Going the Distance: Making Keto a Forever Lifestyle
When people first get into low-carb or carnivore (or any other low-carb approach), the most common question is: “Is this for life? Isn't it too hard to stick with?”
You've probably heard low-carb called “too strict” or “just another fad diet.” Maybe you've been told you'll slip up eventually. That's fear talking, not fact.
Keto isn't punishment. It's choosing foods your body runs best on. It's about not being hungry and steady energy. And making it last isn't about willpower. It comes down to adaptation and making it work in everyday life.
- Think long game, not quick fix.
You started this to feel better, restore your health, or lose weight. That purpose keeps you going. Breaks happen: holidays, setbacks, slip-ups. That doesn't mean failure. It means reset at your next meal, not next Monday. - Trust your body over rigid rules.
At first, you might count carbs to see what works. That's a tool, not a sentence. As you adapt, you learn how your body feels. Some handle extra carbs, others don't. Think of the proper human diet as a spectrum. Your carb limit falls somewhere from zero up to around 150 g per day. You'll notice what makes you feel energized versus bloated and fatigued. If your brain insists you need cake, that's sugar addiction talking, not wanting nourishment. - Focus on whole foods, not replacements.
Some lean on keto bread or low-carb cookies at first, and that's fine. Long-timers drop replacements and stick with meat, eggs, fish, veggies and healthy fats. They learn to crave simple, nourishing meals instead of imitations. If you're not there yet, no rush. - It does get easier.
Over time, your taste buds shift. A doughnut or a big bowl of pasta loses its pull. You may even feel queasy at the thought. Someday you'll laugh at how you called cereal healthy. You recognize carbs as optional fuel, not essential. What felt strict becomes your normal. That's when you stop dieting and just eat.
I have a client I'll call Mark, who joined two years ago, convinced this was a quick fix. He missed pizza and beer. A lot. But as his fasting blood sugar dropped into the normal range and his energy returned, his mindset shifted. We mapped out plans for holidays and events, but most days he ate what worked. Last month, he said, “I don't obsess about food anymore. I just eat what feels right, and it's the most freeing thing I've ever felt.”
It's not about willpower; it's about finding what works for your body and your life.
Eat like it matters,
—Coach Roxana
Written by Roxana Soetebeer, MPHC, NNP, MHP, PFC
Published August 2nd, 2025
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