Ketosis is quite a controversial diet that has two sides to debate, like with any other choice you will make in your life. There are positives and negatives to everything you will undertake, and you need to understand the scientific mechanism properly before making an informed decision for yourself. If you have never tried it, I suggest that you give it a go...monitor your progress and decide if it is something you can commit to or not. Here is how it works:
Ketones are created in the liver when fat is metabolized (broken down). This fat can be from the egg yolks you ate this morning or your mid-section/thighs (for example). Ketosis is a state when our body taps into its FAT STORES for its MAIN source of energy, as opposed to GLYCOGEN (carbohydrate) stores. As such, you turn into a FAT-BURNING machine, as opposed to a carbohydrate-burning one.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your body pick up glucose from the blood, storing it as as glycogen in the liver and muscles. It is important to know that CARBOHYDRATES affect our "blood sugar levels". When we eat foods that are HIGH GLYCEMIC (high in sugar/carbs), our INSULIN levels go UP. This is NOT an optimal FAT-BURNING state what so ever. In fact, the body STOPS BURNING FAT when insulin levels are high in the blood. Following? You can refer to the "Glycemic Index" to find out which foods are desirable to consume, and which are ones to stay far away from to keep your body at its optimal fat-burning state. The following site is very helpful and informative: http://www.mendosa.com/
RECAP: now, you just learned that CARBOHYDRATES affect insulin levels, and when insulin levels are high your body is not in a fat burning state anymore as it’s trying to burn all the glycogen you ingested. PS: when you eat carbs, they metabolize into sugar/glycogen.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your body pick up glucose from the blood, storing it as as glycogen in the liver and muscles. It is important to know that CARBOHYDRATES affect our "blood sugar levels". When we eat foods that are HIGH GLYCEMIC (high in sugar/carbs), our INSULIN levels go UP. This is NOT an optimal FAT-BURNING state what so ever. In fact, the body STOPS BURNING FAT when insulin levels are high in the blood. Following? You can refer to the "Glycemic Index" to find out which foods are desirable to consume, and which are ones to stay far away from to keep your body at its optimal fat-burning state. The following site is very helpful and informative: http://www.mendosa.com/
RECAP: now, you just learned that CARBOHYDRATES affect insulin levels, and when insulin levels are high your body is not in a fat burning state anymore as it’s trying to burn all the glycogen you ingested. PS: when you eat carbs, they metabolize into sugar/glycogen.
BUT NOW GUESS WHAT: Fat has absolutely NO-IMPACT on insulin, and when insulin is absent in the blood, JUST LIKE MAGIC, your body begins to use fat as its PRIMARY energy source, which is called KETOSIS. It takes a bit of time for the body to naturally deplete itself from its glycogen stores (from all the carbs you have eaten). How do you know if you're in ketosis? You pee on a keto-stick which turns a certain shade and tells you if the level of ketones in your blood is high or low. These sticks are very inexpensive ($8 for a set of 50) and can be purchased at any local pharmacy. I got mine at London Drugs, but had to ask for them as they are kept over the counter.
HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE KETOSIS: diet, diet and diet. Did you know that what you eat is 80% of what you look like? You could be busting your butt at the gym, hours on end, 7 days a week and still not be hitting your goal because your diet is HOLDING YOU BACK. DON'T WASTE YOUR ENERGY & TIME. The only way to achieve this state is to adhere to a strict high fat/protein and extremely low carb diet. Carbs that occur naturally in foods consumed are allowed up to a certain percentage, but not more!
I am currently testing out this KETO DIET, and am already seeing REALLY GREAT RESULTS from the formula I have created and diet I have put together for myself. I have never tried this before a competition, as I was advised I may or may not go "flat" (when muscles don't look full). However, I am finding that my body is responding AMAZINGLY to this diet and I am NEVER hungry. I also am finding that I am not craving carbs, sweets, and cheats. I am still training at least once per day, but sometimes twice. 's
I have been on KETO since September 1st and I am seeing huge gains in my muscle definition, an abundance of energy during training and cardio, no mood swings, no energy crashes... I am realizing that I am a person that simply doesn't do well on a high-carb diet. That is important to know if you are looking to tighten up and banish fat. My LEGS (biggest problem area) are slimming down, and my back and upper body are leaning out as well. It really can't get any better than this...
I eat clean fats: avocado, coconut oil, mixed nuts which are all excellent for your health and have numerous benefits which I will be blogging about soon also! It doesn't have to be a BAD diet, as some may say. It's only bad if you stuff your face with bad fats. Newsflash: I don't see any bacon, mayonnaise and butter in my fridge! :)
WHY DID I NOT TRY THIS BEFORE? Hahahaha... Hope I have enlightened those of you who just learned something totally new! If you have any questions, contact me at info@ellefitness.ca ♥
