Well, well, well, let’s talk about diets, shall we?
Now, listen up folks, before I dive into this article, I gotta make one thing clear – I’m not here to tell you what to eat, because frankly, it’s none of my business. You do you, boo.
But, if you’re curious about those fancy diet plans like Paleo, Vegan, Mediterranean, and the rest, let me tell ya, they’re all the rage nowadays. And hey, if you wanna give them a shot, be my guest.
But here’s the thing, just because your bestie swears by the keto diet, doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for you. We’re all unique snowflakes, and our bodies have different needs. So, my advice is to pick a diet plan that makes you feel good and doesn’t turn you into a grumpy pants.
Now, I’m not saying you should just wing it and hope for the best. No sir. You should always check in with yourself or a doctor to make sure you’re on the right track. Get your blood, cholesterol, and diabetes checked – you know, all the fun stuff. And if everything looks good, then go ahead and chow down on that kale salad or bacon cheeseburger (hey, no judgement here).
So, there you have it, folks. Eat what makes you happy and healthy, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Peace out!
Chubster boy
Ever since I was a little tyke, I’ve had a bit of a chubster vibe going on. And let me tell you, my body type is not doing me any favours. I swear, I can look at a donut and gain five pounds. It’s like my metabolism is on vacation or something.
But here’s the kicker, folks. It’s not all my fault! Oh no, no, no. I come from an Asian family, and let me tell you, food is basically a love language for us. My grandma cooks up a storm every day, and there’s always enough food to feed a small army. And since we all live together, it’s kind of hard to say no to seconds (and thirds, and fourths).
So, there you have it. My chubby little self is the result of a perfect storm – bad genetics and an abundance of delicious food. But you know what they say, more cushion for the pushin’!
Let’s talk about my grandma, folks. This lady is a Thai cuisine wizard, I tell ya. Back in the day, before the internet was a thing, finding recipes was like searching for a needle in a haystack. But my grandma? She didn’t need no stinkin’ internet. She could whip up any dish from memory alone.
And let me tell you, this woman is a true culinary artist. She wakes up before the roosters even think about crowing, and heads off to the fresh market to get the best ingredients for breakfast. Then she spends the rest of the morning peeling garlic, onions, and weighing out ingredients like it’s nobody’s business.
But wait, there’s more! Grandma isn’t done yet. She hits up the market again in the afternoon to get the goods for dinner. It’s like a full-time job for her, I swear. And us grandkids? We’re her loyal assistants, chopping veggies and doing whatever else she needs us to do.
But you know what? It’s all worth it. Because when grandma puts that food on the table, it’s like heaven on a plate. I’m talking curries, soups, stir-fries – you name it, she can make it. And let me tell you, I’ve never met a Thai dish I didn’t like. Which is why I’m a bit on the chubby side, if you know what I mean. But hey, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Let’s dive into the wonderful world of my metabolism and all its quirks and surprises. It’s like a rollercoaster ride – up and down, up and down. On the one hand, I can pack on the pounds faster than you can say “double cheeseburger”. But on the other hand, if I stick to a strict diet, I can shed those pounds quicker than a snake sheds its skin. It’s a blessing and a curse, let me tell ya.
Now, here’s where things get interesting. When I was in high school, I moved from the countryside to the big city “Bangkok”. And that was a game-changer. Suddenly, I was living in a place where food wasn’t the be-all and end-all of life. I had friends and activities to keep me occupied, and I didn’t have to think about what I was going to eat every second of the day. And you know what? For the first time in my life, my weight was stable. It was like a miracle!
But then, of course, I had to go and graduate. And what did I do? I went right back to the countryside, to the same old environment where food is king. And wouldn’t you know it, the weight started creeping back up. It’s like my metabolism knew it was back in familiar territory and decided to go into overdrive. So now, here I am, trying to navigate the ups and downs of my metabolism once again. It’s like being on a never-ending merry-go-round, but with more sweatpants and fewer clowns.
My Quest for Weight Loss: The Rollercoaster Ride of Fad Diets
Hey there! As someone who’s always struggled with their weight, I’m constantly on the lookout for new ways to shed a few pounds. And, let’s be real, most of my weight-loss ideas come from some questionable corners of the internet.
One strategy that I’ve tried time and time again is basically just cutting my calories to the bone. Sure, it’s not exactly a well-rounded approach to healthy living, but it works, and that’s all that matters, right?
Well, not exactly. See, my body has a funny way of reminding me that it needs more than just a handful of carrots and a single boiled egg to function properly. And then, before I know it, I’m back to where I started. It’s like a never-ending cycle of weight loss and weight gain, and it’s starting to feel like a cruel joke.
How Keto Came to Rescue Me From My Quarantine Diet of Bread and Chips
Well, COVID-19 wasn’t just a pandemic but also an economic disaster. I can tell you that I struggled both mentally and financially during that time. I mean, how could I not? Being stuck at home with nothing to do but binge-watch Netflix while worrying about the state of the world was enough to drive anyone crazy.
And don’t even get me started on my diet. I had to stretch my dollars so far that I was basically eating like a squirrel in hibernation. It was all about quantity and price, baby! My grocery list looked like it was straight out of a college student’s cookbook: white bread, processed meat, sugary drinks, and frozen chips. And you know what happened? I blew up like a balloon. My weight skyrocketed from 67 kilos to 79 kilos in no time, and I started feeling like a zombie during the day. Nosebleeds and fatigue became a regular part of my life, and I started wondering if I was turning into a vampire or something.
Fortunately, I was in my final semester of my Bachelor’s degree in the middle of 2021, drowning in research about human mindset and food industry. And then, like a beacon of hope, I stumbled upon the Ketogenic diet.
But let me tell you, the start was rough. Everyone and their grandma were talking smack about this diet. They were all like, “Oh no, it’s too much fat! It’s going to clog your arteries!” Like, come on guys, give it a chance! And don’t even get me started on the confusion between body fat and food fat. I mean, just because we eat fat doesn’t mean we’ll turn into a walking tub of lard!
Anyway, I decided to take the plunge and give this Ketogenic thing a try. And guess what? It actually worked! I lost weight, I felt great, and I was on top of the world. Who knew that stuffing your face with fat could be so rewarding?
On top of that, I stumbled upon a study that blew my mind! It was the Saturated Fats and Health report published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in 2020. Can you believe it? The study revealed that restricting saturated fat consumption doesn’t do squat for preventing cardiovascular disease. In fact, eating more fat can even help protect you from stroke! And get this, after taking a closer look, the research showed that blood saturated fats are mainly linked to sugar and carb intake through the De Novo Lipogenesis process. (The full paper can find here: https://www.jacc.org/doi/pdf/10.1016/j.jacc.2020.05.077)
So, I jumped onto the Ketogenic bandwagon because it seems to jive with recent studies indicating that saturated and unsaturated fats don’t necessarily lead to heart disease. The diet recommends cutting down on carbs and sugar and instead consuming 70% fat, 20% protein, and 10% low glycemic index carbs from vegetables.
Now, I won’t bore you with all the nutritional research and knowledge behind it. But if you’re interested in learning more, I have a few go-to experts in this field that I highly recommend: Dr. Eric Berg, Dr. Jason Fung, Dr. Sten Ekberg, and Thomas DeLauer. These folks are the real deal and know their stuff.
What is ketogenic diet
Well, let me break it down for you. You see, keto is short for “ketones,” which are these little substances that your liver creates when your body uses fat as fuel because there aren’t enough carbs to burn. It’s called ketosis, and it’s the key to the ketogenic diet. Basically, you eat low-carb, high-fat foods, just like the percentages we talked about earlier. And let me tell you, as someone who loves to chow down on fat, this diet is the bomb diggity.
I’ve been on the keto train for a little over six months now, and I gotta say, I’ve never felt better. I’ve dropped 19 kilos, and now I’m holding steady at a svelte 57-58 kg. And the best part? I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything. I can still indulge in my favorite fatty foods, all while reaping the benefits of this awesome diet.
Overcoming the Challenges of Following a Ketogenic Diet
So, you wanna hear about the challenges I faced on my Keto journey? Well, let me tell you, it wasn’t all sunshine and bacon. Here are the top struggles that almost made me quit:
- MONEY, MONEY, MONEY
Listen, I’m not made of dough, but turns out a healthy Keto plan sure is. You can’t just slap any old oil on your salads or cook with any ol’ meat. You gotta use the good stuff like Virgin Olive oil, Avocado Oil, and Macadamia oil. And that means shelling out some serious dough. So, if you’re on a tight budget, you might wanna stick to ramen noodles.
- COOKING CONFUSION
Listen, I’m no Gordon Ramsay, but I can whip up a decent omelette. But if you’re a culinary catastrophe, following a strict Keto diet might feel like Mission Impossible. You gotta make everything from scratch and use specific ingredients. But don’t worry, cooking is easy to learn, unlike rocket science or interpreting hieroglyphics.
- SOCIAL SUICIDE
Look, we’re all social creatures, and that means hitting up the local pub or restaurant. But guess what? Most places don’t cater to Keto enthusiasts. You can’t just chug beer and wolf down pizza like you used to. But fear not, my friend. I have a secret weapon: CHEAT DAY. Yes, once a month, I let myself indulge in some non-Keto foods and socialise with my peeps. It’s a win-win situation!
Exploring the Health Risks Associated with the Ketogenic Diet
Going keto can be great, but let’s be real, it’s not all rainbows and unicorns. Here are some health concerns you should keep in mind:
- VITAMIN DEFICIENCY
Sure, cutting out sugar is good, but who knew it was also a vitamin thief? With fruits and veggies off the menu, keto followers need to make sure they’re getting enough vitamins and minerals through supplements and low-carb produce like berries and nuts. Otherwise, you might end up looking like a walking zombie.
- POOP PROBLEMS
We know, we know, nobody wants to talk about it, but let’s face it: constipation is no joke. Without enough soluble fiber in your diet, you might find yourself in a bind, so make sure to get your fill of cauliflower, avocados, and psyllium husk to keep things moving smoothly.
- KIDNEY STONES
All that protein from meat might make you feel like a caveman, but it can also lead to some modern-day troubles, like kidney stones. Too much uric acid and calcium in your system can cause some serious discomfort, but fear not: just add some lemon water to your daily routine and you’ll be peeing those stones right out!
Keto Diet: Are You Brave Enough to Take the Plunge?
Well, well, well, folks! Now that we’ve explored the good, the bad, and the ugly of the ketogenic diet, it’s time for you to decide if you want to dive headfirst into this low-carb adventure or stick to your regular eating habits. Remember, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable with what you’re putting into your body and that it benefits your health in the long run. So, whether you choose to go keto or not, I hope you all live long, happy, and healthy lives. And let’s face it, being comfortable with what you’re doing is the first step to achieving anything, even if that’s just finishing a whole pizza by yourself.
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