CASE STUDY
Overcoming the ‘Yo-Yo Factor’ of Weight Gain/Loss
The Patient:
‘Tina’ is a middle school principal who was referred to us for help in preventing diabetes and finding a sustainable approach to nutrition and overall well-being. She had a hard time developing a consistent approach to food and nutrition, especially on her busy schedule.
*Patient name has been changed to protect the privacy of the individual.
The Challenge:
Tina had experienced fluctuating weight for the past two decades, which led her to resort to drastic food restrictions during the day and an overwhelming feeling of hunger. This pattern left her feeling starved by the time school let out, leading to impulsive snacking and often indulging in ultra processed foods. Exhausted by dinner time, she often ordered takeout pizza for dinner, and finished the meal with ice cream. Consequently, this led to difficulty falling asleep.
Our Program of Support:
Our first step in helping Tina was to educate her on the impact of these restrictive and overeating cycles, and to encourage her to reflect on her relationship with food. The resulting self-awareness served as a foundation for developing a personalized nutrition prescription.
Instead of focusing solely on calorie restrictions, we shifted her approach to front-loading her calories during the day.
This meant embracing larger breakfasts and lunches that were carefully balanced with healthy fats, fiber-rich carbs, vegetables, and adequate protein.
The Results
By adopting a frontloading strategy, Tina experienced a significant transformation in her relationship with food. The larger and well-balanced daytime meals kept her satiated throughout the school day, effectively eliminating her snack cravings.
She discovered newfound energy and motivation, which allowed her to prepare healthy meals for herself and her family at home, and even begin a program of exercise.
Tina's nutrition journey also involved a shift towards convenient, whole foods-focused meals, with ample amounts of fiber, protein, and healthy fats. As a result, Tina no longer craved ice cream or sweets immediately after dinner.
This change not only contributed to improved overall well-being, but also had a positive impact on her ability to fall asleep more easily.
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