Chapter 1: The Challenge of Dieting

Dieting can be quite a struggle, especially within American culture. There's no denying that we Americans have a penchant for food—large portions, greasy meals, and a fondness for soda.

I can relate to this. Growing up as an athlete, I was conscious of my food choices, but I often took comfort in the fact that my active lifestyle allowed me to indulge. During track season, I attempted to reduce my soda intake, not realizing that the sugar content was the real issue, not just the carbonation.

Now, two decades later, I've gained a deeper understanding of nutrition, but the evolving science around food can be quite confusing. When I was younger, the food pyramid dictated that carbohydrates should be the foundation of our meals, recommending 6-8 servings daily. I followed this advice wholeheartedly, enjoying rolls, fries, donuts, and more.

As the years went by, the weight began to accumulate. Despite my efforts to exercise, I often found myself craving all the snacks in the pantry after a workout. I tried to eliminate added sugars, but that proved to be a challenge as well.

After reaching my highest weight ever, I sought professional guidance. Understanding that this would be a significant investment in both time and money, I researched the topic more thoroughly than I ever did for any college projects.

All the information pointed in a similar direction: consume less and move more. However, I discovered a specific diet that made reducing food intake more manageable.

The Keto Diet

The keto diet works by retraining your body to burn fat instead of carbohydrates. For those of us carrying extra weight, this means our bodies have ample fat to utilize for energy, which helps diminish cravings for sugary foods.

After a week on this diet, I have been taken aback by the results. The initial three days were quite challenging.

The first video titled "This is what the keto diet does to your body | Professor Christopher Gardner" provides insights into how the keto diet transforms your metabolism and health.

By the sixth day, however, I began to feel a significant shift. The hunger pangs subsided, the headaches faded away, and my stomach discomfort disappeared. It seems I may have entered the state known as ketosis—a phase that many describe as euphoric.

It's truly remarkable! While I might be experiencing a temporary high, I haven't craved my usual indulgences in several days. Sure, passing by chocolate brownies or cinnamon rolls is still a challenge, but it's not as difficult as before.

I find that I can eat less and still feel content throughout the day. Previously, I was anxious about not eating until I felt "full," fearing I'd end up snacking again shortly after.

Moreover, I've noticed physical changes: my knees feel less strained, my wedding ring fits better, and I've already had to tighten my belt by one notch—just in a week!

Overall, I've lost 5.8 pounds in eight days of following the keto diet. Remarkably, I've only managed one proper workout during this period, and my sleep has been less than ideal. It's possible that with better rest and more exercise, I could have lost even more.

As of now, I'm genuinely enthusiastic about this diet. It seems effective, and I appreciate that I'm not constantly battling cravings. The real test will be when I'm tempted to revert to old habits or when I find myself in social situations that make it harder to stick to my plan.

Nevertheless, I feel prepared to face those challenges. Until then, I’ll continue to share my progress with those interested! Here’s hoping the weight keeps coming off, and my overall health continues to improve.

The second video, "Keto Diet Results – What to Expect? – Dr. Berg," outlines the anticipated outcomes of the keto diet and what new dieters should keep in mind.

Chapter 2: The Weigh-In

My official weigh-in reveals a loss of 4.4 pounds, bringing me down to 227.8 pounds! If you're interested in joining the Medium community, I highly recommend it. The cost is low, and the benefits are endless! I'd appreciate it if you could use my referral link when signing up.