I used to body build in my early twenties, but when I stopped I gained a tremendous amount of weight due to poor diet and inactivity. For years I was just gaining until I got to a astounding 257 for my 5’8″ tall body, which was grossly overweight. After four years I began Brazilian jiu-jitsu (8 years ago), and changed my diet and immediately lost weight. Once my body settled into activity again, the poor diet messed me up once more and for the past 7.5 yrs, I was an accordion of weight loss and gain. Up/down/up/down and so on, until I met someone who turned me on to low-carb. I began my low-carb journey in October of 2016 at 226 pounds. Today I weigh 174 pounds! I’ve lost 52 pounds taking only one carb day a week.
This is the most sustainable diet. I am hesitant to use the word diet because this isn’t a diet, it is a way of life and I certainly don’t feel like I am dieting. If I am hungry I eat. Low-carb is amazing and my life as an accordion is over! I still need to lose about 5% body fat. Who knows, maybe one day I will end up on a body building stage once more! My life has changed for the better, I feel good, I look good, and most importantly I have great energy!
In what aspects have your life changed since going keto?
I have been much more free with my life activities, exercising is easier, joints hurt less, energy level is way better, and having shed so much weight, I just generally feel good. Way more confidence too.
What is your favorite recipe from Ruled.me?
Big fan of the bacon cheeseburger casserole!
What is your favorite ingredient to use when making ketogenic recipes?
I wouldn’t say I have a favorite ingredient, but I will say I am a red meat guy!
What is/was your motivation to keep on track?
Well in the beginning my motivation was that I got plantar facilities and could barely walk first thing in the morning. At the end of day my joints hurt and I just didn’t feel comfortable in my skin, so I set out to stop the pain associated with being heavy. My motivation now, is how I look and feel. Also doesn’t hurt to look at some of these old pics and think, “Who is that guy?! Never gonna be him again!”
Did you ever encounter a stall? If so, how did you get over it?
I have encountered a stall here and there. I have used intermittent fasting to break the plateau. Also I have gone off keto for a week at a time if my weight loss slows to a crawl. The occasional carb day helps keep my metabolism fired up.
What piece of advice would you offer to people that are just starting out on keto?
It is a marathon and not a race, you absolutely have to get through the first two weeks, you will be tired, it will be hard, but after that, you will love it! I would also say, best to think of it as your diet, not a diet.
What did you personally do in your first two weeks of keto?
Really, I just looked up a bunch of recipes. I had meats and cheeses on hand, and researched where I could eat keto on the go. If you fail to plan then you plan to fail!
43 years old, 327 lbs, and DESPERATE to find something that will help me get back to my adult low weight of 210 (I’m 6′ tall, and built like a linebacker, so that’s low for me). I have two under-4 kids, and I want to be around for them. The ONLY diet that ever worked for me was the Atkins diet, which I stayed on for 4 years (that was when I got to my low weight). It was easy, because I was able to eat nearly all of the things I like anyway. I’m not really a candy/sweets/dessert guy. I love meat, cheese, nuts, most vegetables, Chinese and Mexican food – all very low-carb friendly, if you’re careful. But my life changed, and I went off the diet and now, years later, here I am, very much in the same boat you were in. Keto sounds like it’d be as easy to maintain as Atkins, but with quicker results. I’m going to try it. Fingers crossed!
I wish you so much success Glenn! Atkins was the first low carb diet I ever attempted as well. If you need any help please let us know. We also have a meal plan for getting started:
https://www.ruled.me/30-day…
It’s a pay what you want kinda thing. 🙂
Thank you, Laura. I started keto on Saturday. I am amazed at how quickly my body went into keto. I tested first thing Sunday morning, and was showing light signs. This morning (Monday), I again checked first thing, and I’m in full-blown ketosis. I knew on Sunday that I was in ketosis because I could feel the change in my body – slightly elevated body temperature, mild sweating, STUPID amounts of energy, sharpening of mental functions – I slept like a rock last night, and practically leaped out of bed this morning. Feels great!
I am sort of doing intermittent fasting; I say “sort of” because I do have keto-proof coffee in the morning (it’s surprisingly good). But other than that, I go from the time I wake up to 2:00 without eating, then do all of my eating between 2 and 7 pm. I am amazed at how little of a lifestyle adjustment this diet requires of me. I know that won’t be the same for everyone, but I basically live on meat and vegetables anyway. All I’ve really had to get rid of is bread, pasta, and rice, and I didn’t eat a lot of those things, anyway. My wife thought I was going to have to buy a whole bunch of crazy diet food, but she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that the only thing I had to buy that I wouldn’t normally buy anyway was almond flour (which is kind of expensive). It seems that it’s really just all about small adjustments.
Thank you for the 30-day meal plan. I’m definitely going to put it to good use. I’ve been looking over the site and there seem to be a lot of easy and quick recipes that look really delicious, so I’m going to be trying them. I’m particularly excited about the chicken recipe with the zucchini noodles (can’t remember what it’s called, but it looks great) and the fathead pizza crust.
My plan right now is to stay on keto for 3 months and then evaluate my success at the end of that time. Assuming I like the results, I’ll cycle over to Atkins for a month so that I can do some cardio and light weight-lifting (I’d like to get some of my muscles back), and then back on keto. Rinse and repeat. I need to drop about 125 lbs, so I’ll need some muscle to help me reach my goal.
Eating fat to get thin. Gotta tell you, I laugh every time I think about it. But honestly, for the first time in a long time, I think I can actually do it.
yeah that stuff is expensive, about ten bucks, I just stock up, like I am shopping at sam’s or something, but as you already know it’s worth it. lol
I downloaded guide for 0. I’m a little broke right now. Have bought alot of keto food lol. I’m seeing the benefits and I’m going to be donating probably more than once lol. This is a awsome thing you all are sharing and the man upstairs wink will surally bless yall.
Thanks so much, Rob J. The man upstairs will surely bless you as well!
I have been doing Keto for 6 days now. I’m feeling great most of the time, a hour or so a day I feel like I have the flu with mild nausea and dizziness. I’ve urine tested between 4 and 16 almost every day for the last 4 days. I love how sustainable the keto diet is for someone who loves meat, nuts, and salads.
I am a 44 year old female who weighed 380lbs at my highest about 9 years ago. I worked out hard and followed a low carb (but not keto) diet for a year and lost to 230lbs. Then like everyone, life changed. I was finally comfortable enough in my own skin to walk away from an abusive relationship and learn how to be a single mom. My eating changed as I took on 3 jobs to make ends meet. Sometimes we lived on popcorn for months at a time because I refused to ask the government for help or get into another relationship. Anyway, I ballooned to 270lbs. It could have been far worse, but I fought every day to do some type of activity.
Keto is giving me hope again. I have already lost 13lbs. Just in 6 days! I know it is water weight, but I have hope. Hope is one of the strongest weapons you can have when you make a lifestyle change. I came to this page hoping to see that others have found this a lifestyle choice not just a diet.
I am working on my blue belt in Jiu-jitsu so to also see a story from someone who understands the difficulty of this sport and uses keto is exactly the inspiration I need to keep pushing through the first 2 weeks. I am noticing more energy on the mats. I was just worried about long term and if it improved stamina. Fighting all out for 5-8 minutes is tough. Blue belt testing all out for 30 minutes is a killer. So tahnks for posting your story!
I found that pickle juice or a product. Called “no salt” makes the flu/headaches go away fast 10min. Love your story! I’ve been on similar “lifestyle” 2 weeks. So far 11lbs, I’m 6’2 245, looks like I’m prego though. There’s a lady at my church that has lost 60lbs and lovin life. She says also mind is more clear and lots of energy. I’m already experiencing the same. Also you can get keto strips at walmart. “Ketone steips” they will tell you your body is in ketosis “burning fat fast”, again keep hope/faith. This is the diet/ “life style” that works. It seems this website has all the answers too.
God Bless
Rob J
Mississippi
You gave me a great idea to get a before picture at the fort 🙂 Congrats..you look very healthy and happy!