GainingWeightMenopause – Blog Post

Posted on August 31, 2026August 31, 2026

Client Success Stories

Kathy is the person I turn to for real healing through nutrition and lifestyle changes

I came to Kathy in the beginning of 2017 with a fresh diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (an auto-immune disorder), severe systemic candida, moderate joint pain and inflammation, and leaky gut syndrome. These came about due to years of stress, a round of antibiotics, irritable bowel syndrome, and a viral infection (the “perfect storm” as I like to call it). I also had a genuine fear of food because my immune system went haywire every time I tried to eat which would, in-turn, cause “flares” of severe joint pain.

Since the beginning of the year, Kathy has worked tirelessly to unravel the complexity of my system-wide imbalance. Our goal was to restore equilibrium and I’m proud to say that 6 months later, I am 90% better.

We worked on calming down inflammatory responses, we examined my medical history for clues to other underlying issues that might be preventing me from healing, we have worked on my viral and toxic burdens, and I no longer fear eating — and have even been able to reintroduce some foods that I couldn’t eat before!

Where my doctor may only be able to spend 15 minutes with me working on the “essentials” (i.e. getting Hashimoto’s under control with medication), Kathy is actually the person I turn to for real healing through nutrition and lifestyle changes. Without Kathy, I honestly don’t know where I would be at in this journey. She is a wealth of information and I highly recommend her to friends and coworkers. My biggest advice for anyone seeking health help — create for yourself a team of advocates who champion holistic healing over quick fixes. Be open-minded, but be patient, and try not to be too hard on yourself in your journey back to wellness.

Morgan

Perhaps in the future I will be able to help people with their health as well

Dear Kathy,
Hi! I just wanted to touch base with you. I just read your article in the Medical Wellness magazine. I never got the opportunity to thank you for everything that you did for me. I go to the doctor that you suggested now and that has been a big help. I really enjoyed our time together and I have learned quite a bit. I especially liked the blood work analysis that you went over with me.

Since meeting with you and my other experiences I have begun some classes in health and I am looking to take some additional classes when time permits at the Nutrition Therapy Institute where I see you are a professor! I am still a Realtor and probably will be for quite some time. But perhaps in the future I will be able to help people with their health as well.

Amy Lane

All of my problems have improved by following her dietary guidelines

I began seeing Kathy Westover about 8 months ago for digestive problems, fatigue, and chronic inflammation/pain. Kathy has helped me so much. All of my problems have improved by following her dietary guidelines. She is extremely knowledgeable and is easy to work with. I love how her recommendations are based in good science (through blood tests, genetic testing, etc.). I am learning so much and I am so blessed to have her as a major part of my team of professional health practitioners.

Nancy Reeves

Middle age does not mean we have to be fat, old, tired and cranky

I am eternally grateful for Kathy’s contribution to my rediscovered good health. I came to Kathy after I did an elimination diet on my own to try to find the root causes of my migraines. When I cleaned up my diet I realized I no longer had joint pain (I thought I was just getting old), nor did I have uncontrollable mood swings (I thought I just had to accept that PMS affected me dramatically), and I did not need naps after lunch (I thought I just needed to power through that drag in the middle of the day). Then, I tried to reintroduce foods and could not find any that I could eat without experiencing the symptoms that I had grown to prefer not to have! I went to Kathy. After testing, vitamin and mineral supplementation and a specific list of foods to eat and avoid, I am able to maintain this feeling of well-being and realize that middle age does not mean we have to be fat, old, tired and cranky.

Thank you, Kathy!!

Christine

Kathy is a great speaker

My husband and I have found Kathy’s presentations to be helpful, educational and fun — she is a great speaker and knows how to lighten up what can sometimes be “heavy” subject matter. Her October presentation was my favorite so far, and I look forward to the next talk in November. Thank you, Kathy, for all you do!

Constant Contact survey comment

I was tired of self-diagnosing and decided to give her a call

I came to Kathy confused and frustrated with my body. I had been experiencing constipation, bloating and fatigue for far too long and had a feeling food had something to do with it. I was tired of self-diagnosing and decided to give her a call because she had worked with both of my parents a few years ago.

She worked with my specific needs to create a food plan that was perfect for me, and I didn’t even have to give up my favorite foods! Now if I ever feel my old symptoms coming back, I know why and what foods/dietary habits have caused it, and am able to get back on track quickly. I would highly recommend Kathy to anyone and everyone!

Heidi Spirek, 23 years old

Kathy brings science, personal experience, a sense of humor, and a warm heart to her practice

I am currently working with Kathy to correct imbalances in my body and learn to use nutrition and lifestyle to manage two autoimmune diseases. Kathy brings science, personal experience, a sense of humor, and a warm heart to her practice. She thoroughly explains concepts and takes the time to really listen. She uses a holistic approach and treats me as an individual. I never feel rushed during our sessions and always leave with new ideas and a sense of hope.

Michelle Brodsky

In four months since I started eating your recommended diet, I have lost twenty pounds slowly and steadily, my energy level is fine and most important to me, my blood sugars are steady.

In January 2007, I was diagnosed with type II diabetes. I was over weight, with blood sugars dangerously high (over three hundred). One of the first things I did was to see a hospital nutritionist, who game me a diet very high in carbohydrates and low in fat and protein. That is apparently the automatic regimen for all type II’s.

Over five months, I lost forty pounds and my blood sugars settled into the one-fifty to one-sixty range. Then for no obvious reason I began to gain weight and I found that I had no energy. My sugars leveled off, but were too high.

I thought I should do better than that, so I tried a national best seller diet. Result? I gained all my weight back, my blood sugars were over two hundred again, and I still had no energy. My doctor changed my diabetes medicine, increased my dosage and finally told me that my last option would be to start injecting insulin.

That happened about the same time that my wife heard about you. I saw you out of desperation. You explained your diet to me and told me what positive signs I should look for.

In four months since I started eating your recommended diet, I have lost twenty pounds slowly and steadily, my energy level is fine and most important to me, my blood sugars are steady between one hundred and one hundred twenty. My doctor is now considering a test to see if I can control my diabetes with diet alone, no more talk of insulin. Following the regimen and diet you set out for me has helped me become healthy again. Thanks for your help.

John R. Williams

NUTRITION THERAPY DISCLAIMER

Nutrition Counseling is not intended as a diagnosis, treatment, prescription, or cure for any disease, mental or physical, and is not intended as a substitute for regular medical care. Nutrition Counseling does provide nutritional evaluation, balanced diet planning, nutritional supplement suggestions, and lifestyle recommendations for the purpose of enhancing health.