Keto Journey: Down 70lbs In a Year
“Not only am I happier, but I feel so much better about myself.”
Meet Arlene! It’s impossible to not be inspired by her amazing journey. She dropped over 70lbs in 2019, after years of struggling to lose any weight.
“My doctor kept bugging me to lose the weight because I was so unhealthy and obese. Because of my high blood pressure, I even got denied for life insurance. My doctor had explained to me that if I don't get that under control, having high blood pressure is like a slow death. I wanted to make a change and live for my kids. My doctor kept bugging me to go to a weight management center that can help me with that but I refused and wanted to do it on my own.”
Without a clear plan, Arlene went 24 months without making much progress.
“2 years later, I was still obese and barely lost any weight on my own so I gave in and I went to see my weight doctor for the first time in december of 2018 and was informed about the Ketogenic lifestyle. Came January 1st, 2019, I was on board and ready to start fresh with the new year and start my journey.”
In the first week she lost 7.4lbs. She was beyond motivated and sold on the ketogenic lifestyle.
“I was so amazed and believed that this was my year I could finally lose the weight and get healthy. I was super strict and weighed all my food and kept a food journal for the first 5 months.”
The results kept coming: Weight loss, happiness, new friendships. But let’s start with the weight loss…
“I started at 208 lbs. First goal was to lose 10% of my starting weight (188), then 20% (166), then 25% (156), 30% (145) then 35% and be at my ultimate weight goal of 135. I did have an ultimate weight goal in mind and I did write it down but did not expect that I would reach it. I did end up reaching my ultimate weight goal before the end of 2019.”
We’re blown away by Arlene’s progress. As per usual, shedding the weight was just part of all the positives that came from the Keto lifestyle.
“It has changed my life in so many ways. I not only dropped the weight and am more aware of what I eat, but I feel so much better physically. When my husband saw how it had changed me and how successful I was in just my first month, he joined me on this journey and has changed as well. Not only am I happier, but I feel so much better about myself. Along the way I have met so many amazing people and new friends in the keto community that encourage me and support me and make me want to continue living this way.”
Arlene has a few pieces of advice that are helpful no matter where you’re at in your journey:
“My advice to others is that you need to find your why and when things get hard, remember the reason why you started in the first place. I feel like remembering that and always having that in the back of your mind is so important. For me, my why was for my kids and my family. I wanted to be a healthy wife/mom that can be the best healthy version of myself for them so I can live as long as I possibly can. When I was obese and had health issues, I knew if I didn't change something, I wasn't going to be able to live long.
Another piece of advice is to just do you boo. Don't compare your journey to someone else's journey. Go at your own pace and be proud of every step and accomplishment you reach along the way. Nobody is perfect and there will be days that you'll struggle more than other days and may even have a cheat day here and there, but the main thing is that you get back on that keto train... that's all that matters.
Lastly, I recommend engaging with others in the keto community. For me, without them, I don't think I would have been as successful if I was doing it by myself. I have gained so much advice, love, and support from so many friends I've met along the way that even to this day, they still challenge and encourage me to be the best version of myself. I'm so thankful for them.”
Click here to submit your own keto journey for a chance to be featured!