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Name:
Sari G.
Weight Loss:
89 lbs. (40 kg)
Approach:
Keto
Improved:
Reduced brain fog and inflammation
Life before keto:
When tragedy strikes, it’s hard not to seek solace in comfort food. But instead of letting her life slip away in the face of suffering, Sari chose to survive and thrive with keto.
For 20 years, Sari was the wife of a senior executive and mother of three children. With no life outside her kids and dealing with the pressure of marriage to a perpetually stressed-out man, it was tough keeping up the image of perfection. “I was depressed, numb, and seriously overweight,” she said. Then, in January 2011, one event changed her life for the worse instantly.
Her husband suffered a massive heart attack in their home and barely made it to the ER before he passed away. To add to the unimaginable, a week later, Sari foundherself sitting in a doctor’s office with her terrified sister, who had just learned that she had been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and it was likely terminal.
“All of this was more news to bring home to my stunned and grieving children,” Sari said. “More to digest in my numbed state. More to drive me to the refrigerator.”
With too much time to sit and think, Sari still wasn’t sure what to do. But she knew her kids and sister needed her. She had an epiphany at the oncologist’s office when the doctor was explaining the procedure for her sister’s upcoming PET scan.
“To prep for this test, my sister was told not to eat carbohydrates for three days, and then they would give her a glucose drink to do the scan,” said Sari. “Any cancer in her body will light up the screen as it feasts on the sugar she just ingested—especially since it has been starved of carbohydrates for three days.”
This was Sari’s epiphany: cancer feeds on sugar and carbs. That was the day she decided to live a carb-free life. She set about investigating and researching. She was preparing not only to save herself and help save her sister, but also to clear the fog in her brain and become a healthy, strong mother to her children. “I was reborn,” she said.
After starting keto:
By the time she found Dr. Berg’s advice, she had already been on the keto diet for seven years. But when she came across his Facebook group, she immediately joined, hoping to inspire others and get involved.
Sari saw that Dr. Berg had been featured on a few sugar documentaries, and she found many of his videos on YouTube. “I love his whiteboard videos and how he can break down to the scientific level all of the processes that spiral off of this simple way of eating,” she said. “He makes everything basic and very understandable.”
She said she understands the importance of a strong support system because when she started keto, no one was doing it. Many of her friends and family were unconvinced of the benefits, believing she was making a mistake. “Now, years later, many of them have climbed on board and are reaping the benefits of living the way the human body was supposed to live,” said Sari. If she were to do it all again, she wouldn’t fret over people not understanding her choice to make the change.
During the process, she had to let go of the scale and trust that with keto, her body would reach its perfect size, and that’s where things would level out.
Health improvements:
In her first year with keto, Sari lost 64 pounds (29 kg) and another 25 pounds (11 kg) over the next five years. While menopause was a struggle, she still managed to go from a size 20 to a size 6/8.
Nowadays, keto is normal. She feels good all day without colds, inflammation, or brain fog—with no blood sugar dips or sleepy afternoons. “Plus, grocery shopping is quick!” she exclaims. Top that with the fact that her sister is still alive, fully keto, and 100% cancer-free without radiation or chemo. That’s the motivation that keeps her going.
“You can do it!” Sari says. “It’s not expensive, and it’s definitely not hard.”
Favorite way to exercise:
Sari enjoys walking for exercise.
Favorite keto recipe:
Fathead Crust and Crack Slaw.
