The Fastest Way to Get into Ketosis
If you are trying to lose weight, following a ketogenic diet can help you burn fat fast. However, trying to get into ketosis can be a frustrating experience. Am I eating too many carbs, not enough fat, too much protein? Getting into ketosis usually takes 3 to 5 days at least, and can take people up to two weeks. Recently I have discovered a simple and easy way to get into ketosis very quickly. I went from eating lots of carbs one night, to in ketosis 24 hours later.
How did I do this? Simple, I went into a full fast and exercised. What prevents you from entering ketosis is all the glycogen stored in your liver and muscles. Your body can use this glycogen instead of ketones to fuel your brain, so until you deplete your stores of glycogen, you won’t be able to enter ketosis. By eating nothing, you are going to tap into the glycogen to fuel your brain because you are eating 0 grams of carbs and will also be using that glycogen to walk around all day.
In addition to not eating, all I did was 45 minutes of cardio at a moderate pace. When I got home after the gym I tested myself and I was in ketosis. In the past it has taken me 3 to 4 days to get into ketosis, but with this method it only took me 24 hours.
I always exercise in a fasted state- no matter the workout. My stomach just doesn’t like food prior to cardio. I find if I do eat something, I need to wait at least 3 hours before I begin my cardio- so it’s just easier to do it fasted! I don’t test myself, so I don’t know if I am getting into ketosis or not.
If you are lifting in the fasted state then you have the added benefit of increased HGH levels from fasting. It helps you build muscle faster.
Good timing Wayne. I’m playing around with ketosis this week. First time with ketostix to measure. I’ve been very low carn for 2 days. I fasted this morning and test (pre break fast meal) showed “trace” amount of ketones. I have body pump tomorrow morning. Will try it fasted and then test again…
I’m at my goal weight so just experimenting for curiosity sake.
That is great that you are experimenting. I will go into ketosis for a week or two to lose weight but I enjoy fruit too much to do ketosis long term. Nothing beats some blackberries, strawberries and pineapple.
oops ^^^ *low carb (of course)
What do you drink during the 24 hour fast?
Just water.
How long are we suppose to fast
If you fast for 48 hours then you should enter ketosis. Even if you are unable to fast that long, the longer you fast, the quicker you will get into ketosis.
What you’re describing sounds like a combo ketogenic diet/ intermittent fasting strategy. I’ve done this as well — especially working out in a fasted state. Usually after my workout, I’m walking around in a kind of mental torpor — like my blood sugar is low. This ends as soon as I end the fast. It does work towards burning fat.