'This product helps me maintain a 100-pound weight loss on the keto diet'

I was already overweight prior to pregnancy, but I gained even more while pregnant-I used my pregnancy as an excuse to binge-eat anything I wanted.

After that, I experimented with any diet I could find-Weight Watchers, "if it fits your macros" (IIFYM), calorie-counting-and ended up losing 60 pounds on a very restrictive diet that I was absolutely miserable on. I was basically starving myself-and I knew it wasn't healthy.

Everything changed when I found the keto diet through my own research. I figured since I had already tried everything else, I'd give it a go.

At first, the keto diet seemed really tough to stick to-the plan focuses on getting most of your calories from fat, a moderate amount from protein, and very few from carbs-so my goal was to stick to it for just four weeks.

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At the end of four weeks on keto, I'd lost 20 pounds, which really gave me a kick in the rear in the motivation department. Even better, I was eating more than ever-this was the opposite of restriction! After four more weeks, I lost 15 additional pounds.

But once again, like every diet before, I fell off the wagon. Honestly, I think it was because I was seeing all the diets-keto included-as just that: diets; not lifestyle changes. I also indulged on cheat meals and treats more often than I should have.

I decided I had to change my outlook on dieting-once I realized how amazing keto made me feel, I knew it had to be a lifestyle change for the long haul.

I had already rocked the keto diet once before, but in getting more serious about the keto diet, I knew I really had to keep track of my ketosis (a.k.a., the state during which your body burns fat for fuel instead of carbs). That's where the Keto-Mojo Blood Ketone and Glucose Monitoring System came into play-a friend told me about using it to monitor her ketones.

Basically, the monitor is a blood test that tells you if your body is producing ketones. Many people use urine strips but I’ve found those aren’t as accurate. Full disclosure, though: You have to prick your finger. When I first started, I basically had a panic attack about the tiny needle. But I did it once and it’s really not bad, promise.

Every morning, I check my ketones and blood sugar with this monitor. It’s also helpful when I’ve eaten something new (like a sweetener like stevia or monk fruit), to see how my body reacts to it.

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What I’ve discovered for my body is that I have to count total carbs (not net carbs like many people do) and stick to 10 to 20 grams a day to produce ketones and feel my best. I now know sugar alcohols affect my blood sugar in ways that make me feel crappy. If my blood ketones are going down, I adjust my fat ratio or exercise a bit more to get them up.

I’ve been keto for two years now and will never go back. Yes, I've lost 43 pounds on keto (103 pounds in total), but the weight loss is only one positive-my energy is also through the roof and I have absolutely no brain fog. I feel so much different on keto than any other diet.

You can completely change your life through diet and exercise. You don’t need pills or surgery to do it. I’m living proof of that.

Lauren runs a coaching business at LB Nutrition & Fitness. Find her on Instagram @keto_coach_lauren