My LCHF lifestyle

My LCHF/KETO story

Would you like to hear my story? From a man's point of view. I have been on the LCHF/KETO diet for quite some time and have experienced many changes. Today I can say that my personal transformation started a good two years ago and is still going on. I can also call it a success story, because I gained a lot during this time. Above all, a new self-image, new self-confidence and, most importantly, a better state of health.

Well, let's start from the beginning

Katja encouraged me with the words: "It's not a restricting diet, you'll eat what you like, i.e. eggs and cracknels :-), you won't be hungry and it will not be  "tiresome". I could already see with her that the matter was actually working, her health and general well-being was improving day by day. But since I had quite a few health problems and on top of that I had a lot of extra pounds, I decided to join her and my transformation began.

My initial weight one month after switching to LCHF/KETO was 114.80 kg (probably around 120.00 kg when switching). I started changing my diet on New Year's Day, January 1, 2016. That's when everything started anew for me and that's when I switched to the KETO lifestyle overnight.

Now, after more than two years, I am a completely different person - in terms of energy, appearance and feeling. Let's start at the beginning.

So, I decided to make a change and switched to the KETO diet overnight. I also started recording my daily meal ratios in the MyFitnessPal app. Not to worry about food and calories, but, as it is recommended at the beginning, because of the right feeling and belief that I am consuming a sufficient amount of healthy fats. This is also a basic condition for bringing the body to the level where it starts using fats for its consumption/functioning and abandons its reliance on energy intake from carbohydrates or sugar. Much has already been written about what LCHF is and what the KETO diet is Katja's blogs  on this website. It is worth reading them, especially before starting the LCHF/KETO diet.

My weight: From the starting 114.80 kg, the weight dropped to 82.20 kg! I have to say here that the kilos flew down violently for the first 8 months, then my weight loss slowly stopped, and I also started working on my muscle mass. At the moment, my body weight is a solid 85 kg. In that time I have also gained additional muscle mass through exercise.

Well-being:  Basically, there are no words to describe it... The well-being was literally getting better week by week. Of course, the beginning (the first two weeks) is difficult, I am not going to lie about that, above all it demanded discipline from me in giving up old dietary habits. It was necessary to consistently monitor the intake of electrolytes and strictly adhere to the KETO ratio (in my case). It happens to me almost every week that I fast for at least 24 hours, occasionally even for 48 hours. Fasting means to abstain of all or some kinds of food and drinks. This comes naturally after a certain time, but a good KETO adaptation is necessary. There is simply no hunger, so I listen to what my body is telling me. Presumably the ketones are already doing their thing. Digestion is phenomenal.

Movement: In March 2016 (three months after the start), completely unplanned, I started to go to the gym. I started training exclusively with weights, so that I was able to do workouts that were slightly shorter but more intense. During the summer I was really passionate about it and after fifteen years I started cycling again, hikking, swimming, etc... I also couldn't wait for the ski season to start that year. I was and still am fully energised, my love for sports continues and I enjoy it. Years ago, I was sick just thinking about sports, but now I can't imagine my life without it. I currently devote my free time to skiing and working out in the gym.

Sleep: It improved drastically, I wake up fresh, full of energy and usually before the alarm goes off. The snoring has also disappeared, which Katja is the happiest about! The need for an afternoon nap also disappeared.

Blood results: During this time, I had blood tests done 3 times. During the observed period, the following happened: Triglycerides drastically decreased, HDL increased, CRP decreased, and glucose remained at normal levels. I don't even pay too much attention to the other data (LDL and total cholesterol), I only look at the relevant ratios between the important data, which have improved drastically. 

Mental state: The brain is finally working. I get up early and now I do most of the work already in the morning, when years ago I was still sleeping! My work motivation and consequently productivity increased. I healed in a lot of ways that had been waiting and postponed for a long time... In fact, I can work more, or work better, more functionally all day long and I am no longer tired of it, I start a new working day in the morning, completely fresh! No more brain fog, no more mood swings and fatigue.

Body structure and shape: In that time, I lost just under 33 kilograms, which of course is clearly visible. The biggest problem arose when it was necessary to buy all new clothes from a to z... But I know, these are sweet concerns compared to those from before, when you had to constantly look for bigger "rags". According to my estimation, I lost mainly fat, my muscle mass progressed nicely with training, and my physical condition increased enormously. The last body structure testing confirmed my assessment (InBody 09.02.2017).

Health status: The condition of psoriasis on my scalp has drastically improved, which was best noticed by the hairdresser. The previously critically elevated blood pressure is now normal. Before, I had heartburn almost after every meal, I always had pills with me to relieve the burning sensation of heartburn. Now that's gone. I didn't even get heartburn once on the LCHF/KETO diet, which I find amazing. The general resistance of the immune system has improved, I have much less colds and illnesses. I guess I got rid of the candida as well. To summarize - everything has improved and continues to improve!

Let me conclude. Yes, it paid off and continues to pay off! I advise everyone who is deciding to go on the diet - don't hesitate, start today. But wisely. In the beginning, some knowledge is also necessary, it is important to read literature, articles or visit experts in this field and entrust them with the management of your menu. We also share a lot of content on our website www.lchf.style.

A few more details

SUPPLIMENTS I USE:

• Omega 3 fish oil (daily)
• Electrolytes (daily)
• Vitamin C (daily)
• Multivitamins (daily to occasional - depending on the menu)
• Mind & Muscle Booster (occasionally), I really recommend it to everyone
• L-carnitine (occasionally)
• Magnesium (daily)
• Amino acids BCCA (occasionally during exercise – raise insulin)
• MCT oil (daily)

This blog of mine, or rather my LCHF story, is actually just an INTRODUCTION. Still to come is a follow-up in the form of my health journal. Nutrition, daily activities, fun and sports, everyday meals... I want to share all this with you! Follow me, you will surely see yourself at certain moments I experience, you will be able to explain some dilemmas more easily and direct yourself correctly on the path of well-being!

I will not elaborate on nutritional counseling, as I am not a nutritional counselor, I will write exclusively about my personal experiences.

Let that be enough for now and let my LCHF/KETO journal begin here. To be continued…

Body weight fluctuation graph (from 28.02.2016 to 21.08.2016 - the first 8 months):

21.01.2018, Matej, LCHF Style