Natasha Lost 150 Pounds and Reclaimed Her Life with Keto 

Did you have any problems with your weight or health before going on keto? 

I want to share some of my weight loss story with you. My starting weight was 300 pounds. I am 4’11” and suffered from a number of autoimmune and other painful conditions, depression, and insomnia. I also experienced a cancer scare. 

I have always had a negative relationship with food. My weight fluctuated throughout my life. I tried diet pills, fad diets, you name it. I even investigated weight loss surgery. But any type of surgery for a morbidly obese person was not a good option. 

Little did I know that I was about to experience the change of my life. On July 29, 2018, I bent down to tie my shoe and came up gasping for air. I just knew this was it; I was slowly dying. I heard a still, small voice whisper to me, “Are you going to do something about this weight, or knock off 5 years of your life?” I immediately said “I am going to do something about this weight.” 

How did you discover keto? 

I began researching and praying to be led in the right direction. My mom works with a gentleman whose wife is a weight loss and ketogenic coach. She sent me a cookbook called Simply Keto. It was a wonderful book, but I couldn’t afford all the recipes. So, I decided to fast for 3 days, and it was tough, but I knew it was something I had to do. At the end of my 3-day fast, I lost the desire for sweets, breads, sodas, and especially sugar. So, I looked into the ketogenic diet.  

How does an average day of eating/fasting look for you on keto?  

I decided to tweak it to make it personalized just for me. I began drinking water, black coffee, and tea (no sweetener). I ate healthy green veggies and protein. But my favorite addition was bulletproof coffee. 

My most successful strategy is fasting. I fast daily, but every Wednesday I do a 36-hour fast. It helps me feel stronger and think more clearly. And you know what, my son enjoys eating like me, and he lifts weights with me sometimes. 

Does exercise play a role in your success on keto? If so, how? 

My exercise was dancing with my kids, niece, and nephew. They got some good laughs seeing the fat lady trying to move. I parked my car farther out so I could get in extra steps.  

I weight train on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. On Saturdays and Sundays, I try to get in a 5-mile run. 

How has your health improved since you started keto?   

There was still something I needed to change. I needed to deal with all the past hurts and regrets. So, I began a journey of forgiveness. I started journaling and meditating. And before I knew it, my entire outlook on life changed. I decided to return to college after 17 years (I have a 4.0 average, and I’m on the President’s List).  

I quit my job as a bereavement counselor and deputy coroner. And I decided to focus on life. I asked Spirit to guide me, and things just began to fall into place. I realized that my weight was my defense, my protection from the world, especially after being sexually assaulted at a young age. There are still some parts of my childhood I do not remember, but that’s okay. I have forgiven them. I say that to say that I experience lessons and blessings every day that I am blessed to awaken. I try to enjoy the present and not worry about the past or future.  

On July 29, 2020, I celebrated my 2nd anniversary of losing 150 pounds. 

Any other details you want to share?   

I will tell you, there are going to be some people who will not understand your journey, and that’s okay. It’s not theirs to understand. Celebrate your own victories. I tell my children, “Be your own best friend. Get to know what you like and don’t like, what you will and will not accept in your life. If you’re not happy with something, change it, but make sure it’s because you want the change, not for anybody else. There is nothing wrong with self-love.  

Sacrifice is a part of life. But oh, how great it will feel when you reach your goal. I’m not telling you that my life is perfect. I have my sunshine as well as rain, but I just grab an umbrella.