You’ve been dieting all year, and it’s finally paid off. You’re down 10 pounds, and you feel great! But as we all know, losing weight this way isn’t the most sustainable strategy. Wouldn’t it be great if there were a way to lose weight that encouraged you to eat whatever you want without risking your health? Sounds like a dream, right?
Well, there is! If you’re looking for a way to lose weight quickly and sustainably, try a ketogenic diet. Not only will it help get you there faster than you know it, but it’ll also help with the sustainability factor. Keep reading for more information!
What is a Ketogenic Diet?
If you’re unfamiliar, a ketogenic diet is a high fat, low carbohydrate diet that puts your body into a state of ketosis. When your body is in a state of ketosis, it’s burning fat for energy rather than carbohydrates. This is great because it helps your body get back to its natural weight, which is usually much lower than the one it’s been on all year. When you’re in a state of ketosis, your body also produces more insulin naturally, which helps glucose enter cells and be used as energy. This is also great because most people who go on a ketogenic diet lose weight and gain muscle tone simultaneously!
When your body is in a state of ketosis, it’s like you’re eating cake every day and still losing weight. Yes, that’s actually possible! It’s called being in ketosis. When you’re not in ketosis, you’re not eating a ketogenic diet, but most likely you’re eating a high carbohydrate diet with no fat at all. When your body is not in ketosis, you’re not losing weight effectively, and you’re also increasing your risk of chronic disease.
By maintaining a ketogenic diet, you’re also going to be able to maintain much of your muscle mass. Studies show that people who followed a ketogenic diet for 3 months maintained a significant weight loss while also gaining lean muscle mass. After 3 months on a ketogenic diet, the participants had significantly increased their insulin sensitivity and decreased their blood sugar levels – both signs of a healthier metabolism!
Why Do You Want to Lose Weight?
There are many reasons why you’d want to lose weight. Maybe you’re unhappy with your body and want to change it for the better. Maybe you want to fit into a certain type of clothing or maybe you just want to feel healthier. Whatever your reasons, there is a diet plan for you. With a little motivation, you can achieve your goals successfully.
When you’re trying to lose weight, you may notice that it’s quite difficult to find the willpower to stay away from dessert. Once you’ve had a bite, it’s quite hard to say no to another. While this might be difficult, you’ll be glad you did. Having food that’s off-limits can help boost your willpower and aid you in reaching your goal weight. When you have no other choice but to say no, this can help you avoid going back for seconds. This is crucial if you want to maintain your new healthy lifestyle!
How Long Does It Take To Lose Weight On A Ketogenic Diet?
This depends on you and how motivated you are to lose the weight. Some people can drop the pounds right away, while others might need more time. If you’re looking to lose weight quickly, you may want to try a ketogenic diet with some supplements to speed the process. Studies show that combining a high dose of vitamins with a ketogenic diet can help reduce fasting times and improve weight loss rates!
When you’re starting a ketogenic diet, it can take a while to get into ketosis. This is because your body is not used to functioning in this way. When you first engage in ketosis, you’ll likely experience headaches, lethargy, and drowsiness. This is perfectly normal, but it’s also something you need to get used to. Once you are in ketosis, your body will start burning fat and producing energy naturally, so you’ll feel more energetic and alert – great for getting through the day!
Are There Any Side Effects To A Ketogenic Diet?
There are always going to be side effects when you’re making changes to your diet. It’s no secret that diets that exclude foods often cause people to vomit, lose their appetite, or even suffer from diarrhea. Diets that cause these issues are usually high in fiber, which our body doesn’t digest well. When you’re not eating foods that you’re accustomed to, your body will have to adjust. Some of the side effects of a ketogenic diet include
- fatigue
- headaches
- dry mouth
- nausea
- low blood sugar
- low blood pressure
- poor sleep quality
- loss of appetite
- diarrhea
- vomiting
These are all common side effects, but they’re also things you need to get used to. If you’re feeling good and aren’t experiencing any negative effects, then you can consider yourself lucky. Many people experience dozens of side effects when trying to lose weight, so it’s definitely worth it to try a ketogenic diet!
Should You Try A Ketogenic Diet On Or Off The Lacto-Veggie Diet?
If you’ve been on a strict low-fat, vegetarian diet for a long time and are looking for a way to lose weight, you might want to try a ketogenic diet. Although vegans and vegetarians consume fewer calories than carnivores, they still have a lot of carbohydrates in them. When you avoid carbohydrates, you prevent your body from forming new blood vessels (arteries), which can help you lose weight quickly. If you’ve been trying to avoid blood vessels for aesthetic reasons, this might be a good option for you.
On the other hand, if you’re wanting to lose weight for health reasons and aren’t sure about trying a ketogenic diet, then you might want to avoid it. The ketogenic diet is known for causing severe dietary deficiencies, particularly in vitamin B12 (cobalamin). Vitamin B12 is necessary for maintaining a healthy nervous system and metabolism, and a deficiency can lead to anemia, weight loss, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease – not something you want to experience as you’re trying to lose weight!
How Much Weight Can You Lose On A Ketogenic Diet?
This is another question that’s easy to answer: It depends on how much you need to lose. Since you’re in a state of ketosis when on a ketogenic diet, your body is automatically at its natural weight. As a result, you may not lose as much weight as you’d expect. In some cases, people have reportedly lost over 20 pounds in only a couple of weeks!
This is a drastic difference from what happens when you try to diet and lose weight. Then, you’ll likely lose about 2 pounds per week, on average. In most cases, people who go on a ketogenic diet report losing 8 to 10 pounds in the first week, which is when the weight starts coming off effectively!
Some people have even lost over 20 pounds in less than 2 weeks on a ketogenic diet. If this sounds like something you’d like to try, then reach for the nearest mirror and get started today!
When You Reach Your Goal Weight, How Do You Prevent Weight Gain?
It’s very common for people to gain weight after losing a significant amount of it, especially when they return to their regular diets. When this happens, it’s usually because they weren’t paying close enough attention to the foods they were consuming. If you’re trying to maintain your new healthy lifestyle, then it’s imperative that you learn how to eat properly. To help ensure you don’t put on any unwanted weight, follow these tips:
Eat Healthy Foods
The first and most crucial step to preventing weight gain is to eat healthy foods. This means foods that are low in calories and filled with fiber. Some examples of healthy foods are berries, celery, cucumber, lettuce, and pumpkin. Eating these foods regularly can help you maintain a healthy weight. Studies also show that people who followed a low-fat diet were more satisfied with their meals, and tended to eat fewer calories than those on a high-fat diet!