Thanks, just found out I am pre-diabetic and diabetes runs in our family. Dr. wants me to be on a low-carb, low sugar diet. I had tried one of the “medical-weight” loss type plans that worked extremely well years ago while I ate their food. Once I reached my target weight and I was free to eat anything, my weight crept back up.
I’m hopeful this will give me the opportunity to use everyday foods rather than the specialty stuff that doesn’t help long term and is expensive to boot.
Once you learn to cook with keto substitutes (like coconut flour), you'll be amazed at how delicious it can be. And fun.
As a side note, once you get the keto habit down pat, you'll discover plenty of "cheats" that aren't supposed to be keto but work just fine for you (i.e., won't kick you off ketosis).
I eat a wide range of vegetables that are supposedly taboo (an occasional sweet potato, sweet peas, homemade hummus...the list is endless). To discover what works for me, I just rely on the keto sticks.
Start walking as much as you can if you don't already. I started out walking and it evolved into trail running (which is, for me, a combination of hiking and running). I am 73 y/o and in incredible physical condition. It all started with gentle cardio and keto.
Re: exercise, cardio is the key. Lifting is great but it is only the cherry on top. The base is cardio...and the more the better. Walking, biking, swimming, rowing, jogging slowly. The habit comes quickly and you will feel immediately better. All those great brain chemicals (endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, etc.) start flowing immediately.