‘Carb Cycling And Clean Eating Helped Me Lose 130 Pounds’

My name is Laura Guzman (@girlgonefit_24), and I am 32 years old. I live in California and I am a personal trainer. My endometriosis diagnosis and my parents’ passings took a huge toll on me. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I decided to start working with a trainer to reshape my diet and fitness routine.

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In 2016, I was diagnosed with endometriosis. For six months, I was extremely sick. The doctors could not figure out what was wrong with me. My primary care doctor sent me to an ob-gyn. I had surgery and discovered the endometriosis had spread throughout my stomach and was fusing some of my organs together.

Three surgeries and six months later, I finally somewhat got my life back. But being diagnosed with an incurable disease took a toll on me, and I noticed that was when my weight problems slowly began.

From 2013 to 2016, I was in good shape, ate nutritiously, and worked out. I had been a soccer player my whole life, playing for over 24 years throughout college and semi-pro.

I experienced another blow on New Year’s Day 2018 when my mother passed away unexpectedly.

We did not get to say goodbye, and after her death I went into survival mode for a long time. I kept playing soccer, but I stopped hitting the gym and eating healthy. I slowly began to gain weight.

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At the end of January 2019, I was told that my father, who was living in Mexico, was not going to make it due to terminal cancer. My siblings and I took care of him while I was still working full time and playing soccer. But I continued to gain weight. He passed away in May 2019.

With the passing of both my parents, the grieving process and emotions took a toll on me.

I was in the hospital every three months due to endo flare-ups, and my weight kept going up.

When I saw my photos from Christmas 2019, I was so disappointed that I had let myself get to that point. My 2XL leather jacket would not zip and none of my jeans fit. At the beginning of 2020, my weight hit a high of 285 pounds.

Then the world went into chaos and locked down due to the pandemic.

I reached out to my amazing trainer Daniella in April 2020 and began once-a-week Zoom workouts with her.

She provided me with a carb cycle meal plan too, which involves eating higher amounts of carbs on some days and fewer carbs on others. (The idea behind the concept is that, if yo eat fewer carbs on a rest day, for instance, your body turns to fat for energy instead carbs. Vice versa, you can eat more carbs on high-intensity training days in order to fuel your workouts.) I followed her nutrition plan and did workouts on my own the other days at home. Within the first two weeks, I saw big changes and kept going.

Since I have endometriosis, my stomach is sensitive due to the surgeries and there were many things I could not eat. But with trial and error, I was able to find what works for me. The diet I eat now is clean eating and excludes fried food, dairy, and fast food. It consists of lots of chicken, rice, rice cakes, grilled potatoes, and grain-free breads and tortillas. I incorporated a cheat meal every week, which made the transition easier and I did not feel deprived.

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In 2021, I did three bodybuilding shows and prepped for 10 months. The diet was strict, but since I was already eating healthy before, it was not too difficult. The only thing I missed was the occasional drink and my weekly cheat meal. But I knew my goal was to go on stage, so it kept me disciplined and I knew deep down my mom would be proud.

I also learned to love my style of eating because it helped with the inflammation in my stomach and controlled my endometriosis flare-ups, which are painful. It made it worth sticking to the plan.

Here’s what I eat in a day now.

• Breakfast: Four slices of Ezekiel bread, one tablespoon of sugar-free jelly, and four hard boiled egg whites
• Lunch: Seven ounces of grilled chicken, 250 grams of brown rice, and Frank’s Red Hot sauce
• Snacks: Four slices of Ezekiel bread and one tablespoon sugar-free jelly
• Dinner: Six ounces of lean beef and brown rice
• Dessert: One scoop of Blessed protein, four rice cakes, one banana, and almond milk blended together in a smoothie

When I started working with my trainer, I would walk around town or do soccer training three to four times a week.

I remember during my first training session, I could not even do a squat or 10 burpees. I felt like I was dying, but I kept at it. Now I train five to six days a week, including three leg days, two to three upper body days, and I incorporate cardio and core four times a week.

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And I did three bodybuilding shows last year. I won the Natural Olympia in November for the Transformation Category, and won at my two other shows in June and July. I love my bodybuilding training and the coaching my coach provides.

With all the help and motivation, I became a personal trainer in July and now have my own personal training business and do it full time. From becoming a trainer and preparing for my next shows, I got all the motivation to keep training and learning more so I can help my current and future clients.

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These three changes have led to my weight loss success.

1. I fully grieved my parents. I accepted what happened to my mom and dad. I could not change it and it was God’s plan. Once I accepted the fact that it’s okay to grieve, my mindset changed. I began the journey to make them proud. I continue my journey and chase my pro card to honor them both.
2. I planned my meals. I began to plan my meals ahead of time, so I had no excuse for eating badly. Even when I join my family at a restaurant, I bring my own meal. On the days I want to eat badly, I think about how far I have come, and it keeps me motivated.
3. I ditched excuses. No matter how I feel, I do not use excuses to not work out because I know it’s what keeps me healthy. I make sure to do it, whether I go in the morning or night. On days my energy levels are low due to endometriosis, I do the best I can because a small workout is better than none.

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I lost over 130 pounds naturally through diet and exercise.

Never give up on yourself. If you’re going through hell, just keep going. Don’t let your past define your future. If you’re determined, disciplined, and consistent, anything is possible. There will be many that doubt you, but use that as motivation and accomplish the impossible. Weight loss isn’t just about looking better; it’s about getting your health back and becoming mentally and physically stronger.

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