Around mid 2019 I was at an initiation programme of a new job, I took up on. This was where I met Dr Tamara Stevens. We started chatting and ended up talking about the Keto way of life. Unbeknown to me, the start of an extremely valuable relationship. Quite a remarkable person, she is.

For a carb addict, the Keto way of life was a serious commitment to change. As we all know, change does not come about unchallenged. More often than not, it is conflict within. Yet, a holistic change of life it turned out to be.

At first, the Keto life was unknown territory. Without the knowledge and experience of Dr Tamara Stevens at the other end of a hotline, I would have failed this challenge.

It is only with baby steps and thorough explanation in understandable terms, knowing what I and my body was experiencing, how to react and how not to, that I managed through the initial adaptation stage.

Having made this commitment and gone through the challenge and changes herself, with the memory and experience ever fresh with her. She was able to support me in holistic fashion. Always available, I was left with the experience of being important, feeling safe and cared for.

As knowledge is the key to just about everything in life, the Keto life is no exception. It is only and only with understanding what my body is going through and how to address reactions that I was able to press through. This was all done with the never fading support of Dr Tamara Stevens.

There were times I thought any normal person would get annoyed/tired with all these questions and unsureties. Yet, they were always met with the most understandable and comprehensive explanation. Arming me with an understanding and insight. In turn, it allowed me to stand strong, to embrace and to progress from a basic understanding, enabling me to cope but barely. To an understanding, allowing me to “think for myself”. I was empowered to be self managed.

The information she shares is crucial. Her ability to understand and apply in my individuality, my special needs (inclusive of health challenges I have been facing all my life) is astounding. The ease, passion and caring she supports with, leaves me with the impression of a “super hero”.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you Dr.

My family and I went through different stages/experiences, including an extensive detox. This life style is not easy to get into. There was nothing comfortable about it. At times it was the support of my family even if just to see them “suffering” as well and the detailed explanations at the other end of my hotline that carried me through. It is not a quick fix, nor an easy fix. But it is a sure fix.

One would think of detox as being a 3 day exercise. Not in this case. Three weeks plus. It does take commitment. If your family does not support and join in, your challenge grows exponentially. It is important not only to have their support, but for them to join in. The health benefits makes it more than worth it.

Don’t expect immediate effect on the scale. You’ll see a reduction in cm’s long before the scale will go down. Therefore, if you are anything like me (wanting immediate results) it is beneficial to measure yourself. Even if you don’t, you’ll feel the difference in your clothes.

Better than the “fat burn” is the health improvement. Over time, in consultation with my GP, I have been able to reduce much of my medication. Many of my symptoms have been reduced to a level of comfortable bearing.

Being whiteness to the health improvements of my family, is awe inspiring. It is the single most, best gift any mother/wife could want for her family.

The cherry on top; is when you realize this is an easy maintainable lifestyle. You can even eat out at just about any restaurant without having to “cheat”.

So many parts of this life simply fall into place. You don’t have to constantly be conscience about them, accounting for them.

It becomes an “automatic” lifestyle. As easy as the one you had before. Only far by far better.

We all “cheat” from time to time. And every single time we feel like “kicking our own behind”. Simply because of the way you experience what “toxins” you are exposing yourself to. A laughing matter, really. Because even Keto have no cure for stupidity.

Danie Louw