When I started this journey at 60 years old, I knew I needed more than “just another diet.”
I needed structure.
I needed gentleness.
I needed something I could follow even on low-energy days.
And most of all — I needed something that actually heals, not just shrinks.
That’s how these phases were born.
My plan moves in simple, intentional layers.
No rush. No pressure.
Just steady healing.
Below are the phases I’m working through — and why each one matters.
✨ Phase 1: Calm the Inflammation (The Reset Phase)
Goal:
Reduce inflammation, calm symptoms, stabilize digestion, and lower blood sugar.
How it works:
- Very simple, gentle meals
- Low-fat, low-irritant combinations
- No snacking
- No alcohol
- Warm lemon–cucumber water in the morning
- Walks after meals
- Daily Belly • Energy • Feet check-ins
Why it matters:
Before you lose weight, your body has to stop fighting inflammation.
This is where my throat pain improved for the first time in 30 years.
My blood sugar dropped from the 110s into the 90s.
My belly got quieter.
Everything started here.
This phase teaches:
Consistency
Awareness
Calm
Simplicity
This is the foundation of the whole plan.
✨ Phase 2: Metabolic Healing & Gentle Fat Loss
Goal:
Let the body lose fat naturally — without stressing digestion or triggering binge cycles.
What changes:
- Slightly more food variety
- Better blood sugar control
- More stable mornings
- Energy rises
- Hunger cues normalize
- Weight loss becomes steady and predictable
What stays the same:
- Gentle meals
- Walking
- Daily symptom tracking
- Calm, consistent habits
Phase 2 is where my A1C dropped from 5.8 to 5.4, and my appetite finally matched my healing.
This phase feels like a deep breath.
✨ Phase 3: Food Testing & Trigger Mapping
Goal:
Find out what your body tolerates — and what causes inflammation.
Foods I test include:
- Vegetables (zucchini, carrots, yellow squash, etc.)
- Starches (bread types, potatoes, rice)
- Healthy fats (olive oil combos)
- Fruits
- Seasonings
- Occasional treats
- Later: dairy, gluten variations, nuts, spices
Here’s how a test works:
- Eat a small amount with a safe meal
- Track symptoms for 4–12 hours
- Note belly, chest nerves, throat, sinuses, blood sugar, energy
- Decide if it’s safe, needs retesting, or is a no-go
This is where the plan becomes personalized.
It’s how I learned that bread + fat combos can irritate my nerves.
And how some veggies sit beautifully while others don’t.
✨ Phase 4: Strengthening, Rebuilding, and Adding Joy
Goal:
Add back foods, hobbies, and movement — while keeping inflammation low.
This is where I imagine:
- Baby steps into more walking
- Strength training later
- Bigger food variety
- Restaurant meal strategies
- Travel strategies
- Gentle desserts
- Celebration meals
- Seasonal foods
By Phase 4, the body is calm, predictable, and trustworthy again.
This phase is about quality of life — without losing your progress.
✨ Phase 5: Maintenance That Doesn’t Feel Like Maintenance
This isn’t a diet — so maintenance isn’t “going back to normal.”
It’s about creating a new normal that feels light, calm, and doable.
What this phase looks like:
- A calm belly most days
- Steady blood sugar
- Easy weight maintenance
- Occasional higher-fat meals that don’t cause setbacks
- Holidays without spiraling
- A healthy relationship with food
- Knowing your triggers and how to reset quickly
This phase is the goal:
A life that feels good.
🌅 Why These Phases Work
Each phase supports the next.
You don’t jump ahead — you build up.
When digestion is calm → hormones balance
When hormones balance → cravings fade
When cravings fade → weight loss is steady
When weight loss is steady → confidence rises
When confidence rises → life opens up
This isn’t a quick fix.
It’s a transformation — literally from the inside out.
✨ Follow My Journey
If you want to follow these phases with me, start with the free tracker below:
Download My Daily Belly • Energy • Feet Tracker
I’ll be posting:
- Daily updates
- Food tests
- Trigger lists
- Gentle meals
- Inflammation signs
- Progress photos
- Printable guides
- Wins, setbacks, and real moments
Because healing isn’t perfect — but it’s worth everything.
Stacey’s New Beginning 
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