My Keto Progress: What Worked, What Didn’t, and What I’m Fixing

Originally posted on February 20, 2025, from my previous blog. A candid progress report on my latest Keto journey, highlighting early wins, unexpected hurdles, and how I’m adjusting to stay on track without spiraling into distraction.

Alright, so I’ve been back on Keto for about 10 days now, and let me tell you—this diet is like that friend who hypes you up but also makes you question every life decision you’ve ever made. Like, wow, I’m dropping weight, but also, why do I suddenly care so much about butter? Let’s get into it.

What’s Actually Working (AKA Why I Haven’t Quit Yet)

The Scale is Moving! (For Once, in the Right Direction)

From Feb 10 to Feb 16, I went from 301 lbs to 288.6 lbs, which is great because the alternative was staying at 301 and continuing my emotional support relationship with carbs.

What I did right:

• Ate fewer calories than I burned. Science. Who knew? Weight loss always comes down to a calorie deficit, even on Keto.
• Kept carbs low, fat high, and got into ketosis by Feb 14. Translation: my body finally realized sugar is not coming back and started burning fat instead. When carbs are restricted, the body switches to burning fat for energy, leading to weight loss.
• Lost a bunch of water weight. Basically, my body said, “Oh, you don’t need these 12 pounds of sadness water? Cool, we’ll dump it.” This happens because stored carbs hold onto water, so when carbs go away, so does the water weight.
• Glucose levels stabilized. That means no more blood sugar roller coasters making me want to fight people for no reason. A steady glucose level means fewer cravings and better energy throughout the day.

Walking is My New Personality Now

I’m not out here training for a marathon, but walking for 30 minutes a day has actually been the easiest way to feel like I’m doing something without, you know, actually suffering.

Plus:

• Helps with bloating and water retention. Movement keeps circulation going, helping the body flush out excess water.
• Keeps me from feeling like a sloth. Even low-impact movement prevents the sluggish feeling from sitting all day.
• Tricks my brain into thinking I’m active. Because let’s be real, if I sit all day and barely move, my brain thinks I’m hibernating.
• Pairs well with podcasts, so I don’t have to think about the walking part. Distraction is key to making it feel effortless.

Cooking Simple Meals is the Move

The best part about Keto is that you don’t have to survive on sad, flavorless diet food. I’ve been making:

• Cheesy Ground Beef Skillet (aka fancy hamburger helper, don’t @ me) – Quick, high in fat, and super satisfying.
• Shrimp & Spinach in Garlic Butter Sauce (fancy, but easy) – Perfect for keeping protein up while adding healthy fats.
• Garlic Butter Chicken with Bell Peppers & Cauliflower Rice (aka the “I’m pretending this is takeout” meal) – Great alternative to high-carb rice dishes.

What’s NOT Working (AKA Why I Almost Threw in the Towel)

Mysterious Weight Spikes: Feb 17, 19, 20—What Gives?

So, imagine my horror when I woke up and saw the scale go up after I’d been a keto angel (or so I thought). Turns out:

• I ate too much on Feb 19 (1757 kcal, a little too enthusiastic). Even on Keto, a calorie surplus means weight gain.
• Protein was too high (120g+), which could have turned into glucose. Yep, the body can turn excess protein into glucose through a process called gluconeogenesis. Basically, too much protein can act like carbs.
• Pork rinds & cheese = sneaky salt bombs. Water retention is real, folks. High sodium intake can cause temporary weight gain due to fluid retention.
• Ketone levels dropped from 2.0+ to 0.7, aka my fat-burning engine took a nap. Lower ketones mean my body wasn’t in deep fat-burning mode anymore.

Not Enough Fat = My Body is Confused

You’d think “Eat more fat” would be the easiest diet rule ever, but somehow I managed to under-eat fat on some days (~60-70g instead of the goal 120g). That’s like trying to run a car on fumes and wondering why it’s not working. Not eating enough fat on Keto can slow down fat-burning because your body isn’t getting the fuel it needs.

Social Media is a Productivity Black Hole

I’ve been spending way too much time on X (Twitter) & Discord instead of, you know, focusing on my health goals.

• Led to eating a whole Lily’s chocolate bar because I was distracted. Mindless snacking while scrolling? Dangerous combo.
• Ignored my to-do list like it was a bill collector. Social media sucked away time I could have spent meal prepping or working out.
• Felt exhausted but did nothing physically demanding?? Mental fatigue from doomscrolling can make you feel tired without actually doing anything.

The Fix: What I’m Doing Differently This Week

• Keep Calories Below 1600 kcal – No more snack attacks at midnight. Staying in a deficit is key.
• Keep Protein in Check (100-110g max) – Let’s not turn protein into sugar again, thanks.
• Stay Consistent with Fat Intake (~120g) – More butter, please.
• Ease Up on Salty Snacks – My body is holding onto water like it’s a security blanket.
• Keep Walking Daily – Turns out, moving my legs is beneficial. Who knew?
• Cap Social Media at 1 Hour Per Day – Otherwise, I’m basically living in my phone.

Final Thoughts: Keto Works, If You Work It

Keto isn’t magic. It’s just eating in a way that makes my body burn fat instead of hoarding it. When I actually stick to it, the results show up. When I let distractions take over, things slow down.

So, the goal is simple: keep going, keep tracking, and stop letting Twitter dictate my day.

What about you? If you’ve tried Keto, what’s been the hardest part?