I continue to share happy endings with you. Every feedback I receive is such a powerful force in helping me move forward. I become happier, much happier, with every person who recovers. Now I leave you with the beautiful words of the participants…
Ö. K.
1- My 3 main goals before starting the program?
To become more conscious about nutrition
To turn to healthy alternatives
The belief that mindful eating would be good for me
2- The program helped me achieve my goals in the following way:
The topics you covered about mindful eating are wonderful; I will adjust my choices accordingly when shopping.
However, I especially liked the anchor meditation, which can be done before meals or at any time. Calming down before sitting down to eat is the most important thing, in my opinion. This prevents me from overeating.
3- The biggest change I’ve noticed since starting the program:
The peace that comes from mindful eating and stopping when you’re full
I can satisfy my sweet cravings without consuming sugary products; in fact, fruits taste very sweet.
Besides the foods eliminated, you can also find things that aren’t very good for you.
4- I recommend this program to those experiencing the following problems:
I recommend it to anyone who wants to take a step towards a healthier life.
G. B.
First of all, I am grateful for your companionship and guidance on this enjoyable journey of discovery. Ms. Sema, I have been following you on social media for a long time, and I have enjoyed trying your recipes and suggestions. I attended the Elimination Awareness seminar because, although I don’t have a diagnosed illness, I have been experiencing bowel problems, gas, and bloating after consuming certain foods recently. As someone who has spent my life dieting since childhood, I would start a diet every Monday, continue for a while, and then give up before a month was up. However, now I can’t get enough of Elimination. Weight has always been a part of my life. When I started Elimination, my first goal wasn’t to lose weight. It was to eat mindfully, observe my body, and look at my body and soul holistically from a functional perspective. But when I looked at my starting and ending weights, the fact that 5 kg, which are the last and most difficult pounds to lose, disappeared in 5 weeks was a surprising result of this program for me. In addition, I spent 5 fulfilling weeks without trembling hands and feet, without feeling hungry, and in harmony with my body. My bowel problems and bloating have significantly decreased. I’ve learned to plan my day according to the food pyramid. You’ve raised my awareness not only about nutrition, but also about toxins, stress, and many other things that harm us in our lives. Thank you so much for preparing such a comprehensive program, meticulously thought out down to the smallest detail and full of recipes.
I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone.
Stay well. 🙂
My 3 main goals before starting the program:
My first goal when starting the program was to resolve the indigestion, bloating, and gas problems I experienced after consuming certain foods, even though I hadn’t yet received a diagnosis. Another goal was to take a step towards a healthy life, healing my body with a functional, holistic perspective. To be honest, I didn’t have high expectations regarding weight loss, but the results surprised me quite a bit. I can consider weight loss as the final goal.
The program helped me achieve my goals in the following ways:
The program allowed us to manage this process systematically, step by step, without any lingering questions, and to easily achieve our goals by following the program.
The biggest change I’ve noticed since starting the program is:
The constant thought of “What should I eat?” is gone. I enjoyed the happiness of discovering new flavors without hesitation and the pleasure of observing my body’s reactions. I had the opportunity to discover foods that are sensitive to my gut. I felt the peace of mind that comes from taking good care of my body. It was enjoyable to do things just for myself, to carefully prepare simple but beneficial foods.
I recommend this program to those experiencing the following problems:
In my opinion, even if there isn’t a specific problem, everyone should follow this program every six months, as you mentioned, to revitalize their body and mind. Therefore, I recommend it to everyone.
M. Y.
My three main goals before starting the program:
I came across your program around the time I learned that my wife might have prediabetes. I’d always wanted to take action, but unfortunately, we kept putting it off. So I thought, since there’s a situation like this, let’s start now, both for her and for myself. We don’t usually eat out very often, we have occasional treats, but my main goal was to establish a foundation for healthy eating, benefit from your experiences, and incorporate it into my life. Besides that, of course, eliminating the suspicion of diabetes, getting rid of problems like bloating and gas, and losing some weight would be great. I also wanted to increase my awareness of being present in the moment.
The program helped me achieve my goals in the following ways:
First, I realized that healthy eating isn’t that difficult, and it doesn’t mean eating all sorts of weird things. Through message sharing and your live classes, I stayed constantly active, learned new things, and started listening to my body. Starting something new as a group, rather than on our own, was a great experience in terms of keeping motivation high and knowing we weren’t alone. In these days of being stuck at home, we created a new space for ourselves together – women’s solidarity 😊
The biggest change I’ve noticed since starting the program:
Definitely lighter… Both physically and mentally lighter. I’ve been stuck at 59 kilos for years, and I can’t say I made an extra effort to lose weight, but I knew it would be better if I lost 2-3 kilos. With this diet, I lost 3 kilos without any difficulty, and I really like how I look. No bloating in the mornings, no digestive problems, everything looks good on me, and I don’t have a belly anymore! It’s immediately noticeable from the outside…
We continued our walks, but I couldn’t do any extra exercise; once I do that, it’ll be perfect! Even though my husband didn’t do a complete elimination, he also lost weight, and we really loved this routine. We realized how much unnecessary sugar occupied our lives. We saw and tasted how much fruit sugar is enough, and how many enjoyable and delicious things can be made with it. We loved healthy breakfasts with salads, and starting the day feeling energetic is a bonus! The changes in me and the beauty of the diet have also pleased my family; now my parents have started too, and they’re very happy – they literally don’t get hungry anymore. I want to share this with everyone around me, shouting, “You should try it too, see how wonderful it is!”
I recommend this program to those experiencing the following problems:
Since I didn’t have any very serious problems, I can’t say for sure which specific illnesses it helped, but observing how much it benefited those in the group who had serious health issues was an incredible experience.
I recommend it to anyone who, like me, wants to eat healthily but doesn’t know where to start, wants to gain new experiences by joining a group, wants to do something nice for themselves during this pandemic period when our minds are in turmoil, wants to make significant changes in their lives with a few small but effective touches, in short, anyone who wants to feel good, enjoy their food, and shine. Come join us…
I. Y.
My 3 main goals before starting the program:
To eat healthily
To get rid of chronic fatigue and low energy
Motivation for clean eating
The program helped me achieve my goals in the following ways:
It definitely boosted my motivation. Thanks to the emails, recipes, and suggestions I received, I didn’t experience the stress of wondering what to eat that I thought I would before the program. I received amazing recipes and suggestions. I actually realized I’ve become more disciplined about food than I’ve ever been in my life. By keeping my diet completely clean, I realized how easy it is to say no to flavors that were previously irresistible to me.
The biggest change I’ve noticed since starting the program:
I haven’t experienced my severe seasonal allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, and I haven’t needed any antihistamines; last year at this time, I needed at least one dose of antihistamines daily. I’ve developed a great love for salads – instead of craving carbohydrates, I crave salads. My feeling of fullness has increased significantly, and I’ve lost weight without ever feeling hungry, eating incredibly delicious things, and not worrying about portion sizes. My gas problems have drastically decreased.
I recommend this program to those experiencing the following problems:
I definitely recommend it to those with chronic conditions. But I think everyone should try it. You don’t have to wait until you’re sick to try it.
I. Ö.
My three main goals before starting the program were:
To experience a gluten-free diet, to understand which foods weren’t good for my body, and to learn more detailed information about nutrition from you.
The program helped me achieve my goals in the following ways:
For weeks, I’ve been eating in a way I thought I couldn’t possibly do. I’ve fully adapted, both psychologically and physiologically. I can’t even believe the experience my body is having. The program was very well-planned; the preparation week for shopping and psychological preparation, the daily informational files and email support, and your scientifically based answers to all our questions during the live broadcasts were invaluable to me. Now I can understand what my body wants at different times of the day, when I’m hungry and when I’m full, which foods I genuinely crave/my body wants, and which foods are driven by emotional hunger.
The biggest change I’ve noticed since starting the program:
I broke free from the cycle imposed by the system for years: breakfast as soon as I wake up, lunch during lunchtime, and dinner late at night after work. Planning my day and carrying all my meals with me allowed me to understand my body and realize that I wasn’t actually hungry in the early morning, that I could feel full without eating everything I prepared, and that even when my blood sugar was balanced and I had to endure hunger for hours, my hands and feet didn’t tremble. This was the most significant change for me. During a period when I was quite disorganized in terms of nutrition, the generous information and kindness of dear Sema Hanım, whose knowledge and experience I had been absorbing through years of following her on Instagram, led to a fundamental change in my relationship with nutrition, food, and myself, even though it started as an elimination process.
I recommend this program to those experiencing the following problems:
Those who are trying to regulate their relationship with food but can’t quite manage it, those who sense a problem somewhere in their diet and digestive system but don’t know where to start, and those who can’t understand where to use chickpea flour.
D.E.
My 3 main goals before starting the program:
From what I saw on Instagram, your energy was so high that I thought, ‘What am I missing?’ Joking aside, I was tired of waking up tired all the time, the lethargy after meals, and the bloating, gas, and stomach problems I’d been experiencing for a long time.
The program helped me achieve my goals in the following ways:
First of all, it helped me understand how directly our energy levels are related to what we eat. I saw how things we always thought were due to seasonal changes, stress, or fatigue actually changed rapidly (my change started within a week) when we changed our eating habits. My initial intention in starting this program was to prepare healthy meals for my 3-year-old son, but at the end of the day, seeing my whole family eat healthily and doing it with pleasure, even to the point of being full, gives me an amazing sense of satisfaction.
The biggest change I’ve noticed since starting the program:
Before, we weren’t even aware of what we were eating. I realized how pointlessly and aimlessly we used food, which is supposed to be our biggest socialization tool, as if our bodies were just a garbage dump and we were constantly throwing things in. Now, thanks to you, I’ve introduced many different vegetables into my life and I’m making so many different dishes that I can’t leave the kitchen because discovering things is so much fun 🙂 And for the first time in a very long time, I feel so healthy.
I recommend this program to those experiencing the following problems:
There’s no need to experience problems. Everyone, absolutely everyone, should participate.
No one should question our love for Sema Özpekmezci’s recipes; you’re the reason we’re on Instagram. We’re so glad you embarked on this journey, that you didn’t just rely on what you were told, that you questioned, researched, and showed the courage and determination to share all your experience with us. Thank you so much, Sema, we’re so glad you exist. And I send my love to Dino on his beautiful eyes.
Ö.A.
My three main goals before starting the program were:
Learning not to compromise my gluten-free diet, eliminating refined sugar from my life, and learning to continue enjoying food with different recipes.
The program helped me achieve my goals in the following way:
I have now achieved all three of these goals thanks to this program. The reason I compromised my gluten-free diet was that I didn’t know any delicious alternative recipes. By replacing sugar with fruit, I no longer needed sugar.
The biggest change I’ve noticed since starting the program:
I’ve gotten rid of my bloating. For the first time in years, they reduced the dosage of my thyroid medication. My bowels have become regular.
I recommend this program to those experiencing the following problems:
I especially recommend this program to those with autoimmune disorders and those who cannot change their eating habits.
O.U.
My 3 main goals before starting the program?
I only had one goal: to find something to soothe my burning bladder.
The program helped me achieve my goals in the following ways:
It’s very reassuring to work with a team. I didn’t feel confident enough to cut out many foods at once on my own. Now I feel confident enough not to replace what I cut out. It gave me confidence and showed me how much I can change, that I actually have the power.
The biggest change I’ve noticed since starting the program:
I thought my diet was largely flawless. And I couldn’t find many alternatives for some foods. In this program, I had the opportunity to question the foods I thought were innocent and choose better ones for myself. It wasn’t my goal, but my hips have shrunk by 4 cm, now they’re exactly 90 cm. My burning bladder doesn’t happen unless I drink too much tea and eat oranges. I hadn’t understood what wasn’t working for me; maybe there are other things bothering me, but I think I can observe things more clearly now. I feel an increase in my energy and a clarity of mind, which was an unexpected change. I don’t suddenly feel hungry, I don’t experience the fear of getting hungry, that feeling is wonderful…
I recommend this program to those experiencing the following problems:
Those with digestive problems, those who don’t know what to eat, those with metabolic issues, those who want to feel more energetic, those who need transformation, and anyone who is curious 🙂
S.S.
Programa başlamadan önceki 3 önemli hedefim:
Beslenme alışkanlığımı düzene sokarak, bazı rahatsızlıklarımı hafifletip, “iyileşmek”. İrademi kuvvetlendirmek. Yağ yakabilmek.
Program bana hedeflerime ulaşmam için şu şekilde yardım etti:
Her şeyden önce mükemmel bir yol gösterdi. Her ne kadar yıllardır yazılarınızı okusam da yine nerden nasıl başlayacağım konusunda, bana bi “haydi” oldu. Hayatım boyunca aklımda kalacak bilgileri nedenleriyle öğrenmek, içimi rahatlatıp bu bilgileri benimseyebilmemi ve uygulamamı kolaylaştırdı. Programa katılanlarla oluşturduğumuz bir grup olması da farklı sebeplerle olsa da aynı amaç için bir arada olan insanlarla kollektif bir ilişki kurmamı ve bu sayede ekstra bir destek kuvvet almamı, bilgi paylaşımını kuvvetlendirdi. Sizin gibi çok ihtiyaç duyduğum bir anda “kapısını çalabileceğim” bir destekçi kazanmış olmak güven ve güç verdi.
Programa başladığımdan beri fark ettiğim en büyük değişim:
İstediğim zaman ve gerçekten inandığım bir amacım olduğuı zaman irade gösterebileceğimi anladım.Çalışma koşullarının zorluğunun, yemek düzenini oluşturamamaya bir bahane olmadığını gördüm. En başta bu bence. Ama bir büyük değişim de bununla bağlantılı; enerjim yerine geldi! Çok yoğun ve neredeyse tatilsiz çalışan biri olmama ragmen 5 dakika bulsam bile kendimi sürekli yemek yaparken, ortalığı toplarken, egzersiz yaparken, sevdiğim bir şeylerle uğraşırken buldum. Yerimde duramamaya başladım. Bu benim için büyük değişim, çünkü asla ayılamayan, sürekkli hantal bir ağırlığı üzerinde taşıyan, sürekli yorgun hisseden biriydim. Eklem ağrısı ve mide yanmalarının geçmesinden bahsetmiyorum bile…
Bu programı şöyle problemler yaşayanlara öneririm:
Kronik rahatsızlıklar yaşayanlara, üremeyle alakalı problemlerle karşılaşanlara zaten kesin kesin öneririm. Onun dışında benim gibi, düzensiz çalışma ve beslenme şekline sahip olup, yedikleriyle kendine daha iyi bakabileceğini düşündüğüm kişilere. Hatta kendini mutsuz, çaresiz, bıkkın vs hissettiği bir dönemde olduğunu düşünenlere! Ya daha yazacaktım, ama vazgeçtim, çünkü bunun bi sonu gelmeyecek, çünkü bunu bence herkes ama herkes yapmalı!
D.G.
Programa başlamadan önceki hedefim:
Uzun süre sağlıklı beslenmiş olsam da yolumdan sapmıştım, hamurları simitleri her gün biraz daha sevmeye başlamış, ay bu kadarlıktan bir şey olmaz diye miktarı gün be gün artırmış, nerdeyse her gün tatlı, glutenli bir şeyler yer hale gelmiştim:( Haşimato beni yine eski, günlerime döndürdü, sürekli her yerimin ağrıması, şişkin gazlı bir karın, migren atakları, mide yanmaları, halsizlik, yetersiz kan değerleri derken silkelenmek istedim… Silkelenip kendime gelmek, vücudumu tertemiz yapıp, sıfırdan tekrar başlayıp, sağlıklı beslenme döngüsünün içine girmek, orada öyle kalmak ve bir daha boğazım yüzünden vücuduma asla bu eziyetleri yapmamak için başladım eliminasyona..
The program helped me achieve my goals in the following way:
I felt like a bird, as if there was a bird in my stomach and it was flying away, such lightness. Although I struggled at first, afterwards came a deep happiness, a freshness that would make you want to beg everyone to try it. I thought I knew a lot, but I wasn’t; thanks to Sema Hanım, I learned so many new things, so many recipes, so much happiness, knowing that there are alternatives for everything, feeling better as you eat healthily, it felt so good. It wasn’t that difficult, in the end, everything you do on this path is worth it for where you get to. Then you realize that what started as a diet has become your life, and you’re even happier that way. I hope everyone helps themselves someday…
The biggest change I’ve experienced since starting the program:
My severe gas pains, bloating, and stomach aches suddenly stopped, and I can say I’ve almost completely stopped taking painkillers 🙂
I recommend this program to those experiencing the following problems:
Those with stomach and intestinal problems, those who can’t sleep, those who constantly crave food, those who say “I never know why I can’t give it up,” those who say “I sleep but I don’t feel rested,” those who wonder why their blood values are low despite eating regularly, those who want to eat healthily but don’t know how or where to start, those who say “I’m fine, I’ll eat my waffle” (because they don’t yet know what’s coming).
I wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone who wants to become more conscious, cleanse, be grateful for what they eat, and become more aware. Believe me, the regret rate for this program is less than 0.001%. 🙂
Finally, I would like to add that you were by my side on this beautiful journey, providing incredible support during my time in Adana when I was experiencing depression (you really helped me get through the elimination process, which was lacking motivation), teaching me new things, touching my life, helping my two daughters’ nutritional journey evolve in a healthy way, and thanking you endlessly for all your sweet conversations, your smiling faces, and perhaps for so many other things I can’t even list. I’m so glad you touched my life. I hope I get to meet you in person someday. May you always be happy with your loved ones.
With endless love from Derya…
I.K.
What was your goal when you started this program?
To regain my pre-pregnancy health, to regulate my reactive hypoglycemia. I had been consuming the same foods constantly, so I started cooking and diversifying. To return to my pre-pregnancy state. My body was exhausting me, and I wanted to give it some care.
How did the program help you achieve your goals?
It helped me reach my goals comfortably and freely, without restricting me.
What’s the biggest physical and behavioral change you’ve seen in yourself since the program ended?
I’m very strange; sometimes I’m hungry, sometimes I’m not, sometimes I am. I eat lots of vegetables. I started preparing and setting aside meals. I hadn’t had my period for 5 months, and I got it on the third day of the elimination phase. I lost 5 kilos, going from 65 to 60. I was 55, and I still had postpartum weight left, so I’ve become much lighter. I didn’t have any sugar cravings. My blood sugar only dropped one day when I had a very light breakfast, which taught me that I need to eat a proper breakfast. I realized I didn’t want breakfast as soon as I woke up, and I felt much freer. I ate when I was hungry, which is very important; awareness increased. I received many compliments from those around me; I even got a compliment like “your face is as thin as a spoon,” which means I’ve lost a lot of weight in our house.
I would recommend this program to those experiencing the following problems:
I think everyone should do it, even if they don’t have problems. I plan to make this once a year without taking the coffee out of the oven.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Thanks for everything.
D. S.
What was your goal when you started this program?
I wanted to start this program in October 2020, but kept postponing it because I kept thinking, “Sema will make us eat salad in the morning.” My expectation from this program was to overcome difficult times, and the goal was healthy and conscious eating (we also thought, “If we lose weight, we’ll be overjoyed!”). 😊
How did the program help you achieve your goals?
I think its biggest contribution was that, unlike me, I can’t stick to a program or plan for a long time without following it. When there’s a program that’s followed, it’s much easier to stick to it. It was the longest period of healthy eating in my life. Also, I can’t underestimate the support we got from doing it with my friend Burcu. Her saying, “I did this, try it, it’s great,” and “I tried this, you must try it,” motivated me even more.
And Sema Hanım’s pleas to “please don’t go hungry” were very helpful. Her saying, “If you’re not full, eat a second plate.” I think with the reassurance she gave us, we ate without fear or worry, and generally, we left those tables feeling full without needing a second plate.
And the recipes, those recipes were such great ideas! And having them readily available made a huge difference. I printed them all out and put them in my kitchen. I just open them and make them. There were two dessert recipes; we made each one once and shared them. They really curbed our craving for dessert. Towards the end, we didn’t even think about eating dessert.
What’s the biggest physical and behavioral change you’ve seen in yourself as the program ends?
It’ll be a bit long, but I’ll write it down…
The biggest behavioral change, and the thing that surprised me the most throughout the program, was that my habit of always procrastinating disappeared, and a proactive person (the new me) emerged. My phone has been full of healthy food recipes for years. I just couldn’t bring myself to start making them. Whether it’s lethargy, laziness, procrastination, or all of them, I don’t know. Before the program started, we (my husband and I) had started eating out almost every day. When we did go out, our greatest pleasure was getting coffee and snacks from a cafe and enjoying ourselves. We don’t eat those things anymore; we say there’s nothing left to buy and we don’t go into those cafes. 😊 In fact, a few times I’ve prepared breakfast and snacks before going out (it’s hard to describe how proud I am of myself).
Another realization I found unbelievable was how unfounded my fear was that Sema would make us eat salad in the mornings (because I neither wanted to eat it nor was I able to make it). I thought that reading about how delicious those breakfast salads were and how refreshing they made me feel starting the day wouldn’t overcome my laziness. That is, until I started the program and one morning tasted a salad with red cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, half an avocado, sprouted legumes, olives, greens, plenty of lemon, and olive oil, and experienced that refreshing feeling (I’m going to make a salad and I won’t add at least one type of cheese, Shock Shock Shock!). Some mornings I woke up craving salad and ate it many times throughout the program (I still do). Most of the time I couldn’t finish it, and some of it was left over for lunch. Another change is the fact that I can get full with meat and vegetable dishes without rice. I’ve also made red rice occasionally, and I’ve had many meals without it. 😊
The most important behavioral change I’ve made is stopping eating when I’m full!!! I don’t know why I used to stuff myself to the point of bursting. My husband and I used to sit down at the table and eat enough for five, but now we’ve noticed that we get up from the table feeling completely full after eating just two portions.
Physically, the biggest change was the bursts of energy. The change in me was moderate, but my wife became a completely different person. She used to sleep during the day and rarely got up from where she sat (we were eating so badly!). Now (thanks to corona and the restrictions), she’s started helping with the cleaning, and sometimes, even while I’m in class or working, she gets carried away with housework. In fact, as I’m writing this, she’s already started spring cleaning. It seems Sema Hanım’s magic wand has touched us. It’s really hard to describe the changes without sounding like I’m exaggerating.
I recommend this program to those experiencing the following problems:
The biggest change for me was overcoming my laziness. I wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone who sits in front of a computer or TV all day, unable to get up and live an active life. Healthy and mindful eating was a bonus for me! I know this energy comes from healthy eating, but that’s the biggest bad habit I broke. My therapist also gave us a completely different perspective on what we’re doing:
She said, “What a wonderful thing you’ve undertaken, you value yourself, you care for yourself, you’re taking care of both your mind and body.” 😊
Anything you’d like to add…
It would be a lie to say we didn’t do this for weight loss, especially my husband. Now we have a completely different perspective, that’s for sure. My husband lost a full 10 kilos in 4 weeks, I lost 3. He used to get stiff in his back and have muscle spasms if he bent or stood up even slightly. He’s the guy I mentioned earlier, the one who couldn’t sit still while cleaning (by the way, cleaning sessions used to be full of fights and arguments). He can’t believe it. Deniz comes to me happy like a child, saying, “I’ve been doing this for an hour and my back still isn’t stiff!” 😊 I can’t thank my dear friend Burcu enough for gifting us this program. But above all, we don’t know how to thank Sema Hanım, who brought this program to life, for what you’ve given us, for our lives, for our freedom (because we were slaves to bad eating).
By the way, we didn’t want to do a review right away. We couldn’t bear to waste our four weeks of hard work, these clean bodies, and our minds 😊 We introduced eggs in the last days of the program. We don’t eat them every day either. I used to say I couldn’t live without cheese (some evenings we’d have charcuterie and cheese platters with bread and crackers), but I still haven’t introduced cheese into my diet. Various types of olives have become my cheese 😊 Because I have Hashimoto’s, I don’t plan on introducing it until it’s too late (I’ll have my blood tests checked again in 2-3 months).
By the way, I didn’t ask any questions during the program; everything was explained so well. Sometimes we used logic, sometimes we just left something out of our meals if we were really stuck on it. We made mistakes too; for example, we ate corn one day (I forgot to mention it, it was in my notes). Also, there were two days when I couldn’t resist and ate dried apricots (I attributed that to my hormones, it just happened to coincide). Then we stopped eating them 😊 It’s a wonderfully prepared program, with every detail considered. The awareness it raised (conscious eating, portion control), and the information it gave about how our bodies work, are a bonus. 😊 My final words: We are Sema’s soldiers!!!
Note: While I was writing these notes, my husband, who was doing spring cleaning, took a break and made us some green vegetable juice, and just brought it to me (I swear it just happened now)… Thanks to the results of this program, our marriage has been revitalized and energized. 😊
Thank you for your efforts and your hearts that strive to heal and raise awareness among people.
Lots of love and affection to Nur and to you both…
F.U.
What was your goal when you started this program?
My goal was to put an end to my unhealthy eating habits, cleanse my body, switch to a healthier diet, and get rid of my sugar addiction.
How did the program help you achieve your goals?
The program taught me the logic behind making decisions in my food choices, especially regarding grains, meat, etc., which are part of the elimination program but require portion control (otherwise, I would have finished every meal with lots of grains and little salad). Being part of a program increased my motivation and resilience in making this change. I learned that you can still enjoy and feel full by completely cutting out sugar and dairy products and eating minimal grains (I went grain-free most days) (after persevering for a while). My post-dinner hunger pangs have completely disappeared, even though I eat lighter dinners than before and finish dinner by 6 pm at the latest. Sugary foods don’t even cross my mind anymore; my sugar cravings are gone.
What is the biggest physical and behavioral change you’ve seen in yourself as the program ends?
Physically, I’ve become much slimmer. Both in centimeters and weight. I didn’t weigh myself when I first started, but I think I’ve lost about 4-5 kilos. The best part is the slimming around my belly and sides (hips, thighs, etc. have slimmed down too, of course). Since February 22nd, my flanks have shrunk by 10 cm. They don’t bulge out from the sides anymore when I wear a t-shirt 🙂 Overall, I feel lighter and healthier. And because I’m making conscious, healthy food choices, I feel psychologically better. My post-dinner hunger pangs, or the need to fill my energy void after putting the kids to sleep with food, are gone. I, who used to love sweets, don’t crave them at all. They don’t even cross my mind; I don’t want them even if they’re right in front of me.
I recommend this program to those experiencing the following problems:
Those who eat poorly and need a starting point to change it, those who want to eat healthily but don’t know exactly how, those who think they can’t live without certain unhealthy foods, and those who want to lose weight.
Anything else you’d like to add…
Thank you so much. It has been very helpful for me. I’m so glad I gave myself this gift. I was already following you on Instagram, but having Zoom meetings with you was a separate pleasure.
T. E.
What was your goal when you started this program?
My primary goal when starting this program was to transition to a healthy eating plan. I hoped to connect with my body, understand it, and in a way, take control of my life. So, unlike many other participants whose goals I read about, I didn’t actually have a specific goal of overcoming a particular illness. I’d been following you for years, trying to implement what you described and wrote, but I couldn’t get the results I wanted.
How did the program help you achieve your goals?
Sometimes, when you try to do things on your own, you can feel like you’re rowing against the current. In that sense, even though we weren’t in direct contact, the presence of people trying to achieve things at the same time motivated me. I often looked at their faces during the Zoom broadcasts. Many women, some my age, some younger, some much older, had persevered and embarked on a journey. I was proud of all of them, and then I was proud of myself for choosing the more difficult path and trying to change my past habits. But without a doubt, your presence, your smiling face, your energy, and your vast knowledge of the subjects you discussed were the greatest support for me on this journey. And if I ever find myself caught in a storm again, I know that your face and voice, imprinted in my mind, will be my compass.
What’s the biggest physical and behavioral change you’ve noticed in yourself as the program ends?
I definitely feel more energetic, calmer, and more peaceful. Some mornings I would wake up with a ‘fog’ in my head. That’s gone now. 😊 Physically, I’ve shrunk 😊 My waist and hips have shrunk by 5 cm each, and my weight has dropped by 3.5 kg. And of course, this ‘good eating’ has slowly started to rub off on my husband. He’s also started trying to improve his diet. But there’s still a long way to go before things get any better 😊
I would recommend this program to those experiencing the following problems:
Actually, recommending the program to those with specific problems would be unfair to the program itself. I believe everyone needs this program. Because we live our lives on autopilot, most people aren’t even aware of whether they’re doing or not doing what’s explained in this program. I think it covers topics that should be included in the school curriculum. A more comprehensive version should definitely be taught in schools, starting at the primary school level and then repeated in high school. Nutrition is the MOST important issue in our lives, and I think we don’t give it the importance it deserves.
Anything else you’d like to add…
I would very much like to see a version of this program suitable for children, supported with exercises and experiments appropriate for them. This is, of course, a dream I very much want to see come true. It’s impossible for you to keep up with everything. But maybe it will plant a seed of hope in someone’s mind 😊
Thank you endlessly for all your hard work on this program. Every detail of the program is very carefully planned. Your sharing of all your experience and knowledge with such sincerity is invaluable. I’m so glad you exist, I’m so glad I took this step, and I’m so glad I started this journey with your support. I say I’ve started because the journey continues and I know it will continue. I’m grateful to you for being my light 😊 With heartfelt love…
I. R.
What was your goal when you started this program?
It was to reconnect with my body, which I hadn’t taken care of for many years, and to do something beautiful, good, and healthy for it, and to be able to sustain that.
How did the program help you achieve your goals?
I was extremely stressed for 3-4 days before the program started. I worried I wouldn’t be able to do it, and I realized how anxious the idea of restricting my food intake was. But from the very first session, Ms. Sema’s calm and steady explanations about how we would progress significantly reassured me. I think the best part was the daily emails and the sharing of small recipes that might be needed, and of course, knowing that I could email and receive a reply whenever I wanted was also helpful.
What’s the biggest physical and behavioral change you’ve seen in yourself by the end of the program?
I realized I was suffering from an incredible amount of bloating in my stomach and intestines! According to the scale, I’ve lost 4-5 kilos, but it looks like I’ve lost much more. At the end of this program, I definitely understood that healthy eating isn’t that difficult. I used to grab a bite of cheese whenever I was slightly hungry (I was a cheese addict!), but now I think about how cruel it is to the animals that produce milk and dairy products, and I plan to exclude them from my diet. It turns out we don’t die from not eating cheese! And healthy food can be delicious too! Another enjoyable aspect of the program for me was mindful eating. I hardly ever eat in front of the TV anymore. With every bite, I pause for a moment to truly savor the taste, and because of this, sometimes my palate gets full and tired before my stomach, and I can’t eat any more.
I recommend this program to anyone experiencing the following problems:
Those who can’t come to terms with their bodies, those who experience emotional eating attacks, and those who feel even more guilty about their unhealthy choices, leading them to eat even more – in short, anyone like me before.
Anything you’d like to add…
Thank you again and again, first to myself and then to you! You’ve prepared a very enjoyable, fluent, and stress-free program; congratulations on your hard work and effort. Looking forward to seeing you again…
C. M.
What was your goal when you started this program?
I’d been doing the Karatay diet for a while, losing 5 kilos, then gaining it all back around New Year’s. I thought I needed another solution for my sugar cravings. I already have Hashimoto’s, and I was 110 kilos with antidepressants. I joined the program to learn and find a solution. I’m so glad I did.
How did the program help you achieve your goals?
I was already eating low-carbohydrate (when I wasn’t overdoing it), but from the second week of the elimination phase, the brain fog disappeared, and my productivity increased while working. I think my mood is better. My digestive system was behaving very strangely, but now it’s working great; my stomach is comfortable, I only have gas. I’ll try removing legumes as you suggested for that. My sleep has improved, and the occasional palpitations are gone! Even my teeth are healthier – I used to wake up with a bitter taste in my mouth in the mornings, not anymore. I lost 5 kilos in 3 weeks. I feel happier and calmer – like the nausea has subsided. I didn’t want to start promoting it again. I don’t feel pressured either. I thought I’d crave eggs, but I didn’t even want those. And definitely not coffee!
What’s the biggest physical and behavioral change you’ve noticed in yourself as the program ends?
I think one of the most important things was the raisin experiment and the idea of asking your body about your hunger, eating when you’re hungry, and stopping when you’re full. My portions have been halved. I’m not looking around anymore. It turns out my stomach was giving me signals. I can usually stop when I’m full… I used to get full quickly.
My stomach was still upset when we started the meditation you did live on air. It calmed down during the meditation. I realized that stress also affects me a lot. I didn’t think it did. Now I pay attention to relaxing and slowing down while eating.
And I loved the avocado and banana dessert!
I would recommend this program to people who have the following problems:
Autoimmune diseases, diabetes, overweight people, everyone actually. Those with gas, those with stomach upset. Those who feel depressed. My mother, aunt, and our housekeeper will be starting soon.
Anything else you’d like to add…
Thank you so much for everything. I expected to learn things and get helpful recipes, but I wouldn’t have believed it if someone had told me I’d start eating less immediately. It’s been amazing how much it’s opened my mind. I’d asked my doctor about the effect of gluten on Hashimoto’s, but he hadn’t really focused on it. Now I understand how much it affects my quality of life. I love bread and pastries, but after learning/experiencing how much it affects me, my resilience has increased. Moreover, your bread recipe is incredibly filling and delicious. I also realized how much sugar affects me this week when I couldn’t resist and ate four slices of apple and three slices of orange at once. I felt sleepy afterwards. It seems my blood sugar fluctuates a lot. I love fruit too, but I’ll eat it in moderation, savoring the taste, and with something else. Finally, I understand that you’ve helped many people regain their health. I’ve experienced it firsthand.
May your wonderful energy and health return to you many times over.
Receiving feedback like this at the end of every group is so valuable. Thank you so much for your kind words.
With love,
Sema
