I started my keto journey on Tuesday January 17, 2018. Tuesday was my start because every other diet for the past 20 years was always started on a Monday and I needed this to be completely different. I stepped on the scale and my weight was 250.7 lbs, my start weight and in my mind the highest I would ever be! You see, for years I had dieted, exercised excessively and slowly got sicker and sicker.
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2013 and was told by my doctor that he couldn’t believe that I had it as he had never seen a fat celiac patient before, and that was why it took so long for a diagnosis! My body was so sick and damaged that I kind of gave up trying to push it too hard anymore. I ate processed gluten-free foods and just ballooned from there. I became addicted to sugar to just keep going.
So anyways back to Tuesday, January 17, 2018, this day I stepped forward and didn’t look back, except to look at my progress pics, inches, and weight loss. I had lots of plateaus, just walked at the beginning and slowly but surely pushed past my discomfort and negative thinking.
I have hit a year, my goal was to lose 90 lbs in a year, but I lost 85 lbs, which I am proud of, even though I missed my goal. I realized that weight was not as much of my goal anymore as much as how I feel and how fit and healthy I am becoming. This next year is about becoming the fittest and healthiest me, and showing my kids, family, and friends that holy shit if I can do this so can they!
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 started small. In the first days and weeks of starting Keto, I would just walk and just push myself a tiny bit more every time. I also cooked to my cravings, meaning if I wanted stew, I found a way to make a keto version.
2. What is the most impactful change you’ve made to your diet and why do you feel it’s been the most important?
I truly believe removing sugar was the most impactful. My brain works so much better, my emotions balanced out, I am feeling even keel. I stuck to it, I found once I understand this diet I just stuck to it, but in all honesty, it was the simplest diet or WOE I have ever done.
3. What is the best single piece of advice you can give to someone that is just starting out?
One Day At A Time. Try to find ways to keep it simple, HOWEVER take some time once in a while to make a really yummy and sometimes more difficult meal. It makes you feel like you are not missing a thing!
4. How do you feel your life is now that you’re at your goal?
I love that I keep setting new goals, that I know I can accomplish them! I now just want to help people achieve their goals and dreams while aiming for my new ones as well!
5. What do you consider the biggest change in your day-to-day life?
I can move around easily, nothing seems daunting anymore.
6. What did you do to find support throughout your journey?
I really liked having websites that were simple to get around with great recipes and support. Like Ruled.me!
7. What do you currently do to manage your day-to-day diet?
I am still on keto, I have implemented more healthy fats and a bit more calories but am still feeling strong and healthy staying here.
8. What is your favorite keto recipe from www.ruled.me that’s become a staple?
This is the most difficult question yet! There are so many I have used, that both myself and my family loved. Shrimp Alfredo, Butter Paneer Chicken Curry, General TSO’s Chicken, Bbq sauce so so many!!!
9. If there is one thing that you could do differently during your journey, what would it be and why?
I am not sure I have anything I would have changed, I am here where I am because I followed through, without feeling deprived, some days overeating calories but never coming off. I am reaching my goals without feeling like I am missing out on things, I love it!
