Keto Diary (part 2)

Day 4

keto meal with cauliflower Mac and cheese and Cobb salad on the side — Delicious Keto Cauliflower Mac & Cheese with a side Cobb Salad! Def one of my favs, had so many different versions over the course of this week.

Insanely busy day, but at least I was up and at em’ on time! I did set 3 alarms to ensure that happened soooo that probably helped. I got out of bed, but felt super tired and groggy. Black coffee helped marginally, but I got so immersed in work that I forgot to eat until one pm. Unsurprisingly, my mood was infinitely improved when I stopped and had more cauliflower mac and cheese for lunch!

It is amazing how quick tension dissipates when you give your body what it needs to function. This is definitely something I need to work on, scheduling time to eat BEFORE I start to feel those negative effects. I also discovered the joys of ultra dark chocolate today! One square was enough to satisfy my “something sweet” craving and I plan to experiment with other options going forward.

Day 4 Takeaway:

Eat when you’re hungry. And if there’s one thing I’m thankful for this week, it’s cheese.

Day 5:

Keto tacos for dinner! Crispy cheese shells filled with meat and fixing, side of cauliflower rice — Keto Tacos with a side of Cauliflower Rice on the BEST crispy cheese shells I’ve ever tasted! Check out Folio Cheese Wraps to see if they are stocked in a store near you!

Today I discovered my personal barrier with the dark chocolate – 90%. A square at 90% is delish; I can work with it. But, you take that little jump up to 92% and you have officially lost my interest.

Today was a slower day getting up, but the second day in a row the scale reads -3 lbs! The weight is irrelevant though; the real victory is that I am feeling far more energetic today.

I have been having bulletproof coffee in the morning, and it was less horrible today than usual! Everyone makes this keto coffee drink differently, but we were blending freshly ground beans with MCT oil, ghee butter, cinnamon, and a dash of heavy cream. I am feeling great even before having eaten anything.

Dinner was another delicious salad and some variation of goulash with tons of veggies, cheese, and ground beef. We set out to tackle a table-top murder mystery game while we ate, and I am proud to say we slayedddd. Even though all four of us were just hitting ketosis, we were able to work together as a cohesive unit without any bloodshed. 😂

Day 5 Takeaway:

Treat yoself to the dark chocolate squares.

Day 6:

Probably the most “normal” feeling day I have had thus far, especially compared to the first half of the week! Still was extremely sleepy at wakeup time, but was up before my alarm.

Started today with some broth and black coffee (not bulletproof) before jumpstarting work. I spent the morning researching various color palettes for the site and then shooting a juggling audition believe it or not! Michael and I can now officially pass 6 balls back and forth, with only minimal strenuous effort. We probably ended up juggling for two hours straight to get comfortable with this new skill.

After filming that self-tape, I did a cardio and light weight workout. No mental fog or fatigue during any of these activities and I didn’t feel hungry until dinner. We had a Shrimp Tuscany dish with spinach and tomatoes over spaghetti squash and a side of salad with heaps of cucumbers!

Day 6 Takeaway:

Switching up your routine is a valuable way to stay energized.

keto pizza and keto peanut butter cups, homemade from scratch cooking — My proudest keto cooking achievements this week! Homemade Keto Pizza with “fathead” crust and Keto Peanut Butter cups. Not quite Reese’s quality, but the next best thing!!

Day 7:

post keto week body! Blonde girl in workout gear, showing her physique in a sports bar and shorts — Bod shot- Post Keto Experiment! Consuming less than 20 carbs a day for 3 weeks straight, light weightlifting and moderate cardio.

I am feeling a bit disheartened by the whole process today. I haven’t been losing weight or enjoying the alleged benefits of consistently high energy yet, so it’s hard to stay enthusiastic about it.

To be fair, I am partially at fault for not consuming enough calories and pushing myself too hard to stick with my normal workout schedule. I’ve been good about adjusting my weights and cardio to reflect how I feel on a given day, but it’s not enough to offset the massive change in my diet and consumption habits.

On the plus side, I’ve been practicing more meditation and mindfulness this week. I think it’s extra important to listen to your body when you experience a big change. I want make sure it is getting what it needs from this experience, even if that’s just the knowledge of what does or doesn’t work for me!

After continuing on this path for 3 weeks, I definitely came to the conclusion that it was not the right lifestyle choice for me. Weirdly enough, I actually had a blast throughout! I find it exciting to switch up my routine and try new things, so this fit the bill and allowed me to stretch out of my comfort zone in a way I hadn’t before.

My advice for those wanting to give Keto a try? Look at it as a fun experiment– nothing ventured, nothing gained! Prepare mentally in advance, meal prep if possible, and make sure you are getting the proper nutrition along the way! Above all else, be kind to your body.

Day 7 Takeaway:

Sometimes it’s fun to do things, just to do them. The experience alone is what’s valuable. 😊

***DISCLAIMER: This is a chronicle of my personal experience intended solely to entertain. This is not medical advice and I am not a doctor, dietician, or nutritionist!