“You can’t lose fat and gain muscle at the same time.” I’ve heard this statement more times than I’d like to take count of. As annoying as I find it, I have found some truth to it. In my journey of losing 115lbs, I have learned a great deal about my body and how it works. It is important to note that we are all unique – it is key to find what feels best for you and your body. I will never say that what I have done is right for someone else. I will tell you what I have done in order to accomplish the results I currently have. I will also tell you that it is worth trying different things and getting out of your comfort zone so you can find those things.
Let’s start in the middle of the story. Back in 2017, when I was just about at my highest weight of 272lbs. It likely went even higher than that, but at that point, I refused to get on a scale. I felt awful all the time. Plagued with depression and anxiety, I had no energy, motivation, or zeal for life. After doing some research, I decided to try going vegetarian, wondering how my body would respond. I also began tracking my daily macros to stay under my caloric goals. Two years later, I was down about 35lbs, but still felt like a garbage can. I held so much self-loathing and resentment. I remember the moment in June 2019 when I decided not to feel bad about my body anymore. I was at the lake and decided to wear my sports bra with my bathing suit bottoms. Despite not being where I wanted to be in regards to my physique, this act was one of radical self-acceptance. This was that moment when I began to see the possibilities for myself.
I plunged into keto research, watching video on video and absorbing all the information I could. After a week of research, I began to transition, reducing the carbs slowly over the course of three weeks from vegetarianism to keto. It was a significant shift. I did not experience any “keto flu” but did notice some gastric discomfort the second week. My body adapted to fats as its primary fuel source, and I noticed that I straight up felt different. The mental clarity hit me first. Honestly, it is always that which keeps me coming back. My brain feels better when it is running on fats and protein. Initially I did less than 20-25 net carbs daily. I was strict regarding my net carbs and would only subtract .5 of a carb for sugar alcohols and fiber. I started out with dirtier keto, I was working full time while trying to make these massive changes. There were many a chaffle sandwich in the beginning. After a few weeks, I wanted to get more out of my keto eating, so focused on cleaner keto. Lean protein, less dairy, more organic foods. Once I had that down, I added in some 16/8 intermittent fasting. The fasting benefits amplified all the amazing results I was already getting from keto. I would break my fasts with homemade bone broth, and began supporting my diet with supplements like magnesium, fish oil, Vitamin D, and collagen peptides.
I began working out on my own, watching CrossFit videos and Workout-Of-the-Days (WOD). I would write out my workouts and hit them at my local gym. I had just met my boyfriend a few months prior, and I LOVED that he would hit these crazy workouts with me. He consistently inspired me to push my limits and better myself. In January of 2020, I received one month at CrossFit for free, so I went to AS MANY classes as humanly possible. I still was dealing with a lot of anxiety and self-doubt, and though the environment was incredibly supportive, I was not ready to have so many people watching me struggle through and finish last almost every time. I decided that I would continue in my other “comfort areas” of the gym and hot yoga.
Flash forward to March of 2020. This is a major plot twist right here. I was partnered with a fellow student at Steam House Yoga & Hot Pilates for March Madness. I had NEVER been to a pilates class before, but we got extra points for attending a class together, so we coordinated schedules, and I showed up for a class followed by a pilates workshop (I KNEW NOTHING!!). Goodbye comfort zone! Instantly I was hooked. I felt my muscles fire up and the cardio blast was so intense. I felt stronger right away and knew I needed more. I attended class in-person just for one week before everything shut down due to COVID. Thankfully, Steam House was on top of their virtual platform game and made the classes available. I fired up my space heater and continued my practice at home during the shut-down. My internet was spotty at best, and the classes would often have either video or audio. This led me to writing down the sequences and putting them on PowerPoints and using a Tabata timer application. I had no idea, at the time, but this was the start of an amazing adventure.
As we came into summer, I wanted to practice outdoors – the natural hot room with the New England humidity. Playing with my own sequencing on PowerPoint had created a hunger for more pilates knowledge. I sought out one of the instructors who encouraged me to just “go for it” – so I read one book on pilates anatomy, then one month later, I signed up for the Level One Inferno Hot Pilates Training with Gabriella Walters. This one really helped move my journey along and reignited my craving for knowledge. I learned sequencing, movements, timing, methodology and more.
Also, right about this time, I was introduced to Pruvit Ketones. OH BOY were these another enhancer to everything! I noticed more clean energy during my workouts with no crashes later in the day. The PRO ketones help me with muscle recovery post-workout, and the electrolytes keep me hydrated from the time spent in the hot room. There was about a week adjustment period for my body to realize what I was adding to the mix. The ketones allowed me to add in things like extended fasts, 24-60hrs –something that was previously unattainable to me. I became a Pruvit promoter when I realized how well my body responded to these ketones. This just about brings us up to today. The funny thing is that ALL of this started because I wanted to learn this for myself. I wanted to create change in my own life.
It absolutely blows my mind that I am now teaching others. It has been over four months teaching, and I am still humbled every single time. So here I am, stable at about 160-163lbs for a few months now, still watching my body composition change month after month. I can see a tricep muscle peeking out. I have a little 2 pack of abs starting to show. My shoulders are becoming more rounded. I love what keto, pilates, and ketones are doing for my physique. I am learning how to fuel this new body, as it is, the body of an athlete, and over 100lbs lighter. Now to drop this last 20lbs or so in 2021. I host various challenges on Facebook for accountability and motivation. Stop by my pages, and let’s all continue this journey to better together.
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AJ Butler Wellness 