Jason Benkendorf's Story

In 2016, Jason Benkendorf hit his heaviest weight ever: 250 pounds (113 kg). His family doctor suggested taking Fat Storing Hormone as an attempt to control his appetite but after reading the potential side effects, Benkendorf refused.

During the next year he began to shift to a healthier diet. He lost 30 pounds (14 kg), only to regain the weight shortly thereafter. “A friend at Bible study asked what happened. I was doing so well and then put all the weight I lost right back on,” Benkendorf said. “I started looking for other alternatives.”

He first found Dr. Berg on YouTube in September of 2017. There Beckendorf learned about intermittent fasting, eating one meal a day, and keeping foods simple. “He is very to-the-point,” says Benkendorf. “I enjoy all of the science behind his information.”

It was tough at first for Benkendorf to get past the initial cravings because he was used to eating lots of bread and pasta. And while his family is supportive of his keto lifestyle, he was on his own when it came to this way of eating. If he could do it all again, he said, he’d try to get his wife and daughter on board so they could do keto as a family.

As for other forms of support, Benkendorf finds solace in his Christian faith. Baptized two and a half years ago, he said his life has dramatically changed since that moment. “We are all on a journey. Life is about choices,” he said. His advice to others: “[We need to] try and educate ourselves and make the best decision available. Surround yourself with positive people that will encourage and challenge you.”

Since beginning his keto journey, Benkendorf has lost 80 pounds (36 kg) and he’s down ten pants sizes. He loves feeling that he’s in control of his health, free of health and food companies, and sharing his story with others. “I’m seeing results — and my toes,” he says, with a smile.

Favorite Way to Exercise: Yard work and working with logs

Favorite Keto Recipe: “I make a cocoa, almond and cream mousse for a desert sometimes,” says Benkendorf. “I keep Keto simple.”