My keto lifestyle began a little over three years ago. As a nurse, we have been trained that fats are bad and carbs are good. Living keto means burning fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. The journey with keto began when my daughter came home from college. After gaining weight over 2 semesters she had decided that she needed to give up her love for bread, pasta and sweets. At the time, I was also overweight and I decided that the best way to support her would be for us to go on this journey together. When I began my journey, I thought that it would be impossible to rid my diet of sugars, pasta and hidden carbs. Living keto meant having less that 20 grams of net carbs per day. The average person consumes 900-1300 carbs each day. I have had to learn to read labels carefully to calculate my macros (carbs - fiber = net carbs), and find substitutes to my favorite recipes. Did you know that I can have keto brownies? I have "zucchini noodle" pasta and cauliflower rice. My keto lifestyle has been sustainable as I don't feel like I am missing out because keto always has a alternative. Everyday keto has not been easy as a wife, full time employee and mom of 4. My oldest daughter and I are the only keto eaters in the house. Which means that we take turns cooking dinner and when it's my turn to cook dinner, I try to look for options that only require me to cook an extra vegetable dish and give the rest of the family the carbs.
The ketogenic lifestyle has become more popular since I started and when you go to the grocery store or shop online many companies and retailers are offering keto options and convenience for keto. My journey has resulted in weight loss of 40 lbs and I have been able to maintain my weight. I also notice a difference in my energy levels after ridding my body of a dependence of carbs. The next time you have a meal full of carbs, like pizza, pay attention to your loss of energy.
Last year, I decided to publicly share my keto lifestyle and I joined a company with a keto line that supports my keto lifestyle. I have had the opportunity to help others along their journey and this has been very rewarding. I'm honored to be able to make a difference in someone else's life.
Tracey Durns, MBA, is the state program director for the Telligen QIN-QIO team in Illinois, coordinating efforts with providers and communities across the region on data-driven quality improvement initiatives. Tracey oversees the collaboration of the state-wide initiatives as well as regional efforts to increase awareness of the Quality Healthcare. Prior to her role as director, she served as a senior quality improvement facilitator at Telligen with the nursing home care team, where her work included educating facilities on quality measures and facilitating their quality improvement processes. Tracey has over 20 years of experience in long-term care, focusing her work on assisting providers with implementation of culture change and person-centered care. Prior to joining Telligen in 2009, her work included establishing policy and procedures in accordance with state and federal regulatory agencies. Tracey received her MBA from Concordia University and she is a licensed practical nurse.
Contact her and make sure you visit the website below to get more information on the keto diet.
Email: traceydurns@comcast.net
That's great!!!!! I'm so glad this blog post under my wellness category was beneficial to you and your lifestyle. That is my ultimate goal her on my platform: to connect and educate women from all walks of life and throughout different lifestyle changes. Happy divine connection ladies :-)
Hey Felicia, thanks for posting this segment on Keto. I've been contemplating starting a Keto lifestyle and this was great information! Tracey thanks for your transparency and kudos on your 40lb loss. I love that you decided to support your daughter on her journey. I will checkout your website for more info.