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Name:
Beth L.
Weight Loss:
117 lbs. (53 kg)
Approach:
Keto
Life before keto:
I had been struggling with PCOS since my twenties. No matter how hard I tried, the weight continued to pile on. In 2012, my father passed away—and between the grief and my low-fat diet, I spiraled into serious depression.
My marriage and home life were already on shaky ground, but everything truly turned for the worse in 2016 when I had my second child.
I was suffering from terrible postpartum depression and had sleep apnea, chronic blood pressure issues, and skin issues leading to bleeding on my face and legs. I had back pain that kept me bedridden and mood swings that were so sudden I felt like a monster.
Discovering keto:
While researching low-carb diets for my PCOS, I stumbled upon Dr. Berg’s videos on YouTube—and everything changed. His videos were addictive; I couldn’t stop watching. The education style made logical sense.
Dr. Berg helped me realize that health comes before weight loss. I stopped chasing the number on the scale and instead focused on feeling better. The weight loss just followed naturally.
It was the non-scale victories that meant the most:
- Wearing my wedding rings again
- Being able to tie my shoes
- Lifting my kids without pain
- Riding roller coasters
- Buckling a seatbelt on an airplane
These were the wins that changed my world.
Motivation along the way:
Despite all the physical symptoms—the pain, the weight, the fatigue—what really drove me to make a change was my faith and my children.
When your kids cry because you are too tired and overweight to play with them, it triggers something inside of you. I had always been overweight with health problems, but now it was affecting my family.
Challenges:
With the support of my husband and my mother, I started keto. But my biggest challenge? Other people.
Everyone seems to have a take on what’s healthy. I was over 100 pounds overweight, and no one said a word. But once I started losing weight non-conventionally, suddenly everyone had an opinion. I kept myself motivated by watching other transformation videos on YouTube.
Health improvements:
Since starting the keto diet, I’ve lost 117 pounds (53 kg). My first 100 pounds (45 kg) melted away within just six months.
If I could go back and do anything differently, it would be to add daily walking for 45 minutes. That’s it.
I seriously feel like I can wake up every morning and do a million push-ups. I learned to play the bass guitar in under five months. I’m nearly 40 and now play in a band. My mind is clear, and I wake up with zero excuses. I’ll never again say I’m too old or too tired. No more excuses.
Advice for someone starting keto:
Do not give up. It is possible to lose weight, even if you feel like an unfulfilled PCOS victim headed toward 350+ pounds. You are not a lost cause. Find someone who understands, even me, and cling to them.
Favorite Way to Exercise:
My favorite ways to exercise are walking and weight training.
Favorite Keto Meal:
I keep it simple. I haven’t made many keto recipes for myself. But I do know how to season meat really well! My favorite? Pot roast made with butter, rosemary, salt, and garlic, slow-cooked in a Crock Pot for nine hours. Heaven!
Additional photos:
