Lost 14kg After Years of Failed Diets
Unable to lose weight despite extreme calorie restriction and daily exercise for 3 years.
Lost 14kg in 4 months by eating more of the right foods and exercising less.
The Challenge
This client — a 42-year-old female entrepreneur — had been eating 1,200 calories per day and exercising six days a week for three years. Not only had she stopped losing weight, she had gained 5kg in the last year despite increasing her training intensity.
She had tried keto, intermittent fasting, Whole30, and two rounds of a medically supervised weight loss programme. Blood tests showed 'normal' thyroid function (TSH within range). She was told it was 'hormonal' and offered HRT, which she declined.
The Genetic Discovery
Farmer Variant (TCF7L2) + Elevated Reverse T3 + Leptin Resistance
Genetic testing revealed a 'Farmer' TCF7L2 variant, meaning her body was designed to run on complex carbohydrates — yet she had been on a high-fat ketogenic diet for two years, suppressing thyroid conversion. Blood work showed elevated Reverse T3 (the Hibernation Response) and high leptin with low leptin sensitivity. Her body was in full metabolic conservation mode.
The Protocol
- 1
Transitioned from keto to a Mediterranean-style diet aligned with her Farmer genotype: 45% complex carbohydrates, 30% healthy fats, 25% protein.
- 2
Increased total caloric intake from 1,200 to 1,800 calories to signal 'safety' and release the Hibernation Response.
- 3
Reduced exercise from 6 sessions to 3 sessions per week, replacing HIIT with strength training and walking.
- 4
Added selenium (200mcg) and zinc (30mg) to support T4-to-T3 thyroid conversion.
- 5
Implemented a leptin reset protocol: no snacking, 12-hour overnight fast, and cold exposure (2-minute cold showers).
The Result
Lost 14kg in 4 months. Reverse T3 normalised from 28 ng/dL to 14 ng/dL. Leptin dropped from 42 ng/mL to 18 ng/mL. Waist circumference reduced by 11cm.
Energy levels transformed. The client described feeling 'warm for the first time in years' as thyroid function recovered. She stopped craving sugar and reported stable mood throughout her menstrual cycle for the first time.
"I was eating 1,200 calories and gaining weight. He told me to eat more and exercise less. I thought he was insane. It worked."