"I know I will stay eating a ketogenic diet for life now. There is no going back to eating grains for me."
Here is the story of one of my clients. What she has been struggling with (weight that won't shift, fatigue, pain, insomnia and poor digestion) is an almost universal set of health concerns, suffered by young, old and all inbetween. She is now well on the way to recovery.
I did ask if she would supply some before and after photos, but she graciously declined. She is a private person. Her story is more than sufficient.
Her Story:
I couldn’t figure out why, when I ate a really good diet I couldn’t lose weight. I didn’t eat a lot of junk food, didn’t eat cakes, desserts, chocolate, biscuits or pies. My diet consisted of an egg for breakfast, a healthy salad or soup for lunch and a healthy dinner. I was on supplements from Gary to rebalance my minerals after my hair mineral analysis test showed it was pretty out of whack. If I was doing all this good stuff, why wasn’t I shifting the weight that had piled on in the last 6-7 years since menopause? Diets made no difference whatsoever… how could that be?
I am an avid reader and googler of information in an effort to get my health and general wellbeing back on track. I have suffered from fibromyalgia for around 8-9 years and tried various prescriptions from my doctor. Some which helped, but all that added to my weight gain. So, I stopped the medications and instead turned to taking Voltaren just when I really needed it. This in turn had a dreadful impact on my stomach health and lead to severe acid reflux and most likely leaky gut. I read a lot about leaky gut and about paleo and ketogenic diets.
With some apprehension I started a ketogenic diet in the hope that this would be the thing to work where nothing before had. Ketogenic diets cut out grains and sugars from the diet and are essentially a whole food, non-processed food plan that incorporates moderate protein, low carbs and moderate healthy fats.
"Two weeks into the program and inspired by my weight loss, my husband wanted to start the diet. 11 weeks later for him and he has lost 16kgs!"
Wow! I quickly realised this was going to work for me and make the changes I needed. I lost 2.5kgs in the first week which really blew me away. To get the scales to budge at all previously was a mission. After the first few days your body goes through a detox but it wasn’t really bad then it became easy as the body adjusts to using ketones (fat) for fuel instead of glucose. One of the benefits is that you don’t feel hungry and lose cravings for carbs and sweet things. 13 weeks on and I have lost 12kgs and I am pleased that I am getting my old shape back. I still have around 10kgs to lose but I am relaxed and confident now that it will be achievable. Two weeks into the program and inspired by my weight loss, my husband wanted to start the diet. 11 weeks later for him and he has lost 16kgs!
Out of interest I did an IgG food intolerance test through Gary and found that I was highly intolerant to eggs, pineapple, bananas and whey protein. Such a worthwhile test to do – as I would never have known and I was eating eggs and having whey protein in my smoothie daily!
"My fibro symptoms have reduced considerably. I no longer have sore hands, feet, knees and legs."
The health benefits of eating the ketogenic way have been really noticeable. This diet reduces inflammation in the body. My fibro symptoms have reduced considerably. I no longer have sore hands, feet, knees and legs. When I get up in the morning I can walk normally instead of hobbling to the bathroom! I am sleeping better. My mental clarity is better. I am not fatigued and my energy levels have increased. My digestion has improved so much – I no longer suffer with acid reflux or bloating. I no longer look 6 months pregnant! The puffiness in my face has disappeared. I’m looking forward to having another hair mineral analysis test done soon to see what changes there are. I know I will stay eating a ketogenic diet for life now. There is no going back to eating grains for me. I’m amazed how much I have learnt about food and its effects over this period. We are just constantly bombarded with the wrong messaging about what we should be eating – even down to the ‘accepted’ food pyramid. It is just all wrong and I have no doubt has contributed to why so many of us have issues with weight these days.
Gary asked me to share my story in the hope that it will help others in the same situation as me. I know there are lots of us – I interact with other women every day and recognise the same issues that I struggled with. It just makes me want to reach out and say – this is the answer….
There are many free online resources for eating ketogenically. I would thoroughly recommend the Ketogenic Switch program though – It can be a little daunting knowing how to get started and how to get around any issues or concerns so to have the expertise, knowledge and the online support group in this program I think makes all the difference to making it an easy and sustainable transition. You can check it out here in a free webinar: Ketogenic Switch Program
(Name supplied but withheld)
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