Low carb diets can work for weight loss.

 

This is why keto is currently popular right now.

 

I would say that the less active someone is, the better they will do with something like the keto diet.

 

 

Out of my relatives, the ones who have never set foot in a gym or never plan to work out... are the ones who do the best with keto.

 

They all typically have 50+ pounds to lose.

 

Keto helps them lose 25-30 pounds of that fat.

 

But they don't exercise.

 

I believe low carb diets are a bad idea when combined with exercise.

 

 

Almost all exercise increases cortisol levels.

 

 

Cortisol isn't bad, it is needed to mobilize body fat in order to burn that fat.

 

But chronically raised cortisol levels slow your metabolism by lowering T3 levels (the thyroid hormone that has the biggest impact on your metabolism).

 

Carbs can lower cortisol, which in turn boosts T3.

 

This is one way that carbs keep T3 levels and your metabolism high.

 

 

If you are active, I'd recommend including at least some carbs in your diet.

 

Extreme low carb diets work, but combined with exercise can kill your T3 levels and your metabolism. This can cause fat loss sticking points that are hard to shake out of.

 

If you are in this position?

 

• Reintroduce carbs into your diet.
• Possibly back of a bit on exercise intensity.
• Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep.

 

Once your cortisol levels have lowered and you feel good, you can go back to a low carb diet.

 

This is probably the best approach for losing weight on a low carb diet without experiencing the negatives.

 

Hope this helps,

 

 

P.S.

 

The approach I like is to simply avoid chronically raised cortisol levels altogether.

 

This is accomplished by including plenty of carbs in my diet.

 

That way I can exercise pretty intensely while maintaining high T3 levels.

 

This combo burns fat without having to worry about an extended fat loss sticking point.

 

It's an extremely effective way to get and stay lean.