A place for Mommas to learn, share, grow, and vent.
Part I of an ongoing series of posts discussing my journey with keto.
This is my challenge to myself.
This Momma needs to get herself back on track. Now!!!
I was always heavy … fat. I made unhealthy food choices, ate too much, and simply plugged along … hating how I looked. I tried numerous diets but always felt deprived. I’d lose a bit of weight and then fall back into old habits. In April of 2020, while wandering through Costco, I saw a book on keto. I’d heard a bit about it, but not enough to understand it. I bought the book and my life changed.
I didn’t embark on keto right away. I spent time reading and digesting (pardon the pun) the book; reading parts over and over again. I did tons of additional research.
On June 08, 2020, I officially embarked on the keto lifestyle. Within 6 months, I had dropped a total of 40 lbs. (My first 30 lbs fell off quickly; just under 3 months). In all honesty, it was easy. Yes, I fell off the wagon a number of times. But, unlike my past experiences, I didn’t beat myself up and feel like a failure. I just got myself back on track.
Toward the end of 2020, I hit a plateau and was frustrated that the weight loss was stalling. I looked for help.
When I hit my first stall/plateau, I joined a challenge group. This group promised an abundance of information, tips & tricks, and motivation. It failed to deliver on its promises.
Around this same time, I took a course and earned an internationally accredited diploma as a Keto Dietary Advisor/Coach.
Armed with my new knowledge, and combining it with all that I had researched and learned since starting my own keto journey, I decided to create my own keto challenge group – for myself and for others. Voila …
I ran my first challenge in March of 2021 with a small test group. Each week, I released information and provided a structured outline of ‘how’ to eat for that week. The feedback was amazing!
If only I had done the 10 Week Keto Challenge with my test group. I got cocky. I had lost 40 lbs and was 10 lbs away from my goal weight. A weight that I hadn’t seen in …. forever!
I shifted between dirty and lazy keto and, in doing so, completely messed myself up. Regular ‘cheat’ days became a thing. One day would turn into 2. 2 would turn into 3. 3 into 4. You see how that goes.
After doing consecutive ‘cheat’ (okay, binge) days, I’d experience incredible guilt. I knew that I was putting the weight back on. But, I refused to acknowledge this. Instead, I’d just get back into a keto mindset.
I’d do strict keto for 3-4 days and then fall off again. Each time vowing that this was it. I was going to get back on track!
15 lbs heavier, I approached Christmas of 2021 with the mindset that I would not feel guilty about going off of keto for the holidays. I decided that I would ‘eat like the masses’ from December 24-26. I would be an active participant in my family’s annual Christmas Eve tradition. I would eat that roasted hotdog …. WITH A BUN!! I would add Bailey’s to my hot chocolate.
I always make spinach loaf, surprise spread and shrimp cocktail at Christmas. Last Christmas (when I was full-on, no-cheating-allowed keto, I ate all of these appetizers …. without the bread and crackers. Not this year! I decided that I would enjoy the bread and crackers too. And then once Boxing Day was over, so were my cheating ways!
The 26th of December became the 27th. Before I knew it, we were at January 02. I was slated to return to work on January 03. That would be the day!!! When I’m out of the house and working, it is w-a-y easier for me to stick to keto.
Right before I was slated to return to work (I’m an Assistant Principal) the government announced that our Christmas break was being extended by a week – due to skyrocketing covid cases. So, my January 03 return-to-keto date became January 10.
Did I stick to my plan? Did I get back on the keto wagon on January 10??? Yup! I sure did! Until January 14. Sigh. We went out for dinner that night. I caved. I ordered veal cutlets. It came with mashed potatoes and gravy. I ate it. But, I didn’t enjoy it. Not only was it actually a pretty bad meal, it was the guilt – the I AM SO WEAK thoughts that prevented me from enjoying it.
Saturday came and I thought, “This is the day.” It wasn’t. We ordered pizza for supper. I do love Red Swan keto pizza. Did I order from there? No. The weather was awful. It was freezing outside. I didn’t want to drive to pick the pizza up. We were ordering in. I’m cheap. I didn’t want to pay for 2 pizza deliveries; mine and the pizza for the rest of the family. So, I opted to say ‘screw it’ and I ate non-Keto pizza. Another failure.
I’m now 2 days back on the keto wagon. 2. Only 2. But, you have to start somewhere, right???
1 day at a time. That’s how I’m operating.
My intent is to update my journey every month or so. So, for now – this is it. June 2020 – January 2022 in a nutshell.
I know that moving forward, I need to do a few things:
If you’d like to receive a quick message to let you know when I post Part II, please complete the form below. Also, please know that I will only use your email for this purpose; to let you know that Part II has been posted.
Until then … stay strong Mommas! We got this!!!
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