I’m still pretty new to Keto and can’t even say I’m 100% Keto. But I cut out sugar, milk, dairy ice cream and most processed foods in stages over the last few years. Each was out of necessity at the time. I would end each day doubled over in pain, feeling like a balloon was about to burst at any moment in my stomach. I was completely addicted to sugar and would binge eat it on a regular basis. Severely hypoglycemic. Yo-yo dieter since I was 15 (now 38), constantly thought about sugar. I was so gassy and it would smell so horrible that my kids were embarrassed of me. Now I almost never have stomach pain, can’t remember the last time I farted, and don’t even care about sugar. My hypoglycemia had virtually disappeared and it’s been forever since I binge ate.
Since going Keto, I did discover the sugar alternatives and have been indulging too much on them, but it had been almost 2 years since I touched anything sweet. I find my hypoglycemia returning and instead of eating whatever sugar laden food I see, I look to find or recreate a Keto version of it. I am planning to cut it all back out of my diet and return to a sweetener free lifestyle, but not today lol. I have a freezer full of fat bombs and Keto Cheesecake to make it through. At least now, I eat one of something instead of a whole batch, so I can handle that. I will eventually cut it all again. I still have goals I want to achieve. I’m 10 lbs from my happy weight, but it would amazing if I could lose more than that. I made it to my happy weight for a hot minute when I was in my early 30’s, before self destructing as I’ve always done. I also used to exercise an hour a day and now I’m lucky to get in 2 minutes, so I really want to find the time to exercise again. That will solve the rest of my health issues, I hope.
How has keto changed your life?
Pre-keto I thought I was all that for simply not having a sweet tooth. Keto taught me what a carb was. Too soon to find out, but hopefully Keto has lowered by triglycerides.
It used to be down here, too. No idea now, I haven’t been in one for maybe a decade or so.
Since going keto I’ve lost 60 pounds, lost my need to eat sugary foods, I echo so many of the things I read on here about my joint pain is gone, my cravings are gone, I can bend over easily, I have more energy.
I love that the sugary treats that are ubiquitous where I work, or really everywhere, are no longer a temptation. I just don’t care. To me that is huge!
And I’ve reached my weightloss goal! I’m at my young adult weight again at 53. I believe as long as I keep eating this way I will keep it off too.
Keto has reduced my wrist pain by 80%, given me control over my appetite, and most importantly (to me) just about gotten rid of my stretch Marks.
I was introduced to Keto about five years ago by a friend- she sent me links to articles written by Dr. Fung. I largely ignored her, as I was focused on other things. I don’t even think I read those early articles. Then in 2017 my younger, smaller sister was diagnosed with T2 and I knew the dreaded family disease had finally come to claim my generation.
In October of 2017 I started dabbling with Keto- but honestly I was pretty confused and hadn’t found a community to help me sort the useful from the rubbish. Then the holidays came, so you can all imagine.
In January of 2018 I read The Obesity Code & The Complete Guide to Fasting. I read parts of those books again and again- the information was nothing short of an awakening. They gave me so much understanding and confidence and HOPE. So on February 1st my real transformation began. I consider this to be my “start date”. I’m almost nine months in. I feel like it’s been years and I can’t imagine going back.
I should mention that the first thing I had to change was my mind. I’ve always been a quick study. I understand concepts and apply them fairly easily. But this was hard. Every aspect of it was hard and I realized through this transition that I wasn’t simply good at everything I put my mind to, but rather I was prone to throw in the towel on things that pushed me too hard. Through a haze of Keto flu and stupid cravings, I set my jaw and said, “not this time”. I dug into this thing like my life depended on it. Because it literally did. I had no idea then just how much. No idea.
And just when I had begun to start feeling really isolated and lonely despite the positive health results, I found this forum. I’m only a sometimes contributor- but I’m a daily reader. This forum has given me a community, helped me find solutions and pushed me to keep learning and discovering and troubleshooting. I’m staring at my phone screen trying to find the words about that. But I’m not sure how to fully articulate my feelings of gratitude. So I’ll leave it there. Here are my results this far, after almost 9 months:
-Blood pressure stabilized- no more medication
-Debilitating pain and hemorrhaging from PCOS is gone
-Depression and anxiety totally managed, without medications
-Sleep regulated with no incidents of insomnia
-Muscle and joint pain diminished
-Mental clarity and cognition increased dramatically
Those are things I wasn’t expecting and frankly, if I didn’t lose one damn pound, all that is enough to make me keto for life. But I did lose 1 damn pound. 74 pounds to be exact. I’m also not at risk of T2, which was the reason I started this whole thing in the first place.
My weight loss has slowed down. I’ve got another 45-50 pounds to go and they’re coming off one at a time now, rather than by the tens. I’m good with it. I’m good with everything.
So, I do the IDMProgram, with IF and TRF (Time Restricted Feeding). So I have 30-60 minutes to consume a meal, and that is it.
It is SOOO MUCH easier to not eat, than to CONTROL the exact portions I eat. Like @tdean, though, I have to be careful. I can easily eat TOO much in a meal, even with fat. So most eating days are ONE meal.
My family is supportive, so on vacation with family, I ate 4 times for 8 days! (I had a breakfast, I would normally eat 3 times in a week: MWF)…
But all of these restrictions are AWESOME for me. “Ooooh, cookies… Too bad it’s not an eating window!”
If I really want some. I can package them up, and take them with me, and have them AFTER my next meal is gone. Which is typically like waiting 24+ hrs… LOL. they will end up in the trash before that meal ever comes.
I FINALLY have CONTROL. And I know I will lose the last 40lbs to make my target weight (which will be 117lbs lost)…
- Shopping - mainly, only having to walk down the meat and dairy aisles of the supermarket; knowing that processed foods are sold with low fat and/or added rubbish and so are not worth wasting time over; no wasted time in the f&v aisle as I don’t have to decide between apples or pears, and veg is simple - green leaves, shallots, mushrooms and cucumber. I probably take only 10% of the time shopping for food than pre-keto. (& I eat better)
- Cooking - no pfaffing, fewer courses, and so less time involved in preparation, etc, etc, etc (& I eat better)
- My mind - less emotional volatility, sharper and clearer, no need for day-time naps, better sleep.
- My body - stronger; smaller; less noticeable - I can live in it and do things without it reminding me to take care.
Simply, a new lease of life, more time, and more energy.
Cheers to retirement savings! What an amazing feeling it must be to have the confidence to start making exiting life changes due to Keto.
For me the mental clarity is absolutely amazing. Keto has changed my life. Many thanks to Karl and Richard! It effects so many facets of life. The confidence to know I will likely not suffer from dementia or have a heart attack at 45. That feeling is priceless.
I try to kindly share as much information as I can as much as I can. Let’s all go out and save some lives.
Keto 4 Life!!!
Smart move! Live a long and healthy life. My Keto life has given me a confidence I never had before. It has provided a reason to acquire a whole new wardrobe. For the first time since my late teens I am at a normal weight and BMI. I am pushing 80 and feeling/looking fantastic.
No I haven’t yet Carl but its on my todo list, just waiting to get down to goal weight before I try a lot of those Keto recipes out.
How has keto changed my life? It reversed my early signs of diabetes, it got me to a healthy weight and I have more energy and mental clarity. 
I’m only 3 months in but I’ve noticed the following:
—weight loss 34+# so far
—reduction in DM & HTN meds
—increased energy
—sleeping through the night instead insomnia
—a more positive outlook instead of depression
—I have HOPE for the 1st time in a long time!
Hope that I can get down to a normal size, hope that I can get off all meds, hope that I can regain my physical strength & get back to the exercise and activities that I used to enjoy. Definitely looking forward to the future! 