here's how I went
From stuck and frustrated to thriving and happy
MY STORY
Hi! My name is Sylvie!
Did you know that no one has arrived? No circumstances are perfect. It doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything to improve your life. On the contrary! It means that no matter where you are, there is always room to grow.
Some people go through life always tired, overweight, and in pain thinking it’s normal.
Most people have no idea that they have the power to change their life by changing their lifestyle.
Read on to find out how I decided to go from stuck and frustrated to thriving and happy.
Because, yes, as you will find out, you can make this choice too.
The Beginning
For me, the journey started after I had my first child. It may have been due to the hormonal changes due to pregnancy and childbirth; it may have been due to the demands of carrying, delivering, and caring for a child. No matter what it was, I started feeling like my health was declining. I always felt tired, my allergies were worst and I started getting regular headaches.
Moms of young children listen up!
Yes, having young children is hard work! You will probably find that this is one of the most exhausting times of your life. However, it doesn’t explain not having any energy. It doesn’t explain being in pain, whether it’s physical or emotional.
Over the years I was sick, I would consult health practitioners of all kinds. Guess what they would say? They always blamed it on having young children. It turns out they thought I was healthy.
Meanwhile, I could hardly get out of bed in the morning, I had to nap for over an hour every day and I couldn’t wait to go to bed at night.
I would have to spend the day in bed sometimes because of my allergies or my headaches. It really impacted my ability to mother my children and appreciate my life. Fortunately, I discovered a better way. In my thirties, I learned through experimentation that avoiding the gluten/dairy combo and taking some well-chosen supplements could give me my life back. It even allowed me to lose some baby weight without feeling hungry or deprived!
Premenopausal women, I have something for you too!
Learning to adapt to your new metabolic needs takes time
However, as I entered perimenopause and stopped nursing babies, I found it very difficult to not gain weight. In fact, I started eating less and still found myself gaining weight. This went on for a few years and I was very frustrated. I would sometimes go on temporary cleanses and strict diets that made me feel constantly hungry and miserable. Then, I would gain all the weight back as soon as I started eating enough to feel satisfied again.
Thankfully, the cycle of weight loss/weight gain ended with modified fasting and different forms of intermittent fasting. I had tried intermittent fasting in my thirties without much success. The two main reasons things were different this time around is that I started with modified fasting and did not just try the 16/8 intermittent fasting method. Most people who get started with intermittent fasting think, like I did, that intermittent fasting is just skipping breakfast. But no! At first, women should try fasting for 24 hours twice a week or the 5:2 method instead of skipping breakfast! I share lots of info on the blog about these important steps.
Eating less for short periods of time will take your health to the next level
How I decided to try fasting
I had done some intermittent fasting over the years, but I didn’t think it was right for me. I had heard it could be counterproductive for women and I didn’t experience the results I was looking for (spell: WEIGHT LOSS).
Then, I heard about the fasting mimicking diet. I was intrigued. I understood the benefits of longer fasts. However, I didn’t think I could go completely without food for more than 24 hours.
The fasting mimicking diet allows you to consume 40-50% your normal calorie intake, so it seemed more manageable.
The first time I did it, I lost weight, but I regained it all when I started eating normally again. I knew I was going to do it once a month, so I didn’t worry too much about it.
However, what happened next surprised me: I started losing weight while I was not on the fasting mimicking diet and I was eating all the foods I wanted.
I came to the conclusion that doing the fasting mimicking diet helped me reset my hormones and my metabolism.
Every since, I have been passionate about fasting and how fasting intentionally can help people reach their health goals. Are you ready?
the choice is yours
Losing Weight Is Great, But...
Over the course of about a year, I was able to lose 20 lbs! I felt amazing and no longer deprived. However, I realized that even though I had been working out regularly for years, my body was not in the shape I was hoping for. Yes, I was at my goal weight, but I barely looked like I had a waist. I wasn’t as strong as I wanted either. Now, that I had more energy and motivation, I figured it was time to reach some fitness goals and help other women do the same. I decided to get my NASM Fitness Trainer certification and get to work. No, you don’t have to focus on fitness right away, but it’s good to keep it in the back of your mind for when you reach your weight loss goal. Also, remember, working on 10 minutes a day is better than not working out at all. I can help you one small step at a time.
