10 Keto Weight Loss Before-and-Afters You Have to See to Believe

It's no secret that 2018 was officially the year of the ketogenic diet-a high-fat, low-carb eating plan that promises speedy weight loss. If you've read the news or been on social media recently, you probably know this trend shows no signs of slowing down. Case in point: Major brands like Whole Foods are now selling keto-friendly products, keto recipes have taken over the internet, celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian and Alicia Vikander have tried the diet for themselves, and even controversial keto documentaries have taken over Netflix. (Related: The Keto Meal Plan for Beginners)

But what really has everyone shook? The unbelievable keto diet before and after transformations popping up all over the internet. Nearly a million people have shared their keto before and after transformations on Instagram, and the insane photos show just how effective the diet can be. Keep in mind, though, that the keto diet isn't exactly meant to be long-term. Many experts believe that it's best followed for as little as two weeks or up to 90 days-or suggest carb-cycling as an option for a longer-term approach. (Either way, be sure to check with your doctor before making any of these serious changes to your diet.)

If you're curious about the results of the keto diet (or just need some motivation to get you through your two-week keto stint), peep these 10 inspirational keto diet before and after transformations to quench your thirst for motivation.

Elena Juarez

Elena Juarez lost 100 pounds in just one year thanks to the keto diet. It all started when her doctor told her that she needed to make some serious lifestyle changes if she wanted to avoid obesity-related health problems. Today, her husband is on the diet too, and they both swear that it's improved their energy levels. "He was a keto-skeptic but now he's as healthy as can be," she wrote on Instagram alongside photos of their keto diet before and after transformations. "We get our blood work done every 3–6 months since we started keto in April 2017 and I'm happy to report every single blood test has come out great. Our energy is through the roof and people that surround us are probably annoyed of us talking about keto."

Suzanne Ryan

Suzanne Ryan's keto diet before and after story gained popularity because she lost 120 pounds on the diet-without ever setting foot in the gym. After struggling with her weight since childhood, Ryan had tried every diet (fad or otherwise) and nothing worked for her. Then, she came across keto and it completely transformed her life. "I'd spent my whole life obsessing about food and, for the first time, I felt my appetite decrease," she told us. "This allowed me to think about other things that were important to me and to get out of the hungry haze I'd been living in."

Alyssa Sparacino

Shape editor Alyssa Sparacino decided to go on the keto diet with very low expectations-but was fascinated with the results: "In the end, I was pleased with my keto diet results both internally and externally," she says. "I lost 4 pounds in two weeks, gained some energy and efficiency with my training, and more often than not felt that I could see better muscle tone instead of feeling bloated or weighed down."

That said, she won't be committing to the diet long-term. "Eating and exercise should always be about more than the aesthetics," she says. "Food is fuel (and recovery) for the activities you like to do most." [Experts don't recommend doing keto along with HIIT workouts since the glucose from carb intake is what fuels that high-energy work.]

Genny Dee

Genny Dee has lived with multiple sclerosis (MS) for years. In 2017, a combination of MS treatment and extreme fatigue caused her to gain between 40 and 50 pounds. "I felt so down on myself, had no energy, and wasn't able to enjoy a lot of things I wished I could," she wrote on Instagram. She started keto in July 2018 and, by December, lost almost all of the weight she'd originally gained. "It has been a whirlwind," she wrote. "And I could not be [happier]-keto saved me! I have more energy, feel happy, my MS has been in remission, and I feel like a whole new person."

Jenna Jameson

Jameson was one of the first celebrities to put the keto on a bigger stage thanks to her shocking keto diet before and after photos. Last year, she shared how the diet helped her lose 57 pounds in just four months and how she was desperately in need of a lifestyle change. "I was lethargic and struggled with the easiest of tasks like walking in the beach sand," Jameson shared on Instagram. "I felt slow mentally and physically."

Ultimately, the keto diet transformed her life in more ways than one. "The #ketodiet [has] not only give me physical results, I feel happier, smarter, and much more confident," she wrote.

Tori Lewis

In 2017, Tori Lewis weighed 300 pounds, and the thought of wearing a swimsuit in public terrified her. After going on a vacation and dealing with low self-esteem, she knew it was time to make a change.

Lewis heard about the keto diet from a friend and decided to try it out for herself. After just a few weeks, she knew there was no turning back. Today, Lewis weighs between 160 and 165 pounds and finally feels comfortable in her skin. "I've been keto for 15 months now," she wrote. "When I first started, I told myself I wasn't going to 'cheat' for a month. Well, here we are 15 months later and I'm still going strong. I have chosen to eliminate certain things from my diet because I feel better without them. There's no temptation anymore. I'm an average woman who was done damaging myself both mentally and physically. Mind over matter. YOU and you alone are in control of what you decide to put in your body."

Carly Jane Winter

Just seven months before starting the keto diet, Carly Jane Winter could barely make it up the stairs without losing her breath. "Now I can do an intensive kettlebell workout without feeling like I'm dying," she shared on Instagram alongside her keto diet before and after photo. "I've transformed my body in 7 months and if I can do it, anyone can. I am (I mean was) a serious chocoholic, I would eat it until I felt sick. Keto has given me the control I need in my life as I don't get those highs and lows in my blood sugar levels anymore. If you're doubting that it works, take it from me, it does, and it could change your life too!"

Jen Widerstrom

Jen Widerstrom, the Biggest Loser trainer and brains behind our 40-Day Crush-Your-Goals Challenge, tried the ketogenic diet last year as a dare from a friend. Surprisingly, the eating plan gave her a lot of insight into how she handles stress in life and prompted her to make a change. "I don't think I realized how much I was subliminally turning to very unhealthy habits to cope: drinking more, eating comfort food," she previously told Shape.

In just 17 days, she was back on track and her keto diet before and after photos surprised her as well as her fans. "I was shocked with how fast my body responded in those 17 days," she said. "Trying the keto diet has allowed me to pay greater attention to what I'm eating and how I'm feeling. And it's also pushed me to be more creative in the kitchen. It feels good to pull out healthy ingredients from the fridge and have more confidence making different foods. Now, I'm excited to try new things." (Here are more reasons why Jen thinks you should say yes to something you'd never do.)

Kimberly Powell

At her heaviest, Kimberly Powell weighed 320 pounds. After feeling extremely self-conscious and trapped in her body, the mom of two decided to take some drastic steps towards improving her health.

In 2016, she came across the keto diet and decided to dive in head first. She quickly learned that it was too restrictive for her, even though she lost some weight in the first few weeks. So, she opted for the "lazy" version of the diet: She stopped obsessively tracking everything and began indulging from time to time. Today, she's lost 145 pounds and credits the diet for transforming her body and mind. "Keto stabilizes my appetite so I can trust my instincts and only eat when I'm hungry (intuitive eating)," she shared on Instagram with her keto before-and-after photos. "I feel more energetic. I rarely need to set an alarm to wake up and have plenty of energy throughout the day."

But she reminds others that it may not be the best option for everyone. "Keto has changed my life, but it is not the only way of eating that can lead to successful weight loss," she wrote. "I think the most important thing you can do is find something that feels good for your body and fits into your lifestyle. Any way of eating that doesn't make you feel genuinely happy is not going to work long term, including keto."

Alexia Renees

Twenty-year-old Alexia Renees has lost 80 pounds on the keto diet and is still working toward her goal weight. "I am still on my keto journey, working to get to a nice healthy weight for me," she shared with the Instagram account Keto Transformations. "This diet is AMAZING and has been the only thing that works for me. I have so much more energy and not overeating so much like I used to. I would recommend this to anyone searching for that just right diet."