From Cake Baker to Keto Innovator, How Mary Turned a Lifestyle Change into a Movement
In early 2016, Mary, previously the owner of “Mary Alexander Cakes”, decided to embrace the ketogenic diet alongside her partner, David. To hold herself accountable, she launched the Instagram account “Keto Habits.” Over time, Mary lost more than 60–65 pounds using keto, and her weight-loss journey became the practical foundation for her brand.
Her motto, “choose your hard,” embodies her philosophy: sustainable weight loss and healthy habits are challenging, but worth it. As she transformed her lifestyle and body, she began offering a new kind of baking: one that replaced refined sugars and flours with smart, low‑carb alternatives.
Building a Community Through Recipes and Realness
Mary’s online presence extends far beyond her weight loss. Today, @ketohabits has tens of thousands of followers, and her engaging content features:
- Creative recipes like keto donuts, pizza breads, French toast, and holiday desserts
- Beginner-friendly tips, showing how to maintain under ~20 g carbs per day, manage macros, build a keto pantry, and meal prep efficiently
- Encouraging mindset, drawing from her own journey and motto, stressing the importance of choosing discipline and long-term gain over quick fixes
By blending transformation, practical guidance, and authentic motivation, Mary has built a welcoming community of followers who feel empowered and supported.
Two Impactful Cookbooks
Mary’s influence extends into print with two successful keto cookbooks:
1. 7 Day Keto: The Starter Guide for Beginners
Released in March 2020, this 146‑page guide offers a comprehensive yet simple roadmap for newcomers. It breaks down everything from macronutrients to meal prep and mindset work, earning praise for its actionable advice.
2. Keto Celebrations: 100 Low‑Carb Recipes Worth Celebrating
Published in July 2020, this 232‑page volume is a seasonally themed cookbook full of keto-friendly recipes tailored to holidays and gatherings, from Easter to Thanksgiving. It includes macros, ingredient swaps, and context like “nut‑free” and “gluten‑free” tags. Mary also shares personal anecdotes, such as how her mother’s favorites influenced her creations.
Both books have garnered positive feedback: readers describe them as practical, creative, and heartfelt, featuring “deliciously mouth‑watering” dishes that feel celebratory, not restrictive.
Why Keto Habits Resonates
- Authenticity: Mary’s weight-loss journey is transparent, she details her struggles and triumphs, including daily routines and hydration goals .
- Creativity with purpose: Her baking background shines through with keto-friendly takes on favorite foods, without compromising flavor .
- Actionable simplicity: Whether you’re a newbie or seasoned low-carber, her clear instruction helps avoid keto overwhelm .
- Community and mindset: Mary emphasizes sustainable, long-term habits, a reflection of the modern wellness approach that favors systems over fads .
What You Can Learn from Her Approach
- Use challenges as accountability: Starting keto with public sharing provided Mary with motivation and community to stick with the plan.
- Track, but don’t obsess: She focuses on consistent macro tracking at first, then shifts to sustainable habits—like consuming ample water and avoiding over-snacking.
- Embrace flexibility: Mary practices time-restricted eating (e.g., eating within a 1‑7 pm window, occasional OMAD), and adjusts for life events, while keeping carbs low .
- Mindset matters: With the mantra “choose your hard,” she urges followers to find the lesser difficulty while chasing lasting results
