Hey Keto Fam! As of yesterday I have been on keto for one month! I'm so happy with this way of eating, for the first time in my 33 years I feel like I have found something my body responds to that is not depressing to imagine doing for the rest of my life. Don't get me wrong, it started as a "I'll give this a week, then probably quit because it's going to suck" attitude, but by four days in I was blown away with how it made me feel (though I hadn't had any weight change at that point). One month in and here's why I'm sticking to it: •I feel more energetic and clear minded than I have in my adult life •weight loss of 11.9 lbs (221.7-209.8) •I can still enjoy so many delicious foods (the hardest number for me to hit is protein, I'm not very carnivorous) •I went from a 20 bridesmaid dress the last wedding I was in to just ordering a 14 (which I can fit into, but will look better come August) •I went from size 20 pants to 16 •It is pretty easy once you have the basics and I can tell what I'm doing wrong when I'm feeling off and quickly remedy it •mistakes only last about 24 hours before I'm back in ketosis, a week before my weight gets back on track •(miraculously) I don't miss bread and potatoes - and I was a big bread and potatoes person! Now opening a loaf for the kids or going past the enormous amounts of potatoes at Costco smells disgusting. What brought me to keto was my sister's 70lb weight loss over 5 months, going from sharing clothes with me to wearing sizes 6-8. I was a naysayer, not understanding how keto could be healthy or sustainable, but reading and my own experience has proven me wrong. I'm blessed that my two bff's are also starting keto. I use the Reddit keto as my primary guide, though I've done extensive reading everywhere, the IIFYM (if it fits your macros) and electrolyte information has suited my results well so far. This means I indulge in things like halo top or low carb tortillas for some of my meals, as long as it is within my macros for the day. After a week or so, my body naturally stopped wanting more than about 1300 calories so for now I'm eating in that range (I will most likely end up being at 1200 for maintenance once I find my goal weight, I am pretty short and that's a healthy range). I have primary hyperparathyroidism and secondary hypercalcemia, which has been affecting me for at least the last five years (probably much, much longer). This has caused awful symptoms including kidney stones, severe fatigue, aches and pains often mistaken by doctors for fibromyalgia, migraines, and brain fog that makes it difficult to think. Keto has given me mental clarity and energy that have made me more functional than I thought I could be. I will be having outpatient surgery to hopefully resolve the rest this year. I am excited to see what the next month brings, and where I land with my keto life. Keep calm and Keto on, friends!
