When I first got into Keto, I thought I had it all figured out. Fat for breakfast, fat for lunch, fat for dinner. I was all in. Pork belly, steak with the fat still on, bacon like it was going out of style. I thought I was crushing it. But something still felt off. I wasn’t hungry all the time anymore, which was amazing, but my progress hit a wall. I knew I had to tweak things.
That was the moment I discovered Intermittent Fasting. And lemme tell you, that was my big “Aha” moment. It was like peanut butter finally met jelly. Perhaps I should have said bacon and eggs! Keto and fasting? Match made in heaven.
The First Fast I Tried Was Next Level Crazy
I didn’t ease into it. Nope. I went full beast mode and started with a six day water-only fast. Would I recommend that to someone starting out? Probably not. But hey, I’m stubborn and wanted to shock my body into change. Day one wasn’t so bad. Day two? I wanted to eat my own fingers. By day three, though, the hunger and cravings completely disappeared. It was like magic.
Now day six? That was the real test. I couldn’t sleep because all I could think about was food. Not even fancy food. Just food in general. And when the time came to finally break my fast, I made a rookie mistake. I went straight for solid food. Big mistake. Huge. I was racing to the toilet within 40 minutes. So, yeah, if you’re gonna do this, break your fast with soup or broth. Trust me.
Intermittent Fasting Was a Game Changer for Me
After surviving that six day fast, going back to a daily intermittent fasting routine was a breeze. I set a simple eating window from 2pm to 6pm. That’s it. Four hours to eat. Twenty hours to let my body chill, heal, and do its thing. The cool part? Most of that time I’m sleeping. Makes it feel way easier.
But yeah, real life can still be a challenge. Especially shopping with the wife. We’re walking around the mall and boom she takes a shortcut straight through the food court. The smell of fried donuts, sugar, waffles? C’mon! It’s like walking through temptation central.
You Gotta Have Support to Stay on Track
Fasting is way easier when you’ve got someone on your side. My wife’s been awesome. Mostly. Except when she walks us into those shopping centres and through food courts without warning. But she gets it. And honestly, you need that.
Especially when you’re out on a corporate event job and your client says “ help yourself to the buffet.” Like, really? You think I’m gonna fast and then dive into an all-you-can-eat buffet? Actually… I didn’t. But it was tough.
One time, my own team kept waving plates of food under my nose just to mess with me. I smiled and acted cool, but I was screaming inside. Pro tip? I’m also a great actor.
Hydration Is Key, Water Is Your Best Friend
Here’s a little secret. When you’re feeling hungry, you’re probably just thirsty. Seriously, before you reach for that snack, try drinking water. Lots of it. I carry a bottle with me everywhere I go now, and it’s been a game changer. The best part? Water helps you stay hydrated and curb that “hunger” feeling.
If you get that urge to eat even though you’re not actually hungry, distract yourself! Get up, go for a walk, start a new project, or tackle something around the house. Whatever you do, don’t just sit there staring at the fridge like it’s some magical treasure chest waiting to offer you a snack. Trust me, the fridge isn’t talking back.
For me, the evenings were the toughest part. Sitting on the couch watching a movie? That’s when the old habits kick in. Suddenly, you’re craving snacks, but it’s not because you’re actually hungry—it’s just because it’s what you’ve always done.
You don’t need food; you just need to break the habit. Once you can change the routine and not reach for those snacks, you’ve won the game.
It’s all about rewiring those old habits. It’s tough at first, but stick with it, and the cravings fade. You’ll be surprised at how easy it becomes when you stop letting your brain trick you into thinking you’re starving.
Beat Hunger with Water and New Habits
- Feeling hungry? You’re probably just thirsty. Drink water instead.
- Carry a water bottle with you everywhere to stay hydrated and curb hunger.
- When hunger strikes , distract yourself: go for a walk, start a project, or get busy.
- Avoid sitting around staring at the fridge—it’s not going to talk back!
- Evenings are the hardest for cravings, especially while watching a movie.
- Cravings at night are usually habit, not real hunger.
- Break the snack habit by changing your routine.
- Stick with it and the cravings will fade , making it easier over time.
Stay Away From Enablers and Negative Energy
You know who they are. That friend who always says “o ne bite won’t hurt ” or “y ou’ve earned a cheat day. ” Be careful. That’s how it starts. I’m not saying cut people off. Just don’t take diet advice from someone who lives on soda and cake. It’s easy to get pulled into their “just one more” mindset, and before you know it, you’ve slipped back into old habits.
Surround yourself with people who support your journey and understand your goals. Find those who encourage you to make better choices, not sabotage your progress. Trust me, the right support will make all the difference.
So Do I Have Cheat Days?
Here’s the truth. When I started, I was strict. No cheat days. Zero. Nada. But now? Yeah I have a few. Birthdays, Christmas, my UK travel trips. That’s when I go a little wild.
Every Christmas, my wife and I go to the Marriott for their insane buffet. We always eat so much we can’t walk straight. But that’s once a year.
And last Christmas, I stayed on Keto. I didn’t touch the sugary stuff. Not even a nibble. I walked past the desserts like a champ.
Trust Me, This Stuff Really Works
Keto plus Intermittent Fasting? It’s the real deal. I dropped over 30 kilos. I feel amazing. I look better. I’ve got more energy. I’m sharper. Sometimes I slip, because I’m human. But it’s easy to get back on track when you know what works.
Do I Exercise While Fasting? Sort Of
We travel a lot for photography so yes, we walk a ton. That counts. As for treadmills? No thanks. I hate those things. They make me feel like a hamster. But I do lift weights now and then.
As you get older, keeping your muscles strong matters more than ever. Of course, I want to live a long life, but I don’t want to spend that time sitting on a chair watching TV. I want to be out and about; walking up mountains, strolling along beaches, and chasing sunsets with my camera in hand. The key to staying active and enjoying those experiences is keeping my body strong, especially my muscles.
Staying Strong As You Age Without Becoming a Bodybuilder
I’m not trying to look like Arnie or anything, but I do want to be strong enough to carry my camera gear without passing out or feeling like my knees are going to buckle under the weight. The reality is that as we age, we start to lose muscle mass naturally, and if we don’t take care of it, we end up weak and prone to injury.
So, I’m not lifting heavy weights to bulk up. I’m lifting just enough to stay mobile, strong, and able to keep doing the things I love without feeling like I’ve aged 20 years overnight. It’s all about balance: being strong enough to enjoy life, but not so obsessed with it that you miss out on living.
Keto and Intermittent Fasting Is Not a Diet
Let me say this one loud. Keto. Carnivore. Intermittent Fasting. These are not diets. They are lifestyle changes.
I hate the word diet. It sounds temporary. This is for life. A better life. One where I’m not living in denial. One where I’m in control.
And guess what? You can do it too. But what diet suits you best: keto or carnivore?