In 2018, I embarked on the keto diet with high hopes. Within a year, I successfully lost over 120 pounds, a transformation that was both exciting and empowering. The initial results reinforced my belief in the effectiveness of keto for weight loss. However, what began as a positive experience soon started to take a toll on my relationship with food.

As I delved deeper into the keto lifestyle, I became increasingly obsessed with tracking every calorie and carbohydrate intake. This constant monitoring left me feeling restricted and anxious about my food choices. My fixation on staying within the strict carb limits overshadowed the positive aspects of my weight loss journey. It wasn't long before this obsession began to affect my overall well-being.

The extreme restrictions of the keto diet led to frequent binge-eating episodes. Whenever I felt the need to indulge, it resulted in consuming large quantities of high-fat foods, which defeated the purpose of my diet. This cycle of restriction and bingeing became a persistent struggle, making it difficult to maintain a balanced and healthy relationship with food.

Maintaining a keto diet meant severely limiting my food choices, especially carbohydrates. Essential foods like potatoes, rice, bread, and fruits were off-limits, which made my meals monotonous and less enjoyable. This lack of variety not only made dieting challenging but also deprived me of important vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients necessary for a balanced diet.

While the keto diet helped me shed pounds, it came with unintended health consequences. Relying heavily on high-fat foods like sausages and bacon led to elevated cholesterol levels. Additionally, the lack of diverse food intake meant I was missing out on vital nutrients, contributing to overall health issues despite the weight loss.

My experience with the keto diet was a mixed bag of significant weight loss and unforeseen challenges. While it proved effective in achieving my weight loss goals, the diet's restrictive nature ultimately harmed my relationship with food and overall health. This journey taught me the importance of balance and the need to consider long-term sustainability over quick fixes.