Hello All.

I've struggled with my weight and have been on diets for most of my 40 years. I have never been able to eat like a "normal" person. My system seems to be extremely sensitive e.g. I will find myself gaining 2 kilo's from just one piece of cheesecake etc I think this is my metabolism protesting from too many diets day in and day out. This year I started the Atkins diet but never made it past phase 1 as a reached a plateau so didn't want to add more carbs. I think I lost about 3 kilos on Atkins. Then I discovered the Keto way of eating, which wasn't too much of a transition from Atkins, apart from the restriction of protein (which I found extremely difficult) on which I lost a further 2 kilos. In the beginning I did suffer from keto flu, but overcame it and experienced the bad breath, increased energy, etc that is characteristic of being in a ketogenic state. But now, 2 months into Keto, I am a mess. I am constipated, my skin is dry, flaky and sensitive, and I have absolutely no energy. I track my macro's every day and keep well within them. But I feel in my heart that I need to increase my carbs as I don't think that such extreme carb restriction is right for my body in particular. I am also considering switching to Paleo, but I love dairy so am quite loathe to give it up. I am petrified though that increasing my carbs will result in weight gain, as I still have 5-10 kilos (10-20 pounds) to lose. Any advice on how to do this would be greatly appreciated. I just want to feel "normal", happy and energetic again.

What are you restricting your carbs and protein to? I do a pretty tight ketogenic diet, 20 grams carbs but usually less, 60 to 80 grams protein, usually towards the lower end of that range. It can be tricky getting all the micronutrients in, even if the macros look right.

Also, are you eating enough fat? I see a lot of warnings against overdoing fat during weight loss, and it does make sense that this probably causes a lot of stalls, but chronically undereating can be a problem, to, and with carbs very low and protein restricted, fat's all that's left.

Understand I'm not saying go team Keto, it's just that more details might help someone help you.

As usual Teaser, you know exactly how to put it into words...lol.
Linksy, I read your post but did not really know how to respond, Teaser is asking good questions, with those answers maybe we can help you, ttyl

No matter if you decide going keto, staying on Atkins or doing modified paleo or primal (you can have a little full-fat dairy on that if it agrees with you), here's what I suggest, based on my own experience, if you stay low carb:

1. Make sure you're replenishing your water, potassium, sodium, and magnesium that you pee out. This helps keep things in balance. The magnesium will help you with your constipation.

2. If you can stand canned fatty fish like wild caught salmon, sardines, mackerel, and light tuna, that will help keep your skin nice. Add coconut and extra virgin olive oil to your food. Eat the skin on your poultry, and have well-marbled meats. Your skin and hair will love you for it.

3. If you decide to do Atkins, I heartily recommend that you try tiptoeing into Phase II. You can do it like an expanded version of induction with a wider variety/larger quantity of vegetables and include melon, berries, yogurt, whatever you like and whatever works for you. I stay under 40 g and it keeps me happy and out of trouble. It's a matter of trial and error. Everyone's a little different.

Best of luck and feel better!

Thank you so much for your responses! Apologies for the lack of info on my side. I have been strictly on 20 g carbs, 53 G protein and 125 g fat. Hope this helps? I have been drinking at least 2 litres water per day and am taking potassium and magnesium supplements. Sticking to fatty cuts of meat. No alcohol (I can't seem to metabolise it properly anymore) and no diet drinks or products.

P.s averaging around 1300 calories per day.