My weight loss story started back when I was probably 13 and my mother took me to Gloria Stevens (weight loss salon) and they would shake maracas when you weighed in if you lost weight and the whole place would clap for you. It was like a circuit exercise salon I guess is the best way to put it. I went to Diet Center when I was in high school and went down to 144lbs. before graduation. Then, a few years later I joined Weight Watchers for the second or third time to lose weight for my wedding.
I’ve never had an eating disorder per se but I’ve always had an unhealthy relationship with food and envied those that could just eat without thinking about it.
Many years of abusing my body with over indulging in foods not right for me has left me lumpy and saggy but so has having kids and I wouldn’t change that. I wish I could say that I’m one of those women on IG that rejoices about their stretch marks and cellulite but I’m not. I don’t think I will ever embrace that.
Yes, I’m proud to be a mother and I do have the scars to show for that but most of my issues come from poor choices and not loving myself enough to care about the effects those choices had on my vessel. Ah well, it is what it is at this point and no point crying about it. I’ve found what works for me and that’s all that matters. I can only do something about today. Not yesterday.
Losing my youngest daughter was without a doubt the lowest time of my life and I became the largest I’d ever been. I ate terribly during her life as well… we were in and out of hospitals more than home. We had to travel a lot to Halifax for surgeries and extended stays for different reasons as well. She kept us busy running and I wouldn’t change any of that but convenient foods became a staple. Poof… my highest weight is unknown but it was more than 270lbs.
I tried many different diets including Weight Watchers and Diet Center but nothing fit for me.
My turning point was 2017 when our oldest graduated and I saw the many pictures that others had taken of me and I had no control of the cropping or editing. I was disgusted with myself and knew I had to gain control over myself.
Scrolling thru Instagram one day, I hit upon some Keto accounts and started enquiring about this lifestyle. I am proud to say that two and a half years later I was 100lbs down and have been maintaining from my highest weight 🙂
Your site is one of the first ones that I found as a guide for me to be successful. For this, I thank you!
1. What tactics did you employ to help you get to your goal? What did you find helped you get to your goals best?
The tactics that I employed to help me reach my goals are actually the same ones that helped me best…. definitely without a doubt the fact that my husband started this journey with me in July of 2017 and he continued with me for a year. He still mostly eats low carb but not strictly like my lifestyle.
Also, I honestly don’t know if I would have found it as easy as I have if it weren’t for Instagram. I don’t have Facebook so IG is the main source of social media support I use. Your site was incredibly valuable to me as well as many others. I started with meal planning from you and yours is one of the sites I always recommend to friends or others that ask where to start.
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 most important change I’ve made to my diet is being strict about what I eat. I read labels very carefully and even if something “fits the macros” but doesn’t have clean ingredients to my standards I won’t buy it or eat it. Many things are labeled “Keto friendly” but may consist of something I won’t eat based on my own judgement. An example would be something saying sugar-free but containing Aspartame or Sucralose.
3. What is the best single piece of advice you can give to someone that is just starting out?
Single most important piece of advice to give someone just starting out… be consistent. I could go on but you said “single” lol
4. How do you feel your life is now that you’re at your goal?
I feel incredible now that I’ve reached my goal! I wish I had taken control of myself much earlier in life but I definitely feel like I have given myself a new life… as corny as that sounds. I have so much more energy and want to go out do more things. I say “no” less often and I try new things that I wouldn’t have when I was heavy. I’m almost fearless!
5. What do you consider the biggest change in your day-to-day life?
Biggest change in my day to day life would be loving myself more. I’ve always been a pretty happy person on the outside but now I’m happier on the inside too. I have more confidence and take on each day with a pep in my step.. for real.
6. What did you do to find support throughout your journey?
What did I do to find support during my journey…I scroll thru IG to encourage others and to gain inspiration thru them as well. I have a separate IG account just for Keto and literally everyone that I follow has helped me in some way either by the honesty of their struggles and victories or some crazy meme/quote to make me laugh.
And of course, my family has been huge in supporting me. My daughter recently lost 30lbs that she put on in university by eating low carb for a few months! I’m extremely proud of her!
7. What do you currently do to manage your day-to-day diet?
What do I currently do to manage my day to day diet…. I don’t count calories or use an app anymore to track my foods. I used to use a tracker daily for just over the first year and I found that helped me to know what to do now without having to track. I’m still careful about what I eat but I sometimes end up eating too much of the Becky-approved foods and feel it the next day. Lol
8. What is your favorite keto recipe from www.ruled.me that’s become a staple?
My favourite recipe from you!? Oh geez!! That’s tough because I have tried so many but I would say your cheesy bread! It’s soooo good!
9. If there is one thing that you could do differently during your journey, what would it be and why?
I don’t think I’d change anything about my journey!
