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Jan 14

‘After Bariatric Surgery, I Stick To Keto And A Sugar-Free Diet And Have Kept Off Over 180 Pounds’ – Women’s Health

Diet Comments Off on ‘After Bariatric Surgery, I Stick To Keto And A Sugar-Free Diet And Have Kept Off Over 180 Pounds’ – Women’s Health

Im Leah Carlson (@watchmewaistingaway), 31. I live in Asheville, North Carolina, and Im a customer experience coordinator. In 2014, I got a vertical sleeve gastrectomy to kick off my weight-loss journey and have kept over 180 pounds off since.

I remember being drawn to food even at a young age. At family get-togethers, all the other kids would go outside to play, and I'd sit near the food and listen to the adults talk. By the time I was 9 years old, I was sneaking and eating peanut butter in the middle of the nightand I was overweight. I continued developing this unhealthy relationship with food all through my school years.

In February of 2011, my first marriage ended. I was a 411-pound single mom with no job, no money, and no hope. But one night, I was at a friends wedding and happened to sit next to someone who was very passionate about fitness and health. He told me something that still sticks with me today: "If you want to change, stop blaming others."

That was really hard to hear, but a lightbulb went off for me in that moment. I had been blaming others for years. I decided to take responsibility and commit to change.

Change didn't happen immediately, though. I met my now-husband through friends of friends, and we got married in 2014 and knew we wanted to have a baby. But I was obese by the time I had my first child, and morbidly obese after my second child.

At my highest weight of 411 pounds, I realized I could not be left alone with my two young toddlers. I was unable to pick them up or chase after them in public. It was a safety issue at that point. I was really interested in weight-loss surgery and had done a lot of research on bariatric surgery. I knew that losing weight would be hard work, but I needed help.

Around this time, I also discovered the keto diet. When I was in high school, I got familiar with the Atkins diet, so I had been following a low-carb way of eating off and on for so many years. Going on the keto diet made sense for me. I was also eating keto for four months before my surgery.

What I love about ketowhich focuses on eating high-fat and low-carbis the freedom I have to get creative with cooking. It works well for me because of the accessibility. I know that I can go to a restaurant and find something that fits my needs.

One of the hardest things about trying to lose weight for me was the idea of starting a new diet that would be completely foreign to me. Thats why keto and low-carb, sugar-free eating is still such a good fit for me today. I love cooking and eating (and that is okay!). So I have learned over the years to prepare things I'm craving that fit my way of eating. I don't deprive myself.

I also try to shop the outer edges of the grocery storemeaning the produce, proteins, dairieswhile staying away from the processed items in the inner aisles. I love to get creative making sugar-free desserts and low-carb comfort foods.

For instance, I'll give myself the general goal of making sure I spend at least 30 minutes of my day doing something active. This can be anything from playing with my kids outside, working in the garden or with the chickens, or even cleaning. Just moving.

Weight-loss surgery may be a helpful too for some people. But I had to work hard to lose weight after my surgery. And I still struggle with the mental challenges of food addiction every day.

Throughout this journey, Ive realized the biggest part of losing weight isn't physical. It is emotional, mental, and even spiritual changes that you go through, too. Taking responsibility is surprisingly freeing.

Ask for and accept support and accountability help. We aren't meant to do this alone. It can feel intimidating at first, but you will be surprised at the willingness of others to help you on your journey.

Go here to see the original:
'After Bariatric Surgery, I Stick To Keto And A Sugar-Free Diet And Have Kept Off Over 180 Pounds' - Women's Health

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