Beginning the Keto Diet

Until recently, I’ve been on the see-food diet. I see food, and I eat it. During the winter, I play a lot of hockey and can maintain my weight. The summer is my nemesis. Lots of good food and very little activity in terms of exercise has me gaining a few pounds. This year, at the beginning of September, I was tipping the scale at just around 200 pounds. Charo has the same problem with summer weight gain. We both looked at each other and wanted to change our lifestyles. Our upcoming trip has been a wake-up call to get in better shape and to eat better so we can be more active when we are away. We decided to try the Keto diet two-week challenge.

What is the Ketogenic (Keto) diet?

To tell you the truth, I’m not the one driving this or doing the research. I can tell you that it’s a drastic reduction in carbs and zero sugar intake while eating high-fat foods. Most people who are on this type of diet are stringent on how many carbs they have a day, usually limiting themselves to about 30 g. We are not most people. We do not measure quantities of food; we are watching what type of foods we are eating. 

I’ll admit, the only way I could do this diet is because of Charo. She lets me prepare different meat on my bbq, which I enjoy doing, and she adds it to salads or veggies. I know what you’re saying, and you’re right, I am a lucky man. All I have to do is eat, no worrying about what I can eat. Who wouldn’t be able to follow a diet if all the meals are prepared for you! Charo is making different salads for lunch and dinner and allowing me some freedom when I cook meat. I’m choosing to spice the meat with different rubs that do not include sugar.

What is not on the diet?

Stuff we aren’t allowed to eat are any types of carbs like rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes, grains or most fruits. We are allowed to eat some berries, which is a sweet treat. Out of everything, I am pretty safe to say that I am now not tempted by much. I thought giving up pastries and cakes would be hard, but I’m doing it. What I am genuinely missing are potatoes, especially poutine!

How the Keto diet is going so far?

The results so far, I’ve lost 11 pounds! Charo’s a little jealous of this, but she’s lost a few pounds as well. That’s great, but not the best part. I’ve felt like I have more energy and feel more alert. I’ve even played hockey a few times and am enjoying the fact that I’m not dragging around those extra pounds. It’s not all good, though. I do feel like I am not sleeping as well as I have in the past. There is a Keto flu some people get, and yup, I think I got it too.

Overall I think it was worth it. As long as Charo wants to do this, I think we can keep it going. Do I think this will be a long term diet for us? I doubt it. I am seeing the benefit of reducing carbs and sugars, but I can’t see a diet that is this restrictive being tasty and healthy as a long term solution. I know we will be eating fruit again at some point, but moderation will be the key. As for bread and pasta, I don’t miss them at all.

So, for now, we keep going, unless anyone knows of a poutine diet! Please, someone, know of a poutine diet!

Thanks for reading and happy adventuring!

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