Sam transformed his life after 15 years of battling cholesterol and lifestyle challenges

A story on loop

My health concerns revolved around two main issues that have persisted for about 15 years. The first issue is high cholesterol, which I discovered years ago, and despite making some lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and giving up non-vegetarian food, my cholesterol levels remained significantly high. Regular tests revealed elevated triglycerides and minor impacts on liver and kidney functions over the years. Recognizing the potential risks, including diabetes and cardiac issues, I became increasingly concerned, especially given my high-stress job and frequent travel.

The second major issue contributing to my health challenges is my demanding job and lifestyle. With a high-stress job that involves extensive travel and a busy schedule, I found myself frequently eating out and snacking on unhealthy, processed foods. Despite trying medication and homeopathy for cholesterol management, I eventually abandoned all treatments due to side effects. Looking back, I realized that my health problems were primarily a result of poor food choices and a sedentary lifestyle with minimal exercise. I sit on a chair inside a room or inside a building all day. Sleep was discounted, so I would sleep twelve, midnight, wake up at six in the morning, feel tired, but my work would continue

I was significantly overweight, weighing around 80 to 85 kgs. Initially unconcerned about my weight, I went for a checkup due to an employment or insurance requirement. After the checkup, the doctor called me in and emphasized that my levels were abnormal, urging immediate action to address the health issues.

In summary, my health struggles encompass elevated cholesterol levels and a challenging work and lifestyle, including high stress, frequent travel, and poor dietary habits. Despite attempts at medication and alternative treatments, finding a solution that accommodates these challenges had proven elusive.

A turn of events

I approached the Bombay Health Awareness Center a couple of years ago for similar concerns. While I liked their approach, focusing on food and overall well-being, I found it challenging to integrate into my lifestyle, especially during travels. The idea faded away until a conversation with my wife, who suggested talking to Swati. My wife and her sister had been in contact with you for a while.  Feeling determined to make a change, I decided to give it a try without overthinking. Within a ten-minute conversation with you, I signed up, realizing that if Swati's name came up, it was time to take action. Although initially hesitant, I knew about your work and decided to give it a chance, setting aside any reservations.

My health transformation had significant impacts both physically and mentally, with emotional changes being less noticeable. Physically, my weight, a visible indicator of issues, drastically decreased from around 80 kgs to 50 kgs in eight months. My whole concept of what should your weight be has just completely gone out of the window after having done this. Concurrently, my cholesterol and triglyceride levels started correcting, reflecting the positive impact of dietary changes.

On the mental side, I view this journey as a de-addiction process, similar to the time I quit smoking. I learned to overcome physical urges and mental constructs associated with food. I'm sitting at home and I want food. Then, here I realized that door was closed. With every one day that I continued, the door became closer, closed even tighter, because now if I did it, then I would be out everything that's already happened. The cost of giving up kept getting higher. But I realized at the end of the day that I don't have to be a slave to food. I can eat less and everything's fine, and I can eat raw and still everything's fine. And therefore, whatever I was eating was a very conscious choice. Choosing to eat consciously became a powerful realization. Even during a 16-hour flight, I successfully abstained from multiple meal offerings, realizing I wasn't bound by the need to eat constantly. Attending social events without eating and still enjoying the experience reshaped my mental construct of food.

As I progressed, energy levels increased, sleep improved, and evening fatigue reduced. Though emotional ups and downs persisted, confidence soared as I witnessed tangible results. The initial two weeks marked a drastic shift, with improved sleep patterns and flexibility gains through yoga. Overall, this journey brought about profound changes, fostering a positive connection with my body.

My current lifestyle

I've gone back to one meal a day, which is sustaining, although I still encounter challenges. Initially, I found the 100% raw diet more manageable and am contemplating returning to it due to the simplicity it offered. Despite gaining some weight from the lowest point in my journey, a significant part of my daily intake remains raw, proving effective.

The foundational practices from the eight-month transformation persist, and I find them highly sustainable. Energy levels, sleep, and yoga are generally good, though sunning has become irregular. Despite not having recent tests, I feel in good health—energetic, excited, and more forgiving towards myself regarding dietary choices. The self-criticism for my health habits has significantly decreased, and I acknowledge that my body is in a much better state overall.

It's a mind game where happiness can be found in different choices. I've realized that the societal emphasis on food, particularly rich and tasty options, for every celebration or event is not essential. This perspective shift has been my significant learning. Another crucial realization is that a healthy body encompasses more than physical well-being, and having experienced these aspects, I now crave a holistic sense of health.

This transformative journey exceeded my initial expectations, lasting eight months instead of the anticipated three. Despite the duration, it was entirely positive. At no point did I feel overwhelmed or impatient. The learning was experiential, devoid of theoretical sessions or technical knowledge, yet the benefits were profound.

A new way of living

My key realization is that there's a significantly better way to live than what I was accustomed to. I am now intensely curious about further experimenting with this lifestyle to understand what works best for me in different situations. This newfound perspective is something I aim to solidify into an equally strong habit, especially considering that some of my previous strong habits were broken in the process.

In sharing my experience, I would wholeheartedly recommend Swati, the guiding force behind this transformative journey. Her insightful approach, rooted in practical and sustainable lifestyle changes, has played a pivotal role in my newfound understanding of health. Swati's guidance goes beyond theoretical knowledge, focusing on experiential learning, making the journey not only informative but also deeply impactful. For anyone seeking a positive transformation in their health and well-being, Swati's expertise is undoubtedly a valuable resource.