HRT and running?

[SadieBlake]

Shy, you still need enough blood sugar to be able to burn fat, it's not a lot but if you don't supply it then the body will start to metabolize protein to make carbs, the process is called catabolysis and is pretty hard on the body.

Once you build this capacity it seems to stick around. I discovered a decade ago that I couldn't bike to Dr office for blood tests because i would register very high triglycerides. If I drove or took the bus my tri-g would be rock bottom (~50). This persists to this day, even though I am not training hard in 5 years now I still can't bike to a test if I want an accurate fasting result.

Early studies of training to utilize fat in exercise had negative results because the study durations were too short, it takes a minimum of 6 weeks to start the training effect.

[KayXo]

Shy, you still need enough blood sugar to be able to burn fat, it's not a lot but if you don't supply it then the body will start to metabolize protein to make carbs, the process is called catabolysis and is pretty hard on the body.

I believe the process is called gluconeogenesis. When you stop eating carbs, your body shifts to relying mostly on fat and ketones (brain included) while the little amount of sugar needed is provided by conversion from fat and protein. I ate no carbs for about a year and did fine so it is possible. Inuits have done this for thousands of years.

The process of adaptation from burning carbs to fat/ketones takes a few weeks. My triglycerides were the lowest they had ever been and my HDL through the roof!

[Dena]

My roommate used the Atkins Diet for a while and the goal was to drive the body into ketosis. Unfortunately one of the side effects of shifting the body that much is your breath contains ketones which don't really smell all that good. She gave up on the diet and I shifted her to one with fewer calories and more vegetables that she was able to lose and maintain weight on. We also limited sugar and I gained skill in making diet desserts. 

[Deborah]

I have been successful in getting   most processed carbs out of my diet.  In their place though I have been eating a fairly massive amount of vegetables and lentils along with a relatively high protein allotment.  (Weight is still dropping pretty steadily).

The books mentioned above state that carbohydrate consumption should initially be less than 50 grams a day.  I could substantially reduce my carbs from their current level of around 250 grams but 50 grams seems very aggressive.  My diet is also pretty high in fiber, 55+ grams per day.  I wonder if those fiber grams count as part of the 50 grams of carbohydrate goal?


It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves

[Lucie]

My roommate used the Atkins Diet for a while and the goal was to drive the body into ketosis. Unfortunately one of the side effects of shifting the body that much is your breath contains ketones which don't really smell all that good. She gave up on the diet and I shifted her to one with fewer calories and more vegetables that she was able to lose and maintain weight on. We also limited sugar and I gained skill in making diet desserts.

Acetone odor in breath may occur during the first weeks while the body is not yet fully keto-adapted. But once keto-adaptation is acheived there is no more ketone (or very few only) in expired air neither in urine. This is because ketones are then burnt (especially in the brain) as soon as they are produced by the liver.
As for me I have been on a ketogenic diet (carbs < 30g/day) for 8 months and my breath does not smell acetone or fruity. It has just no odor.

[KayXo]

I wonder if those fiber grams count as part of the 50 grams of carbohydrate goal?

No, they don't. Only digestible carbs.

[Deborah]

No, they don't. Only digestible carbs.

Thanks.  With that information 50g does not seem nearly so extreme.


It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves

[Shy]

Shy, you still need enough blood sugar to be able to burn fat, it's not a lot but if you don't supply it then the body will start to metabolize protein to make carbs, the process is called catabolysis and is pretty hard on the body.

Once you build this capacity it seems to stick around. I discovered a decade ago that I couldn't bike to Dr office for blood tests because i would register very high triglycerides. If I drove or took the bus my tri-g would be rock bottom (~50). This persists to this day, even though I am not training hard in 5 years now I still can't bike to a test if I want an accurate fasting result.

Early studies of training to utilize fat in exercise had negative results because the study durations were too short, it takes a minimum of 6 weeks to start the training effect.

Thanks Sadie
I'm vegetarian so I gets me carbs. Just don't munch on them when I'm running. I really don't like the sugar rush/crash scenario with carbs. My energy seems more stable running fasted, mainly for shorter training runs though.
If I'm hitting the 50k distances I'll take electrolytes and usually a healthy snack or two, but never the sports drinks, or anything crammed with sugar. I'd just barf that all up come mile20;D.
I certainly don't drop into ketosis, at least I don't think I do. I haven't set up a diet to promote that beyond avocados, olives, nuts, legumes and soy milk;) Yes I crave soy, and feel rubbish without it, even though I know it's just a placebo for real oestrogen. But needs must until the NHS backlog clears.
My main worry was with starting HRT, and how it might effect my running in the future. I can see now that it's going to be different, but no less rewarding or healthy judging by the responses to this thread. I'm actually excited to get started now, another box ticked. So thank you all ladies! A few years from now and It'll be questions on getting a sports bra to fit;D

Happy trails

shy