Carissa Kelly's Story

She felt like she was lost in a world where she was part of the obesity epidemic. Carissa Kelly would only leave her house a few times in the entire year due to depression, illness and physical pain. She was suffering from acne and rosacea and was struggling in her relationships with her husband and children (and food). At 333 pounds (151 kg) Kelly knew it was time to start living her life again.

Kelly found Dr. Berg through a friend who also got her started on keto. “I really loved the in-depth information he gave and I had to learn more!” she exclaims. “He introduced me to intermittent fasting which was the breakthrough I needed in my weight-loss journey.”

Changing your lifestyle in such a drastic way will have some challenges. The hardest part for Kelly was “fighting the fat person” inside of her—having the willpower to resist the food (especially the dessert) her children may have been eating, and to resist “a cheat day that ended up in a cheat month,” Kelly explains. “I had a couple of those along the way.”

Dr. Berg’s videos were extremely helpful for Kelly when she had any question or concern during the process. “Dr. Berg has TONS of videos to watch and learn from. Almost every question I have can be answered in one of his videos,” Kelly says.

Her husband was incredibly helpful and supportive throughout, she said, even doing keto and intermittent fasting with her. A few friends joined her in workouts at the gym to keep her accountable. “Also, my family encourages me daily with kind words and support.” But because it was really up to her to succeed, one of Kelly’s main motivators was remembering the little victories. “I focused on my small victories and kept goals for myself. If you don't take note of those small victories you can get discouraged very quickly,” she says.

Since starting keto, Kelly has lost 50 pounds (23 kg) but in total is down an amazing 103 pounds (47 kg). Sharing how much better she feels now, compared to her life before, brings tears of joy. “I went from being in pain, crying daily and being a shell of a person to feeling the best I have ever felt in my entire life,” Kelly says. “I am happy. I am confident. I am healthy. I am virtually pain-free. I didn't think I would ever speak those words.”

With keto, intermittent fasting, and commitment to the responsibility of taking care of her health, Kelly is now able to play with her children and not run out of breath; she can get out of bed pain-free; her husband can wrap his arms around her – even pick her up! – and she can wear her beautiful wedding ring that hasn’t fit for years. “[The best part is] being a motivator for my family and others that are on their own health journeys,” Kelly says. “Seeing is believing. I love being that help for them.”

Her advice to others: “Just don't give up on yourself. If you fall, pick yourself back up like nothing happened and continue on your journey.”

Favorite Way to Exercise: Kelly loves the elliptical machine and walking, and she has now added weight training.

Favorite Keto Recipe: Keto cheesy biscuits