7 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE STARTING KETO!

Looking into getting started on a ketogenic diet can often feel overwhelming because there is a lot of information out there. Don’t get me wrong, it can all be important information BUT it is a lot! Digesting it and deciding how it fits into your plan can be confusing so today I wanted to offer seven questions that should you ask yourself that will help you navigate the waters to find your path, including whether or not keto is the right diet for you! I have also included a bonus question that is a good idea for anyone who is looking to make a change to their way of eating.

Don’t worry though, this isn’t a pass/fail quiz! Instead your answers will help you discover information that you need to properly prepare yourself. Whatever those answers might be!

Let’s get into it!

1. Can I live without “bread?”

So no joke here, the first question lays out the fact that a ketogenic diet is centered on carbohydrate restriction. You can replace the word in quotes with other higher carb foods like pasta, cake, cookies, etc. but the question remains the same. What is your answer and how do you feel about it? Look at the question again, it asks if you can live without bread. Not if you can imagine never having bread again for the rest of your life, but can you imagine being alive if you didn’t? If your immediate reaction is “Nope!” then the ketogenic diet may not be a sustainable option for you to get started with right now. Answering this question was one of the biggest lessons I have personally learned on my journey. It is not about will I never have bread again, but do I believe that I could still thrive and be happy if for some reason I didn’t. For me that answer was learned to be a huge yes! Every way of eating that promotes weight loss will have some form of restriction involved and for me the restrictions of a ketogenic diet were not barriers to entry for me. Be honest with yourself. If you want to dive deeper into my perspective on this topic specifically, check out this previous blog here.

2. Why did you choose keto?

The answer to this question should be about more than “I saw someone else get the results I want using it!” If your answer is sitting there, you need to make sure that you dig deeper into why this option seems attractive for you. A well formulated ketogenic diet will reduce your carb intake, encourage the intake of healthy fats and focus on getting enough protein for your body. What does that look like in practice? Do the food choices not only seem sustainable but enjoyable to you?

3. Have I done my research?

Have you? Do you fully understand what it looks like to put together a balanced ketogenic lifestyle beyond what your first meal will look like on your plate? In order to properly answer this question you need to have a good understanding of not just your food choices but the importance of proper hydration, preparing your environment and navigating the challenges of ensuring daily success. This can be where most people get bogged down in information overload. There are many books, YouTube channels, websites and more that can provide an encyclopedic level of information at your fingertips but proper preparation involves digesting it all. Our team has prepared a comprehensive resource to help you get all of that started and conveniently enough we call this our “Getting Started” Page! Check it our here and see if you have truly done all of your homework! With plenty of simple clearly defined resources to help if you haven’t!

4. How will I “keto”?

Another facet of the ketogenic space is that there are different approaches to the core concepts. Each path will lead you to the same place in the end but will provide separate direction to navigating the challenges that you personally may face. A glimpse at these paths include a whole food based ketogenic plan, a “dirty keto” approach that includes more foods that focus on convenience to save you time, higher fat or higher protein based keto macro ratio variations to help with specific challenges around performance goals or satiation. Navigating which path might be right for you can be a confusing question to answer but an important one! You should feel confident picking your path and getting it started. A coach can be a great resource to help you find out which one is truly best for you. We are here to help with this!

5. Can you commit?

So you have chosen to start a ketogenic diet and you have your path clearly defined, it’s time to decide if you can commit to it! Committing means giving yourself and your body the proper time to put it into action and assess if it is working as desired. From my perspective that means committing to a minimum 30 day period where you will put your plan into action and you will stick to that plan before you make changes. This will give you the opportunity to truly see your plan’s impact on your day to day life and activity. It will allow you to see where you need more information and troubleshooting. The great thing? You can decide after that first month if you need to make significant adjustments or changes to your plan! I am not encouraging you to spend 30 days miserable and struggling, a properly prepared plan will prevent this. I am encouraging you to commit to 30 days to learn about yourself and where you personally thrive and push back on your new plan!

6. What does my supporting cast look like?

Making any change in our lives can be hard so we need to make sure that we not only have the right people in our corner but also resources. Finding people who will help hold us accountable can be a key factor in our success so be sure you do this! As mentioned above a coach can be a great resource here but I am talking about the people in your life that you see daily or connect with online. Supportive family members especially the people you live with can be great but I also understand that discussing our health them can be tough, especially if we feel like they have seen us try and fail before. So seek out other people who may be facing similar challenges or have similar goals. You can do this on social media in places like sharing your journey Instagram or in groups on Facebook. If you belong to a gym, that can also be a great resource for support. Define what level of accountability you personally need and seek the right tools to help with it. That said, your support system should also include the proper tools for you to help you track your progress and assess your results. Are you a pen and paper person? Would an app be more helpful? Do you have go to spots for recipes and meal planning ideas? Now is the time to fill up that tool box!

7. How would you explain keto to someone else?

You might see this last question and think, what on earth does this have to do with choosing and using a ketogenic diet but I am convinced it is a great way to get out of your own and head and feel secure in your plan. What would you say if someone in your life asked, “So what is this keto you’re starting?” Think about that answer and how you want it to sound. Not because you need to worry about the listener’s reaction but because you want to feel like you react well to it. This exercise can help us identify areas of understanding that we need to expand and might not have expected. Will it help with people that might not understand your choices? Sure! But more importantly it will help you ensure that you understand them!!

As I mentioned about there is a bonus question and it is one that every person who is embarking on a weightless or health journey should ask…

Bonus: Have I talked to my doctor?

Oh man is this one hard because often we have gotten lackluster responses or support from medical professionals when it comes to the area of weight loss. But having a solid dialogue with your primary care provider about your current health status and your desire to make change can be empowering. And also ensure that you are fully aware of how your decision about the ketogenic diet can impact any current medications or needs you have. Remember that you do hold power in that discussion and if you are not feeling like you are being heard it is okay to work with your provider to find another doctor! That can be a worrisome move but it is important to find a practitioner who will see you and hear you. I am not saying look for an echo chamber, but be sure that your doctor is willing to understand the choices you want to make and provide their professional opinion in a non-dismissive fashion.

And just like that, the interrogation is over! Sit with your answers and identify the questions you might need to put some more work into. This is all hard work, so if you are you feeling a bit of discomfort right now… good! Change is not always a comfortable thing, but do not mistake discomfort for insecurity in your purpose. Taking action to improve your health is a power move and you hold the capability to do this in your hands!!!