Nissa Graun's Story

Since the age of 12, Nissa Graun has tried various diets with minimal success. She has lost and regained the same 20 to 50 pounds repeatedly over a 20-year period. Suffering from chronic health problems like migraines, sinus infections, and cystic acne—with depression and anxiety, too—she knew she needed to make a change when she was also diagnosed with gestational diabetes after her first pregnancy.

“Before I found keto and IF, I attempted taking the baby weight off for more than six months with methods I previously used, like counting calories and [over-exercising” Graun said. “I kept losing and regaining the same 3 to 5 pounds and my blood sugar levels remained in diabetic ranges. I thought my body was broken after more than 20 years of yo-yo diets.”

Once she learned how to reduce carbs to lower her Fat Storing Hormone and control her blood sugar, she was finally able to reach her goal weight—something she hadn’t been able to do in 20 years.

Graun found Dr. Berg while scrolling through Facebook. She began to watch his videos because she already was interested in keto and intermittent fasting. His advice only furthered her progress. Because of his tips, she now eats more vegetables instead of “keto-friendly” processed foods.

“I love that Dr. Berg stresses the importance of nutrient-dense food. That is very important for anyone following a keto lifestyle,” said Graun. “Dr. Berg also helped me figure out my sensitivity to nut products. I still lost weight while incorporating these foods into my diet; however, I didn’t always feel as great as I could have.”

Her support network is large. Her husband follows a keto diet as well—and that makes family cooking easier. She has also created an online support system, through social media and her website, called “Eating Fat is the New Skinny.”

Graun has lost 110 pounds (50 kg) since starting on keto, and now she’s maintaining at that weight. “Once I found what works for my body, weight loss became easy,” she said. “I feel like I am aging in reverse, both in the way I look and how I feel.” She has fully eliminated all of her chronic health issues, has tons of energy to play with her young kids, and no longer spends her days obsessing over food.

Through this process, Graun has become an inspiration to others; she loves being a role model for people who may be fighting hard to correct their weight. She was even featured in People Magazine’s “100 Pounds Down” issue and has written two books to help walk people through a low-carb lifestyle. “I love to inspire and spread the knowledge that has finally helped me conquer more than 20 years of weight and health struggles,” she said.

When asked what she’d like to share with those reading her story, Graun urged everyone to be patient with keto. “The dieting world has trained us to expect rapid weight loss, especially with keto. If they don’t see rapid weight loss, then it must not be working,” she said. “You have to be patient and change your mindset and expectations in order to make keto your lifestyle instead of just another diet you tried and failed.”

Favorite Way to Exercise: Graun used to spend 60 to 90 minutes every day on some sort of cardio machine but realized that was just hurting her progress. “Now I love walking,” she says. “I am able to get vitamin D naturally, build my ketones with moderate exercise, and I spend time with my kids outdoors at the park. I also focus more on resistance training than cardio.”

Favorite Keto Recipe: Layered Taco Salad—find the recipe on Graun’s website, http://eatingfatisthenewskinny.com/2017/09/05/layered-taco-salad/