Heeeyyyyy guys!! So today I wanted to share something super in detail and special with you. I know over on Instagram I talk about what I eat daily and that sort but today I wanted to go more into detail, and tell you exactly what I did to drop 40 lbs. This is going to be very open, and makes me vulnerable , but if I can help just one person, that makes me happy. Here is the 411.
-The Basics of Keto-
Most of you know that I eat a Keto (Ketogenic) lifestyle. What is Keto you ask? Eating a low carb, high fat, and moderate protein diet will put your body in a metabolic state called Ketosis where your body will start burning fat for fuel. Our whole lives we have been consuming carbohydrates and sugar like it's nobody's business, when you go Keto you run on healthy fats, and low sugar. Eating a Ketogenic lifestyle has been known to help you lose weight, help your hormones, help reduce symptoms of certain diseases, help with mental clarity, and help you to overall feel well.
Why I chose to do it-
I chose to try this way of eating because I was pretty fed up with the way I looked. Simple as that. Over the years I had put on quite a bit of weight, and I was just done. It stemmed from living at home, to moving out as a late teenager. I started eating the cheapest, most processed food, and also partying which involved good bits of alcohol. I went from being around 140 to 190 in only a year. When I got married, I was at my heaviest. I was so uncomfortable with the way I looked, but I continued to eat sugar. The candy, cakes, cookies, sugar loaded beverages, all the late night carbs, the over sodium filled foods. I guess I still hadn't 'had enough' because I like I said, I still ate that way.
It wasn't until about a year and a half into my marriage, I realized things were just 'off'. I was not only overweight, I was dealing with lots of acne, very irregular periods (2x a year-every 6 months), rapid growth of body hair, feeling shaky all the time if I had caffeine, and or little food. It was just a mess...I just knew my body was acting crazy. My friend told me about a hormonal balance she had, and it actually affected her in the same ways as me, and even her fertility. She thankfully was able to conceive her daughter still though. At that point, I kind of just knew. I knew what she had, is what I had. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Ahhh, I was disappointed, but for years I just knew something was off with my body. The 2x a year periods pretty much gave it away. I would hear "sometimes people are just irregular" and that's just what I always told myself as the years went by. As the years went by, I thought long and hard about what I wanted for my future. Did I want to continue on so miserable in my own body, not feeling good, lots of headaches, low blood sugar shakes, about to pass out if I don't eat ASAP, and not having a regular cycle...? I didn't. I was over it. I was over eating junk all day every day. I had heard Keto was great for people with PCOS because your body doesn't process all the carbohydrates and glucose like someone else who doesn't have a hormonal imbalance.
-How I did it-
Back in November 2017, I knew I had a big change to make. I did my research, and I decided I was going to change. I first started just reading the basic knowledge of Ketosis, it's effects, side effects, success/fails, etc. I knew it would be hard, but being overweight was hard. I started to watch Dr Berg on YouTube. He is so resourceful because he is actually a Dr, and practices the lifestyle himself. He tells you the medical science behind it, and how it affects your body. He also goes over lots of other things on his channel so even if Keto isn't for you, theres more things on his channel that you may like. Check him out! I also watched other YouTubers, and got a general sense of what I needed to do, and eat. I knew that with Christmas around the corner, my butt was going to truly enjoy the last hoorah and then start. That's exactly what I did.
December 27th 2017 I made a change that will forever impact my life, and future. Doesn't that sound so dramatic? Yeah, it does...but boy is it true. December 27th I started Keto. When I started, I was transitioning into that from eating absolutely TERRIBLE...so I suffered. When you start eating low carb, high fat your body is going to freak the F out hahaha. I mean...think of a drug addict who's been using for years, and then they just stop...what happens to them? Same thing for Keto starters. Let me preference and say the Keto Flu symptoms are not the real flu and you may not have severe symptoms. It just truly depends on the person. One is known to have headaches, nausea, sugar cravings, fatigue. Honestly it's not that bad, and can be totally fixable. Keto Flu is something that happens 2-5 days in as your body is burning through those stored triglycerides. Since you are no longer eating all the carbohydrates, your body is getting rid of all that water you were holding onto. You then start to expel water through urine, or other ways (TMI) so you are probably low on your electrolytes. Magnesium, Sodium, and Potassium are important components in the human body, and you need them. A good way to get those back in are eating good greens, and taking in supplements. When I first started, I didn't eat the cleanest way of Keto because I just didn't have the tastebuds for greens lol. I drank Powerade Zero to help with the electrolytes, and I also took a Magnesium pill. Sometimes, I truly felt like that wasn't enough but like I said I wasn't eating my greens.
Then I would have my bulletproof coffee (black coffee, coconut oil, heavy cream, stevia, and SF syrup) It's a lot...but coffee is my thing so I make it good. I still drink this same coffee. Sometimes instead of the SF syrup and heavy cream, I'll use a SF creamer but they don't have the best macros. Back then I would eat lots of eggs, and bacon, and then keto pancakes for breakfast. For lunch, I would just had a lettuce wrap or a salad with romaine, cheese, and ranch. My dinners were pretty much 'ketofied' while I got used to stuff. I'm not saying this kind of stuff is bad every now and again, BUT what I am saying is that I think people get misconstrued about Keto, and think it's just all fat. I would eat chili cheese dog casserole, burgers no bun, tacos, pizza, chicken parmesan, etc. A lot of the stuff I was eating before, I made it keto appropriate. That is so fine, but I just didn't eat many vegetables. I was eating pretty 'dirty keto'. I still however, lost weight. From December to about March I lost about 20 lbs. I probably could have lost more had I been more strict and ate less processed fat.
Anyway, I was tracking my macros for the first week, and I recommend that you do. You really need to get the feel for it, and it teaches you to really pay attention to what you're putting in your body. Before I did keto, I would get any normal pasta sauce. I wouldn't look at the nutritional value but you don't think they are too bad right? Well, look at one now and tell me how many sugars it has per serving? Also add on any added sugars lol! It's pretty crazy. On Keto, there's a lot you can't have but I honestly try not to think of the negatives because then I think when you have a negative association to it, you resent it and aren't motivated anymore...then quit. Once I got a feel for things I can and can't ate I started doing 'lazy' or 'dirty' keto. Which means, I don't track macros and I pretty much just go with the flow.
-Is Keto Expensive?-
It can be. In the beginning I thought I had to have this this and this. A lot of those 'keto products' you honestly don't need. If you're not on budget to have extras, don't get them. You don't need adkins stuff, you don't need exogenous ketones, you don't need keto meal. At first I would get the adkins stuff like the bars or treats, but they honestly just make your cravings worse, upset your stomach, and they are so expensive. So, as far as groceries I recommend you don't over buy. Buy the things you need, but don't buy a bunch of junk or snack foods that you truly don't need. When I first started, I would buy all the things that were keto approved just incase I was going to die of starvation lol. As of right now, what we buy we are spending less than what we used to when we both(hubs and I) ate carbs.
-What I'm eating now-
So the big difference from what I'm eating now vs then is that I'm eating more simple. Every now and again I like to spice up our dinner, and make something more fun...but for the most part, I am keeping it super simple. Not only am I keeping it simple, but I am eating way more green things. Before, I was just eating salad with romaine or iceberg, the occasional green beans, and that's about it. As of right now, I eat broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, zucchini, spring mix, Brussel sprouts, cabbage etc. I am just trying to eat way more veggies, and eat simple. I never have been a big vegetable eater, but now I honestly don't mind it. I feel good about it so I will continue lol. Earlier I was saying I think people misconstrue keto and some don't eat veggies, but in general health I think it is important to get them in!
Throughout all of this up to now, I've been able to lose in total 40 lbs. I feel really proud of myself because I have never been able to stick with lifestyles. I honestly have taken breaks from keto, and sometimes I just need to. I always try to be honest with you guys because I never want to be fake. I am human, and sometimes I just need a little treat but I have found to honestly love keto. It makes me feel so good. I don't get those crazy shakes which is a big win for me. That feeling is not fun, and I don't feel like I have to run and eat before I pass out. I have also been able to get a regular cycle, which is huge. I never in my life had one, until April 2018. I'm coming up on one year of having a regular cycle. I think that is super important, and I'm trying to be the healthiest I can be so I will be able to have children. That is a major factor in the choices I make daily, and I couldn't imagine throwing away all the good I've done for some french fries. Of course I'd love to still lose 10-15 more lbs, but, it's not just about the weight anymore. It's about my health, it's about feeling good, and looking good too. I don't work out at all, and really never have stuck with it. I want to, but I can just never find my groove. What I enjoy is walking, and running. A lot of people don't enjoy that, but I do. I love it, and it's like therapy to me. I used to walk around the neighborhood or run back in the day with music blaring and it's just so refreshing for me. I want to be someone who's at the gym lifting weights but right now, I don't. My weightless is from keto alone, and that is HUGE. I know this is a lot to read, and I've gone over a lot of stuff on my Instagram, but I wanted to go deeper, and truly explain why I do what I do. When I first started, people thought I was insane. They said just eat stuff in moderation, or fat isn't good for me. I am living proof that this way is an option, and that it does work. I love this way of eating and I definitely don't mind speaking about it. It has truly changed my life, and help me get my confidence back.
-My advice for you-
If you're someone who's on the fence about this, I recommend you to do your research. The more you know, the better. Ask yourself are you willing to give up most carbs for this way of eating? This way of eating isn't for the weak, but we can do anything we put our mind to. Don't overcomplicate it like I said earlier. You don't need all those extra things. Just be informed of what you can and can't eat, and go from there. Keep it simple. Know that the stuff you're going to feel in the first week won't last. That's it! I tried to go over a lot to help you guys as much as possible. I hope I answered some questions you may have, or have made you feel a little better about how I do things. If you ever need advice or meal ideas please DM me, or check out my Keto highlight tab on my feed! I try to add my meals frequently.
Thank you for reading, I appreciate your support!
XOXO The Evryday Girl
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