Brenda Silva, as told to Emily Shiffer

<p>I can't exactly pinpoint where my weight issues began in my life. To be honest, I felt tired and lethargic for as long as I could remember. I felt uncomfortable in my own skin all of the time, and I was always so embarrassed to wear something that wasnt black or covering up my insecurities. Despite my insecurities, I knew that diabetes ran in my family, and I didnt want my health to get to a point where I was diagnosed myself. </p>

<p>But it wasn't until July 2018, right after I had my second daughter, that I finally got serious about my health. She was born premature and I got very depressed for a long time, and all of the stress and emotions at that time really took a toll on my body. </p>

<p>By the time I had given birth to her, I was almost 300 pounds. I was tired of being tired, and tired of not liking what I saw in the mirror. I hated the way I looked and the way I felt.</p>

<h1> When I returned to work after having my second baby, I noticed my coworker had lost a significant amount of weight. I asked her how and she said, keto." </h1>

<p>I went off and did my own research, and to me, <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a19434332/what-is-the-keto-diet/" id="aaa7a5e9-0d09-31d0-a500-e52a6c4915a4">  the keto diet </a> sounded simple enough. I thought Id give it a shot. After trying other diets and fadsdiet pills, eating salads for every single meal, soup diets, and shakes as meal replacementsnothing seemed to work.</p>

<p>On the keto diet, I kept my carb intake to less than 20 grams of carbs per day. I also incorporated <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a28563472/intermittent-fasting-diet/" id="a697b537-d258-3816-a839-f93e2ebcff5d">  intermittent fasting </a> into my diet six months into my new lifestyle. This gave me a better grip on my food intake, cut my food cravings, and gave me so much more energy throughout the day. Currently, in conjunction with keto, I do <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a21729470/16-8-diet/" id="8c91260a-5d3b-31ca-a468-91c3d379ae19">  the 16:8 diet </a> , meaning I fast for 16 hours and I eat within an 8-hour window.</p>

<p>Im still trying to work on an exercise routine, but as a family, we go on long walks on the weekends. We are always moving, just not at the gym. </p>

<p>Heres what I typically eat in a day now:</p>

<ul><li> <strong> Breakfast: </strong>  I love making egg cups. I mix two eggs, bacon, and cheese together and pour the mixture into a muffin baking sheet. Then I pop it into the oven until they are cooked through. </li><li> <strong> Snack: </strong>  Pork Rinds, a pickle, or a handful of almonds always works for me.  </li><li> <strong> Dinner: </strong>  I love traditional bone-in Buffalo wings and a side salad with a low-carb dressing.  </li><li> <strong> Dessert:  </strong> I love to make homemade peanut butter cookies. I use organic peanut butter, Lakanto sweetener, vanilla extract, and one egg. I dont always have dessert but if it fits my macros for the day, I enjoy a treat.  </li></ul>

<h1> The keto diet has improved my life in more ways than one. </h1>

<p>I have lost a total of 79 pounds on the ketogenic diet, down from around 300 only a couple of years ago. My energy is always high, and my relationship with food is so much healthier than it used to be.</p>

<p>I wish I had done my research on eating plans and sustainable weight loss much sooner. I wish I had known that fat can be good for the body, and that sugar drains my energy. For instance, I used to think anything that said "fat free" was good for you. Overall, I just wish I had been more informedand I encourage other women to do their research before trying out any diet and empower themselves with information. </p>

<p>I eat to feel satisfied and fueled, but not to get full to the point that I feel tired. I have so much more mental clarity. Im no longer depressed, and I love who I see in the mirror and how I feel every single day. Yes, I have lost a lot of weight, but I have gained so much confidence, strength, and self-awareness on the inside, too.</p>

<p>My biggest piece of advice? Just. Start. Now. You gotta start somewhere, somehow. On any budget. On any given day. Dont wait until the New Year to start making healthy changes. </p>

'I Lost 79 Pounds On Keto And The 16:8 Diet'

<strong> My name is Brenda Silva. I am 31 years young and I live in Los Angeles. I work for the hair accessory company <span id="5f1d5638-8022-30e6-a859-f879d632b177" itemtype="link" itemscope="itemscope">  Emi Jay Inc. </span> After my last pregnancy, I felt depressed and knew I needed to change my lifestyleso I tried keto. </strong>

'I Lost 79 Pounds With Keto And 16:8 Intermittent Fasting—And Finally Stopped Fad Dieting For Good'

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Brenda Silva, as told to Emily Shiffer

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'I Lost 79 Pounds With Keto And 16:8 Intermittent Fasting—And Finally Stopped Fad Dieting For Good'