I’m 4’ 11 1/2” tall and 59 years old. I was about 20 pounds overweight. My cholesterol was 300. I have celiac disease, am lactose intolerant and have some genetic heart issues. I had days I was so tired from inflammation and pain, I couldn’t get dressed and would spend my day on the couch. I had times that I would be able to force myself to go to yoga and water therapy, which helped a bit, but I still continually fought gut issues and continued lethargy.
That is what led me to SHAPE ReClaimed. I heard it would help reduce inflammation and get my gut issues under control. I thought it was worth a try. I was already on a mostly plant-based, organic diet, other than eating fish. I was only a social drinker and quit smoking 20 years ago. How hard could this be since I was already so close to the SHAPE Nutrition Protocol? My son’s girlfriend who also has gut issues was considering going on the plan, too, and I knew that it would be helpful to have a buddy during this process. My son, who lives with me, was completely supportive. He was understanding and followed the basic plan himself knowing that it would be helpful for my success. I am a chef and believed I could cook my way through this. With all that in mind, I decided I would follow the eating plan, take the SHAPE Drops and work with my naturopath.
Then the journey began.
I went on Phase I: FasTrac Cleanse, reduced my fat intake, eliminated the necessary foods and went cold turkey off sugar. It was more difficult than I thought it would be, but the results were convincing. The inches seemed to be melting away. In the first couple months, I lost a total of 32 inches and 20 pounds. I wasn’t that big to begin with, so my expectation for weight loss and inches were minimal. But when I went from a size 8 to a size 2 (which, by the way, I hadn’t been since I was 25), I was thrilled! This was a clear message I wasn’t doing something right previously and these were the changes I needed to make.
I learned so much, starting with how important it is to eat unprocessed foods. I started experimenting with recipes that stayed within the plan, eating vegetables and fruits, enough protein and stayed away from sugars. This plan renewed my love of cooking. It improved my health dramatically. My cholesterol went from 300 to 229. The doctors have figured out my heart issues and did not put me on the typical long list of medications because my general heath is so good. For the first time in years my gut is under control. I’m getting my strength back. I’m getting my life back.
After nine months, I continued on the SHAPE Program Basic Cleanse Nutrition Protocol at least 80% of the time, which is one of the Phase III maintenance choices. I have kept off my weight and inches. I can quickly realize when my gut has an issue and I go back to Phase I: FasTrac Cleanse. Within a few days, everything is back under control and I’m feeling better. Although I have other health issues that I continue to deal with, I believe staying with this plan over time will continue to improve those, as well. I’m convinced this is not a diet, but an eating lifestyle that I can stay on permanently. It will help me maintain my heath, physically and mentally.
Thank you SHAPE ReClaimed and Erin Heylin.
Submitted by Dr. Erin Heylin
