I started 2024 with a spring in my step – I was proud of myself for finally kicking the habit of coating my morning cereal with sugar.
Little did I know that would be only the beginning!
It all started when I visited my doctor in January, upset that no matter what I did I continued to gain weight. I thought I ate a relatively healthy diet, although I was the first to admit my sweet tooth wasn’t doing me any favours.
I’d heard about this miracle drug Ozempic – could that help?
After a thorough checkup (including blood test) my doctor recommended that I try a low carb diet for 3 months first, to see if that helped.
I was extremely skeptical at first. It literally turned everything I’d ever learned about nutrition on its head! I was brought up in the days of the “healthy food pyramid”, where grains and cereals (carbs!) were meant to be the mainstay, forming the very solid base.
Trouble is, eating in this way was causing me to form a very solid base … and tummy, and arms, and legs, and face … especially since I’d hit menopause.
However the doctor backed it up with facts and sent me links to numerous studies (which you’ll find beneath this post) showing that limiting carbs was indeed good for our weight, blood sugar, blood pressure, etc – all the things I’d been struggling with.
It was time for me to kick the cereal habit! Of course it meant more than eliminating just cereal from my life, I also had to limit my consumption of things like bread, pasta, rice, and pretty much any pre-packaged food.
Fortunately the husbear was 100% on board and happy to join me in this 3 month experiment. And to think I’d pooh-poohed him in the past when he’d gone through stages of adopting high protein, low carb eating, such as Atkins, Keto, etc. Turns out they weren’t fad diets after all!
The first thing I noticed after changing my diet was that I no longer woke up STARVING.
Three months later I returned to the doctor and the news was good.
I’d lost weight.
My blood sugar levels had decreased (I’d been oh-so-close to diabetes in January).
Nine months in, and I’ve lost nearly 10 kilos.
My blood pressure has dropped – see:
This means I’ve been able to reduce the amount of medication I was on (though still closely monitoring things).
But what has really surprised me has been the unexpected benefits of my low carb diet.
It’s a lot easier to put socks on now my tummy’s not in the way when I bend over!
And now that the weather is getting warmer, I no longer need to wear anti-chafing shorts under my dresses and skirts. It’s really made a difference!
We haven’t totally eliminated carbs from our diet. In fact, when we go out, we enjoy pretty much whatever we want to eat – we just don’t have high carb items in the pantry at home. Oh, and I still get to eat my beloved dark chocolate š .
The times that I do OD on carbs, I really notice a difference. For example:
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- Upset / bloated tummy
- Heartburn at night
- Itchy skin on my forearms
- Painful mouth ulcers.
- More flatulence!
Seriously? I never would have believed this could work. I don’t feel like I’m on a diet at all!
Would love to hear your experiences with eating for health!
Resources:
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Dr Peter Bruknerās Story: Fatty Liver cured with Low Carb Lifestyle (4:00min)Ā https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CKPXnm5vPQ
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Episode 3: Low Carb Real FoodĀ https://www.rlmedicine.com/3
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Episode 63: Weight Loss PlateausĀ https://www.rlmedicine.com/63
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Carbohydrate: The Dose is the Poison by Dr Gary FettkeĀ Dr. Gary Fettke – ‘Carbohydrate: The Dose Is The Poison!’ – YouTube
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Will Low Carb help with Chronic Conditions? By Dr Paul Mason and Dr Peter BruknerĀ FAQ: Will low carb help other chronic conditions? – YouTube
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Dr Jason Fung (Author of The Obesity Code and The Diabetes Code)Ā https://www.doctorjasonfung.com/
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Low Carb for Prediabetes and DiabetesĀ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PRtL7AjEwk
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Practical Guide to FastingĀ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB2rRVYUs1A
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Top 5 Intermittent Fasting AdvantagesĀ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etNLeBTlGQk
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Top 5 Fasting Problems and SolutionsĀ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5g2hKdNAUU
It’s great to hear that cutting carbs has had so many health benefits for you Janet. I went on the Noom program early last year and lost around 8 kilos over a few months. It’s an app-based program that allows plenty of flexibility in your diet, aims to educate and change behaviours. I’ve managed to maintain my weight loss so it’s definitely worked for me. This is a good review of the program by a dietician https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/noom-diet-review#24
Thanks June! You look very trim so Noom is definitely working for you š