Have a Recent Keto Diet Fail? Here’s How to Easily Get Back On Track!

If you’re feeling down about a recent keto diet fail, we’ve got tips to get you back on track to ketogenic success!

Have you ever just had one of those days (or weeks!) where you simply fail on keto?!

One where you’ve completely derailed from your keto meal plan and ended up cheating? Potato chips led to Little Debbie treats, which then led to ice cream and that corner piece of cake (you know the one…) & then to eating ALL. OF. THE. THINGS? 🧁

Listen, we’ve all had those days at one time (or ten), and while you really can’t cheat on this keto lifestyle, you can still get back on track with keto.

Time to say “see ya later” to your favorite key lime pie (or is it?)… 👋

The keto diet is really effective due to the ketosis process, when the body burns fat instead of carbs for energy. The tricky part is getting into ketosis. By following a diet filled with low-carb and high-fat foods, the body starts using fat as fuel.

So in essence – when you cheat, you almost have to start over again, but don’t beat yourself up about it. Just keep on truckin’. You got this! 👊

Oh and PS: We’re totally kidding about the key lime pie. You can still enjoy our equally delectable keto version. 😉

Here are a few ideas on how you can get back on track after a keto slip-up.

1. Get rid of the “might as well” mentality.

When we say the “might as well mentality,” we mean that once you have one keto fail, then you keep eating more non-keto foods because you think that you’ve messed up for the day. You then decide that you might as well start over tomorrow, or at the beginning of next week.

But that way of thinking is just a trap, friends!

Instead of continuing the downward spiral, get back on the keto train with the next bite of food you take. By the time you wake up tomorrow, you’ll have been back on plan for eight or more hours already. 🙌

It’s all about forgiving yourself for the small mistakes (no one is perfect, after all!) & just keeping on the keto path!

2. Meal prep for keto success.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love cooking (and eating 🙃) just about as much as a person possibly can.

I’m even one of those people who views chopping veggies and prepping dinner as a way to de-stress after a long day. But I don’t think I’m alone when I say that cooking and thinking of what to cook are two totally different things, and the latter is just… well, too much effort sometimes, if I’m being honest.

And that’s where meal prep comes in handy to help you stay on track. If you’ve prepared your meals for the week in advance, or even just planned them out, you’ll be less likely to hit the drive-through and make bad choices food-wise.

Set aside a day each week to plan out your meals, and if you’ve got the time, then go ahead and cook them. We have a ton of delicious recipes here on Hip2Keto as well as complete meal plans, and even recipes you can make ahead of time and then pop right in the freezer (like these freezer-friendly breakfast burritos).

3. Drink more water.

If you’re used to drinking soda on the regular, you may have switched to the diet or zero-sugar versions of your favorite fizzy beverages after going keto. And while it’s totally okay to enjoy those in moderation if they fit into your particular brand of keto dieting, it’s really best to stick with water, especially when you’re just starting out.

Drinking more water has a ton of amazing benefits, but here are some reasons it’s extra important on the keto diet:

Beyond that, soda increases cravings for sugar, and will often lead to overeating. When I drink more water, I find that I eat less, my cravings are minimized, and overall I feel much better.

Aim to drink at least 64 ounces of water per day, starting with a glass when you first wake up and before you have your first meal. You’ll feel fuller and will have more energy. If you really wanna give yourself a jumpstart, print out our free Water Challenge printable sheet to keep track of how much water you’re drinking each day.

4. Try fasting to give your body a reset after a keto fail.

The first few days of keto are often the hardest.

Your sugar cravings are probably at an all-time high and you may experience the “keto flu,” which makes you just wanna curl up with a big, comforting bowl of carby pasta… or maybe that’s just me. 😅 Either way, after a little while on keto, those cravings thankfully tend to disappear and the keto flu gives way to higher energy and more mental clarity than ever!

Unfortunately, a “cheat day” on keto can undo some of that progress, especially when it comes to cravings.

If you find that you’ve fallen off the wagon and your sugar cravings are now back with a vengeance, the easiest way to tackle them may be by fasting. I personally find that it’s so much easier to get back on track when I give my body & digestive system a chance to rest after slipping up. Just be sure to take it easy on yourself and drink loads of water! ❤️

5. Don’t forget about exercise!

Exercising just feels good, ya know? And when you feel good, it’s a lot easier to get back (and stay) on the keto train.

Also, it’s too easy to let working out fall to the wayside when you’re already feeling discouraged from a day or two of unhealthy, carb-filled eating. If you stick to a workout plan, you may find it easier to stick to your eating plan alongside it. 🙌

6. Stay motivated.

Take a cue from the success of others who’ve found health and happiness on the keto diet to help you stay motivated — if they can do it, so can you!

Join a community of like-minded people to share your keto fails and your wins! Our Hip2Keto Facebook group has over 13,000 members who are also on this journey with you. I love going on each night and reading about amazing non-scale victories, recipes, tips, and tricks. It’s like having your own team of cheerleaders who can relate to the struggle of staying on track!

7. Don’t give up!

When you stumble or get off track, just know that you can always start over and build on the successes you’ve had along the way.

All too often, people give up before getting to the good stuff.

It takes a few days to a week to get back into ketosis, and around 2-4 weeks to become fully “keto-adapted” again, which is when your body has developed the tools and machinery to burn fat efficiently.

Hold tight, drink fluids, eat well, and consume electrolytes… you’ll get there!

Yep, you can even enjoy fast food on the keto diet!