Over the past two and a half months, I’ve lost 20 pounds. While I’m not someone who typically “focuses” on weight loss, these 20ish pounds crept up over the last three years, and I knew that if I didn’t figure out why and make changes, the scale would continue to climb.
I realize we’re bombarded with weight loss content every January, but I wanted to share my journey in hopes of inspiring you.
On November 3rd, I made the decision to lose some weight. I wasn’t enjoying how I felt in my body, and truthfully, I wanted to fit into all the clothes in my closet—because they’re expensive!
I know how to eat for blood sugar balance, gut health, and liver health, but eating for those goals doesn’t always translate to weight loss. So, I set out to lose weight while still caring for my body. That meant no calorie deficit filled with fake, low-calorie foods. Instead, I committed to eating whole, unprocessed foods.
I’ll admit I was tempted to go the easy route: calorie counting and indulging in all those protein chips and bars that taste like candy. But I knew that approach wasn’t rooted in health—it was just about weight loss. My liver and gut would’ve been asking for a break!
I decided to follow an animal-based carnivore diet. And before you say, “This diet is unsafe,” I’d ask—do you have the same concerns about plant-based diets? If not, respectfully, save it. I chose this way of eating because it’s high in fat, which reduces inflammation and supports hormonal balance; and by design, it also keeps blood sugar effortlessly balanced.
With an animal-based diet, there’s no sugar except from fruits like berries, which are rich in antioxidants, and seeds that support gut health, which naturally results in balanced blood sugar levels. I felt good about this decision - and I still do!
I noticed two things immediately: I had more energy, and I was eating less. Animal-based foods are incredibly nutrient-dense, so my body didn’t need as much to feel satisfied. The high fat and protein content kept me full and sustained throughout the day. Plus, as a meat lover, I was thrilled to eat all the steak, chicken, and lamb I could stomach!
At first, I wondered, “Am I crazy for doing this?” But when my first menstrual cycle came and it was the easiest I’ve ever had—no breakouts, no PMS, no pain—I knew I was onto something. At that point, weight loss became secondary; this way of eating just felt good.
To track my progress, I used a very expensive pair of jeans as my measure instead of a scale. I hadn’t been able to fit into them for years, so they were the perfect marker. I avoided trying them on for the first month to avoid discouragement and focused on building momentum.
Every day, I ate cheese, meat, berries, low-tox vegetables, and drank water with electrolytes. Some days, the meals felt repetitive, but the mental relief of not stressing over “what’s for dinner” was worth it. I hadn’t realized how much mental energy food decisions were taking up!
As the holidays approached, I was nervous. I’m a social person, and I knew I’d be tempted at events. My goal was to fit into those jeans as soon as possible, but I set a realistic timeline of 90 days, not realizing it included the holiday season. Sticking to my 80/20 lifestyle, I focused on maintaining my progress during the holidays; and since I felt so good eating this way, it was easier than I expected. I’ll share in Part 3 of this series exactly how I navigated holiday parties—it deserves its own post!
I initially planned to try on the jeans on day 90, but after 17 days at home visiting family, a friend said, “You look snatched!” Which normally, would feel rude, but she knew my goals. Encouraged, I decided to try the jeans.
On day 69 of 90, the jeans fit—and they have buttons, so you know it’s real!
I’ll say this, I’m so proud of myself because this wasn’t just about weight loss—it was intentional, health-conscious work rooted in consistency and planning; and I feel amazing in my skin. There’s a lot of buzz about weight loss drugs and quick fixes, but I achieved this through hard work and care for my body. And I plan to continue eating this way.
If you’re interested in a similar transformation, I’m putting together a group program to guide you through the process. You can sign up to be notified when it launches; sign up HERE
In the next newsletter, I’ll share the exercise routine that helped me reach my goal 21 days early. And in the meantime, check out my Shrimp Frittata recipe—it’s one of my favourite breakfasts, animal-based or not!
Shrimp & Cilantro Frittata Recipe
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