Quick Answer: After years of unexplained weight gain, exhaustion, and declining health from age 43 onwards, I discovered I had Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (autoimmune hypothyroidism). Within one week of starting my personalised Metabolic Balance® nutrition plan, my energy returned. I lost 19kg in 5 months, my inflammation reduced dramatically, and seven years later at age 60, I still follow the plan and feel better than I did in my 40s.

When Everything Changed: My Health Crisis in Midlife

At 43, my body stopped cooperating.

Almost overnight, I went from being capable and energetic to someone I barely recognised. The symptoms appeared gradually at first, then all at once:

• Crushing fatigue that no amount of sleep could fix
• Rapid weight gain around my middle, despite eating well
• Aches and pains throughout my body
• Dizziness that made simple tasks difficult
• Digestive issues that left me bloated and uncomfortable
• Heart arrhythmias that were genuinely frightening
• Complete inability to exercise – my body simply wouldn’t respond

By my 52nd birthday, I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognise myself.

The woman staring back was puffy, exhausted, and 19kg heavier than she should have been.

The Search for Answers That Led Nowhere

Like many women in midlife, I was told my blood tests were “normal.”

I was told to eat less and exercise more.

I was told “this is just what happens when you get older.”

But I knew something was wrong. This wasn’t normal aging – this was my body shutting down.

Frustrated and determined to find answers, I made a bold decision: I enrolled to study naturopathy. If the medical system couldn’t help me, I would learn to help myself – and help other women facing the same struggle.

The Breakthrough: Discovering What Was Really Wrong

Once I qualified as a naturopath, I tried everything in my professional toolkit:

• High-quality supplements
• Anti-inflammatory diets
• Gut-healing protocols
• Stress management techniques

Some things helped a little. But nothing truly shifted.

Then I discovered Metabolic Balance® – a personalised nutrition program based on comprehensive blood testing.

As part of the program, I completed a detailed blood panel (36+ markers). And finally, I got the answer I’d been searching for nearly a decade:

I had Hashimoto’s thyroiditis – the autoimmune form of hypothyroidism.

No wonder I had felt so awful for so long.

My immune system was attacking my thyroid, driving inflammation throughout my entire body. That explained the weight gain, the exhaustion, the brain fog, the aches, and the sense that my metabolism had simply stopped working.

The Transformation: What Happened When I Started My Plan

Metabolic Balance® is a deeply anti-inflammatory, whole-food approach. It was exactly what my body needed.

The results were immediate and dramatic.

Week 1: Energy Returns

Within one week, I noticed my energy lifting. Not dramatically, but noticeably. For the first time in years, I didn’t need an afternoon nap.

Week 2: My Husband Noticed

Within two weeks, my husband looked at me and said, “Where has my tired wife gone?” He could see the change in my face, my posture, my mood.

Weeks 5-20: The Weight Melted Away

• 8kg in 5 weeks
• 13kg in 10 weeks
• 19kg in 5 months

But the weight loss was only part of the story.

My inflammation reduced dramatically. My skin cleared. My digestion settled. My sleep improved. My mental clarity returned.

I felt like myself again.

Actually, I felt better than I had in over a decade.

Seven Years Later: Why This Worked Long-Term

I’m now 60 years old.

Seven years after starting Metabolic Balance®, I still follow my personalised nutrition plan – in the relaxed maintenance phase – as the foundation of how I eat.

And I feel fantastic.

I’m not just “managing” my Hashimoto’s. I’m genuinely thriving.

• My weight is stable
• My energy is consistent
• My inflammation is under control
• I sleep well
• I can exercise again
• My mind is clear
• I feel confident in my body

People often tell me I look younger now than I did in my early 50s.

Why Metabolic Balance Worked When Everything Else Failed

Looking back, I can see why this program succeeded where others didn’t:

1. It Was Personalised to My Body

The plan wasn’t generic. It was based on my unique blood chemistry, my metabolism, my inflammation markers. It worked with my body, not against it.

2. It Addressed the Root Cause

Hashimoto’s thrives on inflammation. Metabolic Balance® is inherently anti-inflammatory, which is exactly what my autoimmune thyroid needed.

3. It Was Sustainable

I wasn’t starving. I wasn’t restricting entire food groups forever. I was eating real, whole foods that nourished my body and calmed my immune system.

4. It Gave Me Clarity

For the first time, I understood why my body was responding the way it was. That knowledge was empowering.

5. It Taught Me Long-Term Maintenance

This wasn’t a “diet.” It was a metabolic reset that taught me how to eat for the rest of my life.

What This Means If You’re Struggling Too

If you’re reading this and recognising yourself in my story – if you’re exhausted, gaining weight despite your best efforts, and being told “everything is normal” – please know:

You are not imagining it.

This is not just aging.

There is a way forward.

Whether you have Hashimoto’s, another form of hypothyroidism, hormonal imbalance, or simply a metabolism that feels “stuck,” personalised nutrition can make a profound difference.

You don’t have to accept feeling this way.

Common Questions About My Journey

Did you stop taking thyroid medication?

I work alongside my GP and respect conventional medicine. My approach is complementary – using personalised nutrition to reduce inflammation and support my thyroid naturally. Any medication decisions should always be made with your doctor.

How quickly did you see results?

Energy returned within one week. Weight loss was consistent from week one. Sleep and inflammation improved within the first month.

Do you still follow the plan strictly?

I follow the relaxed maintenance phase, which is sustainable for life. I know which foods support my body and which don’t. That knowledge gives me freedom, not restriction.

Can this work if I don’t have Hashimoto’s?

Absolutely. Metabolic Balance® works for women struggling with weight, energy, hormones, and inflammation – whether or not there’s a thyroid diagnosis.

What made the biggest difference?

The anti-inflammatory nature of the plan, combined with personalisation based on my blood chemistry. My body finally got what it needed.

Ready to Write Your Own Transformation Story?

If you’re a woman over 40 struggling with:

• Stubborn weight that won’t shift
• Exhaustion despite sleeping
• Brain fog or low mood
• Thyroid symptoms (even with “normal” tests)
• Hormonal changes and inflammation

I understand exactly how you feel – because I’ve been there.

And I know the way out.

Book a free 15-minute discovery call to explore whether Metabolic Balance® could be right for you.

There’s no obligation. Just a conversation about your health, your goals, and whether this personalised approach could help you feel like yourself again.

Book Your Free Discovery Call with Jeannette →

About Jeannette Scapens

Jeannette is a qualified naturopath (Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy), Certified Metabolic Balance® Coach, and NLP Practitioner. She specialises in supporting women aged 40-60 with weight loss, thyroid health, and hormonal balance through personalised nutrition and holistic care. Based in Seaview Downs, South Australia, she offers both in-person and telehealth consultations Australia-wide.

This is Jeannette’s personal health story and experience. Individual results may vary. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet or health routine.