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I was doing great, then….

Been IF and OMAD for about 1 month, first started with the will of doing 16:8 and following the principles of keto lightly(new to it) and 16:8 almost immediately converted to 20:4 - 22:2 without consciously trying…… My job requires me to walk at speedy pace (3-3.5mph) for the whole shift so I clock in around 15k steps 4 times x week, at around 110-140(peak) bpm, this is the only exercise I have been putting in during this IF month. I had 0 cravings, specially for sweets (never really had a sweet tooth) and was simply not really that hungry that is why I went from 16:8 the first day to 20:4 - 22:2 on the second day of starting IF UNTIL……… I started jogging again on my days off! Even a light jog gives me the worst sweet tooth and cant seem to hold a fast anymore. I seem to be going backwards and at this point I am looking for ideas of what might be happening? I am considering stopping my jogging and stick to my work routine until I can get the cravings under control again BUT I am terrified of these not subsiding 😶😖. Any ideas, help, encouragement is highly appreciated. (F:42, SW:132, CW:122, GW:115 + maintenance, 5’5)

Answer

With only 7 more lbs to GW, I’d cut the jogging out and just keep doing what you’re doing. Jogging requires a hella of lot calories and your body is craving more energy from food, hence the sweet tooth I’m thinking.

Doesn’t seem like you’ve hit a plateau in weight loss and since jogging is giving you cravings maybe at the most if you want to exercise on your days off, walk instead. Great job btw :)

Answer

It’s not something easy to point out but in my experience, if I crave something deeply, I’m usually deficient in something. I’ll usually cycle around what I’m eating and see if it helps (and add lots more potassium/no-salt and table salt to my meals as well as watch for signs that I might need more magnesium). This usually curbs it

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There’s also a mental side, though. Sometimes I just get hit with an intense craving out of nowhere and it’s a completely mental thing to get over. These usually only last a day or two, though so you should know fairly soon whether it’s a mental thing or not

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Since you’re a month in on low carb, I’d look at rotating in some new veggies and see if that’s the problem, though. About a month in is a good marker for some vitamins or minerals to start to deplete and shake things up in my experience. Veggies are the usual culprit for me but I also had to remember to get more fish in a couple of times, too

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Good luck

Answer

Same thing happened to me. Doing great for six weeks. Feeling great. Started working out and running and can’t stop the hunger. Going to stop worrying about fasting and continue working out but remain keto. .