Before and after

We made a decision to change our lives

We stood together and made a joint decision to change our lives. It’s the best thing we’ve ever done.

About Mette
42 years old
Early retiree, previously worked as a social and healthcare assistant
Married to John, together they have four children aged 21, 19, 16, and 15 – the two youngest live at home
Has lost 21 kilos with Sense in nine months, is 900 grams away from reaching her weight loss goal

About John
46 years old
Early retiree, previously worked as a press operator
Married to Mette, together they have four children aged 21, 19, 16, and 15 – the two youngest live at home
Has lost 60 kilos with Sense in nine months, and has reached his goal

This is how I lived before Sense

Mette
I became spinal cord injured after a traffic accident in 1998. Over time, the accident has had the consequence that I have very limited walking ability, and therefore use a wheelchair. I live with chronic pain and cannot exercise due to cyst formations in my spinal cord. The cysts mean I lose control of my legs when I am overburdened. So my life is very sedentary, with very little physical activity. Exercise is not an option for me, and the only way I can lose weight is through diet. Before the accident, I was always active. I loved working, and with four children in the house, it almost goes without saying that I also had an active family life.

My physical condition slowly deteriorated over the years following the car accident, but it wasn’t until 2013 that I received my final diagnosis, syringomyelia – cyst formations in the spinal cord, and subsequently was early retired. My physical deterioration and the final diagnosis meant I felt I lost my entire identity because everything that had been me was suddenly taken from me. I couldn’t work anymore, I couldn’t get around or be active, and I felt I couldn’t give my children what I wanted. I fell into a hole and didn’t take care of myself. I received – and still receive to this day – a lot of medication due to my illness. I used to take a pain-relieving morphine preparation that seemed to slow everything down in the body, including my metabolism. Fortunately, I can do without that medication today. The medication contributed to my weight gain – my diet was another factor. I didn’t eat much, but what I ate was unhealthy. Often, we had dinner from McDonald’s. If we cooked ourselves, it was always fried in butter or oil. I only drank sugary cola and coffee, never water. My energy was completely gone, and my life was about survival. It affected what I ate and drank.

When my weight exceeded 94 kilos, I began to feel physically unwell. I had heart palpitations and constantly felt unwell. My health background means I know all about the connection between an unhealthy diet, overweight, lack of exercise, and blood clots. So, I went to the doctor last spring and had a heart examination, which showed that I had high cholesterol and extra heartbeats, and that I was at high risk of a blood clot due to my overweight and inactivity.

John
In my mid-twenties, I developed asthma, and as a consequence, I began medical treatment. At the same time, I stopped playing football, which I had always done, because asthma made it difficult for me to run on the field. The less active I was, the more weight I gained. Thus, I slowly became heavier and heavier. In 2009, I was injured at work and subsequently retired early. The accident made me even more inactive, and my overweight became more severe from then on. I had completely given up. I was convinced I would never shed my extra kilos, and therefore I ate without any restraint – because it didn’t matter anyway.

A typical day would start with 2-3 sandwiches with butter or Pikant cheese spread, and I would continue eating throughout the day – eight meals, all unhealthy. I ate lots of fatty food, for example from McDonald’s, where I always ordered 3-4 burgers at a time, and also lots of white bread from the bakery and supermarket. If I was out shopping, I would always buy a Snickers or a Mars bar on the way out. I never ate vegetables – they were for rabbits, I thought.

When I reached 142 kilos, I was severely impacted physically. I sweated, puffed, and found it hard to get around. When Mette and I were intimate, I felt physically unwell. My heart pounded, I shook all over, and I sweated. That’s not how it should be, so when it was at its worst, Mette told me I needed to be examined. I went to the doctor and after a comprehensive health examination, I received terrible numbers across the board: High blood sugar and thus early-stage diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. It was no fun, and both Mette and I were scared.

This is how I live after Sense

Mette
Around the same time I was to be examined by the doctor, and all the thoughts about it were running through my head, I accidentally came across Sense on Facebook. I quickly became curious about the concept and started reading about it and watching the videos with Suzy. I must have been mentally ready for a change because I immediately thought, yes, I can live with this, because it was easy and sensible, and I didn’t have to weigh my food or count calories. Rules and restrictions don’t work for me – they make me overeat. I quickly discovered that Sense has no prohibitions or raised fingers, and therefore I immediately felt it suited me well.

Today, I live one hundred percent according to Sense. I typically start the day with a portion of skyr. For lunch, I eat homemade hummus, carrots, almonds, cottage cheese, and homemade bread. We never buy bread from the bakery or supermarket anymore. For dinner, I eat various dishes inspired by Suzy’s recipe books. I’ve completely given up cola and coffee and now drink only water, between 2 and 2.5 liters a day. Occasionally, I might eat something unhealthy – some nachos with the kids or some candy. But it never gets out of hand. I eat a little, then close that eating box and move on.

John
It was Mette who introduced me to Sense. I have to be honest and say that at first, I was skeptical. I had previously followed different diets and lost weight. But it had been a tough battle where I was hungry and tired, and therefore I didn’t associate weight loss with good food and energy. So, I had my defenses up when Mette came with a piece of paper with some hands on it and introduced me to Sense. I couldn’t face another failed weight loss attempt where I would be constantly hungry. But Mette convinced me by serving a dish with pork chops, cream, and cauliflower from one of Suzy’s recipe books. It tasted really good, the plate was filled with good food, and I was more than full. Mette told me that I could actually eat this dish, or something like it, every day, and that I could eat three portions of the same size every day – and yes, I was sold.
We stood together and made a joint decision to change our lives. It’s the best thing we’ve ever done. We started practically by meticulously going through the kitchen – everything unhealthy was thrown out. Today, we have nothing unhealthy in our home, the fridge is filled with good, healthy items. The dietary change quickly paid off. The kilos dropped off me, and after nine months with Sense, the scale showed minus 60 kilos – an incredible transformation. From day one, I have lived one hundred percent according to Sense. In the morning, the sandwiches have been replaced with oatmeal with raisins and cinnamon or a portion of skyr. And for the rest of the day’s meals, it’s vegetables, meat, eggs, etc.

When we both went from being employed to becoming early retirees, we lost 26,000 kroner in monthly income. It’s a lot, and it has meant that we have had to cut down on all expenses. Previously, we spent a lot of money on impulse buying bad food. Today, we follow a meal plan. We shop in bulk and freeze everything we can. Even though the fridge and freezer are full of food, we have still saved 1000-1500 kroner a month because we no longer impulse buy. The money we have saved, we have set aside, and it has meant that this year, for the first time in nine years, we can afford to go on holiday – we are going to Croatia with all the children, and we are very excited.

This is why Sense works for me

Mette
I am completely convinced that Sense works for me because there are no restrictions. I am built in such a way that when someone or something restricts me, I completely lock up and become contrary. At the same time, the system is so simply built, and it caught me immediately. In the beginning, I used my hands to measure my food. I don’t do that today. I know exactly what fits on my plate because I have followed it so precisely for so long now.
When we go out, I don’t need special food or avoid the food others are eating. I just make sure to stay within the quantities. You can always find something that fits into Sense when you are eating out.

John
Sense works for me because it’s so easy and simple. There are no prohibitions, and therefore you don’t have to beat yourself up or give up if you occasionally eat something unhealthy. You just close that eating box and move on.
That Mette and I have done this together has also contributed to it working so well, I am sure of that. We have been able to support and motivate each other all the way through, and that has meant a lot. We have found much inspiration and support in the closed Facebook group. The tone in there is pleasant, and we are happy for that community.

This is how the family functions on Sense

Mette
We have two children living at home, and of course, they had to get used to our changed eating habits. At first, they complained, but that quickly passed because the food tastes good. Fortunately, neither of them is picky. Our son has been an elite football player, and our daughter has always been very active, so they have always had a good attitude towards exercise and health. Nevertheless, they used to get the unhealthy food we ate, so they have certainly also become healthier. Previously, for example, they often bought food in the school canteen. They never do that today. They bring whole grain rolls with salad and meat to school every day, and they never throw them away.

John
The children have overall taken it very well. They can see the big transformation that has happened to us, and they are very proud of us. They have only known me as overweight until now, so it is a big change for them – in a good way. Recently, to make it easy, we made some fries and some ready-made chicken sticks in the oven. There were no vegetables. When the children saw it, they immediately said it was boring and uninteresting. We fully agreed, and it actually ended with us throwing it all out because none of us wanted to eat it. That probably says a lot about how our relationship with food has changed – for everyone in the family.

This is how I tackle challenges

Mette
I have not had any challenges. I have never once thought, no, I don’t want to do this anymore. The only thing that has been a bit difficult has been the periods when my weight has plateaued. I have felt frustration over nothing happening. But I have told myself ‘take it easy, you don’t have to rush.’ And it has worked because suddenly the weight has started to move again. Today, I am 900 grams away from being within the ‘normal weight’ range. That was my goal, so it is significant for me that I am almost there now.

John
My weight loss went fine until I reached 90 kilos, which was my first intermediate goal. Then the weight suddenly plateaued. I wanted to get down to 80 kilos, but the last ten kilos were tough, and I was about to give up and tell myself that okay, it is also fine to land here. But I am glad I didn’t give up. Because by adjusting the calorie intake a bit, something suddenly happened again, and today I have reached my goal.

This is what Sense has done for me

Mette
Sense has really brought me to life. I am a happier person today, my self-esteem has never been better. I am at peace with myself, and I think I look fabulous. Everything has become easier for me: Getting up, putting on clothes, getting around in general. I am not as strained as I was before. Previously, I had many migraine attacks, but since I started on Sense, they have disappeared. I am entirely sure that my improved condition is due to getting so many vitamins and plenty of fluids. My body gets everything it needs – it didn’t before.

Since my accident, I have had problems with my bowels because they are paralyzed. Before I started on Sense, I only had bowel movements once or twice every fourteen days, despite taking laxatives. Today, with my stomach having something to work on due to my dietary change, I have bowel movements two to three times a week, and I have even reduced the laxatives. It means a lot to my well-being that my body functions. Previously, I also struggled with fluid retention in my body, both in my legs and face. I was very bloated, and of course, that affected my well-being. Today, the fluid retention in my body is almost gone – sometimes there is a little in the morning, but it is short-lived and usually gone after an hour.

I have always been stubborn and determined. When the accident hit me, however, I completely gave up. I fell into a major identity crisis, my self-esteem was at rock bottom, and I couldn’t see the point of anything. Sense changed all those negative thoughts. For when I decided to change my lifestyle, I found my old fighting spirit. Sense became my project and my goal and gave me the push I needed. We have often joked at home that Sense is our new faith, and that Suzy is our guru. It is, of course, said in jest – but somewhere, there is a truth in it, for we both feel that Sense has given us a new chance in life.

John
Sense has given me a new life. I have always been the type to say I didn’t care what people thought and said about me. But that was a defense because, of course, I was hurt if I got comments about my weight, like ‘have you swallowed a beach ball?’ or similar. When I took my son to football, I was embarrassed to come as this big, fat dad. Today, people tell me I look 15 years younger, and I am proud and walk with my head held high when I am with the kids.

It has done so much good for me, and I have gained a lot of confidence by taking care of my problems. Imagine that Mette and I could do this together. My annual check-up at the doctor showed that all my numbers are more than fine – actually, they are like a 14-year-old’s, says my doctor. When you have previously, like me, had elevated numbers across the board, it’s really nice to get such a message.

Physically, I can also feel a big change. My pains in my ankles and knees are gone. I don’t have headaches anymore, and my mood is good. I have so much energy that I am considering canceling the big TV package because I don’t use it anyway. I feel healthy and fresh, and I know my body gets everything it needs. I get a lot of exercise every day. When I started on Sense, I also started walking between 15 and 18 kilometers a day. Every day, regardless of whether it rained, stormed, or snowed. Today, I walk between six and ten kilometers a day. I have become completely addicted to it and wouldn’t dream of skipping it.

And then there’s the thing about being able to change your wardrobe. I have gone from 5XL to a medium. It’s incredible. Suddenly, I can buy all the trendy clothes. Recently, we were going to a christening, and I needed a shirt. My son, who is 183 cm tall and weighs 68 kilos, came with his confirmation shirt – and imagine, I could wear it without any problems. So, I wore it to the christening.

Mette’s best tips

You need to be sure that you are one hundred percent motivated – because if you are, you will also complete it. This is the best gift you can give yourself, but it requires that you want it and that you have patience. You need to be aware that there will be ups and downs in such a process. It is part of the journey.
I want to help focus on the fact that even if you have a disability, it doesn’t mean you should give up. Even if you take medication and have chronic pain around the clock and maybe even sit in a wheelchair like me, it’s still your choice and your life. You need to take responsibility yourself, no matter what you’re struggling with, and you need to put away the excuses. Self-pity only makes it worse. I decided I didn’t want to be a bitter and angry woman because I knew I would end up alone without friends, husband, and children around me. That wasn’t what I wanted.

Energy comes naturally if you become happier with yourself and experience success. Sense gave me just that feeling of success. No matter what life had thrown at me and how my body had changed, I was still the same inside. My stubbornness, my fighting spirit, and my willpower I still had. So maybe I couldn’t go to work, but everything else meant that I was still me – with all my stubbornness and willpower intact.

John’s best tips

My best tip is that you need to be mentally ready when you start. That is, you really need to want it because if you have the right attitude, you will stick to it – even when it gets tough. And believe me, it is worth it. My life has started anew, and I am so grateful.

For 20 years, I lived with obesity, and I had completely given up. But when I decided, I was more determined than I have ever been in my life. And what it has done for me, I can hardly describe in words. I love my family more than anything, and I have a love for life that has carried me through. I truly feel that Sense has saved my life and given me a new chance.

So my best tip is to drop the self-pity and find your strength and stubbornness. If you really want it, you can do it. I am proof of that.

Find inspiration for a healthy lifestyle in the many recipes and meal plans from SenseMyDiet.