I am happy to see this discussion on here. My husband and I look at each other and say "Keto, what is that? Exercise? I am exhausted after just trying to get out of the recliner. I helped my husband take off over 30 pound just by my spending a lot of time at the kitchen counter scraping, slicing and dicing, and having all that ready for him each day. For me?, I have been a carnivore for a long, long time. I could eat half a pig just by slowing down in the kitchen. Willpower has never been in my lineup.

My son is trying it. I don't think it will work long term for him because he is like me - loves the carbs. I would be very sad never to have a carb again. He lost a lot of weight a while back on weight watchers. He was very disciplined. I think if he watched his portions he wouldn't need a special diet. But time will tell and if there is anything more to report after a while, I will.

Sounds like to me one would have to give up carbs for life. I think a well balanced diet with smaller portions is the answer. To each his own.

In my case I know portion control is a big problem.
I complained to my doctor that my husband, a fantastic cook, cooks too rich and he mentioned I could control my portions LOL

Oh, that is just too funny!

Actually, to keep the weight off, you do pretty much have to give up carbs for life. What does that mean? Essentially, no bread, no potatoes, no pasta, no sugar.
So when I grab a burger from a fast food restaurant, I remove the bun. Eating inside, I ask for a knife and fork, and eat my little "steak" with all the trimmings. When we have spaghetti at home, I cook and mash some cauliflower. It's very good and a great sub for pasta or mashed potatoes.
Pizza? I scrape the toppings off and eat them, and leave the crust.
You learn to make do, substitute, eat more of some things, less of others. I had suspected that flour didn't agree with me long ago, and I think doing without it has confirmed this.
Lots of people freak out thinking about holiday baking and not being able to eat all the holiday food. I got to the point that I didn't bake cookies anyway, so that is no big change. This year we had people installing new floors over Thanksgiving, so I got out of cooking. Was saved this year, but next year I'll have to be creative. It is a challenge, but totally worth it if it makes you feel better.

All eating plans for weight loss, no matter what they are, are basically permanent, if you want to keep the weight off. If you go back to eating the way that got you fat in the first place you will absolutely gain the weight back no matter what. With keto type eating plans, once you have made it to the goal weight you can add good carbs back in moderation once a week or so won't knock you out of ketosis.

2 1/2 years ago I lost 30 pounds doing keto over about 6 months to lose weight for my son's wedding. I felt great had lots of energy, but I love carbs and missed them. When I went off it I did ok for awhile until Christmas came with all the carbs. I now have gained 20 of the pounds and need to do it again but I love pasta and keep putting it off. I really felt good when I did keto but it is not for everyone. My son and wife are dancers and they do keto all the time. Her solutions to avoid carbs it to taste them occasionally but not to swallow. How can you eat rum cake and not swallow? Good luck on whatever you decide to do.

And, from what I understand, if you "cheat" on Keto, and instantly gain 3 pounds from it, it's not really fat that you have gained that quickly, but your shrunken fat cells filling up with water again. (the first weight you lose on Keto is truly water weight)
I never could figure out how one dish of ice cream could cause me to gain 2 lbs, but now I know, or at least I think I do. And that kind of weight should come off soon by getting back to strict Keto for a few days.
Whether or not this way of eating is for you kind of depends on your relationship with food. And how much of a carb addict you are. And how deeply ingrained your "healthy food" lessons are. This "9 servings of grain per day" dogma is pretty much the opposite of how you will eat on Keto. This way of eating is not for everyone.

Glad to see this topic.

I have researched Keto a few times, but have not yet taken the plunge. For 20+ years my breakfast has been homemade granola, with berries, 1/2 banana and Almond milk. Gluten free and Dairy free. When I look at suggested breakfasts, most use eggs. I cannot eat eggs, they are a migraine trigger. I have to be very careful with Dairy products.

Other than my breakfast, I am not a big carb fan. But carb substitutes like 'riced' cauliflower are out too. Desserts are not an issue. We rarely have dessert at home. My son makes cookies, but I rarely eat more than 2-3. I can easily stop doing that. I rarely drink sweetened drinks. Black tea and water are my beverages of choice. With wine once a week.

So I circle around, then step back again.

Portion control is a big issue for me as is a very sedentary lifestyle. I am sitting most the day, commuting, at school, back at home.

Lately I have been thinking, if I jumped started weight loss by using Keto, then jump started my exercise routine as I eased off the Keto it may work.

But what to do when traveling? I am going on a 3 week road trip. in 10 weeks. Should I do 10 weeks of Keto and then low carb while I travel?