What To Do After Achieving a Decades-Long Dream?
/Weight Loss Fluctuations (1.5.2026 to 1.11.2026)
There's a scene in the movie "Broadcast News," a favorite of mine (and one that was prescient in its depiction of where so-called journalism has landed), where the character of Aaron, played by Albert Brooks, responds to a question posed by the character, Tom, portrayed by the late William Hurt. The golden and glowing Tom, a person successful beyond what his brains would have predicted, off-handedly poses to the brilliant but not golden Aaron, "What do you do when your real life exceeds your dreams?"
With a slight lip-curl and not a little bit of contempt, Aaron responds, "Keep it to yourself."
In this scenario, contrary to all expectations, I am Tom.
What?! Yes, it's a fact. My life is so much better than I ever expected it would be, and, more, it's better than I have any right for it to be. What is one to do under such circumstances?
Perhaps I should keep it to myself. Sharing bits of my life possibly holds no interest for anyone other than me, My Lovely Mate, and our old dog Jack. (Although I suspect Jack is feigning. He's a captive audience and knows from whence come his treats.)
After several years of writing about my experiences after starting the ketogenic protocol, losing a boatload of weight, avoiding ill health and medications, after traveling, speaking engagements, and meeting loads people both famous and otherwise, the time seems ripe to write about those things in life that have nothing to do with food, carbohydrates, and ketosis. I've made hundreds of videos and blog posts expounding on my opinions of hucksters, cholesterol-fear delirium, misuse of the words "fasting" and "addiction", and listing my past foibles during the decades I was morbidly obese and gruesomely deluded. About how my actions and behaviors were the cause of my weight and emotional issues and not the Universe having it in for me.
I changed the way I eat, changed my attitudes, and changed the way I look and feel. Sharing with others who may have withdrawn from their lives and families because identifying as a failure and fool about being fat, as I had done, felt right and good. Recognizing that my experiences of gradually undermined hopes and goals, that every mouthful simultaneously wrecked my emotional framework and built a protective wall might resonate with whoever is on the other side of the page or the screen is fullfilling. Because when we absent ourselves from our lives it is such a waste of intellect, entrepreneurship, creativity, love, volunteerism, and all the ways in which vital members of communities contribute.
I was that sad person then. Now, I'm Tom.
The reason I laid off the carbs all those years ago on that Wednesday morning was that I didn't want to spend the next thirty years feeling even worse than I already did. I wanted to feel better. To do better. To live better. And now I have that, and all the bliss that has come my way.
Ok. Bliss is too strong a word. Sometimes "not grim" can pass as blissful. But my life is now about much more than eating. My weight is not something I think about. And I am healthy. With that, I'm shifting gears to 'what's next.' From traveling to our little coffee farm in Colombia and the house we'll build there to pushing myself to incrementally increase resistance-training to resurrecting our once bountiful vegetable garden to … well, to I don't yet know what. Which is part of the point. I hope you'll stick around to read what happens. If no one reads or listens, I guess I'll end up keeping my sweet life to myself. And that's cool, too.
Whether if going on grand adventures is your next thing, or just managing to get out of your pajamas—and some days that is victory—remember that if I can do this. You can do this.
I promise.
Now, let's get started.
Disclaimer: I’m not a medical doctor, researcher, or Ph.D., but instead, I’ve been fortunate to have had the time and resources to research the #ketogenic, or ‘#keto’ diet. The information I share is based solely on my understanding of that research. We are all responsible for our own choices, including what we put in our mouths, and there’s no substitute for each of us checking things out ourselves. And I’m not a medical professional in any way. Go Keto With Casey is not a medical site. “Duh,” you might say. But best to make it clear to all. I welcome questions, comments, and even civil criticism. I’m still learning. So, if you have something to add, go for it. Links in this post and all others may direct you to affiliate links, where I will receive a small amount of the purchase price of any items you buy through those links. Thanks!
