Acceptance vs. Defeat by Roxana Soetebeer MHP PHC
My Path to Better Health
Let's start by explaining what makes me an expert on this subject. It has nothing to do with my qualifications as a metabolic health practitioner, a Primal health coach or a coaching practitioner.
What truly qualifies me is my own journey. In my early twenties, I was diagnosed with progressive polyarthritis, which was later renamed rheumatoid arthritis. When I first googled the condition, I discovered it could lead to debilitating joint deformation and a significantly shortened life expectancy. I struggled with the diagnosis but eventually started finding some peace once I accepted it.
I had resigned myself to a life of pain; I accepted that I wouldn't have a family and dismissed alternative approaches (debunked by the medical community) to preserve the peace I had found. I wallowed in my disease and the pity it elicited from others.
Choosing not to go on methotrexate to have children was my first, albeit small, act of rebellion. Taking Prednisone for about seven years resulted in its own side effects for me, including rapid weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic symptoms. To everyone on X who thinks they know better, who believes they understand how I became obese, and who thinks I lived a life of overindulgence and caused my own obesity: scram (I wanted to be more expletive, but that is just not my style).
Back to the main topic. Medical professionals, concerned about my mental health, stressed the importance of accepting my diagnosis without dwelling on the "what-ifs." Acceptance was the term they used. I was encouraged to focus on what I could still do and to be grateful for these abilities. However, my reality was different. I couldn't feel grateful. Observing others, seemingly without a care in the world, filled me with anger over the hand I'd been dealt. It took a long time, but only after having my own children was I able to let go of that anger and truly accept my diagnosis. Yet, this acceptance was intertwined with surrender, a sense of victimhood, and defeat. It also, oddly, came with perks: I noticed that I received special treatment, no one burdened me with expectations, and I even obtained a handicapped parking permit. Those who fake disabilities to skip lines at amusement parks understand why this is a perk.
I noticed the absence of elderly obese people on the streets—not because they didn't exist, but because they were likely bedridden or found leaving home too much of an effort. The few I did see were usually on scooters, dependent on oxygen. This realization was frightening.
My failing health—liver and kidneys, skyrocketing glucose levels, sleep apnea, and a deep sense of doom that lingered on my mind—made me realize that I was in a very bad spot. All my children were teenagers at the time and depended on me. And heck, I wanted to see my future grandchildren grow up and play with them. I didn't want them to see me decline or even dread visiting me.
At that moment, I knew I couldn't continue to wallow in my disease. I had to take action. I was primed to accept new information.
And surprise, surprise, I wasn't doomed to a life in pain. While medications couldn't fix my health problems, changing my diet could. Why hadn't my doctors ever informed me of this?
To be fair, they had offered some nutritional advice: limit animal foods, focus on whole grains, and replace animal fats with vegetable oils.
Side note: It's important to note that despite their name, vegetable oils are actually derived from seeds, not vegetables. This distinction matters because these oils are processed using harsh chemicals and extreme heat, leading to an end product high in omega-6 fatty acids, which exacerbated my health problems.
The first picture isn't a 'before' shot, but one snapped roughly three months into my keto journey. By then, the brain fog had lifted, and I felt like I could conquer the world. Despite the skeptics telling me this was unsustainable, I persisted.
My battles weren't limited to obesity; I struggled with inflammatory arthritis, Hashimoto's, insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes, NASH, GERD, and sugar addiction. My kidneys were in trouble, so I was scheduled to go on BP meds. My life was at stake.
After 4.5 years, I can confidently say that keto works. NASH reversed. GERD reversed. Obesity reversed. Type 2 diabetes reversed. Kidney and BP issues completely resolved.
Throughout my journey, I learned about the science of keto and why it works. I obtained certifications as a Primal Health Coach, Metabolic Health Practitioner, and Coach Practitioner.
Alongside, I met the most amazing people and formed tight bonds. I learned to block out the noise and focus on my goals.
Helping others has become my new passion, my purpose.
Motivating and inspiring others is my superpower.
If you've read this far, please understand that genetic predispositions may make us susceptible to certain conditions, but these diseases, like type 2 diabetes and many autoimmune disorders, are not a sentence. While medications may alleviate the symptoms, they don't offer a cure. Altering your diet, however, might reverse the condition.
Final thought: As long as you can fog a mirror, it's never too late to make changes. #ProperHumanDiet
PS: If my journey resonates with you and you're looking for someone to guide you through a similar transformation, I offer coaching services. Drawing from my own experiences and professional training, I'm dedicated to helping others navigate their path to better health. Whether you're dealing with chronic illness, seeking to improve your metabolic health, or just looking to make more informed dietary choices, I'm here to support you. Check the links below for more information.
PPS: Please consider buying Dr. Sarah Hallberg's book: STATUS QUO THINKING IS HARMING YOUR HEALTH: A PHYSICIAN’S FINAL PLEA. Dr. Hallberg has dedicated her life to improving the lives of millions of people with type 2 diabetes and metabolic disease in general. The foreword is written by Nina Teicholz.
Written by Roxana Soetebeer, MHP, PHC
Published April 6th, 2024
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