Victoria Tourville's Story

In 2016 Victoria Tourville found that she was heavier than she’d ever been. In trying Atkin’s and a gluten-free diet she found some success with weight loss. But nothing truly worked until she started keto and intermittent fasting.

Tourville had been struggling with her weight for most of her adult life. In 2002, she opened a successful bed and breakfast, but while she was baking sweets and goodies for the guests, a bite or two here and there led her to some serious weight gain and a full-fledged sugar addiction.

Additionally, she was going through menopause. She ended up weighing over 200 pounds (91 kg) and suffering from a long list of health problems including high blood pressure, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), swollen ankles, and depression. “I thought I was destined to be heavy,” she said.

In February of 2018, Tourville found Dr. Berg on YouTube. She gave up all sugar and processed foods. “I started by giving up sugar for Lent,” she explained. “I think making a commitment of no sugar for 40 days gives the body time to detox.” In May, she added intermittent fasting—and that has kicked her weight loss into high gear.

Realizing how important it is to have a support system during this process, she joined several keto Facebook groups and posted there often to cement those healthy habits into her mind. She was also encouraged by her 14-year-old granddaughter. “We work out together and cook keto-friendly foods,” Tourville said, beaming. “She is my biggest motivation to stay healthy and live a long and healthy life.”

She credits Dr. Berg’s videos with teaching her what she needed to know. She says it’s really a game changer when you have someone in your corner (or on the internet) helping you along the way. She’s learned that you are what you eat and that you should only eat when hungry. And that it’s important to drink enough water and have enough electrolytes, too. 

But probably her biggest lesson from Dr. Berg is truly taking responsibility for your own health. “I experiment and track my foods to see how they make me feel, I plan for eating at social events, and I’ve had to incorporate fasting as a way of life,” said Tourville. “Dr. Berg teaches that you have to love yourself through the whole process and enjoy the journey.”

With keto, it was motivating for her to see results right away. “I lost inflammation within a few weeks, the pain in my ankles went away, and the GERD was gone,” she said. “Those changes were enough to keep me going.”

On her 59^th birthday in September, Tourville reached her goal weight of 145 pounds (66 kg). She says she hasn’t felt or looked this good since 1988. “I have so much more confidence and energy, clear skin, improved memory, and a slender figure” she says. “If I could do it all over again, I would have started eating this way 30 years ago.”

Once she got over the fear of eating fat (since it goes against everything many people have been taught for years) Tourville was able to maintain the keto lifestyle. She has no intention of stopping, either. “If I can do it at 59 years young, you can too!” she advises.

Favorite Way to Exercise: “I joined a local gym and attend yoga and Pilates classes,” she says. “I lift weights for strength training and walk my dog an hour each day.”

Favorite Keto Recipe: Bone broth beef and onion soup