Ketogenic Diet Weight Loss Before And After Photos That Will Inspire You Big Time

Full disclosure: My passion in life is not flashing my 148-pound weight loss photos. No sane 45-year-old woman meets and greets perfect strangers with a hot hello and an absolutely horrid photo of herself with six chins. Yet, here we are because you know what? I don’t mind public humiliation if it means giving you a little inspiration that a mom of three can lose weight and reinvent her life after the ripe old age of 40.

The truth is, if I can do it, anyone can. If you’ve been struggling with your weight or health or facing yourself in the mirror, take my hand and let me walk you through my weight loss step by step.

So it all started on the evening of July 3, 1975, when a certain doctor did not want to work on Independence Day. Wait, that was my birthday. The thing is, I never had a weight issue until I began hosting little people inside my body – which is my way of saying with child.

You see, I was a smoker -and yes, I knew it wasn’t healthy, but I was willing to roll the dice when it was only my health at stake. But the moment I found out I was pregnant. I quit cold turkey and picked up eating like it was my job. After three rounds of kids, I found myself in a size 18 dress situation and a health crisis.

After a series of unfortunate events, including being called fat by one of my daughter’s friends, realizing I was becoming a shut-in due to my weight and depression, I decided to try a low carb, keto diet – something that I didn’t believe in at first because it went against everything I thought I knew about eating.

It appealed to me because I loved food, and I refused to starve myself again – I had been there, done that back in my college years.
I saw results immediately, and once I gained momentum, there was no stopping me.

First, A Little Keto Diet 101

The ketogenic (keto) diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that helps you lose weight by dramatically reducing carbohydrates. Your body becomes fat-fueled, instead of carb or sugar-fueled – via the metabolic state known as ketosis.

The keto diet has been around since the 1920’s when a physician-developed it for patients with epilepsy. 

In addition to weight loss, following a low-carb, keto diet reduces cardiovascular disease factors (diabetes, heart disease, stroke).

Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, I’m here to tell you that a low-carb diet is legit. Going keto helped my depression, helped balance my hormones, stabilized my out-of-control migraines, and cleared up my skin. 

Big bonus? I never felt like I was depriving myself – or starving. 

How Long Does It Take To See Results On Keto?

You will see results within the first week if you are diligent about sticking to your macros, but I’ll go ahead and tell you that most of the weight you’ll lose will be water weight.

Depending on where you are now, you could be looking at losing anywhere from 2 to 10 pounds.

I lost ten my first week, and I’ll tell you I did not give a hot damn that it was water weight.

To me, it was progress, and that loss motivated me to stick with it.

How Much Weight Can I Lose In A Month With Keto?

I cannot give you an honest answer here because there are so many variables: are you a man or a woman? (Men tend to lose weight faster than we do, and no, it isn’t fair, but it’s the truth.)
How much weight do you have to lose?
What is your activity level?
How old are you?
I could go on, but I think you get my point.
But since you asked, typically, you can expect to lose around ten the first week, followed by a steady loss of 2-3 pounds per week moving forward.

How Long Did It Take Me To Lose 148 Pounds?

It took about a year to lose the first 75 pounds.

I found that once I gained momentum, it became easier to make healthier choices.

If you do the keto diet, once your body enters ketosis, it’s pretty much unstoppable.

How Much Did I Exercise?

At first, I did not do much exercise at all, because I was physically unable and I’ll admit:

I was embarrassed to be seen at the gym.

Yes. I’m vain.

It’s not one of my best qualities, but hey, I own it.

I gradually built my stamina by walking a little each day.

That turned into what I call a “slight” jog – a walk-run – recover – walk-run – type of exercise.

Then I joined the gym and became slightly addicted to exercise.

Now I workout at home because it suits my schedule.

I love Tae-bo, which is like kick-boxing. I love the Billy Blanks workouts because he’s motivating and upbeat, and I never get bored.

I also enjoy doing The Fitness Marshall hip hop dance workouts (he’s on YouTube, and they’re free:))

*Update: I’ve started doing yoga on the regular – and I love it. Honestly, I should’ve tried it sooner.

Then I joined the gym and became slightly addicted to exercise.

Recently I was featured on FiTONIC, and they referred to me as an athlete. So, now when I think of skipping a workout or making an excuse to be lazy, I think of that and the next thing I know I’m changing into workout clothes.

What Happens If You Cheat On Keto?

You go to keto jail, and people make memes about you.

I am just kidding.

Look, it will probably happen, and if it does, you need to get over any guilt you may be feeling and jump back on the keto train.

Did I Have Cheat Days?

I never plan to “cheat” on my diet.

I also hate the negative connotations of qualifying foods as “cheat foods,” “guilty-pleasures,” and the word “diet” makes me want to vomit – yet here we are.

I do know people who do keto-style dieting Monday – Friday and take a more relaxed approach on the weekends.

Think-pizza, ice cream, whathaveyou.

And if that’s working for them, then fabulous.

But to me, that’s a little out of control and a lot like binge eating.

But back to the question-

Yes, I’ve had my moments. I’m human!

If somebody tells you they’ve never strayed from a diet & follow it correctly every day, they are lying! Run – walk-jog away from them:)

The most important thing is not to let one moment of weakness allow you to talk or shame yourself out of your resolve.

Like, oh well, I blew it today by eating this slice of pizza, let me eat a gallon of ice cream, and punish myself for what I’ve done!

Do you know what would be fabulous? Just stop shaming yourself altogether! 

If I Do Keto, Are Carbs Out Of My Life Forever?

No.

Look, the ketogenic diet is super strict, and that makes it hard to follow long-term.

Here’s the way I see it, the keto diet is a fabulous way to get to your goals, but life is too short to follow a diet that tells you all fruit is off-limits.

Do I believe carbs are the devil?

Yes, I do, but not all carbs are “bad.”

After you get to your goal, slowly reintroduce some healthy carbs back into your meals – I’m talking about vegetables, fruits, and maybe some grains.

From my perspective, sugar, fast food, and junk food needs to be out of everyone’s diet because of the damage they do to our health, not just for the sake of weight.

Does this mean I don’t eat a cookie with my kids every once in a while?

Nope.

I do, and I enjoy every minute of it.

But, I am in the maintenance stage of the game here.

I’ve been following a ketogenic eating plan for over six years.

It took me a few years to lose 148 pounds, and looking back; I may have lost too fast because I ended up having to get loose skin removed.

But my personality type is more go hard or go home. So, that holds up in court. 🙂

The Weight Loss Tip That Nobody Talks About

Are you ready?

Focus your mindset, not your macros.

That’s it.

Wait, what?

Ok, here’s the thing. You have to determine your Why.

Why Do You Want To Lose Weight?

Do you want to have more energy?

Would you prefer to lower your blood pressure without medication?

Do you want to improve your cholesterol profile? Raise your HDL?

Lower your LDL?

Improve type 2 diabetes?

Is it because you want to feel better?

Get a revenge body?

Take less medication?

Empower yourself by taking control of your health?

* Don’t worry if it doesn’t come to you right away. It takes a minute:)

Once you’ve pinpointed your “Why,” please write it down and then follow that up with how getting there will make you feel.

Picture it.

I’m dead serious here, don’t laugh –

I want you to plant that picture of you being able to attend your son’s wedding, rocking that bikini on vacation, and being an overall [email protected]@ in your head because you know what that’s going to do?

That vision will be what you go to every time something tempts you to say “screw it” and throw in the towel.

Think of it as a Jedi-mind trick to get the willpower to stick to your guns (or macros:) because you’re in it for the long haul and the long-term benefits.

Losing weight and doing the work to change the way I thought about food have had a tremendous impact on my family, career, and, obviously, my body.

I share these words and “keto diet before and after pictures” with you because I remember the impact reading success stories had on my motivation levels back in the day.

Ok, that’s a lie, I still love reading success stories, and I am a sucker for a motivational quote.

Even though the keto diet worked for me, it is not for everyone.

Keto is strict, and you have to be committed.

Some folks find going low carb (50 net grams of carbs per day) is more do-able.

And if that works for you, then good for you.

I am not the keto police, and I never will be:)

I believe in the concept of bio-individuality.

We are all made differently, and what works for one person may be a disaster for another.

So, if you’ve tried keto and it wasn’t for you, then mark that down as progress; you’re one step closer to finding what works.

Remember that finding your way to optimal health is about more than just the food on your plate.

If you’re unhappy in other areas of life, like your career or finances, or struggling with a lousy relationship, you’re going to have a more challenging time getting to your goal than someone who has found a balance.

Nourish your mind, your body, and take care of yourself first.

Start right now.

And please let me know how I can help you. My book, Rebel Keto is coming soon! You can download Mastering Keto-Speak: Learn the Lingo, Rock Rebel Keto (For FREE) and get updates!

Check out my Rebellious Health Coaching Packages or find plenty of free resources here on my blog!

– Heather

More Keto Tips & Recipes

The Hungry Girl’s Guide to Keto: 7-Day Meal Plan 

Total Keto Diet for Beginners

Keto Food Swaps! Low Carb Substitutes For Your Faves

The Ultimate Low Carb Diet for Women 

Beginner’s Guide to the Paleo Diet

Today’s Quote: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt