‘I don’t consider keto a diet, it’s a way of life!’

Diet and lifestyle changes can be powerful treatments!

With the help of a keto diet, Marie-Jeanne is down 64 pounds (29 kilos) compared to her highest weight. But most importantly, she has greatly improved her type 2 diabetes and reduced the amount of medication that she needs.

Here, Marie-Jeanne shares her story, which has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Marie-Jeanne’s story

I am Marie-Jeanne, a 66-(nearly 67!)-year-old retired secretary, living in Belgium.

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about 15 years ago. At that time, I weighed 258 pounds (117 kilos) at 5 foot 5 (167 cm). I started, like most people with type 2 diabetes, with oral medication. That, of course, had to be increased, and then I went on insulin injections.

After some research, I found the person I like to call my “dear, dear diabetes specialist.” A Professor, no less. What a great man! He explained everything in detail and so clearly. He prescribed the latest insulin injection at that time.

Well, to cut this story short, that injection saved me. My appetite decreased: my plates suddenly were only half full. This injection also caused nausea, loss of the sense of smell and taste, BUT well worth it for a loss of about 44 pounds (20 kilos)!

After my dear Professor retired, I searched in my area for another specialist. I found someone, but it did not work out between us.

That is when what I call “THE SEARCH” began… I watched a video series by a gentleman who had lost all his overweight and reversed his type 2 diabetes (I forget his name, sorry). So, here was living proof that you could do it! In this series, he spoke to Dr. Jason Fung. I then watched some of Dr. Fung’s videos, and that in turn led me to Diet Doctor.

I started in August 2019. No need to tell you that I have not looked back since. My current weight is 194 pounds (88 kilos), there is still a way to go to my goal weight of 165 to 172 pounds (75 to 78 kilos), but I am hanging in there. My oral medication went from 850 to 500 mg two times per day, Jardiance was stopped completely, and I was able to halve my depression medication!

My body changed so very, very much and is still changing. I lost inches off my waist, bust, and hips. After a while, I also incorporated intermittent fasting. Of course, there have been ups and downs; I am only human. But whatever happens, I get right back on track and stick with Diet Doctor.

I don’t consider keto a diet, it is a way of life!

Breakfast these days is usually eggs and bacon or eggs and avocado. For lunch, I typically have any meat, gem lettuces, and my absolute favorite cauliflower mash, which I make with either cream or butter (sometimes both!) or cream cheese. In the evenings, if and when I’m hungry, I have a little salad or greek yogurt with blueberries. That’s it. I have no regular recipes as a go-to. Instead, I browse through the recipes and choose this one or that one, depending on my mood and what I fancy.

My tip for beginners is to take it one day at a time. In the beginning, I printed out the recipes from my meal plan and followed them to the letter.

Another top tip: only shop for two days at a time. Then, after some time, you’ll know the quantities needed for just one meal down pat. After doing this for a while, I started to be a bit more inventive and making traditional Belgian recipes keto-friendly. Like chicons au gratin: chicory pre-cooked then wrapped in ham, covered in the Diet Doctor Hollandaise sauce and with cheese sprinkled over and baked in the oven.

The most important tip I can give any beginner is: STAY OFF THE SCALES! I “felt” myself becoming slimmer, my clothes were looser, and I felt so much better. My body was telling me exactly what was going on; I didn’t need any “scale confirmation” for that.

I hope this post has allowed you to get to know me a little better, and I look forward to sharing this journey with you all!!

Comment

Thanks for sharing your story with us Marie-Jeanne. I especially like how you emphasize that this is a lifestyle, not a diet. It may seem easy to say, but it is such an important component of long-term success. And I appreciate how you can measure your victories without a scale. Keep up the great work!
Best,
/ Dr. Bret Scher

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