This is a family that chose to take back their lives after a few health scares. Nadine got the keto party started when she decided to take a leap of faith and start following a ketogenic diet. With much research, finding a few keto blogs and websites, she was able to make a lifestyle change that not only made her healthier and happier but also brought her family into this way of life as well (because the more the merrier)! Her brother, his wife, and her mother all jumped aboard the keto train and haven’t looked back! Between all four of them they have lost a collective 211lbs!
Before on top. And After on bottom.
[From left: Tina Williams, Timothy Williams, Nadine Williams, Lorraine Breton]
NADINE WILLIAMS
Where were you health/diet wise before starting keto?
I have been overweight and have battled with my weight since I was 11 years old. I was the only 11 year old at the Weight Watchers meeting and all I remember from that time was all the tuna on lettuce and Tab soda. I tried just about every weight loss diet there was and failed. As a teenager I was the fat girl without a boyfriend and the last one picked for the team in gym class. The only diet that ever marginally worked for me was Atkins which I used on/off a good part of my life. I was the typical yo-yo dieter and had a closet full of clothes from size 10 – 18. The older I got the more I kept gaining.
At 50 I was put on blood pressure and cholesterol meds. My pulse rate was typically 85 resting! In the spring of 2017 I hit my highest weight of 192 lbs. at 5 feet tall. My doctor diagnosed me as morbidly obese with a fatty liver and told me I need to make an immediate lifestyle/diet change. He wanted to put me on anti-depression medication because I was depressed (I was depressed because I felt like crap). Fortunately, I refused the anti-depression meds and decided to take my health into my own hands. Around this same time, my husband started mentioning he was worried about me and began sending me videos on the keto diet.
What was the deciding factor in switching to keto?
One day while I was visiting my Mom, she looked me square in the eyes and told me she was worried about me, and I had to admit I was worried too.
Do you see this as a lifestyle change long term?
Absolutely! I feel fantastic!!! I have FINALLY found peace with food. I will never go back to eating the old way.
How long have you been keto and what are some of the health and lifestyle benefits you attribute to keto?
I have been keto for 1 year and 1 month and have lost 40 lbs. The health benefits I am enjoying are more energy, pep in my step, reduced migraines, no more carb bloat, and I have more mental clarity. When I pass a mirror, I can hardly believe it’s me! One of the biggest lifestyle benefits I’m enjoying is sharing this journey with my family. More than 12 family and friends have joined me on the keto diet because they see the health benefits I am enjoying and they want the same for themselves.
What’s your favorite keto recipe?
Of course it’s going to be a Keto4Karboholics recipe, picking just one is tough as they are all amazing. If I were forced to pick one, it is probably the No-Fail Dinner Rolls.
How do you track your ketone levels?
I use the Keto-Mojo!
How often do you track?
Daily and sometimes 2x per day.
Is testing beneficial to your lifestyle?
Absolutely! The Keto-Mojo has turned out to be an invaluable tool in my keto journey. I use my Keto-Mojo to better understand how my body responds to different foods. Using the Keto-Mojo to monitor my ketone levels helps me understand the science behind this diet and how/when to make adjustments based on the readings/response.
What is the one piece of advice you would share with someone just starting out?
Educate yourself on the keto diet, macros and don’t let yourself get overwhelmed with all the information. There is a lot to learn and there is a lot to unlearn in regard to old eating habits. Be kind to yourself and don’t compare your loss to anyone else.
TIMOTHY WILLIAMS
Where were you health/diet wise before starting keto?
I was extremely obese with high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I got winded very easily and due to this, was not very active.
What was the deciding factor in switching to keto?
Actually it was because my wife (Tina) had been diagnosed with diabetes and my sister (Nadine) kept insisting we try keto so I joined a Keto4karboholics challenge group that Nadine was a part of to see if this way of eating was a good option for my wife. And we really liked what we are eating, and knew it was time to get healthy.
Do you see this as a lifestyle change long term?
Yes very much so. My wife and I are so much healthier and happier. Her health is very important to me and this way of life has truly changed hers for the better.
How long have you been keto and what are some of the health and lifestyle benefits you attribute to keto?
I have been keto since Jan 1st 2018. The biggest change for me so far is not getting as winded and also my posture has changed with the loss of almost 80 lbs.
What’s your favorite keto recipe?
Hmm, all of them. I do a lot of experimenting so we don’t eat the same all the time. I did make some keto peppermint patties that were totally awesome.
How do you track your ketone levels? How often do you track? Is this beneficial to your lifestyle?
I use the Keto-Mojo dual monitor. I track once a day before lunch and keep a record of the numbers. I feel it’s beneficial to have this data in case there happens to be a complication or I have a major change in the way I am feeling. Having my ketone levels along with glucose can point to trends that I can then analyze to make inferences to improve my health and diet.
What is the one piece of advice you would share to someone just starting out?
Stick to your macros. Don’t lie to yourself. Carb creep/grazing/snacking will get you!
TINA WILLIAMS
Where were you health/diet wise before starting keto?
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure and had high cholesterol. As far as a diet went, I really didn’t have one until I was diagnosed with diabetes. I then started the Atkins diet.
What was the deciding factor in switching to keto?
My sister-in-law (Nadine Williams) talked to my husband and me about keto and how it works. After my husband did lots of research, we decided we wanted to try it!
Do you see this as a lifestyle change long term?
Keto has helped me lose weight. I started at 203 lbs and in 3 months I am down to 152.4! I am now off my insulin, metformin, blood pressure meds and even the cholesterol meds. I love the keto lifestyle and never want to go back to my old ways!
What’s your favorite keto recipe?
Keto4karboholics meatloaf!
How do you track your ketone levels? How often do you track? Is this beneficial to your lifestyle?
I use the Keto-Mojo once a day before breakfast. This has been invaluable in charting my progress and understanding how this lifestyle change affects my body and overall health.
What is the one piece of advice you would share to someone just starting out?
Don’t give up!
LORRAINE BRETON
Where were you health/diet wise before starting keto?
My health was not great as I was obese weighing in at 211. I was taking medication for anxiety and depression along with high BP and thyroid meds since I was 10. I also had issues with back pain, sleeping, and mobility (I could only walk up to 20/30 steps before I would double over with awful back pain). I was using a cane if I was walking for any distance. But my major issue was that I had Stage 3(b) Kidney Disease.
What was the deciding factor in switching to keto?
My daughter-in- Law (Tina) was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes Mellitus and landed herself in the ER with a blood glucose level of 580! My daughter Nadine was already on keto and several family members wanted to help Tina with what needed to be done to help her get her health back in order. So we started a family keto page which now has grown to about 15 as we all needed to lose weight and improve our health. We meet 2x a month, share recipes, and weigh in once a week. We are each other’s biggest cheerleaders. It has been a fun family project and with the support we are making this a life long commitment.
Do you see this as a lifestyle change long term?
I will never go back to the way I ate before. This is the only way of eating that has been successful for me since I was 11 ( at 12 I weighed 212 ). KETO FOR LIFE!
How long have you been keto for and what are some of the health and lifestyle benefits you attribute to keto?
I started keto 1 week before Christmas and have lost 40 lbs since. But that is not my only victory I have reached!
- I have very little back pain
- I am sleeping better
- I walk farther without a cane
- I have eliminated anxiety and depression meds
- And BEST of all I went down for my Stage 3(b) Kidney Disease (the Nephrologist stated he has never seen an improvement like this before and moved me into lower stage 3(a))
What’s your favorite keto recipe?
There are just too many to list! However I use the fathead dough often for pizza, crackers and thin bread for sopping up eggs. I am the baker of the group for our treats.
How do you track your ketone levels? How often do you track? Is this beneficial to your lifestyle?
I use the Keto-Mojo for tracking about 3 times a week and Carb Manager.
What is the one piece of advice you would share to someone just starting out?
I found a support group online (Keto4Karboholics) where I received tips, meal plans and recipes. Join a support page, READ READ READ, and ask questions! Side note DRINK PLENTY OF WATER!
