My Keto Recapitulation

Easter Blues

It has been quite some time since I made an entry, so I thought today would be a good day to break that streak.

It's been a crazy month, busy, and not much time for anything. I forget what my last entry was, but it's of no matter, today we talk about the evil spell the Easter Bunny cast on me.

I was going strong in Keto and had finally hit the 230's, so I was extremely pleased with my progress. I don't remember when I last weighed this amount, but it's been a long time, at least eight or nine years, maybe ten. I tried on a pair of pants never fit since the day I purchased them, and they fit; very tight, a bit uncomfortable, but they fit. I bought two pairs that day, one tan, one black, but the same pants. I tried on the tan ones, they fit, so I assumed the black ones would fit, too. They did not.

Anyway, On Wednesday, my daughter and I had to take our written driver's test, me to get a Minnesota license, and her to get a driving permit. We both passed, and since it was lunchtime, I took her out to an oriental buffet for lunch and to celebrate. Keto was shot, but I still did pretty well at keeping my carbs down.

Then, Easter arrived, and since we should be going to relatives for dinner, I knew that I wouldn't be sticking to my Keto diet. I was still out of Ketosis from Wednesday, but feeling pretty good.

Before we left, I decided to snack on a few pieces of Easter candy; I was already out of Ketosis and dinner wouldn't be Keto-friendly, so what the hell, right?

Dinner was a bit late, and since I hadn't eaten anything filling, I was starved. So, I decided to go back for seconds, enjoying things like slow-cooker corn, scalloped potatoes, and baked beans; things I haven't been able to eat for months. After dinner, a little pie, some bars, and I was carb-heaven.

Monday came and I felt terrible. I had aches and pains that I hadn't had since I started Keto, I was tired, foggy, and just felt like a road-kill. I hadn't slept well, waking and having night sweats. Again, stuff that ended when I cut back on carbs, especially simple carbs, and sugar. I went on a 36-hour fast to get the Keto jump-started but ended up with Keto flu when I run out of carb energy.

Tuesday I broke fast with some Keto cabbage soup for dinner, nothing more. Wednesday, I introduced eggs for lunch and made some Keto meatballs for dinner. I was still feeling out of sync, tired, and achy, but the worst had passed. This morning I woke to feel much better, I had more energy, and believe I'm finally back into Ketosis.

I had a Keto coffee before I went to the gym to work out and put in at least two hours, burning over 800 calories. Then to the store to get potatoes and to fill the water jugs. The potatoes are for the rest of the family, not for me. I did feel pretty tired after working out, but then I was running on a large deficit of calories since Monday, although last night's dinner was getting close to my daily intake.

That's what it took to regain my Ketogenic state, and now I can eat my required calorie intake as long as I keep the carbs down. I know I won't be staying on the Keto diet after I get my weight down where I want it, and had thought about slowly introducing more carbs at that point, but after my Easter experience, I know that's not the way to go.

So, now's the time to start researching some new eating habits; low carb habits. I'll look into some various diets that offer more carbs than Keto, but when it comes to simple carbs and sugar, I know I'll be very limited. Mayhaps I'll look into some diabetic diets as well.

"Reading soothes the soul, writing sets it free." T.J.