Saturday, April 1, 2023

Fat and Fifty's Top 7 Tips for Successfully Beginning the Keto Diet

 Welcome back to my blog, "Fat and Fifty"! Thanks for sticking around for my next post. I'm new to this, so please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

 

So, it's T-minus 2 days until I start the keto diet. And let me tell you, it's gonna be a tough one. Keto can be a very restrictive diet, and you may have to say goodbye to your favorite high-carb snack foods. And your favorite full-carb cold brew? Forget about it. But before you start the diet, there are a few things you should do.

 

Tip #1: Indulge yourself! Go out to your favorite restaurant and enjoy your favorite foods. Go to the convenience store like a 9-year-old who just got sent in there with a $100 bill. Really treat yourself. I'm serious when I say overdo it. It's a way to make your body and your mind go, "Oh my God, this food is disgusting!" and make it easier to give it up.

 

Tip #2: Drink water. Water is one of the most important things you need during keto. Maybe you're like me and thought you were getting enough water through your morning latte. Or you thought you were getting your water via the water used when they make Coke. And let's be honest, isn't beer mostly water? But alas, that is not enough. When you're in ketosis, your body is going to crave water. It'll be like dry mouth, cotton mouth, the Death Valley in your mouth. Start drinking water early on and get your body adapted to this need for water. They say you should drink at least one gallon of water per day, if not more. So, I found it easiest to get a one-liter reusable water bottle and fill it up. Count how many times you drink that. If you're not finishing at least four a day, you gotta push yourself. Eventually, you won't need to push yourself. It will become natural to drink that much water, but your body will need it

Tip #3: Beware of the dreaded keto cramps! These little buggers can strike at any moment, and trust me, you do NOT want to mess with them. They're like the Kraken of leg cramps - once they hit, you'll feel like you're being dragged down to the depths of the ocean.

But fear not, dear keto-dieter, for I have a solution! It's called "the salty lime surprise," and it's the secret weapon against those pesky cramps. Now, I know what you're thinking - "salty lime surprise? That sounds more like a prank than a remedy." But trust me, it's legit.

All you need to do is mix fresh lime juice, Himalayan sea salt, and a dash of water (12 -16oz room temp) in a glass. It's like a margarita, but without the tequila and with a side of electrolytes. Just be warned, the first sip might make you pucker up like you just ate a whole bag of sour patch kids. But hey, if that's the price we have to pay for smooth sailing on the keto seas, then so be it.

So remember, peeps - start your day with a salty lime surprise, and you'll be able to dance the night away without a single cramp in sight. Or at the very least, you'll be able to sleep without feeling like your legs are trying to escape from your body.

 

Tip #4: Purge the Pantry - Say goodbye to all the non-keto friendly stuff in your house. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life! "Lead us not into temptation!" Those high-carb, sugar-filled foods are like your ex that keeps texting you: they only bring you down and mess with your head. If you give in to temptation, you might as well take a swim in a pool of chocolate pudding.

The first few weeks are the hardest, and those cravings will make you feel like a hangry, irrational monster. But don't worry, it's just your body throwing a tantrum because it's not getting its sugar fix. Once you're deep into ketosis and your body is happily burning fat, those cravings will run away faster than a cat when you try to give it a bath.

Think of this as a marathon, not a sprint. And just like any good marathon runner, you need to lighten your load and get rid of anything that's holding you back. So, say goodbye to those bags of chips, boxes of cookies, and pints of ice cream. You're on a mission to be healthier and happier, and nothing will stand in your way.

 

#5 Prepare - Like a pit-crew at a NASCAR race, you want to be fully prepared for anything. Meal planning and shopping are key to keeping yourself on track. So, channel your inner pit-crew and get prepping! If you're a snacker, stock up on crunchy things like celery and carrot sticks. But don't just buy them and leave them in the fridge. Prepping them in advance is like having your pit-crew ready for action. When the craving hits, you can pull into the kitchen and get your snack on in record time!

Same goes for meals. Plan and shop for a week's worth of meals so you don't have to deal with the dreaded "what should we eat" conundrum. That usually leads to bad food choices and feeling guilty about it later. Trust me, I know. I've been there.

And if you're looking for some meal plan inspiration, fear not! I'll share some of my weekly meal plans with you as I get rolling. Just don't be surprised if they include some weird food combinations that only a pit-crew could love.

 

#6 Set Goals – Let's face it, without goals, we're like a ship without a rudder - we'll end up going nowhere. So, have a goal in mind and write it down. Do you wanna lose those love handles? Do you want to avoid being mistaken for a beached whale when you're at the beach? Those are great goals, but let's get specific - how many pounds do you need to lose to get there? 10? 15? 20? That number is your real goal. And when do you want to reach it? Give yourself a reasonable target date, and that's when you want to reach your goal.

Now, the next step of setting that goal is sharing it with a close friend or family member, so they can help keep you accountable. Because let's be real, it's very easy to bend the truth with ourselves! I mean, we're not lying, we're just being creative with the truth, right?

Oh, and speaking of lying, let me be honest with you - I haven't set my goal yet. Why? Because I don't own a scale. I refuse to keep one of those lying little demons in my home! But I promise I'll stop by the doctor's office on Monday morning to get my current weight. Then, I'll set my goal and share it with you. So, stay tuned for that!

 

#7 Stay off the scale – Unless you're auditioning for a new season of The Biggest Loser, avoid the scale like the plague. We all know the feeling of stepping on that little piece of metal and having our entire day ruined because we didn't magically lose 10 pounds overnight. On keto, it's even worse because your weight will fluctuate like a yo-yo on a roller coaster. You might lose a ton of weight in the first week, but then gain it all back the next week. It's like playing a game of keto roulette. So, unless you enjoy emotional roller coasters, I recommend only weighing yourself twice a month. And if you just can't resist the urge to step on the scale, then toss it in the garage or hide it in your mother-in-law's bathroom. Just make sure you use it when you visit so she doesn't get too suspicious.

 

Alright my friends, those are my starting tips for diving into the wonderful world of Keto. As a seasoned Keto-er (is that even a word?), I promise you that it's not all lettuce and rabbit food. In fact, with the right approach, you can still enjoy some tasty treats without compromising your health goals.

But before you get too excited, don't forget to purge those non-keto friendly snacks from your pantry. Believe me, I know the temptation of a cold beer and a can of Pringles calling your name, but trust me, your love handles won't appreciate it.

So, cheers to a healthier you! And tune in tomorrow when I'll talk about the magic of intermittent fasting with Keto. Who knows, maybe we can even sneak in a few more beer and snack breaks along the way (just kidding, sort of).




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