How to Start the Keto Diet

8 Tips on How to Start the Keto Diet for Weight Loss

Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the information about the ketogenic diet? Are you dragging your feet because you don’t really know how to start the keto diet?

If yes, you are at the right because this post will provide simple and practical tips that will help you get started successfully and lose weight.

Truth be told, there is an information overload about the ketogenic diet, which can definitely make a beginner feel overwhelmed.

So you are not the only one asking, how do I start a keto diet? This is why I have decided to keep this post simple and to the point.

So this is not a post about what keto diet is and how it can help you lose weight. I don’t want to overwhelm you with a lot of information. I don’t want you to get confused and go into analysis paralysis.

Instead, I want you to take action after reading this post. It is only by taking actions that you can get results and lose weight.

However, you can read this post if you want a detailed information about the ketogenic diet.

Now, let’s get back to the topic at hand – how to start the keto diet!

How to Start the Keto Diet Successfully – 8 Simple Steps

#1. Be Committed

Commit to starting. Just make up your mind and decide on a date to start. You should also commit to sticking to the diet until you see results. This means that you need to have the mindset that you are in it for the long haul.

In fact, your level of commitment will determine how successful will be on this diet. Remember, this is going to be a very big change in lifestyle.

You are going to drastically change what you eat – your new diet will be mostly fats, moderate proteins and low carbs.

This change can have some unpleasant side effects on your body at the beginning. So, it is your commitment that will see you through the bad days.

And believe me, there will be days you will feel like giving up. But quitting is NOT an option if you really want to lose that weight.

Honestly, it will be difficult if not impossible for you to succeed with the ketogenic diet without being totally committed.

Committing to the program will help you stay within your macros, eat the right foods, avoid the wrong foods, exercise, endure the keto flu and persevere even when you are not losing weight as fast as you want.

#2. Set Realistic Goals and Have a Plan

Goals help to keep you motivated and you need the motivation to succeed on any diet. When you have a goal, you have something you are aiming for. Your goal becomes a driving force that propels you to take actions that will help you reach that goal.

However, it is important to be realistic about your goals. Your goals are supposed to motivate you and NOT demoralize you.

Set weight loss goals that are achievable. You will only be setting yourself up to fail if your goal is unrealistic and unattainable.

For example, your goal could be, to lose 2-3 pounds in a week. And your plan for achieving that goal could be something like keeping your carbs intake under 20 grams a day or doing a 16/8 fasting once a week.

#3. Inform Your Family and Friends

It is important to inform your family of your decision to go keto before you actually start the diet. You need a support base, people who will be rooting for you to succeed.

And informing your family will help keep them in the know, so they won’t be surprised to see you eating different foods than what they are eating. They may even decide to join you…you never know. But even if they don’t, getting their support is vital.

#4. Clear Out Your Pantry

Get rid of the bad foods you don’t need. Keeping the bad foods around can hinder your success because you may be tempted to cheat.

Those processed foods or sugars are not good for you and the sooner you get rid of them the better. Focus on your weight loss goal and you will be surprised at how easy it will be to let go of all the sugary stuff.

#5. Grocery Shopping

Now that you have got rid of the foods you don’t need, you will have to replace them with the keto friendly foods you need. Having these keto foods available at home is very important, to avoid being tempted to eat the wrong foods.

Here is a comprehensive keto grocery list you can use for shopping.

#6. Keto Essentials

You will also need to buy some keto essential such as ketone test strips to help you know when you are in ketosis. Ketosis is the metabolic state, whereby your body switches from using sugar for energy to using fats.

It is at this stage that you will start losing weight. This is why it is important that you strive to get into ketosis fast and maintain it.

You will also need a food scale like this one to help you accurately measure your foods and electrolytes to help with rehydration and replenishment of lost minerals.

#7. Meal Plans

With meal plans, you know what you will be eating in advance, which solves the problem of always trying to come up with what to eat. To make it even more convenient, prep your meals in advance.

This way all you need to do any time you want to eat is, bring out a bowl of prepped meal from the fridge, throw it in the microwave and viola… your food is ready.

I like prepping 1-week meals at a time and I usually do it on Saturdays. It actually makes life much easier as I don’t have to worry about what to eat throughout the week.

#8. Measure Yourself

Measure yourself and record your starting measurements. This will help you know when you start shedding the pounds.

So there you go, 8 simple steps to staring the keto diet for weight loss. The ball is now in your court! I will like to hear your journey, so feel free to share with us using the comment form below.