“I Lost 30kg in 6 Months”: How a Content Creator Used TCM, Intuitive Eating, and a Gym Bike to Transform Her Life

Trigger warning: This article discusses weight loss, calorie restriction, and eating habits that may be triggering for those with a history of disordered eating. Reader discretion is advised.

We’ve all heard that weight loss comes down to eating less and moving more, but what happens when your body doesn’t seem to follow that logic?

For 27-year-old Lemon8 content creator Germaine, weight had always been a part of her life story, but not one she fully understood. Even at her heaviest, she was only eating once a day.

“I grew up thinking of myself as a lazy and gluttonous person because my parents and relatives often dubbed me as that,” she shared. “It wasn’t until my friends pointed out that I didn’t eat much that I realised I wasn’t the glutton my family made me out to be.”

In November 2023, fresh out of university and with time on her hands before entering the workforce, she decided it was time to rewrite the narrative. Six months later, she had lost 30kg.

Realising Something Was Off

Despite living on minimal food, Germaine struggled with irregular periods and stubborn weight gain.

While she had already ruled out PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and thyroid issues through medical tests, a suggestion from her aunts led her to a TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) clinic for a different perspective.

“They knew of someone who lost weight from TCM and suggested I try it out,” she explained. The physician confirmed a general hormonal imbalance and low metabolism, which helped her make sense of her body’s resistance to weight loss.

“I would recommend going for the necessary tests to be sure!” Germaine was quick to note.

“I Didn’t Think It Was Possible for Me to Lose Weight”

The turning point was incredibly personal.

“I realised I was letting my weight hold me back in life. I didn’t feel comfortable doing certain activities or wearing certain clothes,” Germaine said. “For some reason, I didn’t think it was possible for me to lose weight… I had gotten used to it and thought it was just a part of who I am.”

What kept her going on days when it felt too hard? “Seeing results,” she said. “Don’t stop until you see proof of your hard work. Once you start seeing results, you will want to keep going anyway.”

Still, she admits her all-or-nothing mindset and perfectionism sometimes crept in. “I have very high standards for myself, so I do tend to fall into the habit of being hard on myself,” Germaine acknowledged.

She credits her loved ones for helping her maintain balance. “I am lucky to have friends who will gently remind me that I’m eating too little, or that I’m developing unhealthy and obsessive habits,” she reflected. “I believe that we need to surround ourselves with people who love and care for us, to be the eyes in our blind spots.”

That grounding support system, combined with her growing self-awareness, helped her build a healthier and more sustainable relationship with her body, her goals, and herself.

Her Surprisingly Low-Stress Workout Routine

Germaine’s fitness strategy wasn’t built around bootcamps or outdoor runs. Instead, she kept it simple: cycling on a gym bike while watching reality TV.

“I recalled the TikTok creator saying that she would set aside a show that she could only watch when she was working out, and I thought it was such a smart idea,” she said. “Trashy reality TV is the best genre for workouts! Not going to lie, sometimes I stick to the workout just because I want to get to the next episode.”

Her goal was to build the habit first. “Rather than worrying about how cardio wasn’t enough exercise, it was a part of my plan to ease myself into a more intense routine.”

She’s since incorporated strength training into her regimen, but the key was starting with something that felt doable and sustainable.

“I Just Have to Battle the Inner Demon That Wants Some Chocolate”

When it came to food, Germaine embraced intuitive eating.

“Simply put, stop eating when you are full,” she said. That included saving leftovers for later instead of forcing herself to clean her plate – a small but impactful shift in mindset.

Her biggest challenge? Desserts. “I have a sweet tooth, so I struggled giving up ice cream more than fried chicken,” she admitted. “At the peak of my weight loss journey, I completely cut out sugar, and if I had to have some drink, I would opt for 0% sugar.”

She kept her meals clean and protein-rich – think chicken breasts, salmon, eggs, and vegetables – and leaned into meal prepping to stay on track. “Salad is my go-to! It’s the easiest and least time-consuming to prepare.”

To curb cravings, she relied on a combination of habits and hacks: drinking diluted apple cider vinegar in the morning, eating a low-carb diet, and pairing carbs with fibre to prevent blood sugar spikes. Her TCM prescriptions also played a role in helping regulate her appetite and digestion.

TCM, Acupuncture, and Hormone Regulation

Germaine began noticing results from her TCM treatment almost immediately.

“I had noticed a reduction in appetite from the very first week,” she said. It took around five to six months before her period returned – a sign her hormones were finally rebalancing.

Her exact herbal prescriptions remain a mystery even to her. “My Chinese is quite weak, so I wouldn’t be able to understand anyway [laughs],” Germaine shared. What she does know is that she was prescribed both sachet medicine (for hormone regulation) and capsules (for detox and fat reduction).

Germaine also underwent weekly electroacupuncture sessions to support metabolism, water retention, and appetite control.

Prior to trying TCM, Germaine had also explored Western medicine, but her experience left her feeling unsure.

“I was hesitant to try Western medicine as the medicine I was prescribed to regulate my menstrual cycle came with the side effect of weight gain,” she explained. “If this is a concern of yours as well, TCM is a good alternative that not only avoids weight gain, but can also help alleviate your hormonal imbalance.”

To those who feel like nothing’s working, she encourages staying open to different paths: what works for one body might not work for another, and it’s worth exploring options that align with your health goals and comfort levels.

How Stress, Hormones, and Health Are All Connected

Stress, Germaine realised, was a major trigger for her health issues and weight gain.

“During this time, I struggled with many ailments such as stomach problems and hormonal issues, which I had to go to the hospital for,” she recalled. “The doctor told me all these ailments were interconnected and a result of stress.”

These days, she’s shifting her mindset and learning to go easier on herself. “I try to remind myself that most things ‘aren’t that deep’,” she said. “I also find that working out helps alleviate stress and improve my mood!”

She tracks her menstrual cycle using Flo, keeping a close eye on patterns and changes, a practice she encourages for anyone navigating hormone-related health challenges.

Her Best Advice for Others Trying to Lose Weight

Germaine credits her success to three mindset shifts:

1. Understanding that starting is the hardest part, and pushing past the intimidation.
2. Allowing herself to start small instead of going all in and burning out.
3. Doing proper research and tailoring her approach to her own body’s needs.

One misconception she wants to bust? That weight loss is simply about “calories in, calories out.”

“People tend to stereotype overweight people as lazy and gluttonous, but it is very often not as straightforward as that,” she said. “Mental health, biological conditions, and even financial means all play a part.”

To those who feel defeated, she says, “Weight loss is scientific. It isn’t as simple as eating less and exercising more. You need to eat the right food for your system and do the right workouts for your body. Do the right research, equip yourself with the appropriate knowledge and skills, and try again.”

And perhaps most importantly, “Do it not because you hate yourself and want to change yourself. Do it because you love yourself and want to become a better version of yourself.”

What’s Next for Germaine?

Her journey doesn’t end with a number on the scale.

“My goal was not to just lose X amount of weight, my goal is to develop healthy habits,” she said. “There is no end goal, but an entire journey that I’ve embarked on.”

Editor’s note: If you’re struggling with your relationship with food or body image, please seek support from a healthcare professional. These local services are here to help.

All images courtesy of Germaine Leow.