Caroline

In 12 weeks, I have lost a total of 33.5 lbs!

Before I started my WillPowders journey, I was very overweight, crippled in pain, taking way too many medications, comfort eating junk food, chocolate, and share-sized bags of crisps to make myself feel better. At the time, I thought they did make me feel better. I was a definite sugar addict!

I hated how I looked, the way I felt, clothes too tight, always wearing black to hide. I was hiding from having a photo taken; the only pictures would be a selfie of my head and shoulders at best, without the double chins. I can’t remember the last time I had a full-length picture taken and probably deleted most of them in sheer embarrassment!

The only exercise was walking my dog, with the use of a hiking pole. I was breathless, pulling myself up hills with the pole, and had to keep stopping to catch my breath or rub my hip, back, or arse cheek to relieve the sciatica pains screaming down my legs!

I’d been diagnosed with four bulging discs, one pressing on my sciatic nerve, and osteoarthritis in February 2024 after an MRI scan.

I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t get comfy, then when I did get to sleep, I would wake to go to the toilet in the night, trying to pull myself up and out of bed. Then sitting on the toilet was agony with the pain! I couldn’t get in and out of the bath; I had to take quick showers as I couldn’t stand for long periods as the pain was so intense. I couldn’t put on my own socks and shoes and bend down.

Housework couldn’t be done. At this time, my 14-year-old son was taking on way too many chores but did so because I needed the help. He’s learned to wash and dry his own clothes, change his own bedding, cook some meals, and help his mum along the way.

I couldn’t drive a manual car to go to work; the pain down my leg to push the clutch pedal or being stuck in traffic constantly on the biting point was just horrendous. However, as a single mum needing to work to pay the bills, I had to go into work, and luckily my mum let me use her automatic car with heated seats.

I was sitting in pain every day at work, trying to pull myself up on my desk to a standing position with the agonising shooting pains down my butt cheek, leg, and all the way to the ankle. Not once did I take a day off, even though I probably should have at my worst!

I was sad and lonely as I felt no one could see or understand my pain. I cried way too much, and I could not see a way out of this awful hell I was living in day and night, every day, for 16 months, having started my sciatic flare-up in August 2023.

The doctors only wanted to continue giving me medications. The NHS physio has been poor, just wanting to spend 10 minutes chatting, give you exercises on a sheet of paper, and send you on your way with little support on what you can actually do without the agonising pain!

I’ve paid privately for physio with sports massages, tried acupuncture, and every Facebook advert going would result in trying things, heat patches, TENS devices—you name it, I’ve probably tried it.

BUT then I started my WillPowders journey.

Here I am, 12 weeks in, 33.5 pounds of weight gone for good and full of energy and positivity to carry on my journey and lose another two stone or more. This is my journey, for my own reasons, just putting myself first for once, and I couldn’t be happier!

I can walk my dog easily and for longer, and recently was out for a two-hour hike up the hills where I live. I’ve started swimming and can do 30 lengths in 35 minutes and go twice a week. I’m eating the right foods, healthy fats, fasting with the help of WillPowders products like the MCT Keto Creamer, and have cut out all sugars and UPFs.

I’ve dropped dress sizes and feel comfortable again in clothing. I’ve had so many compliments that have lifted my spirits at work. And the encouragement in the FFS Facebook group has been invaluable. Women lifting up other women is so empowering.

Using the collagen, my hair feels thicker and stronger, my nails don’t break easily anymore, and my skin is clean and clear with hardly any breakouts at all. My brain fog is certainly better, but at almost 48, I’m entering the perimenopause era and want to be in a fitter, healthier state to take on the challenges it may bring.

Using MCT Powder in my fatty coffees lets me fast for longer; I can do 16:8 easily and often do 18:6. I may even try longer fasts going forward.

Chocolate Protein Powder in my Greek yoghurt in the evenings keeps me full and away from any snacks whilst my fasts start about 7 p.m.

Losing the weight has helped my sciatica improve tenfold. I’ve decreased my medications with the aim to stop all in the coming months. I’m on the maximum dose of Gabapentin 3600mg and was on the maximum eight Co-codamol per day, and now have reduced to only two per day with the hope to come off completely. My pain has reduced significantly, and I know not to push too much; I would hate to go back to how I was.

I’ll be 48 on Sunday, and I’ve finally gained my life back and not just existing in a world of pain and pills and comfort foods.

Eating the good fats, following a keto cleaner diet, I am fuller for longer. I don’t have the same brain fog anymore, and I’m here for the long term and not just a fad diet; this is my new way of life!

I feel like the WillPowders products, fasting lifestyle, and healthy good foods I’m eating have healed me from the inside out.