Keto Flu Blues

Saturday April 8th

When you first start the ketogenic diet there this thing that nearly everyone goes through called Keto Flu. It happens sometime during the first 3 weeks and is the point at which your body has run out of readily available carbs to burn and must now convert to burning fat. For some it's a miserable period for others they barely notice.
Last week in Seattle I ate all kinds of yummy, carby stuff that's why I had to do the Recovery Plan, to get my body back to using fats for energy. Today is the fourth day into my Recovery Plan and I've got Keto Flu. It's both a good and bad thing. It's bad because I'm craving carbs, the quicker the better! Donuts, cake, breads, sweets, you name it I'm wanting it and bad. Because my body has run out of those quick fuels that it's been burning I feel tired, unmotivated and headachy on top of craving carbs. The good part is that if I can ride this through without eating carbs I will soon be back in ketosis. My energy will go up, my thinking will clear, I won't be so tired and grouchy and those cravings will be much easier to ignore.

On the running front, I haven't run since Wednesday and really should get out there and do a mile. But, that's hard to do when you feel lethargic, unmotivated and tired. There are two highly logical arguments rumbling around in my thoughts.

Argument One: Running while injured or sick is not good. Give yourself a break and when you go out to run again you'll enjoy it more and gain better benefits.
Argument Two: Get off your lazy butt and run! You aren't really sick so it doesn't count. Stop making excuses and go run.

Which one would you go with? How about if I compromise and do a 2 or 3 mile walk?

The Next Day - Sunday April 9th

I started this post yesterday but, didn't put it up so, I'll add a little more then share it. Today I woke up and felt much better! On top of going through Keto Flu I forgot to mention that my sleep schedule has been crazy. Coming home from Seattle we caught the 6:00 am flight which means we had to wake up at 3:00 am to return the rental car and get to the airport. I still hadn't recovered from the trip when I had to wake up at 2:00 am Friday morning in order to volunteer at the start line for James' Ragnar team. Needless to say yesterday was a wash after all that.

Today I seem to be back in the game! I went out for a run, did a mile and a half and could have done more! However, James and I stopped for breakfast and running is harder with a full belly.

My run stats for today:

Shoes - New Balance 1080 Fresh Foam
Intervals - 1:30 running 1:00 walking for 8 intervals which equals about a mile and a half.
Pace - 13:36 minutes per mile (a new record for me!)

Some days are harder than others if you're having a hard day hang in there and try again tomorrow!