Photo story
Quick stats
Name:
Carissa Kelly
Starting Weight:
280 lbs
Current Weight:
230 lbs
Weight Loss:
50 lbs
Approach:
Keto + Intermittent Fasting
Life before keto:
Carissa Kelly felt like she was lost in a world where she was part of the obesity epidemic. She would only leave her house a few times in an entire year due to depression, illness, and physical pain. She was suffering from acne and rosacea and was struggling in her relationships with her husband and children (and food). At 333 pounds (151 kg), Kelly knew it was time to start living her life again.
After finding keto:
Kelly found Dr. Berg through a friend who also got her started on keto. “I really loved the in-depth information he gave, and I had to learn more!” she exclaimed. “He introduced me to intermittent fasting, which was the breakthrough I needed in my weight-loss journey.”
Dr. Berg’s videos were extremely helpful for Kelly when she had any questions or concerns during the process. “Dr. Berg has TONS of videos to watch and learn from. Almost every question I have can be answered in one of his videos,” Kelly says.
Her husband was incredibly helpful and supportive throughout, she said, even doing keto and intermittent fasting with her. A few friends joined her in workouts at the gym to keep her accountable. “Also, my family encourages me daily with kind words and support.” But because it was really up to her to succeed, one of Kelly’s main motivators was remembering the little victories. “I focused on my small victories and set goals for myself. If you don’t take note of those small victories, you can get discouraged very quickly,” she says.
Challenges:
Changing your lifestyle in such a drastic way will have some challenges. The hardest part for Kelly was “fighting the fat person” inside of her; having the willpower to resist the food (especially the dessert) her children may have been eating, and to resist “a cheat day that ended up in a cheat month.” Kelly says she had a couple of those months along the way.
Health improvements:
Since starting keto, Kelly has lost 50 pounds (23 kg), but in total is down an amazing 103 pounds (47 kg). Sharing how much better she feels now, compared to her life before, brings tears of joy. “I went from being in pain, crying daily, and being a shell of a person to feeling the best I have ever felt in my entire life,” Kelly says. “I am happy. I am confident. I am healthy. I am virtually pain-free. I didn’t think I would ever speak those words.”
With keto, intermittent fasting, and commitment to the responsibility of taking care of her health, Kelly is now able to play with her children, and not run out of breath; she can get out of bed pain-free; her husband can wrap his arms around her–and pick her up! She can even wear her beautiful wedding ring that hasn’t fit for years. “The best part is being a motivator for my family and others that are on their own health journeys,” Kelly says. “Seeing is believing. I love being that help for them.”
Advice for someone starting keto:
“Just don’t give up on yourself. If you fall, pick yourself back up like nothing happened and continue on your journey.”
Favorite ways to exercise:
Kelly loves the elliptical machine and walking, and she has now added weight training.
Favorite keto recipe:
Keto cheesy biscuits.
