Ketoversary Reflections

#1

In the last 12 months, I have reduced my A1c from an 8.9 to a 4.7, improved my ‘high normal’ liver and kidney functions to ‘low normal’ and lost over 50lbs and most of my aches and pains are gone – all with Keto, no meds. I was thinking this morning about some of the little life lessons Keto has taught me over the last year. Originally, I was going to just keep this in my journal, but I thought I would (over)share.

  1. I am truly in charge. If I want to be healthier, eat healthier, feel better, I can – its up to me and no one can tell me ‘No’. I am in charge of what I think, what I eat, and if I want to find health with Keto/LC – I can, because its my life (insert Bon Jovi riff).
  2. The scale is not my friend, and I don’t need it to be. From an early age, I would weigh every morning and spend far too much energy over-analyzing the previous day’s food to figure out how I managed to lose or what made me gain. Fuck the scale. It is not my friend, and I don’t need it to be. I measure success by how I feel and how I look – and I can literally feel success in my bones as most of my aches and pains are gone!
  3. Opinions are like assholes – everyone has one and they all stink. Since adopting Keto, so many unhealthy, overweight people I know are now nutrition and diet experts too quick to share their (unwanted) opinions. I get in mind-numbing detail how I should be losing weight in a ‘healthier way’. While I do appreciate that they are concerned for my health, I would appreciate it more if they kept their opinions to themselves. I can’t help but think if their advice is so great, why aren’t they following it? And, if they are following it, can’t they see it is not working? I have learned to keep this and other opinions to myself, its much less stressful for everyone. If someone wants my opinion, I will share if asked.
  4. Some people can’t change because they don’t want to. When asked how I lost weight, I tell people I have adopted a Keto/LC lifestyle. While some have embraced and adopted the lifestyle with me, I usually hear ‘I can’t give up soda, pasta, beer, bread, sweets…whatever’. IMHO, they absolutely could give up any and all of those things if it was important enough and they truly wanted to. I have learned to smile, nod, eat another piece of bacon, and remember # 3 above and #5 below.
  5. I am not responsible for anyone but me. I spread the Good-Keto Word whenever I can and wherever it is welcome. If someone is truly interested, I am happy to share my experience, my limited knowledge and where to find more information. That is where my responsibility ends. Whether or not someone takes heed, does the research, or makes the change is out of my hands.

I want to thank Keto/LC for helping me regain my health and my life! I want to thank everyone in this community for sharing experiences, both good and bad. Every time anyone shares an experience, it gives us all an opportunity to learn from it. Sorry for being longwinded. KCKO!

#2

Excellent story, @jonesy! Congratulations on all the success, and here’s to continued success! :bacon:

This resonated with me. It’s mind boggling to me that the same people who give me a hard time about buttering my steak didn’t say a word when I ate an entire pizza, 3 Big Macs, or an entire bag of Twizzlers. Where were they then? It just goes to show how messed up the general worldview is when it comes to food and what’s healthy or advisable for us to eat.

Meh, KCKO, I say, and lead by example! :+1:

#3

Every new person should read this. Thank you for sharing.

#4

Congrats, congrats, excellent, awesome!

(Stickin' with mammoth) #5

Oh, come on, that one’s easy, it’s the old strength in numbers dodge. If you’re doing it with them, they don’t feel so guilty: “He’s one of us!”

We all want to be the smartest, best-looking, and richest one in the room but then nobody wants to hear our stories over lunch.

#6

Congratulation on your one year anniversary. That is truly awesome. You are absolutely right about focusing on your own journey. Here is to celebrating many more anniversaries in the years to come.

(Judi Campion) #7

Congratulations on your commitment to you. Some very good insights for me as a relative newbie, 3 months Keto and 5 months LC. I enjoyed reading your post.

(Randy) #8

Good thread OP.

Not “evangelizing” the keto WOE has been one of my biggest hurdles. It just turns people off. It’s hard though, because there are soooooooo many people in my life who should at least have this info.

Funny thing is that now that I’ve lost 80 lbs in 5 months (and my brother has reversed his T2 diabetes), people are now coming to me. :smile:

KCKO!

(Rita) #9

It makes so much sense that the best evangelizing you can do is to be successful in your own keto-way. If someone is curious why you look different , act different , are more healthy, tell them. Why didn’t I think of that?

(Doug) #10

Great post, Jonesy.

Liver and kidneys better, down 50 lbs., feeling better, A1C from 8.9 to 4.7. Righteous!

(Deb Casey) #11

Congratulations and thank you for the very inspirational story! I am on Day 6 of Keto and appreciate all the positive things everyone is sharing! :smile:

#12

It is life changing. Best of luck…next year we will celebrate our Ketoversary together!

(Deb Casey) #13

That would be nice. I hope I can do as well as you have with my lab tests…cholesterol, A1C, etc. I’ve been reading a lot and working on figuring out the right amount of fats, protein and carbs for me. We got back from vacation and I started Keto the next day. After 4 days I was back down 5 of the 8 pounds I gained on vacation…possibly a lot of water weight.

(Mel Soule) #14

Congratulations on a great year, attitude and life style. An inspiring story and mindset. There seems to be a consistent outcome for us all after reaching the tipping point that comes with being faithful to ourselves and ambitions. Thanks for posting here.

(Linda Bertolini) #15

Congrats on your keto anniversary. You have a great attitude!