A new (healthier) way of life

Henriette Lamprecht – The physical change is there for all to see. Almost 30 kg lost since November last year, but the change included so much more.

“I want to jump around like a teenager,” says Susanne Berchtold.

“My energy level almost never drops, I can easily focus and concentrate and don’t get tired, I feel 20 years younger!”

Although her motivation for her journey to a “new” Susanne was initially to lose weight, today it is more a welcome side effect.

“It is more important to keep up this fantastic energy. My body constantly has fuel and energy through fat, hence my energy never drops as in the past when I needed carbs for energy.”

Susanne was overweight for most of her life. Every now and then she would lose some, but after a while she would gain it again.

“Every diet was a sacrifice and I love good food, I love cooking and baking.” She however had a personal trainer for many years and was still healthy and fit for her weight and age.

She knew if she did not do something, she was at risk of contracting type 2 diabetes or worse “end up in a wheelchair at 65”.

The Obesity Code by a Canadian nephrologist Dr Jason Jung brought the turnaround she so desperately needed.

“I finally understood a lot of things and immediately started my keto-lifestyle on 28 November 2019.”

In the beginning she realised she really enjoyed food and was eating everything she needed. Within less than a week Susanne realised her appetite became less, she was less hungry and her craving for sweets disappeared “without any willpower”. As always she drank about 2 to 3 litres of water per day and the weight kept coming off.

About 2 weeks after her start Susanne while in the shower realised she could move her right arm all the way over her head. Something she couldn’t do for more than a year as she fell and was always in pain.

“The internal inflammation was gone and there was no pain. Now I understood the body is healing itself, with carbohydrates often causing inflammation.”

Although she started with a low-carb-high-fat lifestyle, Susanne are now doing keto as well as fasting, intermittent and extended fasting.

“It all seemed so easy and natural. It was not difficult preparing the meals with no counting calories or weighing stuff. It is all about real food.”

Through the whole process Susanne says she never had a moment where she thought she can’t do it anymore.

“I have never felt happier about my way of life than I do now.”

She recalls a time when she decided to eat some cookies from her last visit to Switzerland.

“I decided to ‘cheat’ but unlike before, I couldn’t finish the whole packet! I ate 5 or 6 and put the rest in the freezer and simply went on as if it never happened!

I wanted it, I enjoyed it and continued with my new lifestyle.”

These days she rather craves for salad, meat or cheese.

At first Susanne didn’t share the new direction her life took, but she eventually had to explain why she was bringing her own food when she would meet up with friends.

Since then they had started a “cooking group”, meeting once a month to share new, healthy recipes and of course their new found weight loss.

Wanting to share her new healthy lifestyle, Susanne created a Facebook group for “XXL-people” to share their struggles on The XXL Tour.

Unlike other diets, it is not enough to just have a menu plan or share recipes, she warns.

“I think it is vital to really understand how the body works, why weight loss has not worked before and what makes us overweight. Once we understand these processes, we are able to act accordingly.”

Part of The XXL Tour is special activities over a long weekend with the participants preparing and sharing keto dishes.

“In the long run, we also offer longer tours where we actually do exactly the same but have more time to learn during workshops, prepare dishes and of course enjoy and explore our beautiful country.” Tasting events are also planned for amongst others Rehoboth and Windhoek.

It is not only about having a menu and a recipe, says Susanne. You must be ready to change your life for the better.

“I have tried over so many decades but always failed. I love food and it is important for me to enjoy good food. Now I found the right way to live a healthy life. I could heal my body and I still enjoy my life and share my experience with others.” – [email protected]; www.thexxltour.com