it last time I definitely felt better, once I got past the first few days but got frustrated when I hadn't sorted a lunch for work.... there's no quick grab options which led to me throwing a tantrum and quitting 🙈🙄

This time I've found some good bits I think on tiktok and Instagram. Just need to make sure I'm organised with it and not be too hard on ourselves whilst we wait for hunger to settle.

@FlabMonsterIsDietingAgain I've looked at the bootcamp but not sure it might be a bit strict whilst I'm settling in. Think I'll need the fruit for my sweet tooth whilst I'm adapting.

[swimmingdory]

Ok so food shop has been delivered and we e had our first keto dinner... salmon, asparagus, tender stem broccoli and cauliflower rice with some Philadelphia.

I've prepped for tomorrow. Chicken and bacon ceasar salad and then fillet steak for dinner. Will fast till lunch time. Lots of water as always.

I've decided carb manager is no good whilst tracking. Everything very American so didn't get on with it. Trialling MFP as they have a free premium trial seems to have gone on.

What did you have?

[swimmingdory]

Oh and my starting weight today was 13st3. Need to take pictures yet.

[Prinnny]

I use my fitness pal to track calories and macros and aim to stay under 20g of carbs. Keto can be tricky at first as it’s against ‘normal’ diets, eg minimal fruit and veg and alllllll the butter, but I’ve had great results with it in the past!

[lukiebebe]

@Greentomatoes21 hiya! Thanks for this! I did my first proper tracking today (without using an app) and my page looked like rocket science haha! I have download a few apps so will try that next time! Thanks for the tip of slowly reducing carbs!

@swimmingdory hiya Hope is going well with you! Your food sounds amazing! Yes insta, TikTok and Pinterest are great for inspo! Let me know how you get on with MFP my fiancés using that! I've asked him to help me as I get so confused lol.

So yesterday I had chicken thigh and veggie tray back which was yummy an today for lunch I made turkey mince with fajita seasoning, peppers, mushrooms and spinach on top of a lettuce cup with a little full fat mayo and cheddar cheese grated on top! Was yummy!

Tonight we're having beef steak, green beans and a fried egg on top.

My water intake has been shocking though!

How often are we supposed to weigh ourselves?

Also I caved last night and had a teaspoon of hazelnut spread!! Can just a teaspoon quick you out of ketosis?

@Prinnny thanks for advice on MFP fiancés going to show me how to use it later !

[swimmingdory]

So my problem so far is I'm over protein already. Protein goes too quick on this diet. Not sure how much of a problem that will cause me but will worry about it further in whilst we try to get into ketosis first.

I managed to fast till 12 no problems really. But I'm picky this afternoon. Had some mozerrella and sundried tomatoes and nuts and will start dinner soon. We're having steak too. May thrown an egg on top now you e said it

[MorningWalk]

Hey, been following but only just posting. I started Keto Monday. Have been trying really hard and my ketosis strips arrived today. It shows i am in Ketosis. Been fasting also so think this has really helped. Good luck all. Im really determined this time to stick to it! Wine is my enemy, so as long as i don't give in to a glass i think ill be ok x

[lukiebebe]

@MorningWalk hiya! Thanks for jumping on. Great to hear you're in ketosis! Let's do this! I feel you on the wine (mines chocolate) yesterday all my brain kept thinking of was choc like it's a drug! Pathetic how the brain works! Today not so much so fingers crossed I'll soon forget about it haha!

What types of things have you been eating? Love some inspo!

[MorningWalk]

@lukiebebe i have been skipping breakfast as fasting till around 1ish. Im eating mainly chorizo, cheese and eggs for lunches as i hadent been shopping yet! I had ordered a 'Geeen Chef' box to start me off with dinners with a discount code i was given that gave me two free meals with 2 servings for only a £4.99 delivery fee. We had a pork steak with cauliflower mash and green beans one night and tonight we have a sesame ginger steak stir fry. Thats helped me not have to think about dinners just as starting. Been shopping today so will continue to post meals i have had for inspo! If anyone wants to try the green chef i have posted a link below to give you the box for £4.99. Just cancel when first box arrives to stop paying full price.

I have been drinking lots of water and herbal teas that seem to keep the hunger away!

Spice up your meals with Green Chef! Tap the link to claim your FREE week of food now 🎁 ⏰ 🍽️ 😋 >> https://www.greenchef.co.uk/plans?c=FIH-SEXM0OXEL0NQ&utmcampaign=referralinvite&utmmmedium=nativeshare&utmsource=freebies&utmminvitername=Nicola&utmterm=ioss_app

[lukiebebe]

@MorningWalk ahh thanks so much for the link! Your meals sound delicious. I can't wait to have cauliflower mash! I'm not a huge potato fan anyway, so I do wonder why I've never done cauliflower mash in the first place.

Yes let's share meals with one another to spice things up as sometimes it's easy to rotate the same meals all the time.

@swimmingdory wow over protein already impressive! No idea if it effects it if you go over.

Does anyone know???

My issue is hydration I'm rubbish at drinking water and I don't like tea so it's super hard!

[MorningWalk]

I was unsure about cauliflower mash tbh. But the recipe added butter and a spoonful of wholegrain mustard. It was actually really nice! I have been shopping and bought some frozen cauliflower and mustard to make it again! Yes happy to share recipes! I struggle eating the veg but need to realise i cannot live off cheese and chorizo!! I also bought two packs of steak mince 20% fat today and have made burgers and froze them individually for a quick dinner! A-lot of burgers in the shops are so high in carbs so best to make your own X

[MorningWalk]

See link about protein -


www.ruled.me/too-much-protein-bad-for-ketosis/

[Greentomatoes21]

Hey, all the meals sound brilliant! I am cooking for a young family so tonight will have to be adapted for keto. We are having pork (no stuffing for me!!), roasties (none for me!) and brussel sprouts which I love, weird I know. Making a nice creamy mustard and tarragon sauce to make me feel better about no spuds and I will smother the meat and veg in it 😆

I haven't really worried about protein on keto and still lost a stone pre christmas. I tracked carbs meticulously and kept an eye on calories. I still ate all the cream, butter, cheese etc as I found without carbs the calories don't rocket in the same way.

[swimmingdory]

Thanks everyone for the protein info. Figure it'll level out as I start eating less!

We had roasted cauliflower steak with our dinner tonight. Sliced it and pan fried for a couple mins each side in garlic butter then roasted and sprinkled with plenty Parmesan as we dished up. Was really tasty will def make again.

Tomorrow's lunch is prepped. Tuna mayo with spring onions and orange pepper to have with some lettuce to sit in and then tzatziki and cucumber. OH wanted lots of mayo but wow! Will do mine separate next time the calories 🥴

Tomorrow I may have a stir fry for dinner. We're out to an escape room and bowling with the kids which includes a burger meal but am sure they'll eat that for me.

@Greentomatoes21 how long have you been doing keto?

Also looking forward to the cauliflower mash @MorningWalk it sounds lovely Wonder if it'll be good to adapt something like sausage and mash to make some of the meals easier when feeding kids too.

[Greentomatoes21]

I started 20th November, lost a full stone by 21st December. No one was more amazed than me. I was very strict about it though. I stopped to enjoy christmas and yes I did put on a bit. Began again 29th Dec so hoping I am in ketosis now. Didn't feel as hungry today and feel the need to brush my teeth to freshen up!

[lukiebebe]

Don't want to get hooked on weighing myself because I will get a little obsessive! But on Sunday I was 13 stone and this morning I have 12st 9! I know the beginning losses are pretty much water but how great is that!!!!

I now plan to weight once a week! I've hidden the scales.
I'm due on next week so I wonder if that may effect it. We do store water weight during time of month.

[MorningWalk]

@lukiebebe thats great! I weighed on Monday at 13.2 and am 12.12 this morning so very pleased. I am a little obsessed with the scales and tend to weigh every morning. It motivates me seeing the pounds drop daily. Keep at it xx

[AccidentallyWesAnderson]

I started on Tuesday. Had great success with strict low carbing years ago but can't seem to stick to it much now. I'm now the biggest I've ever been and I feel a switch has gone off so confident it can become a way of life now. I feel better eating this way. Following loosely Fast800/memory from back in the day.

I'm trying to have only two meals a day, apart from a morning cappuccino using a small amount of milk (got a swanky new coffee machine from Santa). I'm using Arla lacto free which is the lowest carb milk I can find. If this becomes a problem I'll try and cut this out but if I lose weight this pleasure is staying!

Brunch ideas are usually eggs of some sort, with bacon, or sausages, or smoked salmon... Today I'm going to have chicken wings in hot sauce as I have a craving. Other than that maybe tuna mayo with lettuce cups.

Dinner has been:

Smoked haddock in a cheese sauce with broccoli (leftover from Christmas and carbs weren't bad).
Chicken thighs cooked with mushrooms and courgettes with a crème fraiche, mustard and blue cheese sauce with salad. Tonight will be fish/prawn curry and I'll have with cauliflower rice. Other ideas for this weekend involves steak and salad, a whole fish of some sort (on a bbq), and roast beef on Sunday with celeriac and veg for me instead of roast potatoes which partner will have.

I tend to keep carbs low during the day so I don't have to count too much about my evening meal and to factor in the cappuccino. Previously I didn't count protein/calories just carbs but I think with being older I need to watch the calories.