Mark Luigi Dacumos
At this point, you have one week of keto in the books. It may have been a tough first week as you got used to cutting carbs and sugar. Add to that the possibility of the keto flu and its symptoms of brain fog, fatigue, headaches, etc., and you may be wondering when it’ll all get better.
The good news is that once the keto flu is gone, it does get better, as long as you remember to keep hydrating with plenty of water and replenishing your electrolytes. Plus, you already got the most challenging part out of the way, which is starting keto in the first place. And with less bloating and some weight loss giving you momentum and motivation to keep at it, you may be finding that keto isn’t as hard as you thought it would be.
Now let’s look at what weeks 2, 3, and 4 of keto can bring to the table.
Keto Weeks 2, 3, and 4: Results and Signs to Look For
Ketosis
The main goal of keto is to burn fat for fuel instead of glucose that comes from carbs/sugar. When you reach this stage of “ketosis,” you can start to see significant results in terms of increased energy and weight loss since your body will begin burning existing fat for fuel.
When can you hit ketosis? Some people hit it in their first few days. Others hit it in week two, while others may take a month or two. The speed of you hitting ketosis will depend on factors like whether you ate a ton of carbs as part of your standard diet, how many carbs you’re eating now, etc.
Week 2 of keto is usually a lot easier than the first week because many hit ketosis. The keto flu’s symptoms may have dissipated by now, and you’re likely used to eating healthy fats versus copious carbs and sugar.
Increased Energy
If you were used to afternoon energy slumps where you felt like you wanted to fall asleep, you might now have all-day energy. Why? Because carbs are what cause blood sugar spikes and energy crashes. Without so many of them in your system, you can enjoy more energy stability. With this energy, you may have the motivation to complete more tasks and possibly exercise.
Fewer Cravings
As you start to progress through weeks 2, 3, and 4, you may notice fewer cravings. Again, you can thank stable blood sugar for this. As you no longer crave comfort foods, you may gain confidence, especially if you had little control over food in the past. And you can also gain confidence through continued weight loss that may not be as quick as your first week. Still, you may drop pounds (1-2 per week) steadily and no longer experience any bloating, which can make it easier to slip into smaller clothes.
Skipping Meals
Don’t be shocked if you start to forget to eat at times. This is one of the biggest benefits ketoers report, as fewer cravings and feeling hungry less often help them skip meals that allow them to:
- Save time.
- Save money.
- Accelerate weight loss.
- Enjoy feelings of increased willpower.
Constipation
As keto “dries you out” since you’re eating fewer carbs, you may experience constipation. To combat it, try to incorporate greens and non-starchy vegetables with every meal. They will boost your digestion, fight constipation, promote weight loss, and help you feel full, while also injecting many nutrients into your system.
Improved Mental Clarity
Keto doesn’t just boost your body, as it can boost your brain too. Some people report less brain fog, more mental clarity/focus, and better memory in their first month of keto.
