This Content Creator Lost 30kg in 6 Months With TCM, Low-Stress Workouts, and Mindful Eating

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 from Singapore, weight had always been part of her story, but not something she fully understood. Even at her heaviest, she was getting by on just one meal 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 late 2023, after graduating from university and while job hunting, Germaine made the decision to overhaul her lifestyle. Within six months, she dropped 30kg.

Realising Something Was Off

Despite barely eating, Germaine was gaining weight and experiencing irregular periods – clear signs that something wasn’t right.

Although she had already undergone tests to rule out PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and thyroid conditions, it was a conversation with her aunts that led her to explore a different path: traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

“They knew of someone who lost weight from TCM and suggested I try it out,” she said. A visit to a TCM clinic confirmed she was dealing with a general hormonal imbalance and a sluggish metabolism – something that finally made sense to her.

“I would recommend going for the necessary tests to be sure!” she added.

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

What sparked the change wasn’t a specific number on the scale, but how her weight was holding her back from living life fully.

“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.”

Her motivation came from visible progress. “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 inner critic sometimes got the better of her. “I have very high standards for myself, so I do tend to fall into the habit of being hard on myself.”

Thankfully, her support system helped keep her grounded. “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.”

Her Surprisingly Low-Stress Workout Routine

Germaine’s exercise routine didn’t involve gym classes or intense running schedules. Instead, she turned to something much more approachable: cycling indoors while watching TV shows.

“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 focus was on habit-building rather than perfection. “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.”

Since then, she’s added strength training to her fitness mix, building on a solid foundation of consistency.

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

When it came to eating, Germaine followed her own version of intuitive eating.

“Simply put, stop eating when you are full,” she explained. Instead of finishing every bite, she learned to store leftovers and honour her body’s cues – a small change that made a big impact.

Her toughest challenge? Sugar. “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.”

To stay on track, she meal prepped regularly with easy staples. “Salad is my go-to! It’s the easiest and least time-consuming to prepare.”

She also adopted smart habits, such as drinking diluted apple cider vinegar in the morning, pairing carbs with fibre to prevent sugar spikes, and sticking to a low-carb diet. Her daily TCM supplements played a role in curbing appetite and improving digestion, too.

TCM, Acupuncture, and Hormone Regulation

Germaine began seeing changes from TCM early on. “I had noticed a reduction in appetite from the very first week,” she said. Five to six months later, her period, which had been absent for months, returned.

She doesn’t know the exact herbs prescribed to her (“My Chinese is quite weak, so I wouldn’t be able to understand anyway [laughs]”), but she took sachet medicine to regulate her menstrual cycle and capsules to support detox and fat loss.

Alongside this, she went for weekly electroacupuncture sessions to help manage her metabolism, hormones, water retention, and cravings.

Germaine had tried Western medicine before but was concerned about the side effects.

“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.”

Her biggest takeaway? Don’t be afraid to explore options that work best for you.

How Stress, Hormones, and Health Are All Connected

Germaine also realised how much stress had been impacting her physical health.

“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.”

Today, she’s working on changing her mindset. “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 now tracks her menstrual cycle using Flo, monitoring patterns to better understand how her body is responding.

Her Best Advice for Others Trying to Lose Weight

Germaine credits her transformation to three key shifts:

1. Recognising that getting started is the hardest part
2. Starting small and building consistency over time
3. Doing proper research to find what works for her body

She also wants to challenge the idea that weight loss is simply about discipline.

“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.”

For anyone feeling stuck or defeated, her message is clear: “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 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?

For Germaine, it’s the beginning of a new way of living.

“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 body image, food, or hormone-related concerns, consider speaking to a healthcare professional. 

All images courtesy of Germaine Leow.