Mom Loses Nearly 60 Lbs. in 4 Months by Ditching Her Favorite Food That Was 'Wrecking My Life'
A mom of 3 who snacked on cheese and bread — and covered her meals in grated cheese — saw her weight climb to 220 lbs.
As Lucy Castle, 41, explains, 'cheese was wrecking my life' — and getting diagnosed with type 2 diabetes was her 'wake-up' call
She drastically changed her diet, losing nearly 60 lbs. in four months, and now works as a wellness coachA mom lost nearly 60 lbs. in four months by giving up her favorite food, explaining she knew she had to change her diet after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which she says was her 'wake-up call.'
A self-described 'busy mom,' Lucy Castle, 41, was running around after her three sons, now 2, 9, and 15. When it came to food, 'I used to find the quickest easiest option,' she said, according to Daily Mail. Her diet consisted of things that were easy to eat on the go: French bread and cheese, along with chips and chocolates. And when she did sit for a meal, she would cover it in grated cheese.
As Lucy, who lives in the English county of Leicestershire, said, 'Cheese was wrecking my life. My favorite was brie.'
Brie is high in sodium and fat, Verywell Health explains; 1 oz. of the creamy cheese — about the size of your thumb — is nearly 100 calories.
Lucy said her health began to decline once she had her youngest son two years ago. 'I wasn't feeling well. I was dizzy. I had pins and needles,' she said, sharing that her self-esteem took a hit as her weight climbed to more than 220 lbs. 'I used to avoid social events, hide away in baggy clothes and I couldn't keep up with my boys.'
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It was when her doctor diagnosed her with type 2 diabetes that Lucy decided to make a change. 'That was my wake-up call,' she said.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body can't regulate blood sugar — and unlike type 1, which is congenital — can be caused by a high-fat, processed diet, and excess belly fat, the Cleveland Clinic explains. While there is no cure, it can be managed with lifestyle changes, medication, and regular monitoring of your blood sugar.
Lucy went on a strict diet — giving up cheese in lieu of premade meal replacement snacks, soups, and shakes. 'Seeing the scales every week and my weight going down — it kept me motivated,' she explained of how she was able to lose nearly 60 lbs. in just four months.
She's ditched the cheese and snacks for home cooked meals like chicken stir fry, and says 'for the first time in years, I now love shopping for clothes that make me feel amazing.'
Lucy has since embarked on a new career as a wellness coach, explaining that 'You can do this too. Take it one day at a time, stop being hard on yourself, and practice self-love.'
'It's not just about losing weight,' she says. 'It's about finding yourself again.'
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Dr. Parker says it can support sleep "by calming the nervous system, easing physical tension, and regulating the underlying organ systems that influence rest." She notes that the best combination of acupressure points for sleep depends on what the individual is experiencing and that a personal point prescription would then be selected to "to support the patient and the present symptoms, like insomnia and restlessness." However, she shares the following common points and how they work from a traditional Chinese medicine perspective: "Shenmen (HT7 – Heart 7): Located on the wrist crease, this point is often used for insomnia, anxiety and emotional restlessness. It calms the Shen (spirit), helping to settle racing thoughts and reduce overactivity of the Heart system, which in TCM can disturb sleep." "Yintang ('Third Eye'): Found between the eyebrows, this point is deeply calming and is known to relieve stress, quiet the mind and support melatonin production through relaxation of the pineal and hypothalamic areas." "Anmian ('Peaceful Sleep'): A lesser-known but effective point located behind the ear, Anmian is used specifically for sleep disturbances, helping to ground the nervous system and encourage deeper, more sustained rest." "Sanyinjiao (SP6 – Spleen 6): Located on the inner lower leg, this point supports hormonal regulation and helps harmonize the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney systems. These organs play key roles in emotional regulation and sleep according to TCM." 2. Reduces stress and anxiety Anxiety can mean that worries, racing thoughts and restlessness make it particularly hard to fall asleep. 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Helps to ease insomnia Those who have experienced either short-term (several days or weeks) or chronic insomnia (lasting three months or more), know that it doesn't just interfere with your sleep. It can also cause issues including irritability, fatigue and problems with focus the next day. But research shows that acupressure may be a tool you can include to combat it. One study compared the effect of acupressure on those with insomnia, with 200 participants divided into a group who were taught self-administered acupressure, and a group who were given sleep hygiene education. They found that those who had learned acupressure had improved Insomnia Severity Index scores after both four weeks and eight weeks, compared to the other group. Auricular acupressure, which focuses on pressure points on the ear, has been shown in a number of studies to help with insomnia. One review of studies looking at how effective auricular acupressure is as a treatment for insomnia concluded that, "the effects of auricular acupressure on insomnia are comparable to those of estazolam," which is a medication used short-term for treating insomnia. And while Dr. Parker noted above that acupressure be used to help with sleep issues like insomnia, she also explains that, "lack of sleep/insomnia is often a symptom of an underlying imbalance." "There are also lifestyle factors and habits that should be addressed to support a restful nights sleep (examples include limiting screen time before bed, limit caffeine after 3pm in the afternoon, eliminate noises and lights in the bedroom, try to go to bed at a regular time each night etc)," she explains. 3. Can help with hormonal changes affecting sleep "Sleep problems can also be associated with hormonal changes and studies have demonstrated that acupressure can be effective for improving sleep in these patient populations," says Lai. A huge number of women experiencing menopause have issues with their sleep. In fact, 2023 research noted that across the world, sleep and menopause effects the lives of about a third of women. Lai suggests that acupressure may be one way to help tackle this, explaining that, "acupressure has shown in recent trials to significantly improve sleep quality in menopausal women." A trial published in the Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences, found that "acupressure alone can improve sleep quality at a rate of 22% in menopausal women by massage on the effective points," and concluded that it "can be used as a complementary treatment to relieve sleep disorders in menopausal women." In addition, Lai says that "Studies have indicated that acupressure impacts hormone-related sleep problems through decreasing levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) as well as through increasing levels of oestradiol." "These in turn improve sleep quality related to hormonal conditions, but also in other symptoms such as hot flushes and fatigue," she explains. How to try acupressure for sleep at home If you're interested in exploring acupressure and want some simple options that you can try out from the ease of your home, Dr. Parker suggests the following. "Finger pressure massage: Apply gentle, circular pressure to key points like HT7 (wrist), Yintang (forehead), or SP6 (inner leg) for 1–2 minutes each, preferably in the evening before bed." "Acupressure mats: These mats use small spikes to stimulate multiple points along the back and shoulders. Lying on one for 10–20 minutes can help reduce muscular tension and promote parasympathetic nervous system activation—ideal for winding down." "Partner massage: Light massage focusing on the neck, shoulders, and feet can activate calming points. Adding lavender oil or calming music can enhance the effect." "Breathing with pressure: Combine acupressure with slow, deep breathing to amplify relaxation. Inhale deeply, press a calming point (like Yintang), and exhale slowly." Acupressure mats like the Shakti mat and Pranamat have become popular options to try at home, and both promise to help improve your sleep after just 20 minutes use. Pranamat even cites stats from Dr. Marek Dvořák's sleep tracker, which show that after using the Pranamat 20 minutes before sleep, his REM sleep increased by 2%, deep sleep increased by 7% and light sleep was reduced by 10%. Lai also shares the one piece of advice given to every patient in her practice experiencing sleep issues: "Utilise acupressure wristbands to stimulate Nei Guan (Pericardium 6). Whilst this acupoint is widely known for nausea and vomiting, it is also used frequently in traditional acupuncture for sleeplessness as well as for stress and anxiety," she says. This pressure point is found between the two tendons ont he inner aspect of the forearm, three finger widths below the wrist crease. Is acupressure suitable for everyone? It's important to consult your doctor if you are experiencing pain or a medical condition, however, Lai and Dr. Parker agree that acupressure is, in general, very safe for most people. "Basic self-acupressure can be safely carried out in specific circumstances such as with acupressure wristbands for nausea and vomiting," Lai says. But she notes that, "for face, body or ear acupuncture and for more complex conditions, this is safest and most effective when carried out by a TCM practitioner who is registered with an appropriate acupuncture professional body." "If you are actively under the care of a doctor or consultant for a medical condition, you should always seek their advice prior to using acupressure," she explains. It's important that certain patient groups such as children, pregnant women and the elderly should check with their doctor before using acupressure for their health concerns.
