ON World Health Day today, Durban North resident and former attorney, Bhauna Hansjee, shares her remarkable health journey — a transformation that not only helped her regain control of her well-being but also inspired her to educate others about sustainable, long-term lifestyle changes.

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Hansjee’s story began in 2018 when she was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and prediabetes. Weighing 88kg at the time, she was just a month away from being placed on chronic medication. However, instead of accepting medication as the only solution, she took charge of her health through a low-carb diet and intermittent fasting.

A Wake-up Call and a Turning Point

After graduating from law school, she was a partner at a busy law firm which often led to her ordering meals from a drive through. From playing squash and maintaining an active lifestyle, she found herself gradually gaining weight over the years. Eventually, it became impossible to ignore the symptoms — shortness of breath, difficulty sleeping, and exhaustion from simple activities like climbing stairs.

“That’s when I decided that I had to see a doctor. I couldn’t carry on like this. For the first time, a doctor explained to me how excessive weight gain could cause a hormonal imbalance, affecting my menstrual cycle,” Hansjee said.

A glucose tolerance test confirmed her insulin resistance. At that moment, she realised that a drastic change was needed — not a temporary diet, but a sustainable lifestyle shift.

The journey to reversing insulin resistance
Hansjee began educating herself on the impact of food on the body, following experts like Canadian Dr Jason Fung, who advocates low-carb nutrition and fasting as a means to reverse diabetes. She learnt that food labels often disguise harmful ingredients like seed oils and sugars under different names.

She embraced a low-carb, high-fat diet and intermittent fasting. By fasting for 16 hours and eating within an eight-hour window, she experienced life-changing benefits, including mental clarity and improved energy levels. Over time, she progressed to longer fasts — 36 and even 72 hours.

“It took six months before I started seeing results on the scale. There were days when I wanted to give up but I knew I had to keep going. I reminded myself to stop obsessing over the numbers. Instead, I focused on how I felt — energised, lighter, and in control,” she said.

Losing 28kg and gaining a new perspective
Over 18 months, Hansjee successfully lost 28kg and maintained her weight until late 2024. However, life presented new challenges when she experienced the loss of her brother. The stress and emotional toll caused her cortisol levels to spike, temporarily disrupting her progress.

“My body went into survival mode, holding onto weight, but I reminded myself to be kind, patient, and trust the process. Health is about long-term consistency, not perfection,” she said.

Today, Hansjee is passionate about sharing her knowledge with others. She teaches low-carb cooking classes at Hirsch’s and around the country, helping people understand food as medicine. Through her Low Carb Girl fasting support group and business, she offers guidance to those looking to make sustainable health changes.

She emphasises the importance of hydration, including electrolyte balance with magnesium, sodium, and potassium. She also advocates for whole, nutrient-dense foods.

Her message is clear: “Only you are capable of making the necessary changes for your health. You don’t have to be perfect, but you do have to start.”

Hansjee encourages others to take the first step by questioning their habits and making conscious changes.

Hansjee’s key take-aways for a successful health journey include:
Stop obsessing over the scale – focus on how you feel.
Learn to read food labels – many ingredients are hidden under misleading names.
Prioritise hydration – water alone isn’t enough; electrolytes are essential.
Eat whole, natural foods – avoid processed take-aways and include healthy fats.
Experiment with fasting – start small and gradually increase fasting periods.

Her three health must-haves:
Low-carb bread options from French Confectionery.
Revive electrolytes
Natural Balance gluco-control shot.

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