How Lisa Wright Lost 135 Pounds With Keto and Intermittent Fasting

Lisa Wright’s journey to losing 135 pounds is a remarkable example of perseverance, personal growth, and the power of finding a sustainable approach to health. As a mother of nine children, Lisa faced years of weight fluctuations, the struggle of yo-yo dieting, and the challenges of finding a system that truly worked for her lifestyle. By combining the keto diet with intermittent fasting and a refreshed approach to exercise and self-image, Lisa not only shed excess weight but also reclaimed her health and inspired others in the process.

Category: Weight Loss Transformation

Lisa’s story demonstrates that dramatic transformation is possible at any stage of life. Her narrative touches on self-acceptance, the pitfalls of diet culture, and the impact that mindset and consistency can have on reaching long-term goals.

Growing Up and the Struggle With Weight

Lisa describes feeling like “the big kid” throughout her childhood due to her height (5’11”) and genetic factors. However, she equated being big with being “fat,” and her concerns about weight and body image took root as early as third grade. This early exposure to the pressures and stigmas around weight set the stage for many years of disordered eating and experimentation with fad diets.

  • Tried numerous diets: Hollywood Juice Diet, Slim-Fast, Herbalife, the Mayo Clinic Diet, WW, Atkins, among others.
  • Weight would repeatedly yo-yo, leading to cycles of rapid loss and regain.
  • At her lowest, she subsisted on half a sandwich and exercise, but was unable to sustain the loss.
  • Weight gain became inevitable after these extreme restrictions, creating a cycle lasting decades.

The Turning Point: A New Approach After Pregnancy

At her non-pregnancy heaviest, Lisa weighed 300 pounds. Despite not suffering from life-threatening health conditions, the excess weight contributed to ongoing knee and back pain, which she admits she used as an excuse not to exercise consistently. After the birth of her eighth child in her early forties, Lisa reached a decisive crossroads.

  • Wanted to break the cycle for her children, especially her daughters, to preserve their self-image.
  • Tired of “obsessing” over the scale — aimed to commit to lasting, patient change rather than quick fixes.
  • Decided she would either get healthy or be content as the “fat, happy mom,” but ultimately chose health and sustainability.

Discovering Keto: Breaking Free of Carb Addiction

Lisa identified as a “carb addict,” realizing that her relationship with carbohydrates was a key factor in her weight struggles. She turned to the ketogenic diet (keto), which focuses on high fat, moderate protein, and very low carbohydrate intake to induce ketosis and promote fat burning.

  • Began keto in 2017 and found initial success before becoming pregnant again.
  • Upon the birth of her ninth child, recommitted to keto with a new mindset — allowing herself flexibility and removing the psychological restriction.
  • This mental shift eliminated the “all or nothing” trap and made healthy eating feel less punitive and more empowering.

Combining Keto With Intermittent Fasting

Inspired by online research into the metabolic and neurological benefits of meal timing, Lisa incorporated intermittent fasting (IF) into her routine. She started with a 16-hour fasting window, eventually extending it to 20 hours of fasting with a 4-hour eating window.

  • Experienced increased energy, focus, and mental clarity.
  • Learned to slow down, savor meals, and recognize food as nourishment rather than a reward or emotional outlet.
  • Practiced mindful eating and found greater satisfaction in smaller, more deliberate meals.

A Typical Day of Eating for Lisa Wright

Meal Example Foods
Breakfast Lisa fasts through breakfast; no food consumed.
Lunch Breaking the fast, e.g., a hamburger patty with cheese and steamed spinach.
Snack 2 hard-boiled eggs and a string cheese.
Dinner BBQ chicken and bacon casserole with green beans.
Dessert (occasionally) Keto-friendly fudge or ice cream.

This sample menu demonstrates that Lisa’s approach remained filling, enjoyable, and aligned with her low-carb, high-fat protocol — supporting ketosis and encouraging lasting satiety.

Exercise: Finding What Works and Building Consistency

Lisa initially resisted exercise, citing joint pain and intimidation. However, as she began to lose weight and gain confidence, she gradually integrated movement into her daily life in a way that felt accessible and sustainable.

  • Started with simple 30-minute at-home cardio workouts — focusing on consistency over intensity.
  • Over time, shifted to running as mobility improved with weight loss.
  • Incorporated strength training, which was transformative in building muscle and enhancing metabolism.
  • Current routine: walks 30 minutes, 5–6 times per week; weightlifting every other day.

Results: Achieving and Maintaining Weight Loss

Lisa has lost 135 pounds using her unique combination of the keto diet, intermittent fasting, and a realistic exercise regimen. Her journey was not linear, and she faced setbacks and plateaus, particularly after pregnancies. Notably:

  • Lost the first 100 pounds in just 11 months through sustained effort.
  • Maintained much of the loss for two years before her ninth pregnancy, after which she recommitted to her healthy pattern.
  • Lost another 50 pounds in the period after adjusting her approach to include IF and mindful eating.

Beyond the numbers on the scale, Lisa emphasizes that her transformation allowed her to reclaim energy, independence, and self-confidence. Her weight loss has enabled her to move more freely, experience less pain, and model a positive relationship with health for her children.

Mindset Shifts: Focusing on Sustainability Over Obsession

A foundation of Lisa’s success is a dramatic change in mindset. She learned that “being a slave to diet and exercise” was unnecessary and unhelpful. Instead, she adopted an attitude of patience and consistency.

  • No longer pursues extreme, unsustainable restriction — prioritizes balanced progress over perfection.
  • Allows for flexibility and mistakes, recognizing that lasting results are built from repeated, small changes rather than drastic temporary fixes.
  • Focuses on inspiring others and reinforcing self-worth beyond the scale.

Lessons Learned and Advice for Others

Lisa’s journey is not just about pounds lost — it is a blueprint for anyone striving for meaningful, long-lasting change. She encourages others to:

  • Give themselves grace and patience, as genuine transformation takes time.
  • Stay consistent even when progress is slow, trusting incremental improvement over leaps.
  • Recognize setbacks and plateaus as part of the process, not reasons to quit.
  • Choose strategies that feel sustainable and empowering, not punishing or restrictive.

Key Takeaways From Lisa Wright’s Transformation

  • Long-term success depends on mindset as much as methods.
  • Keto and intermittent fasting can complement each other when tailored to the individual.
  • Fitness is for everyone, and consistency trumps intensity or perfection.
  • Self-worth and confidence should come from how you feel, not just the numbers on the scale.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the keto diet and how did Lisa use it for weight loss?

A: The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat eating plan that encourages the body to switch from burning glucose to burning fat for energy. Lisa used it by cutting down on carbohydrates, increasing fats, and focusing on protein and whole foods.

Q: How did intermittent fasting help Lisa?

A: Intermittent fasting helped Lisa by limiting the window during which she ate, increasing mental clarity, enhancing fat burning, and fostering a healthier relationship with food.

Q: Was exercise a big part of Lisa’s weight loss?

A: Exercise became an important support to Lisa’s weight loss, especially as she lost weight and physical activity became easier. She walked, ran, and incorporated strength training for overall health and well-being.

Q: Did Lisa experience setbacks or plateaus?

A: Yes, Lisa dealt with weight plateaus and setbacks, particularly after pregnancies, but her patience and consistency helped her keep moving forward and adapt her plan as needed.

Q: What is Lisa’s main advice for others?

A: Lisa emphasizes patience, consistency, and a focus on sustainable changes rather than quick fixes or extreme measures. She encourages everyone to believe in their ability to change and to prioritize feeling good over chasing a specific number on the scale.

Conclusion: The Power of Sustainable Change

Lisa Wright’s weight loss story demonstrates the power of personal accountability, self-compassion, and the willingness to try new strategies until you find what truly works for you. Combining the physiological benefits of keto and intermittent fasting with a deep internal shift toward patience and consistency, Lisa now inspires others worldwide to take ownership of their health journey, one step at a time.