Why Do Some People See Dramatic Results In Ketosis... And Others Don't? -part 3

Over the past few days I've been telling you about a few factors that I think may cause different results between people who follow Ketones Aren't From Motown…

Another thought why readers have different experiences has to do with that dreaded word: Exercise. Going back to the glucose tank idea remember that the only way to empty that tank is to use its contents. Activity empties the tank, and if you're in ketosis, you use fat for fuel. The reader I spoke about earlier, whose husband lost 10 pounds more than her, says she is in the habit of exercising regularly but her husband is one who would rather 'take a stroll'.  He deliberately stepped things up when he began eating low carb.  My thought is he's emptying his tank faster because his body is moving more than its accustomed to. However, his wife's body has gotten used to her energy needs, and because our bodies are so doggone efficient, her body will meet her needs with as little impact on her resources as possible.  Our wonderfully amazing bodies are programmed to guard our resources (in this case body fat aka 'future fuel in case of famine') and they adapt for the sake of that preservation.  So, here's the rub. I think some people have to move more than others. 

I despise even writing the words above because I don't like them.  I actually kind of like to exercise. I like how I feel afterward and I like what it does for my body. But I never, never, NEVER, want to feel like I HAVE to exercise. I on-purpose exercise at least a 20 minutes, 5 days a week, but if I were to be honest, I think I need to move more.  I recently started a new job where I sit more than I used to.  I think I need to incorporate a second 'activity' session into my schedule a few times a week, preferably several hours after the first. For example, I jog most every morning, but to really keep my tank near empty I need to do one of two things:  I have to really keep an eye on my carbs or I need to do some extra cardio in the evening  a few times a week. This might be a brisk walk or a few minutes of some squats or jump rope. Anything to get my heart rate up a second time at the end of the day and keep that tank on the empty side.  I like food too much and don't want to think that hard, so the easiest solution for me is to move a little more.

Tune in to my next blog for yet another reason why I think different people experience different results when in ketosis.

Why Do Some People See Dramatic Results In Ketosis... And Others Don't? -part 2

I think there are a few factors that may cause results to vary between two people who begin eating with the goal of entering into ketosis. …

The theory I shared in the previous blog comes from my own experience. When I first began eating low carb I'd been used to filling my 'tank' with at least 300 carb grams a day, maybe more.  I think my body pretty much freaked out when I limited my intake to 30 grams a day and it scrambled to make enough fuel for my brain and body to run efficiently.  Between the reduction in water retention and ketosis I lost several pounds the first week to 10 days. After nearly two years of eating low carb (under 75 grams a day) I decided to "enter ketosis" again to recapture the experience and refresh my memory for the sake of new readers.  (I put enter ketosis in quotes because I think I am nearly always in a mild state of ketosis.)  During this time I faithfully averaged about 30 carb grams a day but I never experienced the side effects of ketosis. I kept waiting for those lovely signs I describe in Ketones Aren't From Motown but they didn't show up.  And though I lost 4 pounds, it took longer.

My theory is that my body has gotten very efficient at balancing a ketone based metabolism.  It doesn't go crazy and make excessive amounts of ketones, some of which are wasted, like it did in the beginning.  My body has learned what I need and makes 'enough' ketones to run efficiently.  It won't take from my body fat unnecessarily.  As a result of my body's efficiency I can still lose weight through ketosis, but I won't see the same dramatic results I did at first.

In my next blog I'll tell you another reason why I think different people experience different results when in ketosis.

Why Do Some People See Dramatic Results In Ketosis... And Others Don't?

I recently celebrated with a reader when she told me her husband had lost 13 pounds since downloading Ketones Aren't From Motown in August! However, she went on to say that she felt disappointed to have only lost 3 pounds. This isn't the first time I've heard a story like this and it got me wondering why some people experience radical results and others have just ho-hum results.  Since that conversation I have given this a lot of thought.   For me, a lot of thought amounts to a lot of words!!! so I'll share my thoughts in a series of blogs. 

Before I go on let me share a simple way I think of the glucose-ketosis relationship: I think of each of us as having a 'glucose tank' which will look different depending on what you're eating. 

• ·         Your tank may be full and overflowing (with the 'overflow' turning into future fuel, aka 'fat').
• ·         Your tank may be full-ish, but not overflowing.
• ·         Your tank may be nearly empty with its contents being frequently used up so that your body needs to find another source of fuel - i.e. ketones. 

I think there are a few factors that may cause results to vary between two people who begin eating with the goal of entering into ketosis. First, what was their carb intake before ketosis? If Person One's average daily carbohydrate intake was at least the FDA recommend 300-375 grams per day, cutting back to 30 grams would produce radical results.  If Person Two was eating fewer carbs, say 150 grams or less, and cuts back to 30 grams then she or he would (logically speaking) see only half the results of Person One. There are a couple reasons for this. 

 First, carbs retain 2-3 times their weight in water so reducing carbs reduces water retention and voila! you've lost weight.

 Secondly, and I think more importantly, when our bodies first experience a drastic glucose reduction there is an adjustment period as the body re-learns how 'switch over' to a ketosis based metabolism.  The body very likely will overcompensate at first and that is why the extra ketones 'spill over' into your urine, breath and body odors. During this adjustment period your body will likely need to relearn how to transform body fat into fuel.  Depending on how slowly or quickly your body makes the adjustment will determine how much you'll lose right away.

In future blogs I'll share a personal experience of Ketosis vs. Results and other reasons why I think results vary from person to person.

Ketones + Blood Pressure = GOOD NEWS!

 After winning the BATTLE OF THE BULGE  and dropping 38 pounds...

 One of my readers checked in to tell me that his Doctor just told him to cut his BLOOD PRESSURE medicine in half AGAIN!  What a difference from last year! The Doc says he may even be able to DISCONTINUE the meds altogether! Not only that but he said his 'Bad' is no longer high but fast approaching the 'Good' range!  

Ketones + Blood Pressure = GOOD NEWS!

OVER 125 POUNDS LOST!

OVER 125 POUNDS LOST!  

…between the four of us, that is… I was thinking about my friends, and doing a little arithmetic and realized that, since deciding to use Ketosis as my ally in weight loss I have watched  my 3 friends, Conni Boyd, Stacie Crow, and my very own Michael Hanson, lose at least 30 pounds each through Ketosis. The best part is that it's staying off!  Conni  and I are both approaching our two year mark!  It's fun to hear from others who've also read Ketones Aren't From Motown and changed sizes - and even from some who've never read the book, but learned the principles from someone who did, and lost!  It's so cool to be a part of this and I (literally) pray for success for anyone who decides to give Ketones a try.