Full disclosure: My passion is not flashing my 148-pound weight loss photos. No sane 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 age of 40.
The truth is, if I can do it, anyone can. If you’ve been struggling with your weight or facing yourself in the mirror, let me walk you through my weight loss step by step.
Full disclosure: I started smoking when I was 18 after a bad breakup sent me into full self-sabotage mode, and I started chain-smoking for revenge.
I knew it wasn’t healthy, but I was willing to roll the dice when only my health was at stake.
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 depressing size 18 dress situation and a health crisis.
After a series of unfortunate events, including being called fat by one of my seven year old daughter’s friends and 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.
The photo above is me – after losing twenty pounds – at a fundraising event that I planned, so I had to attend. I’ll never forget that night.
I was so proud of the work I had done to raise money, but so ashamed of my appearance I barely left the table. I had to pee so bad, but I was too embarassed to walk through the crowd to go to the bathroom.
In other words, I was in hell.
I tried every diet, and failed.
Weight Watchers worked for a hot minute, I lost a few pounds in a few weeks, but then I’d hit a plateau, get discouraged, and end up with a box of oreos at the end of the day.
Starting Keto was my Hail Mary.
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.
It took about a year to lose the first 75 pounds.
It became easier to make healthier choices once I gained momentum.
If you do the keto diet, it’s unstoppable once your body enters ketosis.
Rebel Keto 101 (Or, If Keto Was So Awesome, WHY Rebel Keto?)
I loved the results the keto diet yielded, but hated the way it emphasized numbers, because I’m not a numbers woman – I do not (and refuse to) define or rule my life or emotions based on numbers – on the scale, on the tag of my best LBD (little black dress), or my bank account.
I know it isn’t healthy for me, and I don’t believe it is healthy for other women to define themselves by numbers, so after I became a certified health coach, I re-defined keto and wrote a new road map for sustainable, sanity- saving weight loss, and wrote a book; Rebel Keto.
How Long Does It Take To See Results?
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 15 pounds.
I lost ten my first week, and I’ll tell you that 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?
I cannot give you an honest answer here because there are 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 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?
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 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 – a type of exercise.
Now, I work out at home because it suits my schedule.
I love Tae-bo, which is like kickboxing. I also love 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 regularly and love it. Honestly, I should’ve tried it sooner.
Recently, I was featured on FiTONIC, and they referred to me as an athlete. (Holy Bleep!)
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 Rebel Keto?
You go to keto jail, the keto police track you 24/7, 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 You 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 and follow it religiously 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 my actions!
Do you know what would be fabulous? Just stop shaming yourself altogether! I’m high-key serious, its a sin.
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 eight 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.
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 bada@@ 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.
Keto is strict, and you have to be committed. Which is why I created and wrote, Rebel Keto. It is a more sustainable version of keto that portrays food as it should be – as a nutrient – not a number.
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.
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 available now! You can order it here.
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
Keto Food Swaps! Low Carb Substitutes For Your Faves
The Ultimate Low Carb Diet for Women
Beginner’s Guide to the Paleo Diet
