I first heard about the keto lifestyle from my wife who had been introduced to it by a friend at work. She had been struggling with her weight for years and was looking for a way to achieve permanent weight loss and end the vicious cycle of yo-yo dieting. The more she studied the more she became convinced that keto could be the solution to the problem. My weight had also been up and down over the years. I would go through periods of physical inactivity, emotional eating and resulting weight gain followed by periods of intense exercise, dieting and weight loss. After she started telling me about keto, my first thought was “what no more pasta or bread?” My second thought was that it went against all we were taught about proper nutrition (the traditional food pyramid) and maintaining good health. However, the more I learned about it the more it made sense to me. One day my wife asked my daughter and I if we would join her on the keto journey. We said yes right way with no hesitation and so it began.
I’ve now been on the journey for about two years and am more convinced than ever that it was the right decision for me and my family. I’ve come to realize that obesity is neither a male nor a female problem but a human problem affecting millions of people across the globe. At first glance the media’s focus tends to be on women and dieting. It’s as if men are less concerned about their weight and physical appearance. In fact, just the opposite is true. I’ve discovered that the world of keto is really not gender or age specific. I’m a male in my early 60’s who’s fully embraced the lifestyle which is much more than just food. It also includes proper rest, hydration, exercise and stress reduction. I’ve found that some of the exercise routines, specifically on YouTube tend to be geared more towards women, particularly the ones which are more dance oriented (Zumba or Salsa). I did try the dance routines and felt a little out of my comfort zone. In time, we settled on a daily exercise routine involving a 30 minute walk followed by a 60 - 80 minute program which includes weight training (Kettle ball) and walking (step exercise) sessions.
I have noticed significant improvements in both my level of fitness (cardiovascular and strength) and the gradual loss of weight over time. I have less urge to snack but when I do it’s something keto friendly such as some nuts, cheese or berries. I am also less interested in traditional snacks and foods with high carb counts such as bread, pasta, chips, sweets etc.. What I crave are foods high in healthy fats. I know this seems counterintuitive. Aren’t high fat foods bad for me? Well the answer is no. My overall health has improved and I’m feeling better than I have in years. What this tells me is that men regardless of age or state of health can benefit from the Keto Lifestyle. By eliminating most carbs from my diet and integrating vigorous exercise, I’ve lost stubborn belly fat. Many middle aged men have excess weight concentrated in their mid-section which is especially hard to lose, as their metabolism slows down. I’ve living proof that men in general and specifically men in my age range can clearly benefit from a Keto lifestyle which is sustainable for a lifetime. Believe it or not, we men are not immune to crash diets, binging, emotional eating and cravings. We just may be less willing to talk about it than women. If your wife, partner, significant other is encouraging you to join the keto bandwagon, i encourage you to do so. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Again, just make sure to consult with your family physician to make sure this lifestyle is safe for you. Remember, A family which goes keto together stays together!
#healthylifestyle #holisticketo #keto #ketolifestyle #ketosuperheroes #ketoweightloss #selflove