Until I went into menopause, I had always been slim (except for the post child bearing years). It was at this “change of life” that my metabolism slowed down and I developed hypothyroidism. I felt very uncomfortable and most of my clothes would not fit properly. Even though I consumed less, I had no significant weight loss. It was not until much later in life that I realized the less I ate, the more my body thought I was starving it. Consequently, my body held onto what little nourishment it had, all that much longer, preventing it from the desired effect of actual weight loss. Oddly enough, I learned that my body actually needed more calories, fat and protein in order to lose the additional weight. Unwanted pounds I had put on over the more than 30 years since the birth of my 3rd child. I lost 40 pounds over 3 years ago and have kept it off. First by consuming a balance of low glycemic foods of vegetables, fruits, multi-grain products, fish and meats with less saturated fat. It was a lifestyle change for me and only took a few minor changes to my diet. I replaced white bread with multi-grain breads, white sugar with fructose, white flour with rye flour and multi-grain flours, white pasta with brown rice pastas and I consume 5 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables each and every day. Davina Janssens | 
