Gabriella Lost 50 Pounds with Keto After Weight Regain

Did you have any problems with your weight or health before going on keto? 

In November 2011, I became my mom’s full-time caregiver through her journey with cancer. I gained a lot of weight; at my heaviest, I was 280 pounds! Miserable and in pain, I decided I needed to do something drastic, so I went vegan. I lost 30 lbs. and then stalled. It didn’t seem to matter what I did; the weight was not coming off.  

I then decided to go on one of those calorie-restricted diets where you would eat their small, packaged foods every 2 hours and then have what they called a lean and green meal (NO FAT). I did lose another 50 lbs. Having lost a total of 80 pounds, I was feeling pretty good.  

The one thing that I did not like was that my health coach told me that, for me to keep the weight off, I would have to go on their maintenance program for the rest of my life. Well, I was not having it, I decided to go off the program, and for 3 years after, I had a lot of problems with my bowels and intestines (due to the product).  

Fast forward 3 years, and I had gained 30 pounds back. I was over it, I was tired of feeling restricted by my weight, I was tired of being in pain, and truthfully, I was concerned for my health. 

How did you discover keto? 

As of January 2018, I was reading books on inner transformation. I came across a book about fasting to strengthen your spiritual journey. The fasting really caught my attention, and I started researching it. That is when I came across Dr. Eric Berg! I started watching his videos, and what he was sharing instantly made sense to me. I dove in and binged-watched his videos. I made a plan, a grocery list, shared it with my husband, and he was very excited; it all made sense to him, too. 

How has your health improved since you started keto?   

I started my keto and IF journey on May 09, 2018, and I am down 50 pounds. Now let me tell you what that means to me. My bowels and intestines are healed, my blood pressure is fantastic, and I am no longer pre-diabetic.  

This summer has been the first time that I have been in shorts since the summer of 2011. It is the first time that I have been in a bathing suit, gone swimming, and gone hiking; I have been so active. I am FREE and ALIVE!!!  

How does an average day of eating/fasting look for you on keto? 

I follow a strict keto diet and make sure I get my greens in every day that I am IF. I blend a combination of 6 cups of kale and spinach and add 1 tbsp of organic, unrefined virgin coconut oil, as well as my trace minerals. I eat on a 20:4 window, which means I fast for 20 hours and eat my 1 ½ meal in a 4-hour window. I have my blended greens first and then my main meal with another 2 to 4 cups of veggies. Dr. Berg says to have 8 to 10 cups of leafy greens and veggies to keep the liver from getting fatty liver disease, so that is what I do!  

Any other details you want to share?   

This lifestyle has changed my life and has pointed me to my calling. I have always had a passion for inspiring and motivating, and now I will become a certified Keto and IF Coach to assist other fat-storing hormone-resistant people to break through their resistance and reclaim their lives. I am so excited about the presentand the future. 

I am only 30 lbs. away from my goal and look forward to updating my testimony and pictures soon!  

Thank you so much, Dr. Berg, for all that you do, all that you give. You have assisted me in changing my life!!! In complete appreciation,  

Gabriella Figueroa