I started my keto journey in Jan 2016 using Ruled.me as a starting point for help and support. I have since lost 100lbs, cured PCOS symptoms, regulated blood sugar, gotten off all medications, cured my depression, improved sleep and quit smoking. This has totally been a life changer for me and I’m a dedicated ketoer for life!
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 biggest thing for me was changing aspects to make this a lifestyle and to be consistent with it. For example, I grocery shop every weekend and meal prep every Sunday. I would make my lunches for the entire week so I never had to worry about what I would eat for lunch because I’m in an office all day long. I also don’t buy things that I know I will want to over eat on, like peanut butter or halo top. I do allow myself treats now and then, but it’s little decisions like that that really add up to set yourself up for success.
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, all I can say on this is being keto was absolutely what my body needed. I never had success on calorie counting, low fat, high protein diets… cutting sugar and carbs plus adding fat, my body works like a well-oiled machine now.
3. What is the best single piece of advice you can give to someone that is just starting out?
To truly make this a lifestyle and not just a quick fix diet. It does take a lot of trial and error in the beginning to figure things out, so keep it simple, don’t stress yourself out. Sometimes you will accidentally consume something that will be loaded with added carbs, but don’t beat yourself up, just continue back on plan.
I did this several times just because I wasn’t aware but people tend to want to punish themselves when they accidentally or purposely get kicked out of keto but when this becomes a lifestyle, you can just start fresh and have a more enjoyable journey.
4. How do you feel your life is now that you’re at your goal?
Again, I’m not quite at my goal yet but I never dreamed I could accomplish this much. I look back at my life before I started keto and it looked like an extremely long road ahead that I never could have expected to make it this far. As my life changed with weight loss, I started having new goals in life, I’ve found more joy in being active than before when I was stuck on the couch.
One thing I haven’t yet done but want to do now is go sky diving… before I was over the weight limit but now I am able… it’s on my bucket list.
5. What do you consider the biggest change in your day-to-day life?
Not being a slave to food and other addictions I had previously. I love that I can wake up and not need to rely on medication or nicotine to go about my day. Food really is the best medicine.
6. What did you do to find support throughout your journey?
My first year, I was very big in the ruled.me forum but Now I’m more active in the Facebook group. My family has also been my biggest cheerleaders, even though they think keto is too much for them, they still respect my food choices and always make sure there are things I can eat when we get together.
7. What do you currently do to manage your day-to-day diet?
I’m so accustomed to eating this way now, that it’s a no brainer for me. Like I said, I plan all my meals for the week and prep what all needs to be prepped… it’s become my new normal.
8. What is your favorite keto recipe from www.ruled.me that’s become a staple?
I’m all about quick and easy meals. I love the spicy sausage & cabbage skillet. It’s actually on the menu for me this week! But there are many many more that I enjoy as well! I love all the pizza recipes and the cookie recipes!
9. If there is one thing that you could do differently during your journey, what would it be and why?
My first year, I was so strict on myself that I often forgot to enjoy life a bit as well. I lost most of my weight the first year because of it but the second year, I was so desperate to just be like everyone else in a sense in regards to social eating/drinking. So I learned to cut back on some of my strictness to balance out life in general.
I believe that in allowing yourself to enjoy maybe that extra glass of wine or small treat on occasion helps to keep yourself from going crazy when you’re constantly aware of what all you are consuming. Yes, there are times when it is important to track everything, but allowing yourself some slack helps to keep you from overwhelming yourself with what you can and can’t have.
