Why Keto Didn’t Work for Me – The Shocking Impact on My Body and Mind
Rosy Williams
A real-life story of struggle, confusion, and rediscovery.
I’m Rosy Williams, and I want to tell you something I never thought I’d say: the keto diet didn’t work for me. I know, it’s shocking, especially when you hear people rave about quick weight loss on keto and the magic of low-carb diets. But I lived through it, and my body and mind paid the price.
Before jumping in, I researched “does the keto diet help with belly fat?” and saw a flood of promises. But reality hit hard. Let me walk you through my genuine journey—the highs, the lows, and why I’ve turned my back on keto for good.
“When you listen to your body, it whispers. When you ignore it, it screams.”
Falling for the Keto Hype
It all started with those tempting headlines:
“Lose 10kg fast with keto!”
“Keto diet for mental clarity and energy boost!”
Everywhere I turned, the internet praised the ketogenic lifestyle. So, I followed suit. I downloaded a free keto meal plan, calculated my keto macros, and said goodbye to carbs.
Within a week, I felt tired—but I was told it was “keto flu”, and it would pass. I trusted the process, believing I’d soon unlock the magical keto fat-burning mode called ketosis.
The Keto Crash – My Body in Chaos
What came next shocked me. My body began to rebel. I experienced:
-
Hair thinning
Irregular periods
Crippling anxiety
-
Severe mood swings
-
Persistent fatigue
I Googled desperately: “Is keto diet bad for women’s hormones?” The answer? It can be. Especially for women like me who need balanced nutrition, not strict elimination.
Despite losing 5 pounds initially, my energy tanked. I struggled to get out of bed. I cried without reason. And my gut? It felt like it was waging war.
This wasn’t the promised land. It was survival.
I Gained the Weight Back—and Then Some
Let’s talk real. I lost 5 pounds at first. But within three months, I regained 7. My metabolism slowed. I felt puffier, heavier, more sluggish than ever.
I read: “Why do you gain weight after keto?” It turns out, keto can reduce muscle mass and slow thyroid function in some people. Once you reintroduce carbs, your body hoards them.
So yes, I gained it all back—and I blamed myself. But it wasn’t my fault. I followed the rules. I just didn’t know the rules weren’t made for me.
Mental Health on Keto – A Silent Struggle
No one warned me that keto could mess with my mental health. I noticed a decline in my mood just two weeks in. So, I searched:
“Can keto make depression worse?”
“Why does keto cause anxiety in women?”
The results were eye-opening. Low-carb diets can deplete serotonin levels, especially when carbs are your brain's comfort. I wasn’t crazy. My sadness wasn’t “just stress.” My mind was starving for balance.
I tracked everything—my meals, mood swings, even sleep. I have it all written in my journal and photos of my once-glowing skin now covered in breakouts.
This was my live proof—keto wasn't helping me. It was hurting me.
My Relationship with Food Was Damaged
Keto made me fear carbohydrates. I avoided fruit, sweet potatoes, even whole grains. I demonised foods that once made me happy.
Eating became mechanical. Meal times felt like maths equations. I’d panic over eating 30g of carbs instead of 20.
I searched, “Why does keto lead to food obsession?” And again, I found other women like me—trapped in a cycle of guilt, obsession, and disordered eating.
This wasn’t freedom. This was prison with a pretty name.
Read More:
What Worked for Me Instead
After quitting keto, I embraced intuitive eating. I started walking more, lifting light weights, and enjoying balanced meals with carbs, proteins, and healthy fats.
And guess what? I lost 6 pounds in 2 months without trying. My skin cleared. My mood stabilised. My hair stopped falling out. Most importantly—I felt free.
Now I Google things like:
-
“How to eat for hormone balance naturally”
“Best foods for women’s mental health”
-
“Gentle ways to lose weight without dieting”
And I follow evidence-based nutrition instead of trends.
Why I Share My Story
If you’re reading this because you’re wondering why Keto didn’t work for you, or you feel ashamed that it didn’t “click” — I’m here to say: You’re not alone. You’re not broken. And you don’t need to punish yourself.
Your worth is not measured by your ability to follow a trend. Your body is wise. Trust it.“Real strength is saying no to what harms you, even when everyone else says yes.”
Why I’ll Never Go Back to Keto
I’m not saying keto doesn’t work for anyone. I’m saying it didn’t work for me. And maybe it’s not working for you either, even if you’re afraid to admit it.
You don’t have to suffer in silence. You don’t have to be part of a trend that makes you feel worse. You have the right to choose something gentler, something kinder.
That’s my truth. That’s my lived experience. If I could go back in time, I’d hug that woman desperate for quick fixes and whisper, “You’re already enough. Eat the banana.”
A Sweet Note to You, From Me
If you've tried something that didn’t work, remember: that doesn't mean you failed. It means you learned. And in that learning, there’s growth — and in growth, there’s healing.
With all my heart,
Rosy Williams
No comments:
Post a Comment