I remember gripping the stair railing, dragging myself up one step at a time. My knees throbbed, my body ached, and even standing too long left me exhausted. Then one morning in March 2024, at 47 years old, the scale flashed 297 lbs back at me. That moment became the start of my keto weight loss journey at 297 lbs — a turning point that felt like my last chance to take back control of my health and my future. Something had to change.
Living in Pain
Life Before Keto — Struggling at 297 lbs
At 47 years old, I felt trapped in a body that no longer worked the way I needed it to. Everyday tasks left me drained, and I carried constant pain in my knees and joints. I couldn’t stand for long periods, and walking even short distances felt overwhelming.
For months, I had to rely on a cane just to get around. Each time I leaned on it, I felt frustration, embarrassment, and sadness. It wasn’t just the physical struggle — it was the emotional weight of realizing how much of my life I was missing out on.
When I finally saw a knee surgeon I hoped for answers — a plan, a fix, something. Instead he told me surgery wouldn’t help and offered only one piece of advice: “Lose weight.” No treatment plan. No options. I remember walking out of that office crushed, dismissed, and utterly defeated, like someone had closed the door on any hope of help.
“The only advice he gave me was to lose weight. No treatment plan. No options.”
This moment became a turning point in my keto weight loss journey at 297 lbs. — the moment I realized no one else was going to save me, and that I had to take back control of my health myself.
The Wake-Up Call
I had tried keto before and failed. I’d drop a few pounds, only to gain them back — sometimes more. Each failed attempt left me staring into the mirror, not just seeing the weight but feeling the doubt and failure.
Then came March 2024. At 47 years old, the scale read 297 lbs. Almost 300. My stomach dropped. Shame, fear, and disbelief washed over me all at once.
It wasn’t just a number. It was a warning of what my life could become — smaller, more painful, more limited. That was the moment I knew: if I didn’t change, I might lose the ability to live the life I wanted.
That was my wake-up call.
Maybe you’ve had a moment like that too — the one where reality hits hard, and you know deep down that something has to change.
Finding Keto Again
After that wake-up call, I knew I couldn’t do it alone. Thankfully, I didn’t have to. My brother had already been living keto and became an unexpected guide. He encouraged me, shared what he had learned, and helped me see keto not as another fad diet but as a real lifestyle shift.
He doesn’t realize how much that meant to me. He gave me the knowledge and confidence to try again.
With his support, I walked into my kitchen and cleared out the carb-heavy foods — the crackers, cereal, sweets, and granola. It felt symbolic, like I wasn’t just throwing away food but letting go of years of habits that kept me stuck.
For the first time, change felt possible.
Keto isn’t just another fad diet — it’s a way of eating backed by research. If you’re curious about the basics, this beginner’s guide to keto explains how it works and why it can be effective.
The Hope of a New Beginning
The first steps of my keto weight loss journey were messy, uncomfortable, and uncertain. I didn’t have all the answers, but for the first time in years, I felt something I thought I had lost: hope.
This wasn’t just about losing weight. It was about learning how to live again.
In Part 2 of my Keto Weight Loss Journey, I share the grocery shop that changed how I looked at food, the simple meals that kept me going, and how “dirty keto” helped me build momentum in those early weeks. One of the recipes that carried me through that time — and still does — is my Keto Tuscan Chicken. It’s rich, satisfying, and proof that keto food can feel indulgent while still moving you toward your goals.
