My journey started on October 28, 2018, when I decided to quit drinking. With quitting drinking, I knew I had to change my diet/fitness habits, so I dove in headfirst to a ketogenic lifestyle, mixed with a consistent workout routine. Granted to holidays were around, so there were some off days. I really went all-in on January 1st, 2019.
I weighed in at 205lbs, in October, I was about 210. The entire month of January, I was in the gym 6-7 days a week, plus every single meal was tracked, and Keto. I dropped about 18.5lbs that first month alone. Of course, there were some cheat days mixed in here or there, for special occasions. I would say I was about 90/10 with my eating. It’s not the first time I have done a Keto diet either, and that time I treated it as such, a diet. This time around I turned into a lifestyle for me. I’m proud to say not only am I 16 months sober, but I also lost over 40lbs last year and feel better than ever.
What I learned through this whole process is that if you take the time to really be consistent with you’re eating, and exercise plan, the sky is the limit. It was not easy, and some days I craved carbs, however, those urges subsided, and I was in the clear. If you’re just starting on a ketogenic lifestyle, treat it as such! There are going to be speed bumps, and you’re going to feel like nothing is happening. However, this is a marathon of life, not a sprint for a few months.
1. What tactics did you employ to help you get to your goal? What did you find helped you get to your goals best?
The tactics I used, especially in the beginning, was tracking every single thing I ate. I wasn’t so focused on caloric intake, but more on just hitting on my macros. As for what helped me get to my goals, adding in a consistent exercise routine definitely played a huge part.
2. What is the most impactful change you’ve made to your diet and why do you feel it’s been the most important?
The most impactful change I have made was changing my weekly meal prep up. In the beginning, I honestly ate the same things over and over. It got boring, but the results were showing. However, I knew if I wanted to be successful with Keto I HAD to branch out and try new recipes and just mixing things up.
3. What is the best single piece of advice you can give to someone that is just starting out?
Stick with it. I will be the first to say, it’s incredibly difficult to go from eating whatever you want to becoming fat adapted. However, consistency is key, and if you can break through the barrier of the first month, I honestly think you’ll be home free. Just don’t think of it as a diet, but think of it as a lifestyle. When I changed my mindset to thinking like that, it just became second nature.
4. How do you feel your life is now that you’re at your goal?
My life has drastically changed since I hit my goals. I feel amazing every single day, and it’s all thanks to my new way of living. Between being sober, my view on how I eat, and what I eat, as well as my focus on fitness. I honestly can say that, as I am turning 34 in two weeks, I have never felt better in my life.
Considering I played baseball my entire life, from little league to HS, and college, and recreationally up until two years ago, I’m in the best shape of my life. I am more present with my family, my job, and my relationships with family and friends. While it’s a day to day thing for me, this is my life now, and I am beyond grateful that I was able to overcome the obstacles that were put in my way.
5. What do you consider the biggest change in your day-to-day life?
I am more focused than ever. I have taken a renewed interest in education and learning new things every single day. I realized that in order for me to grow as an individual, I can never stop expanding my knowledge of information.
6. What did you do to find support throughout your journey?
The hardest part of this journey probably was that I drove my wife crazy in the beginning, probably still do haha. However, she supported me wholeheartedly from the very start and saw how it was helping me be a better person. I have an incredible support system behind me, and they’re all very proud of how hard I have worked to be the person that I am now.
7. What do you currently do to manage your day-to-day diet?
I make sure to just stay consistent. Which I’m sure you have noticed is a reoccurring theme here. However, consistency is what helps me stay on track. While I may enjoy a few more carb-loaded meals here and there from when I first started, I make sure to always get right back on track the following day. Hitting the gym, and using intermittent fasting on a regular basis really helps me stay focused, and keep my eye on the prize.
I am far from where I want to be, but I am way further ahead from when I first started. We all have one life to live, and how you think, and how you act, to what you put in your body, to how you take care of your body is up to you. So why not do everything that is in your power to make sure you go all in, and keep yourself at 100%.
8. What is your favorite keto recipe from www.ruled.me that’s become a staple?
Not your caveman’s chili. It was a staple of mine from the start and is still a favorite of mine. I basically made it every single week for the first few weeks. It’s that delicious! I have turned quite a few people on to the Keto lifestyle, and I always tell them about this recipe. Turns out they love it just as much as I do!
9. If there is one thing that you could do differently during your journey, what would it be and why?
I feel tracking my weight daily would be something I would change. I was obsessed with weighing myself every single day, and the number on the scale would dictate how I felt on that day. And I have come to realize, it’s just a number, and while that number may be a make it or break it factor for a lot of people. It does not represent who you are, or what you’re doing to change your life around.
That number is going to fluctuate, it’s inevitable, you’re going to gain, you’re going to lose, but do not allow it to control your mindset. Think about how you’re feeling overall, if you had an amazing workout, you got some awesome news about family or a new promotion at work. Because in the end, your mindset is what will help you accomplish whatever goals you want to achieve, you just need to apply yourself and stay on track with what you’re doing at that very second.
