many years ago, i did this diet called the 2-day diet, which was essentially a modified version of atkins [though atkins came out much later]. i believe it was a diet based on the book, Fit for Life, which basically told people they should eat like animals in the wild.

i lost a lot of weight on the plan [which kept the carbs, just in moderation, and only allowed them every other day, hence the 2-day title].

the whole thrust of the diet was that [like atkins] it put your body into a state of ketosis, which allowed you to lose weight fairly rapidly, given the higher protein intake.

well, i think i'm going into ketosis now, though i'm not on the same diet. however, recently i did up my protein intake significantly and am somewhat modifying my carb intake, in that i'm not eating cookies and stuff like that, but am still eating dense breads, grains, pasta.

i gotta tell you: today i feel good, but the past 3 days i went into the worst depression. started crying on the train ride home, felt sad all day, etc. it was definitely not a pms thing, nor a going nuts thing. i believe it's coz my body's going into this state of ketosis. i have been working out religiously; both cardio and weightlifting [cardio daily, weightlifting, daily, but alternating between legs and arms each day], and i think this was the week where everything kicked in.

i spoke to a few people in the gym and they said they experienced a similar thing, though they attributed it more to hardcore weightlifting and fatigue. however, they did up their protein intake significantly.

while i'm happy to be getting over the plateau [my scale did not budge for a month, which was really tough to handle], i wanted to share my experience in case any of you are doing a high protein or atkins-type diet, and see if you experienced something similar.

you really need to be careful with this stuff. moderate ketosis is ok, but significant ketosis can really be dangerous, and life-threatening, electrolyte-damaging, etc. if you are planning a high-protein diet, definitely check with your doctor, and get supervised, if possible.

i've always had to work hard at keeping my weight down, but this time around was really, really hard. i packed on 28 pounds, and losing it has been slow and frustrating. actually, i don't even see a difference, but my boyfriend says he does. [i've lost 8 pounds total, 20 more to go].

anyhow, that's my blah-blah warning. i wanted to reach out yesterday and cry for encouragement, but i was in such pathetic shape emotionally, i knew i'd sound hysterical.


below is some info i pulled from a british health website which discusses ketosis, and a snippet from the Medi-fast website, which of course is pro-ketosis, but in a more moderate way.


sorry for the babble...
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Ketosis is the presence in the blood of abnormally high levels of acidic substances called ketones. The normal body fuel is glucose. Ketones are produced when there isnt enough glucose in the bloodstream, and fats have to be used. When fats are used excessively as fuels, they are eventually converted to ketones. The real danger in ketosis is that ketones are acidic, and high levels of ketones make the blood abnormally acid.

Symptoms
Ketones give the breath a sickly, fruity odour like nail-varnish remover or pear-drops. [NOTE TO DC MEMBERS -- this was not my case!!]  Ketoacidosis (high levels of ketones with acidity) causes nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, and, if not rapidly treated, coma and death.

Complications
High levels of ketones with acidity in the blood is called ketoacidosis. The excess acidity in the blood is dangerous to the whole body. The body cancontrol blood acidity up to a point, but too much acid overcomes this and the acidity rises. The result is vomiting, loss of water and minerals (sodium and potassium) and a major biochemical upset in the body. Ketoacidosis is a medical emergency needing urgent hospital treatment.


The Medifast Take on Ketosis
(I am in no way affiliated with Medifast, just got this off their website...)

The specific ratio of protein to carbohydrates in the Medifast program helps put the body into a mild state of ketosis, which means your metabolism is such that you are burning stored fat for energy. Once the body reaches ketosis, there will be significant changes, such as increased energy; less hunger and a new found confidence to stay on the program. These changes usually begin to manifest themselves after three days.

Try some Scope or Listerine!  

so it must be that...


I'M INSAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANE!!!!

ketosis strips can be found at any pharmacy.
just pee on it!
if it turns the correct colour, congradulations, your preagnent...LOL(no it's just ketosis)
as far as the amount of carbs in your diet to induce ketosis, it must be no more then 60grams a day (2 potatoes at most)...no matter what the ratio between carbs/protein!

why, thanks for asking.

the past few days, i admit, i was 'bad.' i had some time off, and whenever i get time off, i drink beer. [i live next door to a beer distributor; it's tough. i also live across the street from a bread shop. snuck in a croissant.] i did keep up the workouts, though.

i feel fine now. maybe it wasn't pure ketosis, but i do think my mood change was a result of dietary changes. it's hard to cut out carbs. i don't intend to keep it up forever, coz i think they're important. but if i chill on the sugary, cakey stuff, which i love, i should be alright.

all told, i've lost 10 pounds. 20 more to go. maybe i'll just go for 50; then i can eat whatever i want!