Today I want to take some time to share my story and tell you why I am Deciding To Live The Ketogenic Lifestyle.
My First Weight Loss Experience:
Since my first major weight loss experience, I have loved learning about the human body.
When I lost weight after gaining 50lbs with my first two children, in my mind I had done the unimaginable.
I never believed I would lose the weight, and thought I was destined to be overweight for the rest of my life.
I made a lot of unhealthy choices during my pregnancy, but my weight loss experience changed my thinking about food and exercise.
When I was overweight, I was miserable and hopeless, and the articles and books I was reading weren't helping me any.
I remember reading a book about post-pregnancy and the body. It explained that after having a baby, you could kiss your body goodbye.
I believed it, but I never accepted it with open arms. It wasn't until I started to understand why I ate the way I did, and how exercise (specifically weight lifting) changes your body that I saw a light at the end of the tunnel.
My Divorce Weight Loss:
Like any person who chooses to make changes in their life, I have had some ups and downs with my eating habits and my workout routines.
When I got divorced, I lost even more weight (due to stress), but I also started working out in ways I never had before.
I started weightlifting and training for my first fitness competition, and I was addicted.
Working out was like breathing for me but I still indulged (often overindulged in foods like cupcakes, ice cream, and fast food).
The fat just wouldn't come off and I couldn't understand why. Sure, I was slimmer and more muscular, but there was some fat that just wouldn't melt.
Deciding To Live The Ketogenic Lifestyle: My Remarriage Weight Gain
In February of last year, I remarried my ex-husband, and the weight started to creep back on.
At first, I was fine because I still worked out, though not nearly as much. What changed the most was my eating habits.
When I lived alone, I ate what I wanted, and other than the foods I mentioned above, the meals I cooked at home were pretty healthy.
Being back in the house with my carb-loading, southern food-eating, and husband proved to be a struggle for me.
I eventually found myself eating a pint of ice cream every day the week before shark week, and guzzling Diet Dr. Pepper like they were about to retire it.
I went from weighing 113 to weighing 121. Sure, not that big of a difference, but I was miserable.
With the start of the new year, I planned to make some much-needed changes. I knew what I needed to do, but I didn't want to do it.
I was happy with what I was eating but unhappy with the aftermath of my binges. So a few weeks ago I started digging back into my research.
After re-learning what I already knew, it confirmed in my mind that it was time to take the plunge.
Deciding to live the ketogenic lifestyle was a no-brainer but could I do it? That was the question.
Deciding To Live The Ketogenic Lifestyle: The Beginning Of The End
I started living the Ketogenic Lifestyle at the beginning of 2015 and other than a few learning curves I have been in ketosis ever since.
I wouldn't change a thing. This is the first time in my life I have been able to not only abstain from foods that I knew weren't healthy but had no desire whatsoever to eat said foods.
Sure every once in a while I will get a whiff of bread from Texas Road House or a strawberry wedding cake and think it smells delicious but it passes just as quickly as it comes, and I carry on with my day.
My goal now is to continue trying delicious new ketogenic diet recipes, continue weight lifting five days a week, and just enjoy each day as it comes.
I have no idea what the future holds, but I know I enjoy the days more when I am happy with my body.
I don't want to be a supermodel or even a fitness model, but I do want to love my body and take care of it.
Are you wondering what it's like when you first start the keto diet? You can read my weekly experiences here:
You can read my weekly updates and learn more about the changes I've made and the results I've experienced using the links below.
Weekly Experiences:
Check It Out: Keto Diet Week 1 4.8lbs Lost (mostly water weight) - End Weight 116.2
Then Read: Keto Diet Week 2 3.2 lbs Lost (Fat) - End Weight 113 & 3 inches down
Finally, Read This: Keto Diet Week 32.6lbs Lost (Fat) - End Weight 110.4 & 4 inches down
Update October 2016: I wanted to share a quick update for anyone who may land on this page. I now weigh 111, and deciding to live the ketogenic lifestyle was the best decision I could have made for my health!
I can not imagine living a life where carbs or sugar rule over me.
Do I have the occasional slice of pizza or ice cream from time to time?
Yep! It's usually to celebrate one of the kiddo's birthdays, but I wouldn't change a thing! This lifestyle is perfect for me, and I feel amazing!
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