Pat Swicicki|My Keto Journey

At age 69, I had high blood pressure and shortness of breath. I was always tired and did not like what I saw in the mirror. Frustrated, I would make my favorite dinner, macaroni and cheese. Something had to change. I read about keto and decided to try it. I calculated the amount of carbs and proteins I needed to reach my desired goal. Using one of the many online keto carb/protein counting apps, I recorded everything I ate. I mean everything. I started my keto journey at the beginning of October 2020 and right into the Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Years holidays. I stayed on the course. Being on keto, I was never hungry and really had no cravings. I enjoy going out to dinner with friends 3-4 times a week and stayed true to my diet. I could smell the fresh bread, the potatoes, and the desserts, but I was satisfied just eating my dinner knowing the next day I would be a few ounces lighter. Did I exercise? Yes and that is extremely helpful. I started swimming at the YMCA. I joined their adult swim club and swam and swam and swam. I do about 3-plus miles of lap swimming each week; each week getting stronger and stronger. Gradually, I went from a tight size 12 to a comfortable size 8. So far I have lost 51 pounds and would like to lose another 10 pounds. My blood pressure is now normal and I no longer need to take the blood pressure medicine; yes I am being monitored by my doctor. My triglycerides are within normal limits. The shortness of breath is gone and I feel better than I have felt in the past 20 years.