I got a fantastic question via direct message on Instagram the other day.
Sure, I was being a little cheeky but, to the question of whether or not I eat in a way that could be classified as keto, the answer is both yes and no.
If you’d rather listen to this blog than read it, please click play below. Otherwise, just keep on reading.
One of the primary barriers to success and permanent change that I witness with my clients is that people are far too attached to a single way of eating.
They’ve convinced themselves that it needs to be “this way” or “that way”. They’ve convinced themselves that they need to pick a lane: keto, intermittent fasting, paleo, primal, low carb, high carb, carb cycling…
Here’s the real danger to that all-or-nothing mentality: the moment you make a choice that doesn’t align with the “way” you’ve chosen, you convince yourself that you’ve screwed up and you need to start over.
That is exhausting AND it doesn’t work.
The way you eat isn’t a religion.
If you decide to follow a keto, primal, paleo, vegan, vegetarian, low carb or high carb diet, it’s not a ‘way of life’. It’s a choice.
The problem comes when we treat it like a religion.
We’ve done a good thing if we’ve followed the rules. We’ve done a bad thing if we’ve broken the rules.
We’re “on track” if we’re following the rules. We’re “off track” if we aren’t.
That’s not how I choose to live and it’s not how I choose to work with my clients.
Some days, I eat a lot of non-starchy veggies – enough to prevent my body from being in a state of ketosis. Cool.
Other days, I eat fewer non-starchy veggies, a moderate amount of protein and a keto-expert would call that a ketogenic diet. Love it.
Some days I fast. Great!
Some days I eat at 6am. Perfect.
Other days, I eat a lot of protein – enough to prevent my body from being in a state of ketosis. Awesome!
On days like yesterday, I eat sweet potato fries. Winning!
Other days, I don’t have any starch. Yay!
Some days I don’t eat any meat. Perfect.
Am I a vegetarian? For that day I was.
I eat in a way that makes me feel my best.
I eat in a way that makes my body and my mind feel good.
I work to avoid the things that don’t make me feel my best.
It’s not a religion.
From the outside, some days are keto. Some days are paleo. Some days aren’t. Some days are gluten free. Some days aren’t.
It’s not about rules, it’s about paying attention to what makes you feel amazing and learning from your choices.
I’m all of it – keto, vegetarian, vegan, paleo, primal, cupcakes, intermittent fasting.
And sometimes I’m none of it, too.
What makes you feel your best? Do that.