You’re probably asking yourself right now: Why should I do Keto? After all, the Ketogenic Diet (Keto for short) is a hard core regime that restricts your carbohydrate intake to promote fat as the primary energy source for your body. I too, pondered this question several times before I could make a firm decision.
I researched books, watched videos, and scoured the internet for testimonials of people like me, who were looking for a solution that didn’t cost thousands of dollars. Was there a program that I could start immediately and see results in a short amount of time? The search led me to various low carbohydrate options which in turn led me to the Ketogenic Diet.
So many stories I found of people praising the diet including celebrities and physicians. Still, a skeptic, I continued to dig further. It wasn’t long after that when I found my answer.
You may have already uncovered the proof that you need. But, here are some other reasons why I believe that the Keto Diet is an effective tool for combating weight gain and improving overall health.
You should do the Keto Diet if you want to:
- lose weight
- improve your appearance
- compliment your exercise regime with a dynamic eating plan
- spend less time worrying about food and start living your life
- conquer feelings of depression about your weight
Kick Starts Weight Loss
One of the first indications that you’re trimming down are the noticeable changes in your facial features, waistline, and general physique. In a nut shell, excess water is flushed out of the body as it no longer needs as much to process carbohydrates.
This initial weight loss is referred to as ‘water weight’. It could be upwards of 10 to 20 lbs. or more depending on how much excess water you are carrying around. The body holds on to water to prevent dehydration. But once it receives signals from the brain that it is getting enough water, hoarding additional amounts is no longer needed.
Since the diet restricts the number of carbohydrates that you should ingest daily, your body then switches over to using fat as the main fuel source rather than carbs. This means that excess fat around the body will also begin to diminish. Any new healthy fats that you eat will now help to promote a leaner appearance.
Improved Body Image
Once your body starts to look different you will feel different and vise versa. The changes are subtle but they will continue to happen over time. You do not need to check your weight frequently instead, take notice of the way your clothes fit when you put them on. As you begin to lose inches in those areas, you will feel more comfortable in what you wear.
You may regain your self-confidence when you feel better about the way you look. You might want to show off your body, wearing items that reveal the great efforts that you are undertaking to lose weight. This is a positive step. It says to the world that “I am not hopeless. I can change and I am doing the work to make it happen.”
Keto & Exercise: A Powerful Combination To Get Results Fast
Pairing exercise with the Ketogenic Diet is a fantastic option. Alone, you can still go through a transformation but exercise allows you to burn more calories, strengthen organs including the heart, and tone up muscles.
But before you decide to get a gym membership, you will be happy to know that just about any exercise that you perform will increase the chances of success. Weight training or playing sports will have a significant impact on your results while doing this diet. Not to mention the cardiovascular benefits, but adding more physical activity to your lifestyle can improve longevity.
As our life expectancy increases, people are looking for ways to look younger and live longer. Using makeup, surgery, medications, or supplements, we are searching for the proverbial ‘fountain of youth’. I don’t suggest that it exists, however, adding exercise to this regime compliments the process.
Starting with just a few minutes a day you can implement an exercise program then customize it to meet your needs. If low impact movements are the preferred option, choose exercises such as walking, biking or using an elliptical trainer. Only increase the intensity when you’re ready for it. There is no race or competition here. Obtaining results is important but not if you can’t do it safely.
More Free Time To Enjoy The Things You Love Doing
When you stop worrying about eating, you start living.
Who doesn’t want more free time? It’s a commodity that sometimes feels impossible to have. Trying to come up with a meal plan can add stress to losing weight. Finding suitable recipes can help to alleviate some of the problems, but it can still be time-consuming searching for the ingredients if they’re not already in your kitchen or at the local grocery store.
I used the KISS rule when making most of my meals: Keep It Simple and Savory. Take for instance a salad. You can jazz it up with seasonings, nuts, spices, bolder dressings, and vinegar without sacrificing flavour.
Just keep an eye on the net carbohydrate amount per serving. Add protein like chicken, turkey, pork or steak and you have an on-the-go, bountiful meal that is sure to keep you full until the next one.
Talk To Your Doctor About Your Feelings For Dieting
Discussing your goals with a healthcare professional is by far the most important step that you can take towards making an informed decision. They will advise whether this diet is right for you.
Through examinations and blood tests, they can uncover underlying issues that may prevent you from reaching your ideal weight with this program. Doctors can also recommend other health-related professionals like Dietitians, to support your transition. Discuss why you want to lose weight; what your feelings are around losing weight; and how you plan to maintain your weight once you’ve lost some.
Understanding these factors is crucial to success and will make the process easier. There were days that I wanted to quit and many more days that I pushed through. I wouldn’t have been able to do it if I couldn’t stay on track. The conversations that I have with my doctor helped me figure out just how important these changes would be for me. And that’s what kept me going.
Doing Keto will have a positive effect on every aspect of your life. Adding some physical activity will enhance those benefits even more.
And if you’re still thinking about whether or not you should do Keto, the question now becomes “When are you ready to change your life?”.
The answer is “Now.”
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