Weight Gain on Ketosis?? Please help!

[Isis375]

Hi everyone,

Compared to most on this forum my issue is very minor but I'd be very grateful to hear from anyone that has a similar experience!

I have my 2 year anniversary with Crohns & IBS in September. I've been extremely fortunate to be complication and hospital free so far- I take 15mg Methotrexate & 5mg Folio Acid a week- it's put things into remission although small flare ups out of the blue aren't uncommon. I also take a liver support supplement from my naturopath... Don't know what it does but certainly has helped stabilize my energy levels.

I understand most people struggle with weight loss but I'm battling with the opposite- I can't seem to loose anything & in fact are slowly gaining! To manage my IBS I eat a clean paleo & very low carb diet and for the last 6months have stuck to ketosis (less than 35g carbs per day) to try and shift the weight. I also exercise 4-6 times a week- field hockey, running, walking & my newest obsession of Crossfit. I really enjoy the healthy lifestyle I have created around my Crohns but I'm the heaviest I've ever been. For the first time in my life i am technically classed as overweight. Even though I dont feel that way it's starting to play on my mind a lot as I'm about to move overseas and want to feel/ look my best.

I've seen so many nutritionists & naturopaths but NO ONE has been able to help. My body just defies every rule. Even pre-diagnose I tried a lot of different fad diets but never saw results. Has ANYONE been in this same boat?? And please please please share how you got out of it!

 

[hugh]

a quick google brings up many with similar issues but the proposed solutions vary enormously.

the issue will be working out which solution suits your problem.....
The views tend to fit two extremes

1- You're not doing it properly, the method works, you're not doing it properly
"You are NOT in ketosis. Getting into ketosis and gluconeogenesis is a process that takes a minimum of two weeks and to get into full, functional ketosis, 4-6 weeks. And if you have a"cheat" meal or carb spike day, you go back to square one. You do not resume a ketotic diet on the next day and resume being in ketosis." and then this guy refers you to this site to review what your doing...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkdFkPxxDG8

or this....
2- You are not getting enough carbs and it has interfered with your thyroid function
Is Low Thyroid Output a Cause of Your Weight Gain?
"Low-cal dieting, as I make clear in the Diet Cure; is the last thing someone who needs to lose weight should do—especially someone who has a “trick” thyroid."
http://bodyecology.com/articles/is-your-low-carb-diet-causing-thyroid-issues#

Recommend?
- adding some (that's some, not heaps of) paleo carbs (tubers, maybe white rice) and see if it helps,
OR
- review diet and make sure you are in fact in ketosis (pee sticks)

 

[Isis375]

Thanks for the suggestions Hugh!

I've Googled this topic many times and everyone has different ideas. Most don't apply to me but I've tried a lot.

You're first suggestion is very valid- whenever I switch up my diet I always ensure to give it a go at least 4 weeks before expecting consistent results. I wouldn't expect to see dramatic effects but a clean diet with cut in refined carbohydrates, or at least calories, shouldn't (in most people) produce weight gain. Fair enough if I ate junk food 90% of the time- then I'd expect to see a yoyo of weight loss/ gain. But I don't... and the yoyo is only going in one direction.

I have had my thyroid tested in the past (pre-Crohn's) and it came back all clear... disappointing as it would explain most of my symptoms! Your suggestion is the first time I've read about hibernation syndrome and I'd be interested in finding out more! My GP may not be open to the tests but my naturopath would be. Certainly, IBS probably won't allow me to introduce refined grains back on a regular basis but a little bit of sweet potato might be ok! It would mean sacrificing ketosis but that clearly isn't working anyway...

 

[hugh]

Don't put much stock in the thyroid test, it just means that you level is in the same range as a bunch of people who may or may not be well and nothing about whether it is the right amount for you as an individual.
-let alone other issues
http://chriskresser.com/5-thyroid-patterns-that-wont-show-up-on-standard-lab-tests