4 Signs that your body is burning fat while you're on the keto diet

For most of us who are committed to shedding the pounds by way of regular exercise and a disciplined eating plan, there's a very good chance you've heard of the ketogenic diet. Starting off as an alternate way of eating for those suffering from epilepsy, the keto diet has become massively popular in recent years, as it convinces your body to break down fat for energy (a process called ketosis), which leads to some incredible weight loss results. In theory.

In practice, it's hard to tell whether or not the diet is working. It's been several weeks of following the keto diet to the letter, and instead of having a six-pack, all you have is a lot of questions about the keto diet. But fear not - here are a few ways of knowing if you're burning fat from this alternative diet that you might not have noticed before.

1. You stink

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm not here to criticise your hygiene choices, but I'd hope that you are all showering regularly, brushing, flossing, and applying a liberal amount of deodorant as we move into these hot summer months. But if you're still struggling with BO and bad breath despite having done everything else right, it's a sign your body is going into ketosis - if you're on the keto diet, that is. When your body breaks down fat to use for energy, it releases a by-product called acetone. Yep, acetone as in "nail polish remover" acetone. That one. That smell is going to be all in your sweat, your breath and even your urine.

2. You're pretty much a zombie

It's not always easy to get your eight hours - which is why it's super annoying when you wake up groggy and bleary-eyed, even if you've done everything in your power to get fully rested. Constant fatigue could mean a whole host of different things, but if you're on the keto diet, it could be a subtle sign it's finally working. Carbs are far and away your  main source of energy, so when the keto diet robs your body of its primary nutrients, you can expect your energy levels to dip.

3. You're getting plenty of cramps

Of course, to reap the full benefits of weight loss, you're going to have to keep up your workout routine, but you might find yourself pulling up way more than you used to if you've been going on the keto diet. By eliminating carbohydrates from your diet, you could really mess with your electrolyte and mineral balances, potentially robbing your body of potassium, sodium, and magnesium. To combat this, make sure you're eating enough fatty fish, avocados and leafy greens to make sure your body's getting all the nutrients it needs.

4. Bathroom time has become a nightmare

Your significant other does it, the Queen does it, even Kim Kardashian does it - but when you're on the ketogenic diet, you might struggle to poop like everybody else. If you're on the keto diet, there's two main reasons you're going to be constipated. One; without all that useful but carb-heavy food, your body isn't getting enough fibre. Two; when you're eating carbs on the regular, your body converts them into glycogen to be used for energy, and glycogen has a very high water content. Without that glycogen, your body has less water to work with, meaning it's way harder to poop.

Well... there you go. Going by these symptoms, going on the keto diet is not going to be a fun time. The good news is that it won't last forever: within two weeks of these symptoms popping up, your body should adapt, and the true effects should begin to be seen. Good luck!