To Carb or not to Carb?

Those of you following me over the last few years know I love to experiment with foods, nutritional hacks and different dietary approaches. I've been practicing Intermittent Fasting for over 3 years now (Read more about that HERE), and started incorporating a ketogenic diet about a year and half ago. 

I LOVE the many benefits of low carb living...it has changed my body, my mind, my hormones and

my metabolism in many ways. I share these 'tools' with the women I work with in my Fat Fueled Female program - we go full keto for 4 weeks, but in a gentle way that supports the female body and our unique needs. During the program, we keep things really low carb...but is this a lifestyle? is it a diet? is it MAINTAINABLE?

Here's my experience. I've done several bouts of solid keto - one month, two months, 2 weeks reboots. When I'm not full keto I'm still low carb. Each session brings me new benefits. Each session gets easier. Each session improves my metabolic flexibility. I've done the work, I've learned the lifestyle, and now I reap the benefits. I have become a FAT burner. 

Over the summer I didn't stress about measuring ketones, being in ketosis, or about enjoying some carbs when I felt I wanted them. I enjoyed ice cream, pizza, and more fruit (seasonal). My body responded differently than in the past. I don't suffer the same crashes or cravings, and enjoying a carb doesn't throw me for a loop when it comes to my eating style - I go back to low carb eating for the next meal and it's no big deal - I love this way of eating and how I feel, so I don't feel like i'm going back to a 'diet'. 

I remained a Fat Burning Machine. How do I know? I was still able to fast easily in the mornings, I could do fasted workouts (long distance runs) with no fuel in the tank (in fact, these have gotten EVEN better), and I can still go long periods without 'snacking' in between my meals (which are still full of health fats and proteins)...my body kept the knowledge, and the machinery (liver enzymes) that burn fat as a fuel source efficiently. What I want people to really take from this is that sometimes you will have to get uncomfortable initially, and challenge yourself in a way that you're not used to, but you will get to a place where you sit back and enjoy the rewards of your hard work! I think that is pretty cool.

So for me, doing a strict keto diet is something that i'll do seasonally, or for specific training, or for a reboot. It's also 'mostly' my day to day life, with the occasional carbs thrown in. I think most women can live this way and feel more balanced, connected and in control. It allows us to have an enjoyable family life, to be less hard on ourselves, and to enjoy the best of both worlds! We deserve to feel our absolute best, to love our bodies and what they can do for us, and to be effective in our lives - to give our best to those around us, and to put our best face forward. That's what drives me to live this lifestyle. 

I will be running a Fall session of Fat Fueled Female starting right after Thanksgiving on Oct.9 (prep week). If you're ready to rev up your fat-burning machinery, I'd love for you to join me! Your entire family will benefit from the nutrient-dense meals that I'll be sharing, and you'll have a stack of recipes for life!