Even though Amy had struggled with weight since she was a child, it wasn't until college that she rapidly started to pack on the pounds.
After watching the scale tick upwards for years, she then tried low carb in 2003 and lost 100 lbs (45 kg). But when her mother tragically passed away two years later, Amy abandoned the diet and the weight came back with a vengeance.
In 2017 when her weight reached its all-time high of 400 lbs (181 kg), Amy realized that she needed to make a change. At this point a number of health issues had crept up on her as well. She went to Diet Doctor and read everything in sight, and thanks to a combination of intermittent fasting and keto, she'll never look back:
My name is Amy, I am a 51-year old female, and I have been struggling with my weight since I was a teenager, but I really started to pick on the weight when I went off to college. Going from 150 pounds (68 kg) to 175 pounds (79 kg) in three months. That weight gain landed me at the doctor with a diagnosis of asthma.
Then when I was 27 years old I got pregnant and went from 175 pounds (79 kg) up to 270 pounds (122 kg) and after delivering my son weighed 240 pounds (109 kg), but I could never get that weight off after the birth of my son and I kept steadily gaining weight until I was 350 pounds (159 kg). I started to suffer with high blood pressure, painful back and knee problems.
Jump to my current age of 51 and I still have high blood pressure, painful back problems, the onset of menopause, and a diagnosis of lymphedema in my lower extremities. My ability to walk and move was becoming limited. I was feeling trapped in a very unhealthy body.
I had done the Atkins low-carb diet in 2003 and lost over 100 pounds (45 kg), but then my mother died in 2005 and I quit my low-carb diet and slowly gained it all back and then some-topping out at nearly 400 pounds (181 kg) in 2017.
I knew I needed a change and I went back to the Diet Doctor website. I started to read Dr. Jason Fung's articles on intermittent fasting. At first I thought it sounded crazy, but then after I read more about it on the Diet Doctor website I realized it might be a good place to start again. I bought Dr. Jason Fung's book on intermittent fasting and I started intermittent fasting on July 5, 2017 which is over two years ago.
I have lost 140 pounds (64 kg). I lost 30 pounds (14 kg) my first month and never looked back.
I have lost 140 pounds (64 kg). I lost 30 pounds (14 kg) my first month and never looked back.I stuck to a low-carb regimen of 20 to 25 net carbs a day, omitting all starchy carbs and fruit. I ate liberally of fat, protein and non-starchy vegetables and I ate low carb/sugar free desserts twice a week. I fasted doing the 16:8 method daily with one or two days a week of 24-hour fasting.
Some days I ate two rather large low-carb meals each day in the eight hour eating window. I enjoyed decaffeinated coffee with heavy whipping cream and bone broth during my 16 hour fasting window each day. Other days I ate something every hour and small portions in my eight hour fasting window. I followed my hunger. The more I fasted, the more energy I had. I could not believe it - I started to feel like I was in my 20s again!!!
My blood sugar has always been normal, but I was anemic and tired all of the time. I believe that I was insulin resistant and had syndrome X-both problems I would never have known I had without the Diet Doctor website. I am no longer anemic. My blood pressure before I started the diet was running 140/90 and now my blood pressure is low at 106/53. I have cut my blood pressure medication in half and will soon be off of the medication completely. I have another 80 to 100 pounds (36-45 kg) to lose, but I know with Diet Doctor and advice of Dr. Jason Fung I can do it!
I love the Diet Doctor website. It is informative, gives great medical advice, and shares the great joy and celebration of each person who has succeeded because of the keto low-carb lifestyle. It's a movement that is gaining in popularity because people are winning their health back and getting back in shape with healthy mindful eating - which is low carb-high fat!
Keep up the good work! You are a God send and a lifesaver!!!
Amy
Comment
Thanks for sharing your story with us Amy! We frequently see traumatic life experiences derail people for their health journeys. But you are an example for us all that we can always try again, and succeed again! Keep up the great work and continue enjoying your health:)
Best,
/ Dr. Bret Scher, MD
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