Success stories
Elizabeth, 29
Programme Coordinator, Glasgow
Before
I originally came to see Sonnda because I wanted to improve my general health and mental wellbeing and to get a better understanding of how to eat to support both. I wanted to address digestive issues (uncomfortable bloating and IBS that worsened around my period), anxiety that was making me feel so physically unwell (extreme fatigue that sometimes completely knocked me out, brain fog, muscle aches), and risk around cardiometabolic health, specifically prevention of type 2 diabetes, which runs in my family.
I also wanted to lose some weight, particularly around my lower belly, to keep my cardiometabolic risk down, but I really didn’t want weight loss to be ‘the’ goal or even a primary consideration. Instead, a symptom of general health improvement.
I knew I consumed too much sugar, I was addicted to it☹️, and that I probably had to reduce my intake to lose weight.
During
Sonnda is very personable, and I felt like she really listened and tailored her approach to me specifically.
After
The results have been incremental enough that I could hardly have noticed them if I didn’t pay attention, but on reflection there is a world of difference. Last week, I felt really fatigued – I was stressed out and still not feeling completely back to normal after a chest infection and antibiotics course. I realised that’s the first time I’ve felt like that since the start of the year. That used to be my normal! Wow. I knew that those symptoms had gone down, but feeling them resurge really highlighted just *how much* they’ve not only decreased but almost completely disappeared.
I have more energy. I have better quality sleep (despite a noisy neighbour moving in during our time working together!). I can focus more effectively. I find myself responding to things more productively rather than reacting anxiously. My mood is more consistent. My PMS symptoms have lessened. And although not gone altogether, my bloating has decreased.
I’ve lost 4kg and 7cm off my waist, bringing my BMI more solidly into the healthy range (before I was 24.9, ≥25.0 being overweight) and my waist-to-hip ratio down from moderate to low risk. All without any restriction, calorie tracking, or even regular measurements – this happened more or less naturally without me having to try, just by making small sustainable changes.
I also have a wealth of knowledge now. I didn’t feel I had much foundational knowledge or positive role models around making healthy nutritional decisions. I now feel confident about this as well as more in tune with my body and able to understand the connection between what and how I am eating and how I am feeling.
The sessions were never about telling me what to do, but giving me the tools to support my own goals. I’ve also discovered delicious new foods – a definite perk!
Andrew, 43
Finance Director, Glasgow
Before
My doctor advised me to go on a ketogenic diet as a treatment for ME/CFS, which I’ve suffered from for 30 years, but I was put off as I didn’t have the first idea how to go about it. To complicate matters, I’m lactose-intolerant, gluten-free and an incredibly fussy eater (I don’t eat fish, eggs or any meat except chicken and beef), so I was really worried that if I went ketogenic there’d be nothing left for me to eat.
During
I couldn’t have been more wrong! Not only did Sonnda show me how to go keto taking all those restrictions into account, my diet is healthier and more diverse than it’s ever been. I really enjoy my food, and I don’t spend loads of time in the kitchen either – never been my strong point! She made the whole process simple and not something to be daunted by. I now have a tool kit full of different meals that keep me in ketosis and cover all my nutritional needs.
After
My main issues were cognitive impairment (brain fog) and physical aches. About 2-3 weeks in, I noticed the brain fog lifting and a marked decrease in muscle soreness. I’ve been following a ketogenic diet for just over 2 years now and my health and quality of life are the best they’ve been in many years. As an added bonus, I’ve lost weight and am much trimmer around the middle.
Without Sonnda’s professional help, food plans and encouragement, I think I would have struggled to keep to the diet. All tailor-made to my (very fussy) requirements. In fact, I doubt I would ever have managed to get into nutritional ketosis at all! Sonnda has made a massive difference to my quality of life by allowing me to follow a ketogenic safely.
Denise, 45
Head of Web Design, Amsterdam
Before
After I had my son, I’d gained some weight around my belly and was no longer able to fit comfortably into my clothes. I’d heard about the ketogenic diet from some colleagues and friends who found that it caused them to easily lose weight as well as helping with mental clarity, and in some cases improving health conditions. It seemed like the ideal diet, so I did some research online and attempted to adapt my eating habits. After a while, I just wasn’t seeing the results I’d hoped for and I had doubts that I was following the diet correctly. I decided that I needed some expert advice, so I contacted Sonnda.
During
Sonnda gathered all my body metrics and goals and came up with a detailed plan of recommendations. She also asked me to keep a food diary for a couple of weeks so that she could see exactly what I was eating. Right away, she was able to pinpoint where I was going wrong and why I wasn’t seeing results.
After
Once I implemented the changes Sonnda suggested, I started to lose weight. Within 4 months I lost 8kg, meeting my target weight loss goal, and I’m now back into my pre-baby wardrobe – FINALLY!
I feel much better too: I’m more focused, less stressed, sleeping better, and my dentist was amazed by the improvement in my gum health scores. Ever since having my little boy, I've been troubled by bleeding, inflamed gums and have to get them checked regularly. At my last dental check-up, he couldn’t get over the reduction in my scores (an objective indicator of lower inflammation in my body) and asked what I’d been doing differently. Lower scores put me at lower risk of gum disease, not just great news for my teeth, but for my health overall, since gum disease is linked with many other serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and even dementia. When I set out to lose the baby weight, I’d no idea that the changes Sonnda recommended would have such a powerful, far reaching impact on my overall health. What an incredible bonus!
Ultimately, I feel that I’ve made sustainable lifestyle changes, based on Sonnda's guidance. Some may view the keto diet as restrictive, but Sonnda's pioneering version is actually quite the contrary. Sonnda provided me with tips on a variety of delicious foods that make my diet varied and interesting while keeping me feeling satiated. I don’t believe that I would have managed to change my lifestyle had I only relied on the information I found online, and I attribute my success to the expert advice and support that Sonnda gave me.