Since starting this blog, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting tons of inspiring people & getting to hear their stories through different forms of social media. At the request of some of my readers, here I have compiled some of, what I believe, are the most uplifting and heart-felt success stories on their LCHF journey.
Anna’s Story
“I used to be a food addict, always wanting to eat. There are a few things that I did because of this, that I’m not proud of. […] LCHF helped me change that.” – Anna
Hi, my name is Anna and I’m a 25 year old, former sugar-addict. As of 2009, I decided to change my life for the better and go LCHF. My food blog Anna’s LCHF is a place where I hope to inspire people with my story and to encourage them to live a sugar-free, healthy life.
Before LCHF, I used to be a food addict, I always wanted to eat. There are a few things that I did because of this, that I’m not proud of. One of these incidents was when I screamed at my boyfriend for not buying me ice cream. When we went to movies, 9 out of 10 times, I’d finish the confectionaries prior to the movie even beginning and then would be enraged when I ran out of candy. I always needed (yes, needed) a little evening snack. I could easily eat a whole bag of chips, followed by ice cream and candy alone. My boyfriend used to buy things I didn’t like just so he also could have some (like licorice and salt & vinegar chips). It got to the point where I was obsessed with always eating something and always focusing on food/snacks. LCHF helped me change that.
My mother first introduced me to LCHF in 2009. Within a short period of time, my mother, a once curvaceous & larger woman, became thin and healthier! Heck, I wanted to do that too! Who wouldn’t? Since then, I’ve been following an LCHF or low-carbohydrate, high fat lifestyle on and off. Every time I excluded sugar, I always felt better. I have to say, I’m very proud of myself. I did this all on my own by changing my diet and with no exercise. It just goes to prove that nutrition is more important than exercise when it comes to weight loss.
I’ve now been sugar-free since November 2011 and have lost a total of 47.7lbs. This way of eating makes me feel great and I plan on staying like this for the rest of my life. If I can do it, so can you <3.
Find Anna on her blog or on her Instagram to hear more!
Derek & Telaine’s Story
“Living an LCHF lifestyle has changed our lives forever!” – Derek & Telaine
Derek & Telaine are an LCHF power couple based in Australia that run one of the largest LCHF Facebook groups in the LCHF community called The Low Carb High Fat group. When they aren’t busy blogging, creating podcasts and trying to save the world from all the ‘carbage’ out there, they are parents to 3 beautiful boys. Derek is also quite the musician. You can take a listen to his musical prowess here.
Derek says:
After 34 years of eating a Standard Aussie Diet, I reached my heaviest (recorded) weight of 143kgs or 315.3lbs. I decided I needed to change for my own health and so I could be there for my family.
In September 2013, I began researching various diets, exercise programs and weight loss methods. I had tried so many in the past but my will power could only sustain me for so long. Inevitably I would end up throwing it all in and gaining back any weight lost along with interest. I was determined to find the best path to optimum health and weight loss. I decided I would not YoYo again. If I was to start a ‘diet’ it needed to be sustainable for life. After much reading, I decided a Low Carb, High Fat diet made the most sense to my scientific brain. I went all in on Dec 30th, 2013 and had high hopes but even the results took me by surprise!
Within the first two weeks, I had noticed major changes in my well-being:
- I felt more focused and alert
- I was able to sleep at night and wake rested and refreshed
- Eczema had healed up
- Heart burn and indigestion was gone
- Dizzy spells stopped
- My weight had begun to drastically reduce
- Inflammation in my body had gone down
- I was no longer angry
Overall, I was just feeling amazing! I was so excited that this lifestyle really did everything I had read about and decided I wanted to help as many people as possible discover this way of eating. A health revolution to see every individual live to their health potential and really enjoy LIFE. In March 2014, my beautiful girl Telaine, decided (of her own accord) to join me on this adventure. Before LCHF, she suffered from insulin resistance, inflammation of the liver, depression, anxiety, fatigue, headaches, extreme swelling, dizziness, panic attacks, vomiting and eczema. I am so happy she did because she’s no longer on any medications, her blood sugar is stable and she’s the happiest, healthiest and most energetic version of her! Her support has made a world of difference to me and our family.
After 10 months eating and living an LCHF lifestyle I saw my weight drop below 100kgs for the first time in my adult life. I went from wearing 5XL – 7XL shirts down to being able to shop at regular stores and fit comfortably into a size Large.
Between Telaine and I, we have lost over 114kgs (250lbs) since our heaviest and the weight has stayed off! Living LCHF keeps us healthy and full of energy.
I have never felt so energetic, healthy and alive in my life and I’m positive you can experience success living an LCHF lifestyle as well.
Find out more about Derek & Telaine by following their blog or on their Facebook page
Lilli’s Story
“I will never return to a diet filled with sugar, white flour or starch.
[…] In total, I’ve lost 60 kilograms and I’m not looking back!” -Lilli
Hi, my name is Lilli and I wanted to live longer for my family. I’m a recovering food addict and following a low-carb diet changed my life.. 60kg down and still going strong!
I started my journey three years ago. Obesity has affected my whole life, and it peaked after two pregnancies. I weighed 140 kg (308.6lbs) and had many aches. My knees, back and joints were painful and I began to understand that I had to do something with my lifestyle. Not to be dramatic, but occasionally, the pains & weight felt like it was going to kill me.
Through an acquaintance, I was introduction to a low carb diet. So I decided to try. What was the worst that could happen? I had tried a lot of different quick fixes that failed, maybe low carb was the key.
First step was cutting the flour, sugar, starches and fruits that I normally ate. I also began reading the labels in stores for carb count.
I got fast results, which encouraged me to continue so I started exercising. I’ve always heard that you should take everyday choices about physical activity. For example, using stairs instead of the elevator or walking instead of driving. However, I didn’t want to be sweaty when I got to where I was going. Instead, I found physical activity that I liked, such as aerobics, light jogging, cycling, etc. and did those on my free time.
After one year, I had lost almost 40 kgs and became more active. Over the next two years, I worked on figuring out a low-carb lifestyle that I could live with for the rest of my life. I played around with low-carb eating, ketosis and high carbohydrate days, to figure out what effect they had on my body.
Today, I’ve found happiness in a different form. I feel good in my own body. Low-carb changed my life forever. There are many paths to a healthier life but, this was the solution that worked for me. I will never return to a diet filled with sugar, white flour or starch.
I am grateful to everyone who has contributed to motivate and teach me about low-carb. In total, I’ve lost 60 kilograms and I’m not looking back.
Find out more about Lilli by following her Instagram page.
Laura’s Story
“Since following a LCHF diet and cutting out certain foods (eggs, gluten, dairy), certain symptoms have disappeared completely, namely foot drop, numbness in my left calf and foot, numbness in my left hand and brain fog.”
Hi my name is Laura and I’m a bit of a fitness and Gym junkie with a passion for food and health.
I was diagnosed with MS five years ago, which brought me to do my own research into different diets that could hopefully improve my symptoms. I initially started to modify my diet and followed a Paleo diet, which then turned into LCHF after reading Dr Terry Wahls and more recently Dr Sarah Ballantyne, who really was a revelation to me.
I’m blessed to be married to a man who also has MS, so following the same diet together, really is a relief as this diet/lifestyle could be a bigger challenge if my partner did not fully understand the difficulties and challenges daily life throws at me.
Since following a LCHF diet and cutting out certain foods (eggs, gluten, dairy), certain symptoms have disappeared completely, namely foot drop, numbness in my left calf and foot, numbness in my left hand and brain fog. Family and friends were initially a BIG challenge as they had the attitude of “a little won’t do you any harm!” but in fact, it does! My colleagues, who don’t know I have MS, I’m sure they think I have an eating disorder or just neurotic about being “healthy” or paranoid about putting on weight, as I ALWAYS have my family sized cool bag with my prepared meals with me at all times! But being different doesn’t bother me at all, never has, in fact it always makes other people defensive about what they eat. I never force my view of eating onto other people, but people’s reaction to how I eat always surprises me!
Find out more about Laura by following her Instagram page.
Martina’s Story
“Like so many other people, I was convinced that eating less and exercising more is the best approach for staying healthy and slim. I was wrong.” – Martina
I’m Martina and I’m a health and food blogger living in the UK. I hold a degree in Economics and worked in Finance, but I’ve always been passionate about nutrition and healthy living.
For many years I followed what I perceived to be a balanced diet to manage my weight and stay healthy. Just like most health conscious people, I watched my calorie intake and chose low-fat and whole-grain products. I avoided foods high in saturated fats and cholesterol, and I exercised up to six times a week to keep extra pounds off. Like so many other people, I was convinced that eating less and exercising more is the best approach for staying healthy and slim. I was wrong.
In 2011, I started having fatigue issues and found it hard to maintain a healthy weight. I was finally diagnosed with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. I soon realized that I wouldn’t be able to maintain a healthy weight unless I changed
my eating habits. After doing my own research, I started following a low-carb, paleo/ primal diet.
I’ve been following a low-carb diet for over 4 years and I haven’t looked back since. I finally have my health condition under control, I no longer count calories and have more energy than ever. I used to exercise to burn extra calories but now I only exercise to feel good and stay healthy. What I realized is, once you make the decision to go low-carb and commit to it, you’ll soon stop missing sugar and grains, and you’ll enjoy eating whole foods without having to deal with sugar cravings.
KetoDiet is an ongoing project I started with my partner in
2012 and includes The KetoDiet Cookbook and the KetoDiet apps for the iPad and iPhone. When creating recipes, I don’t focus on just the carb content: You won’t find any processed foods, unhealthy vegetable oils, or artificial sweeteners in my recipes. So come say hi at KetoDietApp.com/blog!
Find out more about Martina by following her Instagram page, Facebook Page, Pinterest, Twitter & Blog.
