"I never expected food to be the place where I'd eventually learn how to take care of myself."
A few years ago life felt like a long list of to-dos that never ended: work deadlines, school runs, trying to sleep enough, and those quiet, creeping afternoons when my energy would simply fail me. I didn't have a dramatic "before" photo moment — no single event — just a slow accumulation of tiredness, a couple of stubborn pounds I couldn't shake, and the feeling that I had lost patience with my own body.
Keto found me the way small miracles usually do: quietly, when I was searching for something practical that might help. I'd read a few articles, watched a handful of videos, and more importantly, I listened to the stories of other women who were trying to balance careers, families, and a desire to feel healthy again. Their honesty kept me honest.
Why I tried keto
I'll be honest — I tried keto because it seemed practical. It offered simple rules: fewer carbs, more whole fats, focus on real food. For someone who hates fussy diets and meal plans that feel like a math problem, the clarity was a relief. What I didn't expect was how mental the whole thing would be. Food is emotion, history, and comfort. Changing any of that is as much about mindset as it is about recipes.
The first month: messy and revealing
The first few weeks were messy. I had headaches the first week, which I later learned people call "keto flu." I missed bread more than I thought possible. Socially it was awkward — friends at brunch, work lunches, family dinners. I learned to bring my own dish sometimes, but more often I practiced saying, "No thank you, I'm trying something different right now."
What changed in my day-to-day
I stopped thinking about food as punishment and started thinking about it as fuel. Breakfast was eggs and spinach. Lunch was leftovers with a bright salad. Snacks became nuts or a little cheese. I learned to read labels — not obsessively, but enough to avoid hidden sugars. I kept things simple: roasted vegetables, grilled fish, guacamole, and a routine Sunday where I'd prep a few basics so weekday life was easier.
Mistakes I made (so you don't have to)
- I tried to be perfect. Perfection isn't sustainable. Allowing for occasional flexibility saved my sanity.
- I ignored electrolytes. When fatigue hit hard early on, I learned that salt, magnesium, and potassium matter. A salty bone broth or an electrolyte tablet made a difference.
- I compared myself to others. Everyone's timeline is different. What worked for my sister or my friend might not be the same for me — and that's okay.
What I learned beyond weight
The most surprising thing was how much my mood and mental clarity improved. That steady energy allowed me to be more present at work and at home. I stopped measuring success by a scale alone and started celebrating how I felt: calmer mornings, clearer thinking, and better sleep. Those were the real rewards.
Small rules that helped me stick with it
- Keep breakfasts easy — eggs, sautéed greens, and a quick avocado.
- Prep two things on Sundays (a protein and a veg) so weekdays are fast.
- Drink water and remember salt. Tiny things add up.
- Forgive yourself for missteps. One day doesn't erase progress.
- Find two or three go-to recipes you actually like — that's your safety net.
On social life and holidays
I didn't give up holidays or celebrations. I learned to modify plates, not the whole party. That meant choosing the protein, enjoying a salad, and eating dessert mindfully when I wanted it. People asked questions at first — and then stopped. The more comfortable I became, the less my choices felt like a performance.
Why I'm telling this story
This page is simply my journal turned public. I'm not here to convince anyone to start keto. I don't sell plans or claim miracle cures. I'm sharing the ordinary truth of trying something that helped me get a little more energy and a little more ease in my days. If any of this resonates, take the parts that fit, leave the rest.
If you want to try anything similar, please check with your healthcare provider first — especially if you have medical conditions or take medication. This is my experience, not medical advice.
With warmth,
Felicia Noel Navarrette