8 1/2 Years of Keto - Here's What I've Learned

On February 19, 2017, I began the Ketogenic diet at the lowest point in my health than I'd ever been.

• Migraines every other week, lasting 4-5 days at a time
• On Corticosterone cream to keep the dermatitis on my hand under control
• Horrible stomach pain that mimicked a gallstone attack - after having my gallbladder removed
• Less than no energy
• Horrible sleep
• Weight gain out of control

In 2009, saliva tests showed that I had suppressed cortisol output, and while the doctor who assisted with the testing gave me sound advice, and while I took a lot of notes, I still didn't really fully understand what I needed to do to recover.

But what I never stopped doing was learning.

It was that weekend in February 2017 that everything changed.

Coming off yet another migraine, and finally feeling as good as I could feel in my present condition, I was doing laundry and some housework.

As I was prone to do, I listened to a BBC documentary about low-carb, high-fat - and decided to give it a try.

Things couldn't get worse. They could only get better.

I sat down to do some research and found information about the Ketogenic Diet, and chose to go with the stricter plan.

Only three weeks later, I would declare that my migraines had stopped, my dermatitis had cleared, my stomach pain had ceased, and I was losing weight.

I shared before-and-after pictures on Facebook.

I shared my meals.

I talked about the benefits of Keto.

I formed a Facebook group as a community where I shared recipes and all of the things I was learning.

But three months after beginning my new journey, I chose to do a Paleo challenge -- and that's where things went off the rails.

Off the rails

I didn't do well on Paleo. (That's not to say the Paleo diet is bad or doesn't work; it just didn't for me.)

So, I began to track net carbs, and not total carbs. I tried intuitive eating. Then no tracking at all....and then summer hit, and I let myself have "cheat days".

I introduced my one-and-only favorite carb - hot, buttered popcorn, back in "on weekends only"...

I tried carnivore, ketovore...

Every shiny new object, every piece of advice that promised quick wins....I tried it all....I was doing so many things and nothing, all at the same time.

8 1/2 years later

Since February 2015, I've been down to my lowest weight since after I got married, and back up to my starting weight.

Some may say, "See! Keto doesn't work!!"

My answer is: Every diet fails if you don't make that diet your new way of life.

Any short-term health change can be reversed if you go back to doing what led you to being unhealthy in the first place. That's just common sense.

The truth is, keto did work for me. Until I stopped doing keto.

I don't regret the past 8 years of failing and falling

When I look back at May 20, 2017 - the day I began the infamous Paleo challenge that started my spiral of trying "all the things"....

I see a person who is completely different than the person I am today.

I have spent the past 8 years falling on my face over and over. But the falling isn't the important factor here.

The important factor is that while I've lost and gained, lost and gained even more, I have always gotten back up and tried again.

I have never stayed down.

And every time I've started back on a weight-loss journey, I've always started with Keto and intermittent fasting.

Because I know it works for me!

But even more than that, the past 8 years of trying out a bunch of different things, listening to a lot of different voices - some good, some not-so-good, some not good for me - have all taught me something.

I have now learned what works for me and what doesn't.

• Paleo isn't my jig
• Net carbs are only another way for me to cheat
• I have to track, or I'll go over my carb limit for sure, every time
• Intuitive eating keeps me lazy and wanting to cheat
• Cheat days lead me to binge-eating for days, weeks, and months
• Eating popcorn on the weekends keeps me in a constant weight stall
• I hate carnivore - I love my veggies
• Higher protein actually makes me bloated and causes me to stall

See all of the valuable information I've gathered?

Today - August 28, 2025

Today I weighed in at the lowest weight I've been since 2021, and I am more motivated than I've ever been on this journey.

This is the way I intend to eat for the rest of my life.

I feel healthier, stronger, lighter, and more determined than I've ever felt in this journey.

I'm exercising 4-5 days a week (something I've  never done before)...

My seasonal allergies are far better than they've been in over 10 years....

But more than all of that, mentally I am more at peace, and spiritually I am more connected to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ than I've ever been.

So here's to 8 1/2 years of starting, falling, getting back up, learning, winning at reversing chronic illness, and becoming a healthier me - body, soul, and spirit!