Emma Soul
Emma is a nearly 50 year old lady who is on a mission to rid herself from continuous ill health and a few to many previous chocolates, crisps and cakes, now stored as pesky fat cells! She has come to realise that carbs are not necessary at all, and if the cravings get too much she imagines her fat cells exploding and her previous dietary misdeeds being consumed! She has battled to lose 80lbs and is on a mission to lose another 80lbs.
Born six weeks early Emma suffered continuous respiratory infections from birth until 2017. In 2011 she suffered a bizarre group of symptoms which meant she was unable to walk properly, speak coherently or process thoughts and actions. After the symptoms abated she was left with myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome. The neurological glandular fever has left Emma partially disabled. Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in 2016, a bowel tumour in 2018 and hypertension in 2019 she battles on the path to good health whilst fighting food addiction, walking and balance problems. Every day she gets incrementally better, and she is so thankful that this lifestyle has given her hope and an immune system that can now fight!
Emma knew if she would listen to the doctors she would be in a wheelchair or motability scooter for the rest of her life. Emma did have a funny incident with the mobility scooter when she got stuck in a lift.
She tells us how she got to her doctors surgery through sheer will power. Emma’s keto journey has not been a straight line and she talks about some of the challenges.
Emma knew she had no-one to help her so she could only rely on herself. She would talk to herself and coach herself to get through.
Emma counted 33 conditions she was suffering with now she only has four that remain and she describes them as being half of what they were.
It is fascinating to hear how certain foods cause certain symptoms for Emma. Sometimes take days to appear.
Despite years of medical training the doctors didn’t know what to do or how to help Emma.
Emma's Top Tip
- Never give up, never believe you’re a failure because you’ve eaten something you think you shouldn’t have.
- Always believe you can do it no matter what others say. The one person you should please is you. You’re the person living inside your head which you answer too
- Try it for 30 days, don’t cheat, even if it is low carb rather than keto. Join a group for support, have the confidence to try it.
Resources Mentioned
Diet Doctor
Keto Woman KKB
2 Keto Dudes
The Salt Fix: Why the Experts Got it All Wrong and How Eating More Might Save Your Life - Dr James DiNicolantonio
Dr Michael Bazlinton
https://fabulouslyketo.com/podcast/027
Iford Manor Estate
https://www.ifordmanor.co.uk/Quotes by Emma Soul
“It was physically difficult. It was really hard work. And it was really just even the thought of it exhausted me. It’s a really strange thing, chronic fatigue, people think they say they're tired, but it is a crushing tiredness. It hurts your entire body. It's painful to move. It's painful in your brain. It's painful to think about it, and it's physically painful.”
“It was learning how to balance, sort of like a bank account. You take something out, you have to put something back in.”
“Of my 33 conditions only four are persistent at 50%.”
“I think I just have a total belief that things will get better and can get better and a stubbornness not to give in.”
“It's about understanding that you have been through rough times before, you will go through rough times again. You've got through them before, and you can get through them again.”
“I believe in, everybody being kind to themselves, but I think I've probably been misguided in being kind to myself about allowing myself to eat nonsense things.”
“I felt very patronised by the medical community. Very patted on the head and “Poor little Emma, she’s not well and she’ll never be well again”
“I have a fighting spirit.”
“When I stick to keto or carnivore I don’t have the moments of low-ness that I did have.”
“80-90% of a long life, that’s the one we all want to live, is lifestyle related. How empowering is that because it’s under your own control.”
“Fasting is a mindset thing.”
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