My name is Alisha Khan and I am 29 years old. I currently live in Toronto, Canada, and work as a wellness coach. After struggling with my weight and suffering from various health issues, I decided to try the low-carb, high-fat carnivore diet and started yoga.
I struggled with obesity throughout my adolescence and well into my adult life. Whatever I tried – be it calorie counting, cleaning, working out with a personal trainer or even slimming pills – I would lose a little bit to get it all back and then some.
Hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, celiac disease, and fibromyalgia added even more challenges to my weight loss journey. I was constantly feeling tired, inflamed and pain with each passing day. However, no amount of caffeine, massage therapy, or pain relievers made a difference.
In addition to my weight loss problems, I also struggled with psychological problems such as anxiety attacks and severe depression due to the emotional and physical trauma I experienced in my early 20s. I tried antidepressants, therapy, talked to friends and family, but again nothing seemed to work.
Things looked good after I married the love of my life and we had our baby boy. But after I gave birth, I suffered from postpartum depression.
When I got pregnant again we were thrilled. But I had one of the hardest days of my life on December 23, 2019, when I miscarried my 11 week old baby. Then I was numbed.
I gave up all hope of living in a world where my body was flawless and did what it was made for. Instead, I started to accept that this was my reality and, even though I hated my body, this was what I would be dealing with for the rest of my life.
Alisha Khan
But my turning point came in January 2020 at the age of 28.
I was at my heaviest weight of 213 pounds on my 5’6 ”frame. One night I played with my son and got so out of breath I thought I was going to have a heart attack. It was then that I realized that if I wanted to be around to watch my son grow up, I had to stop throwing myself a pity party and prioritize my health again.
Alisha Khan
I started to revisit the profiles of people I admired on Instagram who had successfully regained their health.
I also optimistically took to Google to look for ways I could do that while healing and enjoying the foods I loved, like fatty steaks. It was then that I came across Kelly Hogan’s blog, “My Zero Carb Life”. She follows the carnivore diet (a type of ketogenic diet that focuses on nourishing the body with healthy animal fats and proteins). The way of eating honestly seemed too good. to be true, but the more I learned about low-carb, high-fat, animal nutrition from the LCHF community, the more I realized that it was going to be the key to my recovery.
Alisha Khan
I love this way of eating because it allows me to eat foods that taste incredible while helping me lose weight, keep me full and reduce pain symptoms.
It also helps me exercise easily and enjoy the many benefits of intermittent fasting. I regularly fast from dinner to lunch, or even dinner the next day, which amounts to anywhere from 4 to midnight.
This lifestyle allows me to focus on seeing food as fuelIts simplicity allows me to keep up with my busy schedule and free up time for things that matter most like family, spirituality and community. This way of eating may not be right for everyone, but it is what it works for me
This is what I usually eat one day now.
- Breakfast: Plain water, sparkling water with unflavored Redmond Real Salt Electrolyte Mix, and black coffee while I’m fasting.
- Lunch: Steak bites and scrambled eggs, pot roast soup or sloppy joe / buffalo chicken “chaffle” sandwiches.
Alisha Khan
- Snacks: Lemon Lime Redmond Real Salt electrolyte water or coffee with whipped cream, boiled eggs, tuna salad, chicken skin, smoked chicken breast with cream cheese or beef sausages.
- Dinner: Taco casserole, meat pizza, chicken wings, protein lasagna, reverse seared ribeye steak, or creamy garlic shrimp.
- Dessert: A tablespoon of Fatso peanut butter, Lily’s sugar-free chocolate, Ketolibriyum keto cupcakes, or ANS Performance blueberry pancakes.
Alisha Khan
I tried to get 30 minutes of exercise every day, whether it was a brisk walk, body weight exercises at home, or just a dance party with my child.
When I started my wellness journey, I was recovering from a broken toe, so high-impact cardio was tough for me. So I found those other ways to get moving.
Currently, as recommended by my rheumatologist, I have switched to 30 minutes of yoga five to seven days a week to better manage my fibromyalgia symptoms. Having never tried yoga before, it has been difficult for me to stay still and in sync with my body, but as I continue to incorporate this practice into my life, I notice a great improvement in both my mental and physical state.
Alisha Khan
These three changes have made the biggest difference in my weight loss results.
- I switched to animal nutrition and IF. This was the most important change I made in my lifestyle, and I believe my success would not have been possible without this important part. Now that I have more awareness, I cannot stress enough the importance of properly fueling our bodies to lose weight and achieve good health. Many of us spend too much time and energy trying fad after fad, harming our bodies in the process.
- I began to prioritize my self-esteem and mental health. For years I talked to myself in ways I would never talk to anyone else. I robbed myself of the love I gave to others and that was terribly unfair. After embarking on my wellness journey, I started to love myself, put myself first, exclude toxic people and thoughts, practice yoga, and became my biggest fan.
- I sought support and shared my story. I strongly believe that sharing my journey on social media has helped me stay responsible and consistent, and that I could build long-lasting, real relationships with great people around the world. I attribute every progress I have made to date to the grace of God, the continued support of my family and friends, and the uplifting, compassionate and inclusive group of inspiring people who make up the Instagram and Facebook fasting and low-carb communities.
Alisha Khan
I have lost 35 pounds and over two feet.
I want other women who may be suffering from past trauma, mental health issues, chronic illness, or weight loss issues to know: Your body hears everything your mind says. Stay positive. Stay nice. Your health and appearance can fluctuate; your worth. Be kind to your mind, support each other, and share your journey with the world. You never know who to inspire along the way.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported on this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io