Each body reacts differently to the ketogenic diet. Some people feel exhilarated, and others feel exhausted. Whether you’re new to keto, or a low-carb veteran, it may affect you differently each time.
Since keto triggers certain processes that affect body chemistry, it’s important to note that your regular fitness insanity workout in NYC might not be the right call. Check out this post by FitEngine about how certain diets can work in conjunction with exercise to burn calories.
What’s The Keto Diet and Why Does It Give You The Flu?
You can work out to your heart’s content on keto, but you need to beware of the possible side effects. For the first week, it’s advisable to stick to stretching classes and stretch and restore yoga, so your body can adjust.
The keto diet means that you have to eat a diet of 75% fat, 20% protein, and 5% carbohydrates, and as far as diets go, it’s one of the best to lose weight. It may seem odd that this much fat could help you reduce your own, but there’s a science to it.
The human body generally breaks down the carbohydrates that you eat into glucose (a simple sugar) and converts this to calories that muscles burn to move. Even the smallest movement, ranging from snapping your fingers to the beat of your heart, burns calories.
Obviously, it doesn’t compare to what you burn when you dance away your troubles with musical workouts, but when you’re on keto, you’re not getting any carbs. The secondary source of energy is the protein that you consume. However, breaking down proteins is harder for the body, and this is generally done as a last resort. If you’re not getting enough protein either, your body starts breaking down the fat stored within.
The fat you ingest isn’t broken down because it takes too long, and if you consume more carbs than you burn calories, the carbs are stored as fat.
That’s how the keto diet hacks weight loss. You might do a fitness class daily and find that you’re not burning much. That’s probably because your body breaks down carbs, not stored fat.
On the other hand, once your body goes into ketosis (fat-burning process), otherwise known as starving mode, even a low-energy stretching yoga class will be fueled by the fat in your body.
As for the keto flu, it’s not really the flu. It’s more of a collection of side effects of ketosis. Remember, your body might take around twenty-four hours to start burning fat after you start the diet. When it kicks in, your body thinks you’re starving and goes into survival mode. This is why many people who start keto feel fatigued and unfocused. It’s the body’s way of trying to save fat!
Signs Your Body Needs A Break
On the plus side, you’re not starving, and surely your choice to do a hip-hop dance class alongside the diet is based on the fact that you have enough fat stored in your body to manage. If you don’t, your body will start to burn muscle tissue, so check in with a doctor if you’re unsure about the diet plan.
Gymming on keto is one of the ways to lose weight fast with exercise, but if you experience any of the following, that’s your body telling you it needs bread, stat:
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Constantly drained
- Headaches or migraines
- Constipation
- Nausea
Sometimes it’s easier to slowly lower your sugar intake, as opposed to going cold turkey.
Ways To Keep Your Energy Levels Up
Here are a few things you can do during the keto diet that’ll help you keep your body assured that you can handle your dance class workouts.
When In Doubt, Pop Some Fat Bombs
Fat bombs are a go-to for keto pros. When you’re not eating carbs, it can get very difficult to plan your meals. Anything breaded, high-sugar fruits and veggies, bread, legumes, and grains are all forbidden. Your diet will now consist of cheeses, butter, unsweetened cream, and leafy greens. You could whip up a cheesy salad at home, but when you need a quick lunch on the go, you won’t always be able to find something keto-friendly.
The last thing you want on keto is to be hungry. That’s why fat bombs, small truffle-like bites of fatty foods like peanut butter or cream cheese, tend to be found in every keto participant’s bag.
Popping these throughout the day is a great way to keep your fat consumption at 75%, and to remind your body that all is well.
Keto Is a License To Be Salty
A lot of people experiencing keto become dehydrated and lose electrolytes, so don’t wait for the flu to hit. Fill your bottle with some sugar-free electrolytes, and for the love of your pilates workout, chug!
The Ultimate Fix-All: The Nap
Get enough rest. Make sure you’re getting at least eight hours of sleep a night, and if you find your energy levels plummeting during the day, a quick nap will help your body adjust.
Whether you’re looking for affordable yoga classes or social dance classes in NYC, FitEngine can help you. Check out our blogs and guides for insights on everything from a beginner’s guide to stretching and mobility to a Pilates yoga crossover. You can also book a class at LifeSpan Pilates.
