I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - a hormonal condition associated with irregular/absent periods and increased risk of chronic disease such as diabetes and heart disease) at 19 years of age. I was in my second year of medical school. The specialist prescribed metformin (an anti-diabetic drug) and advised me to continue taking the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) to “regulate my periods”. Despite being a medical student, I didn’t take my health that seriously, thinking my youth was in my favour. Although I continued with the COCP for 10 years, I stopped taking the metformin within 6 months.

Life went on. I graduated from medical school and started working in the hospital setting. Anxiety and burnout set in with the demanding role of being a junior doctor. I transitioned into GP training. While studying for GP specialist exams and working full-time, I lived on my own for a year as I was in a long-distance relationship with my now husband. I comfort ate convenience foods, convincing myself I was saving time (as I was working full time and studying for exams) and gained 10kg in the process.

I completed my exams and reunited with my partner. We were engaged! Now I had to lose the weight.

I came across the low carb high protein and healthy fat lifestyle through a colleague of mine. Read Jason Fung’s The Obesity Code and was hooked! I did some additional training in therapeutic carbohydrate restriction and then started telling patients about it with incredible success! I was de-prescribing medications, helping patients reverse their prediabetes and diabetes. It was incredibly rewarding.

I revisited my PCOS diagnosis and upon further investigations, realised I was insulin resistant, the precursor state to developing pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes.

I am now 5 years into the journey. Prior to my pregnancy journey in the last 12 months, I was able to sustain my lifestyle with steady weight loss and maintenance by changing what I eat, my mindset, my exercise regime, my sleep routine and my stress management.

The journey has certainly not been linear. I experienced burnout 3 years ago yet again and am still recovering.

I’ve also had various gastrointestinal issues, and tried alternative hormonal contraception before deciding to take a break.

I’m currently postpartum and with that comes a new set of challenges.

Nevertheless, my health awakening in the last 5 years has been life-changing. I’ve had to relearn what it means to be optimally healthy. I’ve gone onto do further training in nutritional, environmental and lifestyle medicine and it has transformed my practice.

I am passionate about addressing underlying contributing factors towards chronic symptoms and disease processes rather than using temporary band-aid solutions. I believe consistency is key, and that everyone needs someone in their corner, quietly guiding and cheering them on no matter the successes and failures.

If you would like to get some answers, to have an accountability partner, or simply a fresh perspective, feel free to come and see me at Next Practice West End.