Banting & Keto: Your Road to Success is Paved with Failures—And That’s a Good Thing!
Look, we can all agree Banting and Keto are incredible for shedding weight and reversing conditions like diabetes, but let’s face it—no one, not even the most inspiring success stories, breezes through without hitting a few bumps along the way. Every journey comes with moments where you trip, fall, or even faceplant. But guess what? That’s not a sign of failure—it’s a sign that you’re learning, adjusting, and building resilience.
In one of our Mindset Workshops called ‘The Personal Diet Manifesto,’ we dive into this head-on. We start by listing all the diets people have tried and “failed” at—no shame, no judgment. You’d be surprised how long that list gets! But what’s even more surprising is what happens when people realize that those so-called failures are actually badges of honour. Every attempt, even the ones that didn’t work, is a testament to your perseverance.
Here’s the thing: trying and failing doesn’t make you a failure. Quite the opposite. If you’ve tried 30 different approaches, that just means you’re relentless in your pursuit of success. You’re a warrior who refuses to give up. Imagine describing a child who tried 30 times to get into their dream school—would you call that kid a failure, or would you say, “Wow, this kid has grit! They won’t stop until they get in”? It’s the same with your health journey.
What if we shifted the way we think about failure altogether? Instead of treating it like a dead end, let’s see it as a stepping stone. Every time you fall, you’re learning what doesn’t work, which gets you closer to discovering what does work.
Just like Thomas Edison didn’t invent the light bulb by getting it right the first time, you won’t find your perfect Banting or Keto groove without a few missteps.
Edison famously said,
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”.
If he’d quit at failure No. 30, we’d still be using kerosene lamps.
Michael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball players ever, said,
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and miss. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life, and that’s why I succeed.”
I want to repeat that last bit.
“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life, and that’s why I succeed.”
You see, failing is just part of the process of winning.In the fitness world, there’s a term called “going till failure.” It’s when you lift weights until your muscles literally can’t go anymore. But this failure isn’t bad—it’s how your muscles get stronger. Every failure is feedback, showing you exactly where your current limits are. The same applies to your Keto or Banting journey.
In the world of startups, there’s a saying: “Fail Fast.” The idea is to try things quickly, figure out what doesn’t work, and then focus on what does. What if you applied that mindset to your health journey? The faster you “fail,” the quicker you’ll learn what works, and the faster you’ll see real results. If you keep trimming away the things that don’t serve you, soon enough, you’ll be left with nothing but what does work.
So, how do you deal with setbacks?
Start by asking the right questions. Don’t beat yourself up with, “Why did I fail?” Instead, ask, “What didn’t work?” This slight shift in mindset allows you to look at the environment, habits, or situations that tripped you up—rather than blaming yourself. This makes it easier to learn and improve.
Winston Churchill put it perfectly:
“Success consists of going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm”
To wrap it up:Think about the people who will benefit from your success. How will your life—and theirs—change for the better once you reach your goals?
Remember that failure is part of the process. Pushing yourself until you can’t go anymore is how you get stronger, both physically and mentally.
Focus on what’s workable, not what’s right or wrong. There’s no shame in adjusting your approach.
Fail fast, learn quickly, and keep going. Every attempt gets you closer to success.
Celebrate every failure, because it means you’re learning and growing.
Congratulations if you’ve stumbled along the way—because every misstep brings you one step closer to your finish line. Dust yourself off, and take another shot.
And if you’d like some extra help along the way, check out our online course.
Let’s crush those goals together!
