The success stories from the 3-Week Elimination Reset keep coming! I’m deeply grateful to every participant who took the time to share their experience. We achieved wonderful things together. 🙂 I’ll let these inspiring stories speak for themselves.
M.A.
What was your goal when you started the program?
I had been planning to start a 21-day sugar detox. Around that time, I came across comments on Instagram from people who had joined the Elimination Program. Their experiences really impressed me, and I thought, “If I’m going to eliminate sugar anyway, why not do a proper elimination program and understand the reasons behind it?” So I signed up.
How did the program help you achieve your goals?
Absolutely—it did, and much more.
It was a wonderful program. I realized that nourishing my body is more important than simply feeling full. I learned how different foods affect my body.
If I had done a sugar detox on my own, I probably would have eaten honey and similar foods, unknowingly consuming far more sugar than I actually needed. Now I understand how much sugar my body truly requires.
Apart from finding the third day—and the few days after it—a little challenging, the whole experience was enjoyable. Although I had previously researched the harmful effects of gluten and sugar online, I had never fully understood them. This program made everything clear.
What physical and behavioral changes did you notice by the end of the program?
I’m currently on vacation, and normally I’d buy pastries or similar baked goods. Whenever I ate too many refined carbs for a few days, I would get acid reflux.
Yesterday I ordered pizza because I was on vacation—but I found myself looking for a salad to eat with it. My body now actually craves vegetables.
This morning I bought myself a salad for breakfast and genuinely enjoyed it. Pizza and pastries can still be enjoyable, but now I know they shouldn’t be the foundation of my diet. Understanding what protein and vegetables do for my body has completely changed my perspective.
During the entire program, I only experienced acid reflux once, and it went away within three or four hours without medication. Previously, I almost always needed medication whenever I had reflux.
I also feel leaner and lost 3 kg (6.6 lbs).
Most importantly, I’ve developed a genuine understanding of healthy eating.
Who would you recommend this program to?
I’d recommend it to everyone.
Healthy eating is part of life. Sometimes we’re hesitant to try something new, but what’s the worst that could happen?
I’d especially recommend it to anyone who wants to invest in themselves, struggles with digestive issues, or wants to eat healthier but doesn’t know where to begin.
Once you understand what healthy eating actually is and how different foods affect your body, you realize that eating well isn’t difficult—and it’s absolutely possible, even while on vacation.
My husband used to eat a lot of sugar, but now he understands its harmful effects. He also couldn’t imagine breakfast without bread. He didn’t follow the program completely, but watching me influenced him. There were mornings when he’d normally eat three slices of bread but ended up eating only half a slice. He’d even say, “I’m having breakfast without bread, and I don’t even miss it. That’s so strange!”
Anything else you’d like to add?
This was truly one of the most valuable experiences I’ve ever invested in for myself.
At first, I hesitated and wondered whether it was worth paying for the program—but honestly, it’s worth much more than the price.
You gave us a real understanding of healthy eating.
Thank you so much. 🙂
D.K.
What was your goal when you started the program?
Because of my underactive thyroid, I felt like my whole system had slowed down.
I wanted to stop my constant urge to eat—especially my overwhelming sugar cravings.
How did the program help you achieve your goals?
First of all, I had no idea where to begin, yet I accomplished incredible things.
I used to say, “I can’t live without bread or pita.” Now I tell people, “If I could do it, anyone can.”
Throughout the entire program, I consumed no gluten, no sugar, and no dairy. I followed every rule carefully.
What physical and behavioral changes did you notice?
Because I have Hashimoto’s, I didn’t experience dramatic weight loss. I lost about 2 kg (4.4 lbs).
My main issue—fat around my waist—is still there… for now.
Because I have no intention of reintroducing gluten, sugar, or dairy anytime soon, I’ll continue eating this way.
More than anything, I want to say that this program has been incredibly healing mentally.
I realized how important it is to truly take care of myself.
I discovered that through you.
Who would you recommend this program to?
Everyone.
This program is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.
That’s exactly what I tell all my friends.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Sema Hanım,
Thank you endlessly for the way you led this program, your smiling face, your wonderful energy, the emails I looked forward to every morning, wondering what I’d learn that day, the delicious recipes, the inspiring live sessions, and for walking this journey with us.
With love.
A.S.Ö.
What was your goal when you started the program?
To eliminate refined sugar from my life and find relief for my reflux and year-round allergies.
How did the program help you achieve your goals?
It helped me discover that healthy food can actually be enjoyable.
It showed me that there’s another way to eat.
What physical and behavioral changes did you notice?
Throughout the elimination period, I didn’t experience reflux even once.
My gas and bloating almost completely disappeared.
Most surprisingly, I had a completely pain-free menstrual cycle. I could hardly believe it myself.
I also noticed significant slimming around my waist and hips.
I supported the process by practicing yoga.
Who would you recommend this program to?
Anyone who can’t seem to quit refined sugar.
Anyone who believes gluten-free foods can’t be satisfying.
Anyone who thinks healthy eating is boring.
And anyone who wants to give every organ in their body four weeks of genuine care.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I love you. I’m so grateful you exist.
A different life is possible for me now.
H.C.
What was your goal when you started the program?
I wanted to learn what the Triple Elimination Program actually was.
Your previous courses, your Instagram account, your recipes, and your breathing exercises had already prepared me for this program.
I don’t want to rely on thyroid medication.
My goals were to detoxify my body, improve my eating habits, gain reliable knowledge, help my family, and find a sustainable way of eating.
I found everything I was looking for.
How did the program help you achieve your goals?
What I needed most was clear, reliable, evidence-based, up-to-date information.
Once you have a strong foundation of knowledge, it’s easy to discard misinformation and replace it with the truth.
Sema Hanım, what you’re doing is a tremendous service to society.
You’re helping shape people’s lives, and for that I’m sincerely grateful.
For the first time in my life, I gave myself the time, attention, and excitement to truly enjoy preparing and eating food.
I came into the program knowing almost nothing about the complete system, and it filled in all the missing pieces.
I wanted practical knowledge—and I found it.
Over the past year, I’ve worked incredibly hard to learn how to eat this way. But I never understood what occasional “cheat meals” were doing to my body, how to stay on track when I felt tired, or what lifelong healthy eating should actually look like.
I also learned that energy doesn’t come only from food.
We all have a small battery inside us, and through this program, I felt like I was connected to a much bigger power source.
Being part of something bigger, and learning from everything you’ve shared, has been an incredible experience.
This program is packed with valuable content.
You generously shared the knowledge you’ve spent years building, and I’m deeply thankful.
My goal is to continue this lifestyle, becoming healthier and healthier as I grow older.
Most importantly, I want to rise above the misinformation, advertising, food industry marketing, and nutrition myths that surround us.
There’s an enormous amount of misinformation about nutrition.
I’ve spent a year learning to eat mindfully, and with your help I’ve taken a giant leap forward.
The confusing advice, fad diets, and unhealthy relationships with food are behind me now.
I’m focused on the present.
I’m happy.
I have enough knowledge to guide my life for the next six months—and I’m certain I’ll be back for your next program.
Maybe next time I’ll join the retreat.
What physical and behavioral changes did you notice?
I feel calm and peaceful.
I accepted everything you taught with an open heart.
I’m still under my doctor’s supervision for my thyroid treatment.
Our goal is to eliminate my daily 75 mcg thyroid medication completely. Over the past year we’ve reduced it to 12.5 mcg, although we haven’t been able to stop it entirely yet because my body still isn’t producing enough thyroid hormone.
I’ll have comprehensive blood work in May.
Because of my thyroid condition, I still have about 5 kg (11 lbs) of excess weight.
Your elimination program happened at exactly the right time, so I joined.
I didn’t lose weight or inches—but I know that if my thyroid values were completely normal, I probably would have.
Even so, I didn’t cheat once during the 21 days.
Following the program felt surprisingly easy.
Despite my health challenges, my body feels happier than it has in a long time.
You gave me 21 days of genuine health, and I’m so grateful I chose to join you.
Who would you recommend this program to?
I’d recommend it to anyone who’s curious, motivated, and ready to learn.
For healthy people, it’s one of the best investments they can make in their future.
For anyone dealing with health issues, it’s an invaluable opportunity to gain knowledge that benefits both themselves and their families.
Modern medicine alone isn’t enough.
Without Functional Medicine and holistic nutrition, it’s difficult to truly protect both our physical and emotional health.
Thank you, Sema Hanım.
I’m deeply grateful for your generosity in sharing your knowledge.
You also demonstrate the ethical side of this work—using knowledge for the benefit of society.
Thank you.
B.A.
How did the program help you achieve your goals?
After years of starting and quitting diets—and despite knowing what I should and shouldn’t eat—they always ended in failure.
This program completely transformed my relationship with food.
Like pulling one loose thread, everything else began improving as well.
For the first time, I focused on what I could eat instead of what I couldn’t.
For the first time, I felt completely satisfied by foods I once believed could never fill me up.
For years I’d followed rigid rules and meaningless restrictions.
As Sema Hanım explained the science and reasoning behind everything, it all made sense.
Once you truly understand it, it’s impossible not to enjoy healthy eating.
What physical and behavioral changes did you notice?
The physical changes sound unbelievable, but after only three weeks my waist became 10 cm (4 inches) smaller.
The amazing part is that it happened without suffering.
Looking back, I only regret all the years I spent struggling just to lose 1 cm through restrictive diets.
Another unexpected change was that, much like when I quit smoking, my sense of taste changed.
I began tasting food more deeply.
Countless people asked me if I’d had a facial treatment because my skin looked so radiant.
Behaviorally, I now feel completely relaxed around food.
The stress of wondering, “Should I eat this?” or “Why did I eat that?” is gone.
I feel free and empowered.
I know what my body needs, I understand portion sizes, and I also know that eating something unhealthy occasionally is not the end of the world.
Most importantly, I finally feel like I’m treating myself with kindness through food.
Who would you recommend this program to?
I’d recommend it to anyone who struggles with emotional eating, wants to truly learn how to eat well, feels addicted to sugar or gluten, wants to lose weight, or wants to teach healthy eating habits to their children.
When I started, I couldn’t imagine getting through a day without cheese, bread, or coffee.
The fact that I reached this point so easily is incredible.
I hope everyone searching for a better relationship with food finds you.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Sema Hanım,
I’ve followed you on Instagram for years.
I bought your books and used your recipes whenever I was “on a diet.”
But getting to know you more deeply through this program has been such a joy.
Thank you for dedicating yourself to learning, growing, and touching so many lives—including mine.
May your path always be filled with light.
S.N.Y.
What was your goal when you started the program?
After four years of being unable to lose weight despite trying everything, I wanted to see if this program could help.
I also have hypothyroidism and choose not to take medication, so I hoped it might support my metabolism.
How did the program help you achieve your goals?
It did much more than help me reach my goals—it completely transformed my relationship with food.
I lost 5 kg (11 lbs) during the elimination phase.
When I saw the number on the scale, I couldn’t believe my eyes.
I also lost 10 cm (4 inches) from my waist, 10 cm from my hips, and 4 cm (1.6 inches) around my chest.
I was never hungry.
Instead of thinking, “I feel terrible—I want to attack a cake,” I started asking myself,
“What foods truly nourish my body, give me energy, and still allow me to enjoy eating?”
That shift in perspective made all the difference.
The process felt so natural that after the program ended, I only reintroduced goat cheese and yogurt.
Two weeks later, I weighed myself again and had lost another 2 kg (4.4 lbs).
I haven’t repeated my thyroid tests yet, but the fact that I can now lose weight makes me believe my metabolism has improved.
What physical and behavioral changes did you notice?
I have so much more energy.
I used to have no desire to exercise.
Now I can’t wait to move.
When I feel emotionally low, I no longer attack food.
I’m aware of what I’m eating and when I’m truly full.
Dinner has transformed from mindlessly eating in front of the TV with my husband into sitting together at the table, talking, and enjoying beautiful meals.
Who would you recommend this program to?
I’d recommend it to everyone.
Especially people who want to repair their relationship with food, treat their bodies with kindness, discover delicious healthy recipes, or stop believing that one mistake erases all their progress.
Anything else you’d like to add?
You helped me believe in myself again.
Thank you.
S.K.
What was your goal when you started the program?
I’m 30 years old, but my metabolic age was 39, and my body fat percentage was 34.4% (my smart scale app even flagged it as “very high”). Although I tried to eat healthily, I struggled to stay disciplined. Even when the number on the scale went down, my body fat barely changed.
For the past two years, I’ve also been dealing with acne—a problem I’d never had before. Even while taking Accutane, I only had breakouts on my chin and forehead, but now acne appears all over my face. I wanted to improve all of these issues.
How did the program help you achieve your goals?
It helped tremendously—and surprisingly easily. 🙂
On the morning of March 27, I weighed 58.55 kg (129.1 lbs) with 34.4% body fat. As of today, I weigh 55.55 kg (122.5 lbs). I’d definitely say I achieved my goal.
What physical and behavioral changes did you notice by the end of the program?
I followed the program 100%, without a single cheat meal, and I’m still eating this way.
In fact, I feel incredibly comfortable with this lifestyle.
Every day I bring my lunch from home to work. I haven’t started the reintroduction phase yet. During the holiday, I only had dessert on two occasions and a very small piece of pastry, and on another day I ate a cookie and had a coffee with plant-based milk. Those foods made me feel so uncomfortable that I don’t plan to eat them again for quite a while.
I work in an office, and we used to order lunch every day—burgers, lahmacun, and other typical fast foods. After eating those meals, I’d feel extremely bloated, and within two hours I’d become sleepy, lose all my energy, and start craving sweets.
Since switching to this way of eating, I’ve brought my own meals every day.
The best word to describe how I feel is comfortable.
No bloating.
No sugar cravings.
No random afternoon energy crashes. 🙂
That’s why I truly love this way of eating.
A day or two before starting the program, I actually panicked. I didn’t listen to your advice—I had one last “farewell weekend” filled with treats, which I now regret because I probably would have started from an even better place.
At first I kept thinking, “No chocolate? No desserts? I can’t eat whatever I want? How am I ever going to do this?”
Honestly, those thoughts don’t even cross my mind anymore.
When I crave something sweet, fruit satisfies me.
Now, when I look at recipes I used to love that call for one or two cups of sugar, I think, “That would be unbearably sweet! How could anyone eat that?”
The only change I haven’t experienced is waking up more easily in the mornings. I’m still not a morning person—but hopefully that will come too. 🙂
Who would you recommend this program to?
Anyone who wants to do something good for themselves and their body.
People who want to lose weight, improve their health, or simply feel better in their own body.
I don’t currently have any health problems, but many members of my family struggle with diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
I believe the best investment we can make is in our own health, and it’s important to start while we’re still young.
My mother has systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). She followed part of the program with me. She’s someone who often starts diets with dietitians but eventually quits because she gets bored. Even she loved how simple this way of eating is—no strange or complicated foods, just real homemade meals. She even stopped eating yogurt.
I hope one day I can convince her to follow the entire program.
I’ve also been telling everyone around me how good I feel, how surprisingly easy the program is, and that they’d probably feel much better doing this instead of another restrictive diet.
I’ve worked with dietitians before, and those diets left me getting up from the table hungry.
With this program, I felt full, comfortable, and still lost weight.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you so much for all your hard work and support.
Some of your recipes are honestly so delicious that even if I ever returned to my old eating habits, I’d still make them simply because I enjoy them so much.
This program deserves to reach many more people.
Ç.Ö.
I’ve always been a chocolate addict, and more recently, a huge fan of gluten. 🙂
But after going through this program with you, everything changed.
I no longer crave chocolate—and honestly, no one is more surprised than I am, or the people around me. 🙂
That’s what I’m most grateful for.
Thanks to you, I learned so many things I didn’t know before.
Most importantly, I realized once again that I eat whenever I can’t cope with stress.
Now, even when I eat just a little, I genuinely feel satisfied.
As a result, I’ve lost 6 kg (13.2 lbs).
During the elimination program, I also started reading a book. There’s one passage that perfectly summarizes how I feel:
“The thing that surprised me most over these past few weeks was realizing how completely I had ignored my body and its health for so many years.”
That’s exactly how I feel.
I could have been living with so much more ease and lightness, yet instead I’d been making life unnecessarily difficult for myself.
What was your goal when you started the program?
To learn how to eat healthily without feeling restricted.
How did the program help you achieve your goals?
Realizing that I could nourish myself mindfully, feel satisfied, and still enjoy my meals helped me lose weight much more happily than all the diets I had started but never managed to finish.
What physical and behavioral changes did you notice by the end of the program?
I lost 6 kg (13.2 lbs).
Even though I felt completely full after meals, I no longer experienced that heavy, uncomfortable feeling in my stomach or body.
I also sleep much better now.
Who would you recommend this program to?
To anyone who, like me, believes they’re addicted to chocolate and gluten and thinks they’ll never be able to give them up. 🙂
If I could do it, I truly believe anyone can.
N.E.
What was your goal when you started the program?
This was a program I had wanted to experience for a long time. I wanted to give myself a lifelong gift when it came to my nutrition. At the same time, I was preparing for IVF treatment, so my goal was also to cleanse and nourish my body.
How did the program help you achieve your goals?
You offered us so much more than a simple list of what to eat and what not to eat. I’m truly grateful that I found you. You explained the why behind everything, and that made all the pieces fall into place. Your daily emails and guidance throughout the process made it so much easier to stay on track.
What physical and behavioral changes did you notice by the end of the program?
I actually wanted to wait and observe how I felt beyond the initial 21 days before answering this question.
Above all, you helped me get to know myself better.
The most noticeable physical change was being able to go to the bathroom without discomfort. My skin developed a healthy glow, and my complexion became much more even.
During Ramadan, I would normally suffer from severe headaches every year. This time, I didn’t have a single headache.
The biggest lesson I still need to work on is portion control and mindful eating. I often remind myself, “Remember the grape!” Now I truly understand the importance of staying balanced and continuing the journey without unnecessary stress.
Who would you recommend this program to?
I would recommend it to anyone who wants to give themselves a lifelong gift.
It’s perfect for anyone who wants to improve their nutrition in a holistic way and truly understand the principles behind healthy eating.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I’ve been following you for a very long time.
I feel lucky.
You came into my life at exactly the right time.
I wish your life continues to be filled with beauty and happiness.
G.M.
I joined the 3-Way Elimination Program in April. I intentionally waited a few months before writing my feedback (it’s now July) because I wanted to see whether I could truly turn what I learned into a lasting lifestyle rather than a temporary program.
I’m happy to say that I did.
What was your goal when you started the program?
I wanted to understand the eating habits and behavioral patterns I wasn’t even aware of. I also wanted to identify the foods that weren’t truly nourishing me—physically or emotionally—and discover which foods were causing my discomfort and bloating.
How did the program help you achieve your goals?
I experienced everything I had hoped for.
You helped me realize that, ever since childhood, I had been forced to keep eating even after I felt full because I was told I “needed to grow.” I also recognized how processed, high-calorie sweets had become a shortcut for saving time while feeding my emotional hunger.
I realized that I had been making food choices simply to fit into social situations and meet other people’s expectations—and none of those choices were actually serving me.
One of my biggest realizations was this:
People don’t become unhealthy because of the foods they don’t eat, as many families believe. They become unhealthy because of the foods they eat without awareness.
I’ve continued eating this way ever since April, and thanks to this program, I’ve completely transformed my relationship with food.
G.M.
What physical and behavioral changes did you notice by the end of the program?
The bloating I used to experience after meals is completely gone.
Because I work a stressful desk job, I always felt the need to snack throughout the day. That constant urge to eat has disappeared. Now I naturally go much longer between meals, and when I do eat, I genuinely enjoy my food and leave the table feeling truly satisfied.
Since eliminating processed “junk” foods, my acid reflux and late-night cravings—whether for sweets or salty snacks—have disappeared.
And one of the changes I had heard so many people in your community talk about, but was skeptical about myself, actually happened: I no longer suffer from PMS symptoms and menstrual cramps.
The debilitating pain I’d experienced every month since my teenage years—pain that completely drained my energy and turned every cycle into a nightmare—turns out to have been closely connected to my poor digestive health.
Most importantly, I feel healthier, happier, and lighter in every sense of the word.
Who would you recommend this program to?
I would recommend it to anyone who wants to better understand themselves—emotionally, physically, and as a whole person—and who is looking to create meaningful change.
Because this is so much more than just another diet or elimination program.
C.D.
What was your goal when you started the program?
I’ve struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember.
My entire adolescence was spent trying one diet after another—cabbage soup diets that smelled awful, diets that started on Monday and ended by Tuesday. None of them were ever sustainable. They always remained “diets”; they never became a healthy lifestyle.
In my family, food carries enormous emotional significance. My mother would wake up at midnight to make halva or decide to prepare homemade dumplings for no particular reason. Every woman in my family struggles with weight.
I realized that what I really needed wasn’t another diet—I needed to change my relationship with food.
When I found you, I felt you were the first person speaking honestly and directly about it, without unnecessary complications.
Then I turned forty, and the aches and pains began.
A few weeks before joining, my knee became swollen. My doctor told me, “Every extra kilogram you carry puts roughly four times that load on your knees.”
I realized I was effectively asking my knees to carry around 80 kilograms (176 lbs) of extra pressure.
That was my wake-up call.
I knew something had to change.
I’m so glad I joined.
How did the program help you achieve your goals?
I lost 3 kg (6.6 lbs) in three weeks—which may not sound dramatic—but my body became noticeably firmer.
My posture improved.
My waist became slimmer.
The fat around my sides visibly decreased—I could both see it and feel it.
And all of this happened during a period when I could barely exercise because of my knee.
What physical and behavioral changes did you notice by the end of the program?
Now I have complete clarity about how to move forward.
I know what to eat, how to balance my meals, and how to maintain this way of eating long-term.
I already owned all of your books and had been following you closely on Instagram, but being part of this program was something entirely different.
Feeling your genuine support throughout the process gave me incredible strength.
Who would you recommend this program to?
I would recommend this program to anyone who wants to live a healthier life, whether they currently have a health condition or not.
Our food culture is incredibly challenging. It’s heavily centered around refined carbohydrates, with breads, pides, and lahmacun everywhere—and endless pressure from people insisting you eat more.
You may know exactly what you should and shouldn’t eat, but if you’re a social person, resisting all that pressure can be extremely difficult.
That was the hardest part for me.
I thought giving up cheese and yogurt would be my biggest challenge—but it wasn’t.
The real challenge was dealing with the constant insistence from friends and family:
“Just this once.”
“Come on, you can start again tomorrow.”
I can’t tell you how many times I heard those words.
The difference is that Sema Hanım has personally faced all of these situations herself, so she doesn’t just tell you what to eat—she teaches you how to navigate real life and stay true to your choices.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I hope your enthusiasm for life and your work never fades.
I’ve rarely met someone who is so deeply passionate about what they do.
You’re truly fortunate.
I wish you every success in your new educational journey.
Please give my regards to your husband—and a hug to Dino and Daisy for me.
