US News and World Report recently released their list of the best diets for 2018 and at first, I was surprised that the "Keto diet" was ranked dead last considering how much better I feel after eating this way for almost 3 years now.

But then the more I thought about it... I guess I'm not really surprised. 

These rankings are based on the current dietary guidelines which the US adopted in 1977.

Since the low-fat movement was recommended by the US government, obesity and Type 2 diabetes rates have been steadily on the rise.

Here's how the ranked the Keto diet based on their criteria, then I share my response below in italics:

Best Diabetes Diet: 2.3 out of 5 stars.

They claim keto is minimally effective in preventing or controlling diabetes.

Several people who have taken my 100 Day Keto challenge have actually reversed their Type 2 diabetes diagnosis and have been able to come off of their medication (with their doctors blessing).

Easy to Follow Diet: 1.4 out of 5 stars.

I woke up this morning to find myself tagged in an illustration my friend Mark uploaded to Instagram. I absolutely love it so I made a video about my friend Mark and I hope you'll watch it.

This was the caption:

"Just a matter of years ago, I (and many others) watched in horror as Becker was swirling downhill fast into a chasm of pizza, french fries, diet Coke (oh, the irony) and carbs xMillion. It was NOT GOOD. Fast forward to today and like myself, he discovered ketosis and is now somehow 10 years younger with the energy of a hormonal 18 year old freak. He is now known as @ketology.co the keto coach! In this masterpiece, I capture both the physical and emotional transformation of my good friend of many years now, Becker."

Ten years ago I spend my 34th birthday in New York City and commemorated the occasion by having my portrait taken on the iconic Brooklyn Bridge:

Today I turned 44 and Ashley shot this portrait of me last night in front of our own local iconic landmark... the Gateway Arch (shot from the Illinois side).

While I have a few more wrinkles and a few more gray hairs, I feel like I am only getting better with age! I am stronger, leaner, healthier and happier than I've ever been.

I am married to a wonderful woman who is truly my better half and for someone who never really wanted any kids... I can't believe how much I love being Audrey's dad. She is my pride and joy and I just love her to pieces!

In the Brooklyn Bridge photo, I am wearing size 38 jeans, an XXL shirt and I am guessing I weighed around 260 pounds. (it was taken about 3 years before I reached my highest weight of 285 in December 2010 when I could barely squeeze into 40 sized jeans).

Back then, I was single, living...

I have a FB friend (who shall remain nameless) who posted an image to Instagram of his scale showing that he lost 3 pounds overnight in effort to promote a weight loss supplement that he promotes via a multilevel marking company claiming that it really works!!!!

The problem is, I scrolled back through his Instagram feed to May of 2015 when he first started promoting the product. In 13 months, he's down a grand total of 1.5 pounds! Woohoo!

Coincidentally, I also started eating #lchf (or #Keto) that same month (May of 2015) and since then, I'm down over 55 pounds and I didn't spend a single dime on shakes, pills, teas, supplements or and single product branded for weight loss.

There are no shortcuts to long term, lasting weight loss.

You need a solid plan, then you need to STICK TO THAT PLAN!!!!

You need to change your lifestyle. That's what the Lazy Man's Challenge is all about.

We're here to help you radically transform your life once and for all and we're not trying to sell you any...

I still have a hard time wrapping my head around how different life is now that I've made my health a priority. At first it was just about weight loss... but now it's more about long term health & wellness. 

When I did the Whole 30 a while back I read the book "It Starts With Food", I learned so much about how many aspects of our lives are directly tied to how we fuel our bodies. What we choose to eat can have a significant affect on our moods, our energy levels and our overall well being.

All the dietary advice I got from doctors, nutritionist, personal trainers and even the government over the past couple of decades has been complete crap. Whoever made that food pyramid should be shot!

When you're obese, everyone just assumes you're a lazy slob with no willpower. That you lack discipline and/or self control and that it's your fault that you are fat. Heck... I believed that about myself too.

Unfortunately the "conventional wisdom" that the "experts" have been spewing...