I had never even heard of keto until about a year ago. A friend of mine was having good success with it so I thought I would give it a try. I had amazing results and thought it was a pretty simple plan to follow! I stayed at or below 20 carbs per day and for rid of all sugar!
In 6 months I lost 14% body fat and 22 pounds! Keto has become a lifestyle for me! I have told everyone I know about it! I’m wearing sizes I haven’t worn since high school. I feel like it’s easy to maintain.
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 weighing and measuring everything on a digital scale or using measuring cups/spoons. (At first I tried to just eyeball it and that wasn’t too efficient.) I used an app called Bulk Up to track my macros. I weighed myself only once a week and also took measurements around my hips, waist, thighs, bust and arms every other week. At the beginning, I also was eating too much protein until I started tracking my macros.
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 used to be scared to death of fat and avoided it at all costs. Now I totally embrace it with avocados, nuts, salad dressing, olives, butter, coconut oil, heavy cream, bacon, etc.
3. What is the best single piece of advice you can give to someone that is just starting out?
Keep it simple with eggs, bacon, avocado and coconut oil/butter as your first meal of the day when you are hungry. Measure and track everything. Don’t eat just because the clock says it’s a “mealtime.” If you aren’t hungry, don’t eat.
4. How do you feel your life is now that you’re at your goal?
It is totally wonderful! I’m wearing sizes I haven’t worn since I was 16! I sleep great, exercise more, and have tons of energy. I feel like I FINALLY found a lifestyle that WORKS for me and no longer have to search for the “perfect diet.” (Believe me, I’ve tried nearly all of them and always felt unsatisfied/deprived)! For the first time I feel satiated and content after a meal!!! (I used to order a salad with no dressing, no croutons and no cheese and then was frustrated that I was hungry an hour later). I will be keto as long as I live!!!!
5. What do you consider the biggest change in your day-to-day life?
I batch cook and meal prep so that at any given time I can easily grab a pre-portioned meal out of my fridge that is ready to go! I feel confident about my body for the first time in a LONG time! I no longer crave desserts like I used to!!!!!
6. What did you do to find support throughout your journey?
I listened to TONS of keto podcasts and read several keto books and got some keto cookbooks.
7. What do you currently do to manage your day-to-day diet?
I start my day with 24 oz. of water. I workout from 8:00-9:00, then eat my first meal of the day around 11:00. I stick as close as possible to my macro goals for each day. I eat my second meal of the day around 2:00. I eat my last meal of the day around 5:30 and then I don’t eat the rest of the night.
8. What is your favorite keto recipe from www.ruled.me that’s become a staple?
It’s hard to pick just one…toss up between Chicken Enchilada Soup and Salted Caramel Pork Rind Cereal
9. If there is one thing that you could do differently during your journey, what would it be and why?
I wish I would have started my keto journey in college instead of at age 39!!! But I had never heard of the ketogenic lifestyle until November of 2016. I wish I could get my parents to eat keto, but they are stuck in their old ways.
If you feel like anything is missing from your story, please make sure to add it in here – it can be as long or short as you like. I’ll piece together the story that was originally sent in with some of the questions and photos sent from this follow-up.
So many people have been asking what I’ve been doing to lose weight, get fit, etc. They can also see that I’m practically glowing with joy and excitement. I have been telling them all about keto! I try to share it with everyone because I think it could be so beneficial to everyone!!!! I even started to teach cooking classes that are keto because everyone was so curious on how to eat/cook ketogenically!! I try to show them that it’s actually simpler than they’d think. I have already inspired at least 10 people to eat keto and a few more to at least give up sugar or eat low carb.
