Doing the Low-Carb Lifestyle the Right Way

Fad diets are a dime a dozen, and some might wonder if the rise of the keto diet and low-carb lifestyle means it’s just another fleeting quick-fix scheme. The secret, however, is a little more cut-and-dried. Many people treat dieting – regardless of the diet in question – as a miracle fix. They expect to lose weight fast and then, once they see results, they hope to maintain those results with little to no work at all. The beauty of the keto diet is that it’s not a diet at all. Instead, as many advocates attest, it’s a lifestyle change.

Going Beyond the Fad

The low-carb lifestyle is often touted for its rapid and measurable results. In a $3 billion weight loss industry, that naturally turns heads. While it may seem new and exciting though, keto really isn’t new. In fact, it’s been used for many years to treat epileptic patients. Researcher, James McIntosh says, “Ketosis is a normal metabolic process. When the body does not have glucose for energy, it burns fat stores instead.”¹

Unlike crash diets and fads, keto has a basis in fundamental metabolic processes. The disparity for some lies in its seemingly restrictive nature and rapid results. The question remains, though, can the low-carb lifestyle be sustainable?

Get on Board for Lifestyle Changes

First and foremost, the keto diet is, generally speaking, fairly simple. By following a keto meal model of 20-30 percent calories from protein, 60-70 percent from fats, and 5-10 percent from carbohydrates, people can avoid counting calories and enjoy fan-favorites like bacon and cheese. Unlike fad diets, however, keto does require certain restrictions. Gone from your pantry are many fruits, grains, and sugar sources.

Some dieticians and scientists say this isn’t sustainable, however; personal trainers and nutritionists like Ben Greenfield beg to differ. Ben is one of the top-ranked amateur triathletes in the world, having completed more than 120 races and 12 Ironman triathlons. He was named one of the world's top 100 most influential people in health and fitness in both 2013 and 2014; when he speaks about fitness, people should listen.

He says that, in order to make keto work, you simply need to be in it for the long haul². When first starting a low-carb regimen, most people will shed weight rapidly as your body burns through its carbohydrate stores and the water weight carbs tend to hold. Then, it will slow or stall. To transcend the crash diet phase, Greenfield says, “If you stick with a low carbohydrate diet, the weight loss will gradually and consistently resume.”

Make Better Choices

Like any genuine lifestyle change, going keto and opting for the low-carb lifestyle means you need to look at it less like a diet and more like a series of choices. Consider the big picture. Opt for whole foods vs. processed foods, and turn your mindset toward long term measurable results, rather than the quick fix phase you’d love to see.

Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD

This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD.

Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD is an aesthetic medicine specialist whose work focuses on patients who are treated for obesity, metabolic syndrome, and other weight-related issues through nutritional analysis, keto diet programs, and supporting medications.

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Melissa Moore

Missy is a quick-thinking, coffee-fueled copywriter with a deep interest and love for the low-carb lifestyle. She’s married to an active-duty soldier, so she and her family are checking off one state at a time. When not writing, she competes in open water races, runs marathons, and travels with her family to the far corners of the world.

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