[asow92]

Keto and intermittent fasting have changed my life. Over the past several months I've gone from 285 to 250 pounds and feel amazing. I don't feel hungry and meals satiate me enough to forego snacking. I feel mental clarity while coding, but can burn out if I over exert myself exercising (probably due to a lack of glycogen stored in my body). I like to think of it as a cleaner sustained burn rather than on-demand raw power.

Is there a lot of hype around this? Yes, but everyone's physiology is different, and this combo for whatever reason agrees with my body far more than eating high amounts of carbohydrates at random times throughout the day ever did.

edit: I can't understand why someone would downvote this. I'm just trying to share a positive anecdote about my life.

[quirk]

Right there with you. Went from 205 to 185 with the same method. I'm also running longer distances than I did when I was eating more carbs. Did a half marathon in November for the first time in years and felt great. Even beat my previous time (43 now, was 32 last time).

[ed_elliott_asc]

I agree with you (and didn't downvote) but I wonder if you were downvoted for praising keto when the article is about IF?

[aulin]

In /r/keto they say "first rule about keto, you don't talk about keto".

There is a certain stigma about it as it's commonly associated with extreme fad diets. Keto posts typically get quite a lot of hate on generalist communities (like HN and reddit outside of the low carb subs) or even IRL.

[sph]

The second rule is "call it low carb", unless you want to describe that terrible diet made of almond flour pizzas and cookies full of sweetener.

It's sad how commercialised the word "keto" has become, lost all of its meaning, and gave free ammunition to its critics.

At least in the zero-carb/carnivore world there is no leeway for companies to package it, or housewives to bastardise it. Good luck turning steaks into zero-carb donuts.

[asow92]

Is it that extreme though? It seems reasonable to assume that our ancestors would have been in and out of ketosis frequently in pre-history, meaning that our physiology should well adapted to this state of being.

[aulin]

I have so many health benefits from ketosis that I'd simply answer who cares? But there is plenty of quality research these days backing up ketogenic diets (Volek and Phinney work is outstanding, Chris Palmer on the benefits for mental health too, just to name a few) that associating it to fad diets is simply ignorant misinformation.

[asow92]

My theory is that keto pairs well with intermittent fasting because it helps curb food cravings during fasts. Sure, you can do IF without keto, but you might have a difficult time with it and might be more susceptible to cheating.

[aulin]

what kind of exercise? keto works fine both with endurance sports (running and biking) and strength training. Most people blame glycogen while it's usually an electrolyte problem. Keep your electrolytes in check and you will be able to do any kind of sport (as long as you're fat adapted, which can take a while).

[asow92]

Mostly cardio. Maybe I should be upping my sodium intake?

[aulin]

See Virta Health recommendations, they have a lot of information on electrolytes management on their website.

[reportgunner]

Same, i went from 220 to 195 since the beginning of October.