Mandy’s Keto journey 60 lbs later

Meet Coastal Realty Group’s office manager, Mandy Patrick. She is the “glue” for their office! She is from Water Valley, MS and if you have ever heard her talk, you will fall in LOVE with her country accent! Mandy is just a normal, fun-loving girl but has struggled with being overweight all of her life. During the summer of 2019, Mandy looked at some recent photos (shown below) and decided it was time to take her body back. Enough was enough. No more excuses. It was time. Time to actually feel good to go on a date night with her husband in a fitted dress, time to smile again, time to be proud of how she looked.  She knew in order to get the weight down and keep it off she would be looking at a lifestyle change, which sounded dreadful, but something had to change.  Going to the gym and diet fads had failed her before, so she wanted to focus on something different.

Mandy started researching different weight loss programs and found the keto diet which had great results for many people. When on keto, your body switches its fuel supply to run mostly on fat, burning fat 24-7. This diet is low-carb, moderate protein, and a high-fat diet. She felt like after many failed attempts at other methods, she thought this would be worth going ALL IN on.  The struggle was REAL for the first month. She experienced four weeks of what they call the “Keto Flu.” This isn’t like the real flu, but you’re tired, you have a headache, you’re easily annoyed, and you’re having a hard time concentrating.  Sounds fun, right? Just hang on… it gets better!

After about the first month, she felt better. She was in a routine. Mandy began researching different Keto foods…meat and cheese can get old after a month! She longed to have a sandwich and chips or maybe even ice cream for dessert! Since Keto has become such a popular diet and way of life, the foods have come a long way, too. She found that Thin Slims Food and Quest makes all sorts of great Keto-friendly foods which allowed her to feel somewhat normal! Taco chips and Rebel Coffee Chip ice cream were her favorites! 🙂

She used an app called KetoDiet which calculated the appropriate daily amount of calories, fat, net carbs, and protein-based on her age, height, and weight. It didn’t take long for her clothes to start feeling loose. Peers began to notice and her confidence began to rise. She started to feel herself again. Mandy said everyone would ask, “How do you look so good?” She said she is honest and tells them, “Its a mindset…you have to want it.” She said one thing people get confused about is trying to count carbs and also count fat or calories. You can’t mix diets! If you are on Keto, then let that be it!  Another question she gets a lot is what she eats throughout the day to stay full.

Here is a normal day for Mandy:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Breakfast: Drinks a protein shake (any brand; Salted Carmel is her favorite). Somedays she will have stuffed egg and bacon muffins                                                                                                                  Lunch: Salad…be creative with this. For example: taco salad, chicken salad, shrimp or chicken…mix it up or you will get bored with it! She also likes “Egg Roll in a bowl!”                                              Snack:  Any type of nuts and cheese….and a diet coke 🙂                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Dinner: Pimento and cheese sandwich or chicken salad sandwich

There are hundreds of Keto recipes on Facebook and Instagram groups. That is where she finds fun ways to mix up her diet. Mandy said she was very strict about following the diet for the first 6 months. Once she felt comfortable, she admits, she would cheat every now and then by having some pizza (Domino’s hand-tossed meat lovers, YUM) or even a cocktail…or two!  🙂

Twelve months later, Mandy has lost 60 pounds without stepping in the gym!!! SIXTY!!! NO GYM!!! Her transformation has encouraged so many other people to try Keto and get back in shape! She wants everyone to know that you can do anything you put your mind to. We are our own worst enemy and get in our own way too often. Mandy says going Keto has been one of the best decisions she has made. Today is your day! Drop a comment below if you have any questions!