I weighed 390lbs and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. My a1c was 11. I was put on 3 different meds and insulin shots. I began keto and helping others with keto. I now weigh 260lbs, no longer have diabetes and am off all medications.
I read everything I could find on keto on the internet, made it a goal to read 1 keto-related article a week to increase my understanding. I kept small goals – in the beginning, it was to lose 5lbs a month, walk around the block without getting winded when you’re 400lbs you need to set realistic achievable goals. I also joined weight loss challenges to win some cash in the process.
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 used my fitness pal to keep track of my carbs, I added in intermittent fasting, I found other people with the same goals and we held each other accountable and encouraged each other.
2. What is the most impactful change you’ve made to your diet and why do you feel it’s been the most important?
Most impactful would be eliminating the carbs. In the beginning, I looked for bread replacements, pasta replacements but those left me craving bread and pastas. The turning point was when I quit looking for substitutes and focusing on what I could have. Once I did that everything fell into place.
3. What is the best single piece of advice you can give to someone that is just starting out?
Help someone else! You will always get more than you can give, by sharing and helping someone else you will become stronger, more knowledgeable and more motivated to succeed. Second best advice is don’t stop! It’s going to suck, it’s a learning curve, you will screw up over and over, but as long as you keep at it, learn from your mistakes and never quite you can not fail! You will accomplish things you never thought possible.
4. How do you feel your life is now that you’re at your goal?
Life is so much better, when you can bend down and the your shows without having to hold your breath, when you can hike a mountain with your family and not have to sit it out, when you go to an amusement park get on a ride and the seat belt fits so your not asked to get off and do the walk of shame because you didn’t fit, you realize how many simple things you missed out on. Nothing better than coming home from work and taking the family out for an activity because you still have the energy to enjoy life!
5. What do you consider the biggest change in your day-to-day life?
That I now actually live life, instead of being confined to the recliner binge watching Netflix. I’m able to take my boys hiking by, camping, swimming, I can go to Yellowstone and walk the trails vs sitting by the car and weighting for everyone.
6. What did you do to find support throughout your journey?
I read everything I could from websites like ruled.me. I joined with a free support group called weightix to receive support and help support and encourage others. Once I began losing my family joined with me, my wife, mom, sister, brother in law, coworkers. Once everyone saw I was serious and wasn’t stopping the support was overwhelming.
7. What do you currently do to manage your day-to-day diet?
I use mfp to track my macros, I’m in a free group called weightix that helps and supports each other, I set continuous goals to improve on and achieve. I help other people, by helping others it keeps me inline with my goals.
8. What is your favorite keto recipe from www.ruled.me that’s become a staple?
That’s easy the bacon-wrapped meatloaf and the fried chicken. Having these kinds of recipes at my fingertips was a key component in my success. In the beginning, I had no clue what to eat or how to eat. So these recipes were literally a part of the stepping stones to my success.
9. If there is one thing that you could do differently during your journey, what would it be and why?
Added exercise sooner, I didn’t start exercising until I was around 300. I’m not talking hardcore, more just getting up and walking around the block. I found once I got moving and doing things my mental health improved, and I felt better about myself, it became easier to achieve goals and have a feeling of accomplishment.
