I am in a pickle . Desperately need to lose 2 st . Guess I have veered towards Keto diet as I like the idea of it . Here’s the thing tried for a week and obviously not working . I think I am eating too much dairy ie cheese and Greek yoghurt . I am a veggie not vegan . So have relied on pulses and other yummy carbs which I have cut out completely also root vegetables . I am constipated yuk which is not a familiar experience , and still no weight loss . Expected at least a pound to go away . I probably sound really dense . Before I stopped eating meat 2 yrs ago was able to lose weight easily by eating lean meat and vegetables . Now I am at a complete loss . Feel I am lost in a wilderness of my own making . I take thyroxine and pain killers also duloxatine 90mg , regular steroid injections but I do not believe these prevent me losing weight . It is my eating habits need some guidance . Help .
Keto diet: I am in a pickle... - Weight Loss Support
Keto diet
I suggest you post your menus on the daily diary, so that we can offer informed advice, Fatso1.
Is your hypothyroidism being optimally treated? Being told you're in the 'normal' range is meaningless, as no-one actually knows what your normal is. It's the same as being told you can wear a size 3 shoe, when a size 9 fits you, because both are in the 'normal' range. You can get advice on the Thyroid UK forum healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk
Apparently some Duloxetine can cause weight gain, as can some painkillers.
If you have any sort of inflammation, that can cause weight gain.
Steroids are known to cause weight gain.
I suggest you speak to your doctor about all your medications.
Keto is rather extreme - and most experts only recommend it as treatment for acute diabetes, epilepsy, cancer etc.
Many of us here find that what works is a combination of The Low Carbohydrate, High-Fat (LCHF) diet (see the forum here on Health Unlocked) and Not Snacking All Day AKA Intermittent Fasting (IF). See:
Hi there- I hear you having tried numerous ways to lose weight, I think the idea that your meds do not cause weight gain may be misleading you, steroids deffo put weight on you IF they are taken orally or injected into a muscle, they get in your blood stream, I have kenalog regular for O.A. and fibromyalgia, thyroid issues are another area that make our weight wobbly,, maybe ask your g.p to send you to an NHS dietician for help and i hope you can get some results that way,,nothing wrong with trying new foods.
I hate all the meds but cannot do without them . Thank you for your comments you sometimes feel that medics see you as not moving and gorging . I walk daily with 2 terriers keep fit and Pilates but too no avail . Have just put a vegetable stew in slow cooker . Will talk to GP . Also will start daily food diary . Hope you are ok with your self at the moment .
The respondees moreless S11m & Hidden will not know you replied as you didn't reply to their individual replies or you didn't tag them into your reply to yourself.
I've been led to believe that many people starting keto should expect an initial weight gain whilst the body adapts. I'd give it at least a month before trying something else.
Good luck!
I suggest you join our daily diary healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...
However, I think you should get your medication sorted out first.
Tiggerr is quite right, one week is not long enough to know whether the changes you've made will be enough.
Hi Fatso1.
I am a vegetarian and eat lots of lentils and nuts.
For me it is really important to see what I eat as part of a bigger picture, over a few weeks or months and on into the years to come. I think its also important, for me anyway not to demonize any food and say 'from today I will never eat x, y or z'.
Yes there are foods that I really don't want to eat again- processed ready meals for example. But I am a pragmatist. I really urge you to take the advice of the others and go over to the daily diary and just say hello, read what others are writing about and eating and post your menu when you feel comfortable.
Thanks . Having a problem with daily diary can get on but cannot see where you post .
You might just have slightly unrealistic expectations here. LCHF is a lifetime eating plan, and unfortunately no diet shows much of a result in one week. Even if you'd lost 5 kilos overnight, what would it matter? The aim is to keep it off for good, and that's where LCHF works its magic. Stick with it and your body will sort itself out in its own inscrutable way.
As Tiggerr mentioned, the first few weeks (the "keto" phase) are an adaptation period, and although most people see a bit of weight loss, some unlucky folk don't ... but it does kick in eventually, typically within a month or so.
It's pretty hard to eat too much fat on LCHF, especially at this point. Keep eating cheese and yoghurt. No need to stuff yourself - just try to reacquaint yourself with what "enough" feels like.
I can't stress this enough: it's the dietary fat that triggers the weight loss. I know that sounds mad, but there it is. For vegetarians, the best sources of fat would be coconut oil, olive oil, butter, and cream. Add these ad lib to whatever non-starchy veg you like. Explore recipe ideas that incorporate fats - mayonnaise-based salad dressings, for example. At some point you'll develop a natural aversion to "too much" fat - you'll simply stop wanting it, because your body is burning through its own bodyfat. That's when you can ease off on the cheese and whatnot.
Constipation is quite distressing and it's a common (but temporary!) side effect during the keto transition. The usual "cure" is beef broth, but I guess that's not an option for you. You need to replace sodium, potassium, and water: try spinach, coffee or tea (not plain water), and add salt to taste when you eat. Tip: most people find coffee with cream to be a nice treat, almost like a dessert.
Is there any particular reason you stopped eating meat? Vegetarian LCHF is perfectly doable if you eat eggs and cheese, but it's a lot easier if there's some wiggle room on the animal products. A bit of bacon in the mornings, say.
Anyway: don't panic! It's quite normal to get things a bit wrong at the beginning because LCHF is an about-face for most people. But you'll get there with a few tweaks.
A lot of good tips , you are so right fats have always been a no no . I have to say they are filling and I think you probably do get to a stage where you are not eating so much of them . Sticking with it although today I do not think I have eaten enough . Tomorrow should be more settled . Not eating meat started 2 yrs ago after being involved in a traumatic incident . So early days for me .
OK, understand about the meat now. Definitely off the menu then. Don't worry about the cheese etc, there are plenty of vegetarians doing LCHF and it works out just fine. Beans can be reintroduced later - the keto phase is a bit restrictive and boring!
I have hypothyroidism and take levothyroxine. I think the best diet I did was gluten free. I had some good results. I’m told dairy free can also be a good option. I’m currently 3 weeks in from having a gastric balloon procedure. I am massively overweight and I hope this may be the answer to my weight issues. Sadly it’s different for each individual but good luck. I feel your pain and confusion and indeed frustration
thyroxine is not an issue, get regular blood test to keep the right dosage. If you are on Steroid, you will put on weight. No doubt about that. Why steroid? Is it for pain? As in specific pain or general pain on you joints or muscles? Personally I used to have a lot of joint pains, one doctor treated me for arthritis to no avail as soon as I stopped medication. It obviously was the wrong diagnosis. I then cut out most sugar, soft drinks, white wine, lemons, orange, cakes, chocolate ....... and instead eat a lot of fish and vegetables and a few months later, maybe six, I realised I didn’t have any pains anymore. It maybe strange but I eat a small can of tuna with cruskits in the morning. I got used to it and have fresh tuna or Barramundi twice a week. I also reduced my intake of fresh tomatoes. I have them in ratatouille instead.Maybe keep a daily diary of your food and wellness and see what works for you. You may be surprised.
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
Anyone on Keto Diet?
Vegetable and Fruit Diet Suggestions
Help with Keto
Who want to be on Keto with me
My keto Easter treats
Aghh just ruined my diet yet again!!!
Taking Gold cost Keto or weight loss supplements.
Gaining weight yet dieting
