I started keto on 1/1/19 and have since lost over 50 lbs and am still going! I went from a size 16 to a size 8. My skin is so much clearer, my mood is so much better, I have so much more mental clarity, my menstrual cycle is more regular, I have fewer GI issues, and best of all my chronic insomnia has been CURED. Every night I sleep like a baby and I honestly never thought I would get to experience that.
I had tried every medication for insomnia and none of them worked and I had resigned myself to the fact that chronic insomnia and all of the accompanying horrible side effects like higher stress, bad moods, and fatigue, were just an inevitable part of my life. I absolutely love keto and all the benefits I’ve been getting from it and will follow this lifestyle for the rest of my life because it makes me feel SO good!
1. What tactics did you employ to help you get to your goal? What did you find helped you get to your goals best?
I had tried a few things to lose weight and nothing had worked. CICO always left me hungry and miserable and I would end up bingeing after about 2 weeks. So when I first came across keto I was intrigued. I did a lot of research and read everything I could. When I decided to try keto I tracked everything meticulously in MFP and kept a spreadsheet with all my data to ensure I was on track.
I kept my net carbs under 20g/day and my fat intake was at least 70%. The first few days were a little rough, I definitely went through the “keto flu” but after getting through that I started to feel really great. I had so much more energy and mental clarity and was in a much better mood all the time. In the first month, I lost 18 lbs.
So in short, this is the answer to your question – it’s not so much a tactic but just feeling so great and losing weight so easily was what kept me going.
2. What is the most impactful change you’ve made to your diet and why do you feel it’s been the most important?
Well, I was always a carbaholic and had a massive sweet tooth. Cutting sugar and bread out of my diet helped me reset my taste buds so to speak. I feel like I can trust my body again, or maybe for the first time because I can eat keto foods to satiety and don’t have to worry about willing myself to stop eating when I feel like I can’t.
I no longer crave sweets and bagels and junk food, even while on my period, which is crazy. I’m not hungry all the time, and even if I’m stressed I don’t feel like I need food for comfort.
3. What is the best single piece of advice you can give to someone that is just starting out?
Eat enough fat! Most people are so scared of fat but that’s the key to being successful on keto.
4. How do you feel your life is now that you’re at your goal?
I feel absolutely amazing. I was always thin up until about 2011 so I feel like my old self again. I can wear the clothes I like, I’m not afraid to have my picture taken, I can do poses in yoga that I couldn’t for a long time. My lower back pain is almost nonexistent now.
5. What do you consider the biggest change in your day-to-day life?
Having a better mood all the time, having more energy and more mental clarity – I’m less stressed and happier in general.
6. What did you do to find support throughout your journey?
Everyone could tell I was losing weight so easily and so quickly. My coworkers, family, and friends always celebrated with me and gave me so much encouragement.
7. What do you currently do to manage your day-to-day diet?
I no longer track as meticulously as I did when I started over a year ago because I have a really good feel for what to eat on a daily basis. I love trying new foods and new recipes to keep things interesting. I’ve since switched from MFP to Cronometer so If I’m trying something new and curious about how it fits in my macros I’ll plug it in and adjust as necessary.
But keto is really great because I get to eat all the foods I love like eggs, bacon, avocados, almonds, and cheese. If I do want something sweet I’ve come around to super dark chocolate (usually Lindt 86%) and the great thing is that I can have one square and not feel like I have to eat the whole bar.
8. What is your favorite keto recipe from www.ruled.me that’s become a staple?
It’s super simple and easy to make but the ham and spinach breakfast casserole. I love making it on the weekend and then I have a quick and easy breakfast for the workweek. I’ve also made it for my co-workers and everyone always asks for the recipe because it’s so good!
9. If there is one thing that you could do differently during your journey, what would it be and why?
I would have gone keto sooner! This has honestly been of the best things I’ve ever done and I want everyone to feel as good as I do!
