The keto diet: “I’ll do this or I’m going to die trying”

October 2 2017 by , medical review by in About membership, Chronic pain, Keto, Ketosis, Low Carb USA, Success stories

16,316 views

Kristie Sullivan writes inspirational posts for Diet Doctor, and has a fantastic story to tell. After struggling with her weight for her whole life in spite of trying every diet imaginable, she finally lost a 120 pounds (54 kg) on a keto diet. She also dramatically improved her health.

Now she devotedly inspires other people with her posts at Diet Doctor, in her Facebook group and on her YouTube channel. Here she shares her amazing story.

Watch a part of the interview above (transcript). The full video is available (with captions and transcript) with a free trial or membership:

“I’ll do this or I’m going to die trying” – Kristie Sullivan

Join free for a month to get instant access to this and hundreds of other low-carb TV videos. Plus Q&A with experts and our awesome low-carb meal-plan service.

Success stories

Living low carb – Marika Jerome
10:12
Marika had struggled with her weight ever since having children. When she started low carb, she wondered if this too was going to be a fad, or if this was going to be something that would help her reach her goals.
Living low carb with Yvonne Lane
05:51
Yvonne used to see all those pictures of people who'd lost so much weight, but sometimes didn't really believe they were real.
Living low carb with Valerie Mugridge
04:01
Valerie wanted to lose weight by cutting calories, giving up things she really loved, like cheese. But this did not help her with her weight.
My low-carb story with Marc Gossange
03:01
After living somewhat of a high-carb life and then living in France for a few years enjoying croissants and freshly baked baguettes, Marc was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
My success story with Chuck Hicks
02:39
At nearly 500 lbs (230 kg) Chuck could barely move at all anymore. It wasn’t until he found a keto diet that thing started to change.
A low-carb story with Dr. Sanjeev Balakrishnan
01:59
How can you as a doctor treat patients with type 2 diabetes? Dr. Sanjeev Balakrishnan learned the answer to this question seven years ago. Check out this video for all the details!
My success story with Kenneth Russell
02:52
When Kenneth turned 50, he realized that he wouldn't make it to 60 the way he was going.
Living low carb with Chris Hannaway
08:19
What does living low carb look like? Chris Hannaway shares his success story, takes us for a spin in the gym and orders food at the local pub.
My success story with Carole Freeman
02:58
Carole’s list of health issues had been growing longer and longer over the years, up to the point when it just got to be too much. Check out the video above for her full story!
Pie-making champion goes low carb
03:23
Learn how this pie-making champion went low carb and how it changed his life.
"I sort of wanted to save the world"
22:22
How can you give back to the low-carb community after achieving great results on the diet? Bitte Kempe-Björkman explains.
"My doctor urged me to take statins"
20:17
Diamond became highly interested in cholesterol and heart disease, and was able to make vast improvements – without ever taking medications.
Living low carb with John Holding
04:57
John used to suffer from a myriad of aches and pains which he simply dismissed as “normal”. Known as the big guy at work, he was constantly hungry and grabbing for snacks.
"I have been following the wrong advice!"
16:39
How Antonio Martinez finally managed to reverse his type 2 diabetes.
A life without migraines
15:44
Elena Gross' life was completely transformed with the ketogenic diet.
My success story with Jim Caldwell
02:23
Jim Caldwell has transformed his health and gone from an all-time high at 352 lbs (160 kg) to 170 lbs (77 kg.
A low-carb story with Dr. Peter Foley, part 1
02:13
Can you prescribe your patients with a low-carb diet? Dr. Peter Foley, a practicing doctor in the UK, invites people to get involved if they are interested.
Challenging the dogma
16:47
Dr. Priyanka Wali tried a ketogenic diet and felt great. After reviewing the science she started recommending it to patients.

Keto for beginners

How to lose weight

12 comments

1
SGray
October 3 2017 1
Imagining new dietary guidelines and new basic medical diagnoses for the condition of “unremitting hunger after eating” that would help everyone beginning with young children who could heal before lives of a crippling sense of failure for not externally controlling the internally uncontrollable. Thank you for getting out there with your experience.
2
janey
October 4 2017 3
Everytime I try low carb my cholesterol goes from very high to alarming, so much so another doctor refuses to see me as long as I persist on high fat and refuse statins. And, I've developed a heart murmur. Is a heart murmur related to eating high fat?

Replies: #6, #8, #9
3
Amanda bailey
October 6 2017
I love her Youtube channel Cooking Keto with Kristie. Thank you for all you do in the "Keto world"
4
Sandy
October 13 2017
Janey, Please find a doctor/Naturalpath that understands LCHF. Never take a statin drug! There are many educational videos that explain the cholesterol issue you are describing. Don't be afraid, find a practitioner who is up-to-date on the scientific information on LCHF.
5
Carmen Prince
October 14 2017
Thank you for having Kristie Sullivan on dietdoctor.com. I was not familiar with her. Just watched her story and have ordered her book and will be following her closely. Such a sweet woman.
6
Reply to comment #2 by janey
Jan Andersson
October 15 2017
Please read: The Cholesterol Myths by Uffe Ravnskov, MD, PhD
http://www.ravnskov.nu/cholesterol/
7
Larry MCkimm
November 18 2017
Janey, there are folks like you and I that the total cholesterol increases greatly when we make the switch to LCHF. I was shocked at the levels my total cholesterol became, 393. But I was told to just hang in there and continue the diet. I am so glad I did. I began testing quarterly and the lipid panels began improving after the first quarter testing. Fast forward two and a half years. My total cholesterol is 216, triglycerides 45 and HDL 73. The key is to just hang in there and adhere to the LCHF lifestyle. I am 66 years old and about a year ago I had a cardiac artery calcium scan done. I wanted to know what was going on with my plumbing. My score was "2", which is very, very good for a person my age.
8
Reply to comment #2 by janey
Suzannah
June 24 2018
Hello Janey,
I too am struggling a bit with this but my cholesterol is not as high as your I don’t think. I’m away and don’t have any blood results on that I could share. It seems you would appreciate a reply from the diet Doctor team and I hope they will help you. They seem to really want to help those of us that struggle with weight.
Take care and all the best.
Suzannah (UK)
9
Reply to comment #2 by janey
G
June 10
Janey, Don't judge your cholesterol based on total cholesterol levels or LDL levels. Total will go up with LCHF because it raises the HDL, or good cholesterol. HDL:Triglycerides ratio is more useful. Also, ask your doctor if she has taken into account LDL subfractions and particle size.
10
Glenda Mattinen
August 8
I have a condition called lipoedema , a disease of the fat tissue in my lower body and upper arms . 11% of women have this condition , and are often misdiagnosed. It is hereditary. I have tried many diets , but none worked with this disease. Until now recently I found three women who had tired the keto diet and found that it worked for them. It may not work for everyone , but so far it seems to be working for me. That means it will have to be a lifestyle for me, because of this disease I will store fat at three times the rate of a normal person. The body continues to grow very large and you soon lose the ability to walk , and perhaps the legs. The only other alternative is liposuction. I have always been very active . Exercise does not work for this condition. It is extremely painful as well. My question is how long can one stay on this diet safely? I have had no side effects from it so far, and have been on it for three months.

Reply: #11
11
Reply to comment #10 by Glenda Mattinen
Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
August 8

I have a condition called lipoedema , a disease of the fat tissue in my lower body and upper arms . 11% of women have this condition , and are often misdiagnosed. It is hereditary. I have tried many diets , but none worked with this disease. Until now recently I found three women who had tired the keto diet and found that it worked for them. It may not work for everyone , but so far it seems to be working for me. That means it will have to be a lifestyle for me, because of this disease I will store fat at three times the rate of a normal person. The body continues to grow very large and you soon lose the ability to walk , and perhaps the legs. The only other alternative is liposuction. I have always been very active . Exercise does not work for this condition. It is extremely painful as well. My question is how long can one stay on this diet safely? I have had no side effects from it so far, and have been on it for three months.

Hi Glenda, I am glad keto is working so well for you. As of now, there are no studies or research that shows that keto/LCHF becomes unsafe after any amount of time. If your health is improving, that is fantastic.
1 comment removed
13
Becky
October 16
IF you think about it, before manufacturing and commercial foods, we ate like this. Meat and vegetables.

The keto diet: “I’ll do this or I’m going to die trying”

Success stories

More

12 comments

Leave a reply Cancel reply