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Former Biggest Loser coach Jen Widerstrom has shared her feedback on the keto diet [3] 17 days after she inspired herself to start it [4]. Like many people trying the controversial diet [5], which focuses heavily on high-fat, low-carb foods [6], Jen has a pretty lengthy list of pros and cons [7] to share.
While Jen does like the rapid results [8] and the strict food guidelines — there's a clear list of what you can and cannot eat [9] — she admits the restrictive diet is not for everyone . . . including herself. Take a look at her main takeaways from living a keto lifestyle for almost three weeks, and then read her full, honest caption above. Jen's greatest takeaway? "I have the power to do something about the way I feel and I also get to decide how to move through what happens to me." Maybe what she's learned will help you decide whether or not the keto diet is right for you [10]. However, before you decide on any major changes in your own diet, be sure to speak with your doctor first.
The Pros:
- Fast response: "Keep in mind the first week is really just water weight, but if you stay in it the body continues to drop weight pretty rapidly."
- No cravings: "I had no energy drop and nice energy flow throughout the day."
- Clear food and fuel boundaries: "There is no guesswork and no negotiation that happens — you know exactly what you're allowed to eat and what you're not."
The Cons
- It's not for everyone: "As you all know, I strongly believe one size does not fit all . . . making keto NOT for everyone. It's not for me for sure — even though my body does respond well to high fat and protein fuel, given my mental and physical demands. My body NEEDS starch so I choose not to live in ketogenesis."
- It takes a lot of discipline: "It takes VERY high discipline to do right and adopt correctly."
- The precision of the diet is critical: "Inspired by a conversation with my colleague @dunamisarp [11], 'you risk not actually being in ketosis and instead just adopting a restrictive carb diet with too high of protein leading into gluconeogenesis.'"