4-year Keto-Versary

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4-year Keto-Versary by Roxana Soetebeer

October 11th, 2023, marks my four-year keto-versary, and I can't help but be overwhelmed by emotions as I reflect on my incredible journey. So much has transformed in my life: my health, my energy, my outlook in life, and my purpose.

Helping and coaching others has become my new passion. I'm now in a position to empower others on their health journeys and make a meaningful impact. I may still be on my path, but I've inspired others to join me—not by striving for perfection but by simply showing what's achievable through what I eat and when I eat.

If I had one superpower, it would be inspiring others and giving them hope.

The picture below needs some explanation. I took it the morning after I learned about keto. I was full of hope and pumped. I knew keto would work. So, I captured the moment, not knowing how my life would change in the next four years.

How it all began

I was morbidly obese, living with full-blown T2D, NASH, GERD, and inflammatory arthritis. At 300 plus pounds, I was not a happy camper. Healthy and happy at any size? That's a myth. I wanted to believe it, but the reality was that I was deeply unhappy, in pain, fatigued, and deathly sick.

I followed the guidelines—limited red meat, focused on fruits, veggies, and whole grains, and ate frequent small meals. I ate 'heart-healthy' Cheerios with skim milk, whole wheat bread, and only used vegetable oils and margarine. Little did I know that following the official recommendations only made me sicker, eventually leading to insulin shots with an A1c of 8.5. My future looked bleak. I was on the path to debilitating diabetic complications.

Was I the perfect patient?

Certainly not. Driven by sugar and processed carb addiction, I was not in control. I did try my best. But well-meant advice like, "You can't keep restricting yourself," became my excuse to take that one bite.

Now I know that addicts cannot control their substance of abuse, in my case, sugar. My lack of control was not a character flaw. Sugar had hijacked my brain. Addiction is a disease of the brain.

How it continued

Early in my keto journey, I followed Dr. Ken Berry, whose advice was the most consistent and helpful. I can unequivocally say that his advice saved my life. When I asked him how I could repay him, he simply said, "Spread the word."

With this challenge in mind, I started a Facebook community and got busy on Twitter. I'm a lifelong learner, so I enrolled in various courses, earning certifications as a metabolic health practitioner, coach practitioner, and LCHF keto advisor from Nutrition Network and Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners. I'm also on my way to becoming a certified Primal Health Coach.

Present day

From being a guest on a few podcasts to launching my own YouTube channel, I've stepped out of my comfort zone to inspire and educate. Do I enjoy all this? Absolutely. It's not always easy, but I cherish every step of the way.

Protect Your N.E.S.T: Roxana Soetebeer Episode 116
LowCarbMD Episode 213 - Roxana Soetebeer
The Evolved Dietitian - Roxana's Weight Loss, Keto caused what?!
The Fabulously Keto Podcast: Roxana Soetebeer
Off Of The Couch Podcast Roxana Soetebeer, MHP, Reversing Insulin Resistance

My newest endeavours are my YouTube channel and being a coach and mentor in Dr. Ken Berry's PHD community. PHD stands for Proper Human Diet. Watch my interview with Dr. Ken Berry to learn what a Proper Human Diet is.

My two videos on YouTube. Please make sure to like, subscribe, and share.

Running a Facebook group, doing all the coursework, and staying up to date with science takes up considerable time. But the feedback I receive from people whose lives I changed for the better makes it all worthwhile.

My gripes

Reflecting on my journey, I also feel the need to rant. How could I have gotten to a point where I ended up morbidly obese, insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetic, with inflamed fatty liver (one step short of cirrhosis), and in such bad shape that a trip from my chair to the kitchen sink had me drenched in sweat?

I kept blaming myself because, after all, no one was responsible but me. Or so I thought. I was addicted to sugar, addicted to hyper-palatable ultra-processed food. Make no mistake. Food corporations do not care about our health. Their goal is to maximize profits. The more we buy, the more they profit.

Food products are designed to get us hooked. How?

By finding the bliss point—a combination of the perfect consistency and taste. But these products, loaded with questionable additives and preservatives, are meticulously crafted in a lab. Arguably, they do not even qualify as food.

We have been conditioned to consume low-fat, high-carb diets. And food corporations provide us with handy convenience foods, low in calories.

We have been taught to eat everything in moderation, and to count calories in pursuit of the elusive calorie deficit.

How has that approach worked on a population level?

Statistics on obesity (BMI >30) and severe obesity (BMI >35) reveal a concerning trend:

It's crucial to note that these statistics pertain to obesity alone and do not account for overweight individuals. This underscores the utter failure of the nutritional advice offered to the public.

• By 2030, projections indicate that some states will reach a staggering 60% obesity rate.
• In no state is this rate expected to dip below 35%.

Prevalence of obesity (BMI >30) and severe obesity (BMI >35).

By 2030, some states are projected to have a 60% obesity rate.

No state will be <35% pic.twitter.com/p39w29BpvZ

— P. D. Mangan Health & Freedom Maximalist 🇺🇸 (@Mangan150) May 23, 2022

If you are struggling with metabolic health (T2D, obesity, fatty liver, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and more), please know this: it's not your fault ... but it is your problem. It is up to you to take your health into your own hands. Know that there is hope. I reversed most of my health problems by ditching the guidelines. For more info, join my Facebook group and check out the benefits of a very low-carb diet.

Keto, ketovore, and carnivore aren't just fad diets; they're how humans were meant to live. Join me, become a member of my community, and reach out for help.

Final thought: If you're facing challenges with your health or have questions, I'm here to help. Feel free to reach out via email for personalized coaching. Join my Facebook group to connect with a supportive community of like-minded individuals, or follow me on Twitter for spirited discussions. Together, we can take the first steps toward a healthier, happier you.

Written by Roxana Soetebeer MHP
Published October 14th, 2023

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