Changes I’ve been noticing
Why I Started Keto (And Why It’s Not About Weight Loss)
I’m not doing keto for weight loss.
But—honestly—I am losing the weight I gained during this journey.
Between medications that caused weight gain, low activity levels (there are days I struggle to even hit 2,000 steps), and a sweet tooth that definitely caught up to me… I probably gained around 20 pounds.
I’ve never really struggled with feeling uncomfortable in my own skin—but losing control in this area has been challenging.
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Wanting My Body Back
I want to go to the gym and break a sweat again.
I want to move my body the way it used to—because I know if I could, I likely wouldn’t be carrying this extra weight. And right now, this weight isn’t muscle… it’s fat. With everything my body is already walking through, that matters.
If I’m being honest—I wasn’t feeling comfortable in my body. My clothes were getting tight, and I didn’t want to go buy a whole new wardrobe when I knew deep down… I just needed to make a change.
So I did.
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The Mental Battle (and Taking Back Control)
At the beginning, I was mentally struggling.
I developed what I’d call “food noise” in a whole new way—and I truly think one of my medications played a role in that. It was originally prescribed for leg spasms, but once those improved, I knew it was time to come off of it.
I stopped the medication in February and gave myself a few weeks to adjust and breathe.
But by the end of the month, I looked at Andrew and said, “Enough is enough.”
March 1st—I started.
And honestly? Once I made the decision, it was easier than I expected. I was surprised at how powerful “mind over matter” really is. The more I researched, the more confident I felt that this was the right direction for me.
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How I Transitioned Into Keto
I planned to ease into it:
• Week 1: Cut sugar
• Week 2: Lower carbs
• Week 3: Lower carbs more
• Week 4: Full keto
…but by week two I was like, “Might as well just go all in.”
So I basically jumped straight into keto—and haven’t looked back.
If you know me, this shouldn’t surprise you.
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Small Wins That Meant a Lot
The first thing I noticed? My skin cleared up.
I had been breaking out pretty badly (hello Dairy Queen sundaes 😅), and that alone felt like a win.
I also started finding alternatives to the foods I love:
• Keto ice cream (thank you, Ninja Creami 🙌)
• Chips, chocolate, and snacks that actually taste good
• Keto French toast with sugar-free syrup
I even found a Canadian chocolate brand that makes diabetic-friendly chocolate that actually tastes amazing. That felt like a miracle.
At the end of the day, I’m still eating foods I enjoy—it just looks a little different now. And honestly, I don’t feel like I’m missing out.
I’m learning as I go. I’m adjusting. I’m listening to my body. And what works for someone else might not be what works for me in this season.
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Adjusting for My Body (Dairy + Digestion)
One thing I realized pretty quickly—dairy does not sit well with me.
I’ve always been lactose intolerant, but I ignored it for years. With keto increasing fats (and a lot of that often being dairy-based), my body made it very clear this wasn’t going to work long-term.
So now I’m limiting dairy—and that alone has made a big difference.
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Electrolytes, Carbs, and Water (This Part Matters)
Electrolytes have been huge.
Here’s something I learned that really helped me understand what was happening in my body:
Carbohydrates are stored in the body as glycogen, and glycogen holds onto water.
For every 1 gram of glycogen stored, your body holds roughly 3–4 grams of water along with it.
So when you reduce carbs, your body starts using up glycogen stores—and as that happens, it releases that stored water.
That’s why:
• You drop water weight quickly at the beginning
• You can feel dehydrated or fatigued
• Electrolytes become essential
This isn’t just a “keto thing”—it’s basic physiology.
👉 A commonly cited explanation of this comes from research on glycogen metabolism, including work summarized in studies like:
• Glycogen metabolism and fluid balance research in exercise physiology
Because of this, I’ve been focusing on electrolytes to:
• Stay hydrated
• Support energy
• Avoid that “keto flu” feeling
I originally ordered some from the U.S. (not doing that again—hello duties 😅), and I’ve got LMNT coming to try next.
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Tracking (But Keeping It Healthy)
I’ve been tracking calories—not to restrict, but to make sure I’m actually eating enough.
Historically, I’ve been someone who under-eats, so with a new way of eating, I wanted to stay intentional.
I’ve also had days where I didn’t track—like when my sisters and cousin came to visit. I just stayed mindful:
• No sugar
• Lower carbs
And honestly? I think those kinds of days are healthy for your mind too.
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Progress So Far
After about 5 weeks, I’ve lost around 6 pounds.
And to me—that’s a good thing.
Keto is often used for rapid weight loss, so the fact that I’m losing slowly tells me:
• I’m not under-eating
• I’m doing this in a sustainable way
• My body is adjusting in a healthy rhythm
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Final Thoughts (For Now)
I feel like I’m rambling at this point—but this is where I’m at.
This isn’t about chasing a number on a scale.
It’s about stewardship.
It’s about doing my part with the body I’ve been given.
And I’m learning, day by day, what that looks like.
