Since the rise of the ketogenic diet, its reputation has taken a few knocks. Many are skeptical of the benefits offered and have tended to label the diet as restrictive and difficult to maintain long-term. At Adapt Your Life Academy, we have noticed a positive response that is too difficult to ignore and which debunks many of these concerns.
Our Medical Director, Dr. Eric Westman, has seen thousands of people in his clinic who came to him living with type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and a long list of other serious health concerns. By adopting the ketogenic lifestyle, so many of these stories have been turned into stories of success. Even a few celebrities have picked up the diet and have experienced real results. Let’s take a look at some of them who found keto to be a game-changer…
- Tim Tebow
The former NFL player hopped on the keto train in 2012, becoming one of its biggest celebrity advocates. For Tebow, nutrition became about changing day-to-day decisions regarding food to lead a healthier life. As an athlete, Tebow is especially conscious of what he uses to fuel his body. On the Rachael Ray Show, he expressed how he was constantly searching for “the next thing, the best thing” to ensure optimal performance in his sport. Finding keto transformed how he saw food and its ability to affect so much more than just performance. Tebow’s father, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, as well as his nephew, who had struggled with a series of severe health conditions, were both advised by doctors to adopt the ketogenic diet in managing and reducing their symptoms. Tebow expressed how this changed how his whole family ate and has made him a firm supporter of the diet ever since.
- Halle Berry
Halle Berry was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 22. Being the unstoppable force she is, Berry refused to let her illness take control over her life. She was determined to get off insulin and told Women’s Health that cutting out processed carbs and sugar from her diet was the only way to go.
The ketogenic diet has become “second nature” to Berry, giving her more energy, and helping her to stay fit and in shape while managing her diabetes. She told Women’s Health that she “wouldn’t go back to the sugar-eating ways of before [her] diabetes diagnosis for anything in the world”. Berry proves to us that keto is a way of life. It gives those with chronic illnesses, like diabetes, new hope that things can be different with wise choices and commitment.
- Alicia Vikander
The character of Lara Croft in Roar Uthaug’s 2018 film, Tomb Raider, is a strong, independent woman who needs to fend for herself. To fully embody the role, Alicia Vikander went through a very strict program involving loads of exercise, but most importantly, a diet change.
Vikander’s nutrition coach, Magnus Lygdbäck, decided to put her on the keto diet because it would help her effectively lose weight while traveling. Lygdbäck explained how the diet was simple enough for him not to worry that he wouldn’t be able to be with Vikander as she traveled to South America. And, the proof was in the pudding. If you have watched Tomb Raider, you would know how well Vikander’s physique suited Croft’s character.
- Vanessa Hudgens
Having gained weight for her role in Gimme Shelter, Vanessa Hudgens was looking for a healthy solution that would help her get her weight back to where it was. Hudgens lost 20 pounds while on the ketogenic diet. Her key advice to people wanting to try keto is that it doesn’t need to be over-complicated and is actually much easier to follow than one might expect.
At Adapt Your Life Academy, we teach this when we help our students, too. The internet has blown up with confusing and conflicting information that may make the diet seem intimidating to embark on. Hudgens made it clear that it really doesn’t need to be. She emphasized that calorie counting shouldn’t be a focus and that you should look to eat foods that give your body fuel and will genuinely sustain you without the nasty dip that a sugar low has to offer after its spike.
Conclusion
Keto really can be for everyone. For athletes, for those battling with health problems, and for those aspiring to get their bodies into good shape. The most important thing to remember is that each body is different. We have shared snapshots from the stories of these celebrities to inspire you, but be wary of comparing your own health journey to that of others. Making any drastic lifestyle change requires expert guidance and advice. Adapt Your Life Academy offers expert guidance in following the keto diet based on your unique situation and needs, so that you can live a healthier life.