Ketogenic day three

Today was a little more interesting. I began the day with a 4.5 mile run... felt great!! Then tested my pee for the first time and weighed myself. I haven't stepped on a scale in a while so I have no idea if I've lost anything in the last couple of days. However, I felt like I needed to have a baseline measurement so I did it. I also found that I am in the beginning stages of ketosis through using a urine strip. I've read that these are not as accurate as blood measurements, but it's all I can afford and it gives me an idea of where I'm at.

This is a great diagram that shows where I need to be, and also points out the difference between nutritional ketosis (good) and ketoacidosis (bad). I have to say that I had a couple hours of uncomfortable fogginess in the middle of the day. I actually felt like my heart was racing a little as well. That did pass, and know I feel 'normal'. I have also noticed that my BMs are not as satisfying and have a different odor (TMI?). Totals for today: 164 grams of fat, 65 grams of protein (this should maybe be a little higher), and 13 net carbs (26 grams of fiber).

Ketogenic Day Two

Today, I consumed 143 grams of fat (0 trans fat), 71 grams of protein, and 18 net grams of carbohydrates. As this was a recovery day from yesterday's trail race, I only ran 2 miles. I am feeling pretty good, and not craving anything (thanks to a wonderful keto desert!!), but I am expecting that to change as my body becomes carb depleted. I am nervous as to how my brain function will be affected, and for how long it takes me to adapt mentally and physically. I am supplementing with vitamins and minerals, BCAAs, and L-glutamine. I am also trying to drink more water to balance the loss that follows the decreased carb stores. I have not weighed myself, but plan to do so tomorrow am. I am also going to attempt a 6 mile run to evaluate my physical response. Additionally, I plan on testing my urine with ketone strips to see if there has been any progress, and to have baseline (ish) measurements. As I type, I am enjoying the movie "Fed Up"... and it is totally reinforcing my decision to give this diet a go.

The ketogenic diet experiment

Last weekend, I found myself in the middle of a long trail run, completely engaged by a conversation about a crazy diet. This method of food consumption teaches the human body to rely on fats instead of carbohydrates for energy. This high fat, low carbohydrate diet has been used since the 1920's in the treatment of pediatric epilepsy, and is now utilized by endurance athletes all over the country. The experienced runner I was dialoging with had successfully transitioned to the ketogenic diet 2 years ago, and was now able to run ultra marathons on water alone. He was also the lightest he's ever been, and also the fastest. Thinking that I would also like to be faster and lighter, and that I have a lot of stored energy waiting to be released, I dove head first into researching this diet. I found some excellent research based books that opened my eyes to the world of functional ketosis and how this diet could help me reach my long distance goals. I also found a number of wonderful websites and blogs that give advice and recipes to ensure success: nutritionequation.org, eatingacademy.com, and the American 100 mile record holder's blog: zachbitterrunning.blogspot.com. Notably missing from my inquires were female athletes who had transitioned to this diet. Being 100% fascinated with this concept, and completely over my addiction to carbs, I've decided to jump in feet first, and document it for all to see (or reference). It is recommended that for the first 2 - 3 weeks, the athlete stay around 30 grams of carbs a day, and have 70% of calories come from fats. This will inevitably mean a bonk or two, and most likely mean a foggy head. I will be testing my pee with ketone detecting urine strips to find out when I hit ketosis, and to ensure that I stay that way. Once I've hit ketosis, I can adjust my carbs to a more comfortable level -- with some endurance athletes eating up to 100 grams/day, or 'bulking' a couple days a week. Today is my first day. I ran a 10 mile trail race (12 total) and ate 137 grams of fat, 32 grams of carbs, and 95 grams of protein. This is either going to be the best thing ever, or turn me into a piggy.