My GP referred me to a weight management specialist, and I had my first visit today. I’ve got a long journey ahead (M49, SW: 431, CW: 416, GW: 230), so I figured getting professional help was the right move. I lost a lot of weight in my early 30s, but after a life-threatening illness, I gained it all back and then some. Last time I just used CICO, but as I approach 50, I thought expert guidance would be better than going it alone. I want to reach a healthy weight and I’m fine with it taking a few years if necessary. The specialist went into a whole lecture about agriculture and evolutionary biology, which I’m interested in, but I knew right away she was going to pitch keto or paleo. It was keto. It felt more like a sales pitch than medical advice; I half expected her to ask me to subscribe to her YouTube channel. I’ve had other doctors warn me that keto is hard on the body and not sustainable. This doctor is highly credentialed, so I’m feeling conflicted about whether it’s safe. I’d love to hear from anyone who has used this method for more than six months. Did it work, and did you switch to something else later? If it was hard, why? I appreciate your thoughts. EDIT: Thanks to everyone for the supportive and civil messages. I’ve seen a lot of good points on both sides. A few extra notes: I’ll be talking to my GP about a plan that fits my family better. This was covered by my provincial health plan (I’m Canadian), so no products were actually being sold, it just felt that way. I’m not diabetic or prediabetic, and my heart and blood pressure are fine. This doctor’s plan is strictly keto with almost no carbs. I’ve had digestive issues before that were solved by eating more grains and less red meat, so I’m skeptical of a plan that does the opposite. I’m happy to be part of this community.
You’ll do just fine with calorie counting, whether or not you choose to drastically cut your carb intake.
You should check out the CICO community.
I attempted keto during my 20s. It worked for weight loss, but my cholesterol levels spiked, so I had to quit. In my experience, the most effective approach is simply prioritizing vegetables over everything else.
I gave it a go for about eight months a while back. I dropped a good chunk of weight—maybe 40 pounds—but I was unhappy the whole time. Eventually, I put it all back on plus some extra because I missed certain foods too much. It just doesn’t seem sustainable for the average person. These days, I just focus on calories and staying active. I still enjoy cake and had nachos recently; moderation is what works for me. I’ve lost 85 pounds in a year this way. I’d suggest looking for a different doctor or just having your GP monitor your health. I’m currently at a university-linked weight clinic where the staff is wonderful and focuses on realistic, long-term habits.
At the end of the day, your doctor is just trying to get you to eat whole foods. Keto is a great way to jumpstart things, but a whole-food diet is sufficient on its own. She likely sounded like a salesperson because medical professionals often feel they have to ‘pitch’ health improvements to get results. Please don’t give up; my father didn’t buy into the changes he needed to make, and we lost him way too early.
I’m currently following a loose version of a diabetic diet, even though I don’t have diabetes. It focuses on protein, vegetables, and balancing complex carbs. I find this much more manageable and healthier for the body than keto. It helps me cut back on the simple sugars and carbs that usually cause me trouble. Doctors have all sorts of personalities and views; just because someone is highly qualified doesn’t mean their plan is the right fit for you. Working in healthcare, I’ve seen both amazing and mediocre providers. If your intuition says this isn’t the right path, listen to it.