u/itsdami

I was able to lose a significant amount of weight on keto previously. But this time around it’s a struggle.

Background: went from nearly 300 to 150, maintained around 160-170ish for 6-7 years. Left a relationship and pandemic, mental health struggles, long COVID after 3x rounds w covid in a year, and I’m back up to 307 11 years after I lost the weight

I have Lipedema which was only late stage 1 my first go around with keto. It is currently late stage 2 due to hormones triggering progression with a couple miscarriages and has spread to my arms and lower stomach

It was so much easier last time. This time around I’m at or under 1200 calories a day (tracking pretty closely) and no more than 25 total carbs per day (net carbs are lower as most of my carbs come from cabbage and other leafy greens high in fiber, with the rare inclusion of a la banderita low carb tortilla).

I’ve been back on keto over 2 weeks and I haven’t seen any change on the scale other than a couple lbs fluctuating. I did have some edema in my leg either due to electrolyte imbalance or venous insufficiency (not atypical with Lipedema) but that has resolved, and just finished my period.

I’m not even doing fast food keto stuff like I did last time, I cook/make all of my own meals.

I’m just feeling defeated, and I’m trying to focus on the long term but the difference in my body at 25 vs 36 is making it really difficult.

On a positive note, it’s helped the pain and inflammation in my legs already (the couple of days of edema aside)

I had some roast chicken with canes sauce the other night when my kids/partner had canes. The next day I snatched as much meat remaining off it as I could, then tossed the carcass in the instant pot with some freezer scraps for an hour or so.

Strained that all out, and added seasoning, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and 2 bok choy cut up (they’d been in the fridge a min, I needed to use them). 8 mins of pressure, and then tossed the remaining chicken in and kept it on saute til the chicken was warmed through. Topped it with some crispy bacon

Less than $20 for some ridiculously good food across several meals (made like 8 servings). So tasty and filling for such a lower carb and calorie meal. Honestly I could have just drank the broth and been happy it was so good.