“I want to live the healthiest version of myself and I can, because it’s all in my own hands.”

In March 2017, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and overnight many people, with good intentions, told me I have too much acidity in my body due to decades of heartburn and acid reflux.

In this desperate state, I started trying some suggestions given to me, like apple cider vinegar and baking soda. But it made the heartburn and acid reflux worse. Beside my bed, I had a bottle of anti-acid medication and would wake up 4 times per night and take some of it – all very sugary.

I decided to start to find out what foods gave me heartburn through process of elimination. Then I started a journey of low-carb, no sugar and high fat. Only after a few weeks, a friend told me I was on the Keto diet. I had never heard of it before, I had just listened to my body.

Even though I have felt better, I still did not lose any weight. Then, an ultrasound for something completely different revealed I had a fatty liver. On top of that, I’d get a call from my doctor to tell me my Triglycerides were too high and HDL dangerously low for years when I had my routine blood tests.

In a way, I always prepared myself for the day I would be told I had diabetes, as it runs in my family. My entire life was plagued by weight nightmares. I would lose a bit and gain a lot. Nothing ever worked or stuck.

In 2007, I joined a gym, went to see a nutritionist, and with 6 small meals a day and working out for 90 minutes daily, I lost 40 lbs. But it all came back, and more.

I had heard about fasting and joined a Facebook group (now The Fasting Method Network with Dr. Jason Fung and Megan Ramos). Within a few hours of being in the group, I drove to the bookstore and bought The Obesity Code and The Complete Guide to Fasting. This was July of 2018.

Three weeks later and practicing OMAD, I had lost 12 lbs, which later turned into 23 lbs, just to gain about 12 lbs back. I have told so many people about this, bought multiple books as gifts and became a big advocate, however, I was still overweight.

In December 2019, a mammogram came back with an abnormal lymph node. Even though it was benign, it freaked me out and made me question what I was doing – I was on lazy keto and lazy fasting. I would fast, lose weight, celebrate, then gain it all back. How many more wake up calls did I need?

I decided to join The Fasting Method membership community and received lot of help. I even joined an accountability group! I did many classes and made pages upon pages of notes on ideas and resources. It fuelled my desire and commitment.

Since then I have lost 20 lbs and am not overweight anymore! At my highest weight, I was 198 lbs and my current weight is 162 lbs. I am 51 and 5’8”.

I have embraced this is the way I will live and eat for as long as I can; this is a journey, not a graduation. I can’t go back to my sweet tooth and emotional eating. I have to be in it for the long haul, and I have a commitment – to myself.

Even though I was never diagnosed with diabetes, my motivation is definitely health-first. The weight loss is a fantastic side effect. I want to live the healthiest version of myself and I can, because it is all in my own hands.

Dr. Fung, Megan and their team gave me hope and a how-to. And it’s easy! Once I committed to it 100%, it was easy. All my life, I have heard how hard it is to lose weight in menopause. Well, I just proved that theory wrong!

Click here to learn more about how The Fasting Method can transform you!

By The Fasting Method

For many health reasons, losing weight is important. It can improve your blood sugars, blood pressure and metabolic health, lowering your risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer. But it’s not easy. That’s where we can help.