“You’ll lose weight fast. Like, in two weeks, you could lose up to 15 lbs,” my doctor said to me, and my eyes shone at the thought of that being possible. “You will also be able to eat as much fat as you want. Even bacon is allowed,” she added, so I was more than excited to get started with my new diet. Alas, everything comes at a price.
The diet I was about to attempt was the Atkins diet, which is more intense about cutting down on carbs than the Keto diet, but it doesn’t mean that the latter is not as tough as the first. Atkins has four stages that go from cutting down carbs almost completely to restoring them into your diet little by little. With Keto, on the other hand, you only eat carbs in specific quantities throughout the whole diet.
Both diets work by Ketosis, which means very low-carb diets that transform fat into energy. So, why is everyone and their mother raving about it? Well, because they help you lose a lot of weight really fast. However, as I said before, these things come at a price, and there are some important things you need to know before trying one of these diets, so you don’t put your health at risk.
You’ll feel tired
Since both diets are low-carb, you will lack some energy the first couple of days (or week). You can also get some headaches, since your body is burning your glucose supplies. Now, there’s no need to worry about that, but keep in mind that skipping meals is a no-no. Your body will adapt eventually, but until then, I’d recommend avoiding too much physical activity.
It MUST be done with the supervision of a doctor
Don’t even think about doing this on your own. Seriously, don’t. You need, no, you MUST see a nutritionist in order to try any of these ketogenic diets. Since you will be cutting carbs and sugar, your pancreas and liver will work differently than they used to. Also, it’s important to check your cholesterol levels before starting your regime. Ask your doctor all the questions that come to mind, and maybe consider asking for a more friendly diet to get you started.
It takes a lot of discipline
You might want to start with another diet that doesn’t deprive you of carbs and sugar, because when I say sugar, I mean all kinds of cereals and sugars, processed or natural. Trust me, it is an extreme diet that requires full commitment. Even some fruits are not allowed in these diets, so if you know you can be easily tempted by some delicious ice-cream or a fresh slice of pizza, then you should look at other, less demanding regimes you can try.
Though the idea of eating lots of fat and protein might seem appealing at first, remember that you will not be able to eat sugar or cereals in a long, long time, not to mention alcohol or soft drinks. Seriously, this is go hard or go home, and not following the regime to a T can really jeopardize your health.
Constipation: your worst enemy
Hydration is key forever and always. Lots and lots of water are required for your organism to work correctly and to avoid constipation, since these is one of the most common side-effects of these eating regimes. Constipation is not only uncomfortable and painful, but it can also be dangerous and even deadly.
It’s a short-term diet
I know it sounds really appealing to lose a lot of weight in a short amount of time, but these diets are only meant for brief periods of time in order to re-establish a healthier and more natural way of eating. That’s why is so important to see a doctor, so they can keep track of your weight loss, cholesterol and sugar levels, and eventually adapt or give you a new diet to stay healthy and see more awesome results.
Mind your leafy greens
Leafy greens are your best ally in these diets: everything from lettuce and spinach, to celery and kale, and so on. These will provide the vitamins and minerals that protein and fat don’t, and are a game-changer to avoid constipation and keep your cholesterol levels under control. It may seem boring at the beginning of the diet, but as time passes, you will start craving them.
Keeping the weight off
After ketosis is done, your nutritionist will adapt your diet, so you eat more things yet still maintain your new weight. Little by little, you’ll begin to have more kinds of fruit, rice, cereals, cheese, and yogurt. This doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to have fries, cheeseburgers, or that cold beer you’ve been fantasizing about for months. To leave this regime and not put the weight back on takes even more time than the ketosis process.
I have tried ketosis, and it works wonders when it comes to weight loss, but I did experience all the side-effects. Three months after finishing my diet, I surrendered to junk food (I’d spent a total of 4 months on this diet), and 6 months later, I had already regained most of the pounds I had lost. So, if you’re willing to give it a try, you really have to commit to it and always, always do it under medical supervision.
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