I started my Keto journey at 194 pounds and a size 16. I had just turned 30, worked full-time, attended school at night, and was married with a toddler. I didn’t think I’d be able to have the time to do this. I started by committing to a week of Keto and would quit if nothing happened.
Almost immediately I started feeling better. My joint and heel pain went away, I had more energy, and I started to lose weight. In August of the following year, I hit my lowest weight of 139 pounds (55 pounds lost) and I was a size 0/2. I stopped weighing myself at this point, but kept eating Keto.
Every time I cheated, I would have some kind of reaction. My eyes would itch and water, my throat would be sore, or my skin would be on fire. I’ve had a form of hypothyroidism since I was 8 years old.
When I was last at the doctor, she was thinking about lowering my dosage because all of my bloodwork was the best it’s ever been. She made me wait to see if it was a fluke and I find out in a few weeks at my next appointment if she finally thinks that Keto has helped. I know it has. It’s given me a life. I’ve never felt this great even when I was working out like crazy and thought I was eating healthy.
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 found meal prep and planning to be incredibly helpful. I had been under the illusion that meal prep takes hours and is super time consuming. It can be, but it doesn’t have to be. I planned out a few meals I wanted for the week and spent a couple of hours on Sunday cooking. Once I incorporated intermittent fasting in to my journey, I didn’t have to prep as much. I’m also a big fan of crock pot meals.
2. What is the most impactful change you’ve made to your diet and why do you feel it’s been the most important?
The biggest change to my diet has been listening to my body. If I’m not hungry, I don’t need to eat. I learned that just because the clock says it’s lunchtime doesn’t mean your body needs it. I cut out so many foods from my diet, but if I was still snacking and eating constantly then my progress would be limited.
3. What is the best single piece of advice you can give to someone that is just starting out?
My advice would be to have fun with it. Experiment with new recipes, ingredients, and even preparation methods. If you’re not enjoying yourself and it all feels like a chore, it will feel more like a diet than like a new lifestyle.
4. How do you feel your life is now that you’re at your goal?
I am so much happier with my life now that I’ve reached my goal and am maintaining. My daughter is 4 and she is constantly talking and moving. Pre-Keto me never would’ve been able to keep up. I had struggled with anxiety and depression for years. Now I am in a good place mentally, physically, and emotionally.
5. What do you consider the biggest change in your day-to-day life?
I used to always be out of breath. I would make stacks on my desk of questions I needed to ask people so I would only have to get up once. Now I’m walking around a lot more at work. I’m a court reporting student and the equipment is heavy. It’s probably around 30 pounds overall. I have to get all of that up and down stairs and from classroom to classroom. It was a major struggle when I was heavier.
6. What did you do to find support throughout your journey?
A friend from a mom group introduced me to Keto. We would talk daily and that helped. I also joined a Facebook group and a handful of us have a group chat. We talk constantly and even had a Secret Santa gift exchange!
My husband and daughter are supportive. She likes to try the Keto desserts I make and I’ve had to stop buying pork rinds because she’ll steal them. He called me from the store yesterday because he saw a flavored Diet Coke that I can never find and he was excited that he found it.
7. What do you currently do to manage your day-to-day diet?
I did slack on meal prep/planning this past month, but I do make sure to have a cup of bone broth daily. I feel less bloated when I drink it. My husband and daughter do like snacks. I try to only keep snacks in the house that they like, but I don’t like. Cereal is my biggest temptation. I make sure to buy kinds I don’t like so I’ll stay away.
8. What is your favorite keto recipe from www.ruled.me that’s become a staple?
Coconut Orange Creamsicle Fat Bombs! I found this recipe at the beginning of my journey and it has prevented many late night junk food binges.
9. If there is one thing that you could do differently during your journey, what would it be and why?
I cheated plenty. It would normally only be a few bites and not a whole meal. Every time I did, I beat myself up about it. I wished I had learned to be more understanding with myself sooner.
