Victoria Nunez, as told to Emily Shiffer

<p>I was never the type of person that could eat whatever I wanted and not gain weight. I was very overweight even as a kid. I tried every single diet out there to lose weight, from the <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a19992902/cabbage-soup-diet-results/" id="6cd3f5fb-126e-3de6-a183-d5be97e1d1a6">  cabbage soup diet </a> to <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a28968953/weight-watchers-food-addiction/" id="d295493e-5662-3728-a882-4d701298f734">  Weight Watchers </a> . I even tried phentermine (a <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a30505295/80-20-diet-tracking-macros-myfitnesspal-weight-loss-story/" id="be2ca2bf-a021-35d4-a0b1-254029ba23f5">  prescription weight-loss drug </a> that works by making you feel less hungry) at the instruction of my doctor.</p>

<p>The medication would work for a while, and I would lose some weight, but it wouldn't lastand I knew being on a pill wasn't sustainable. I would eventually go back to the way I was eating before and gain all the weight back, and then some. I was 25 when I hit my heaviest weight of 284 pounds.</p>

<p>My turning point came after I went to my doctor to refill my prescription. I hadnt lost that much weight since the last time I had gone in, and my doctor explained to me that in order get a refill of the drug, I would have to lose a substantial amount of weight first. The doctor also explained the drug was only a short-term solution, and I wouldnt be able to be on it forever. (It's also worth noting that this drug has some pretty scary side effects, like rapid heart rate, sleep issues, nervousness, constipation, and more, according to the <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/expert-answers/phentermine/faq-20057940" id="20cdeb61-ff4c-31f6-ad66-d228e4afbd35">  Mayo Clinic </a> and it's not a good option for everyone.)</p>

<h1> My doctor suggested that I try the   ketogenic diet  . At that point, I decided I had nothing to lose. </h1>

<p>So I gave it a shot. I started my journey on June 22, 2018. And let me tell you, I was 29 years old when I realized I could still eat really delicious food *and* lose weight! </p>

<p>A lot of my coworkers at the time were also trying keto. It was nice that a lot of people around me were following the same diet. We would bounce ideas off each other and share recipes and snacks. Cheese is probably my all-time favorite food, and the fact that I could eat cheese *and* lose weight was a game changer for me. Keto also made me feel like I had so much energy and mental clarity that it made it easy to stick to.</p>

<p>I also started tracking my macros. I downloaded an app called Carb Manager that set up all my macros for me. Tracking my food was tedious, but I saw great results from doing so. And while I cut out most carbs, I still loved bread, tortillas, pasta, rice...you name it. So I still ate those things, but just the keto version of it. Thats the great thing about ketoI can still eat what I love, just modified.</p>

<p>I drink a ton of water. I have always been a big water drinker, but with keto it's important to drink at least a gallon of water a day. I bought a 64-ounce Hydro Flask, and I drink at least two (sometimes three) of those a day.</p>

<p>Heres what I typically eat in a day:</p>

<ul><li> <strong> Breakfast:  </strong> Coffee with 2 tbsp of heavy cream, sweetener, and collagen powder. </li><li> <strong> Lunch: </strong>  Roasted chicken and asparagus. </li><li> <strong> Snacks:  </strong> A meat stick and string cheese. </li><li> <strong> Dinner:  </strong> Salmon with garlic lemon butter and loaded broccoli. </li><li> <strong> Dessert:  </strong> Sugar-free chocolate or a mug cake. </li></ul>

<h1> I started working out a year into my journey, but I lost the majority of my weight through just diet alone.  </h1>

<p> I try to work out at least three times a week. When I go to the gym, I normally do about 30 to 45 minutes of cardio and then I will do about 45 to 60 minutes of weights. If I dont go to the gym, I will try to walk two miles. </p>

<h1>  I have lost 117 pounds, and I have been following this routine for a year and a half.  </h1>

<p>Although my body has changed so much, I am still working on loving myself because I am my own worst critic. I never thought that I would be able to lose this much weight through diet alone. I think it is so important that when you start your weight-loss journey that you choose something that is sustainable for your lifestyle. It has to be something that will change your eating habits forever, something that isn't just a quick fix.</p>

'I Ditched Weight-Loss Drugs For The Keto Diet'

<strong> My name is Victoria Nunez ( <span id="fc99c9a0-3363-309d-aae8-06120e2ceb8b" itemtype="link" itemscope="itemscope">  @vict0riasecret </span> ). I have lived in San Diego, California, my whole life, and Im a counter manager for MAC Cosmetics. After relying on a weight-loss drug for years, I knew it wasn't a sustainable tool, so I quit it and started the keto diet instead. Now, I'm hooked! </strong>

'I Ditched Weight-Loss Supplements For The Keto Diet And Lost 117 Pounds Naturally'

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Victoria Nunez, as told to Emily Shiffer

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'I Ditched Weight-Loss Supplements For The Keto Diet And Lost 117 Pounds Naturally'