Enough - heading home

Day 6 and after a night of fitfull sleep, Bristol City playing may have had something to do with it, I awoke a little later than has been customary these last few days. Still the pool beckoned and 50 lengths presented no problem. Could have continued but pace was such that boredom set in, despite the beautiful blue skies above and the early morning warmth of the sun.


Thereafter walked, but less‎ than the last few days, will though reach 15,000 step goal easily, and then treated myself to a taste of several local savouries. Despite my request one vendor insisted on filling the pouch with his spicy squid. Tasty for sure but one spoonful would have been plenty. Some was wasted.

Have decided that I am now in sufficient control of my intake to return to Singapore and continue this fast at home. A fridge full of chocolate and the kids eating beautiful roast potatoes will not tempt me. Instead it will be back to small amounts of cheese and yoghurt and plenty of water, at least for another 4 days and then I'll reevaluate.

Really looking forward to being back at home and to a session on the treadmill tomorrow. Mind and body refreshed and resolve to make ketosis really work toughened. ‎

In the zone

‎Day 5 and finished yesterday with another 50 laps of the pool. Also allowed myself a treat or two, with cheese all but gone (200g has lasted 5 days) and me dreaming of food decided to sample what the fantastic market has to offer. Yesterday it was a small portion (50cents worth) of squid in spicey sauce, exquisite, today 3 small pieces of deep fried belly pork, the remainder donated to an old lady for her dog, though she may well have snacked on it herself. And finally another two spoons of minced chicken. Have also snacked on very keto friendly sunflower kernels. But aim to keep to this very low level of intake for at least 5 more days.

Loving the keto energy I have and this morning uo early again and on the road walking by 7. Two hours later over 12km covered, hills and all and no slower than a brisk walk with a couple of jogs thrown in.


Massage and steam followed. Intend another 50 lengths later and then am aiming for 100 first thing tomorrow. Of course none of this would be possible without ketosis and while it is an effort to get deeply into it the reward is simply stunning. ‎

80 hours in...

80 hours in and am free. Awoke this morning early put swimming trunks on and descended 2 flights of stairs to a 25 metre pool. Jumped in and swam 50 lengths without an iota of McArdle sensation. Arms and legs functioned as I imagine they always should and toward the end I was able to push the pace higher without much issue. Great to be back in this zone of capability‎.

Not surprised as yesterday morning I had abandoned watching the cricket and walked the 10k back to my hotel. Hotter and inclines no less harsh but toward the end I was pacing up the last slope with no sign of cramping or soreness. Calf muscles benefitted from a massage afterwards but clear to me that ketosis was beginning to work its full magic.

In need of a fast

Day two of a week long fast. After a frustrating few months of being in and out of ketosis and after a cancelled business trip opened up a window of opportunity I decided a fast was in order. Koh Samui as ever the location.

My last meal before leaving was a modest cauliflower cheese and yesterday was just water and several very small pieces of cheese in the evening. Plenty of walking, a massage, lunchtime nap and a steam before I headed for bed very early. Slept well and this morning I was already showng deep purple on the ketostick I had brought along. Not enough though to yet feel the total freedom I experienced toward the end of my last fast in summer. ‎Today 12 lengths of the pool was not a struggle but I could feel the tell tale M pain in my arms. Walked for well over 10k this morning and will head out now for a coffee (not normal fast procedure but then my purpose is different). Have allowed myself a few small pieces of cheddar and 3 teaspoons of Greek yoghurt today, along with plenty of water. Feeling good and really should not be frustrated that I am not yet fully in the zone, but I am.

Another long walk and calves that were solid after the morning walk recovered with help of massage. Nearly 20k today. Did have a few sunflower seed kernels to snack on before bed but don't think that should impact ketosis.

Day three. Slept late coffee at 5pm probably not the best idea. Up early and walking. Coffee with butter after 30 minutes and then on 15,000 steps done by 9:45am and now watching a little cricket while sipping my water. Hills climber very easily today and there were some steep long inclines. Ketostick firmly purple. Progress.

Keto works, staying in ketosis is the challenge

Friday 24th January before a business trip and a cricket social has left me

at only 0.2 mmol for blood ketone.

Dinner with friends on Saturday evening may have further diminished level of ketosis as I embark on a 10 day business trip. The cheese board on Emirates has hopefully helped. Aim is to return home a kilo lighter and deeper in ketosis....thats the aim at least.

Up at 6am on Monday to gym but this morning it just was not happening. Knew early and so did not continue. Will focus on diet today and tomorrow and may have a fast if I can fit one in as want to get back in ketosis quickly!!‎

Busy week in Middle East and not until Friday that I managed exercise with a morning walk along Abu Dhabi's Corniche. Not sure on keto but ‎walked at good pace. Sadly very bad indigestion pain for next 24 hourse put an end to exercise. Guess we'll have to start from scratch again next week in Singapore.

Today Monday 9th, after a good keto day yesterday, managed a 50 minute session at 8.1kmph so feel positive about starting again and trying to get back to deeper ketosis and even better treadmill attainment.

Checked keto level this morning and back to 0.4mmol so moving in the right direction. Now to stay in ketosis for a few weeks and see where that gets me!!

still going strong - pleased I stuck to just one Guinness

So far this year I have managed only 7 treadmill sessions but have done plenty of exercise in addition, whether pre-season cricket training or walking round a rugby pitch, with my son for the former and watching him the latter. Each have been good workouts- all above my pre-July 2014 lifetime best of 7.2kmph for a 50 minute session. Today was my best so far this year with 7.05k covered in 50mins (8.5kmph) and am hoping to break my best ever post keto session of 7.35k before month end.

Incentive enough to kep off the carbs - last night while a friend downed several pints of Guinness I stuck to just one and a couple of whiskies. This morning's session ample reward.

A good start to 2015 - more discipline needed.......

10am New Years Day. Work begins in earnest. 24 hour water fast from now begins. ‎Weight too high (83.8kg) and well out of ketosis. 6:30pm and only a few spoons of Greek yoghurt, plenty of water and a few cups of tea. Keeping active with some sorting out to take mind of food. 

Will test keytones again tomorrow and may persist with the fast.

 0.2 per Mmol at 10am this morning. Followed by 10k bike ride during which thighs moaned low level for first km but after fine all the way even when I increased speed marginally for a couple of short bursts. Already feeling the benefit of mild ketosis. 

Day two with only modest eating yesterday of a small amount of cheese and natural yoghurt and down to 81.6 kg at 0.8 mmol on ketone tester. Great start to 2015. Mild headache this morning. 

6th Jan and 1st treadmill session of a New Year, 1st for several weeks but thanks to the wonders of ketosis easily (that may be stretching it but..) managed over 7.4kmph average for my 50 minute session. Distracted talking to a friend in the gym at vital moment so did not get the readout to provide exact number. Really very pleased with the session though and have decided to try and keep every session this year above an average speed of 7kmph. Will require consistency and a good level of ketosis but I think it's possible. 

To provide context up until September 2014 I had never done a 50 minute session at that average speed so 1st up after a break from the gym is a real positive. 

Weigh in and ketone test tomorrow morning.