Dietitian in Durbanville, Cape Town | Lauren du Toit (RD)

Lauren Du Toit was recommended to me around November 2022. At the time I was miserable because of my considerable weight gain during the pandemic.

In January 2023 I consulted Lauren and committed to a 12 week weight loss package. I was very impressed by Lauren's thoroughness: how extensively she interrogated the patient questionnaires I had submitted beforehand. At 69 I anticipated a long, slow weight loss journey. But beyond all expectation I lost 8,25kg in the 12 week period (despite my 70th birthday celebration during this time). I attribute this success to the very effective calorie deficit eating plan devised by Lauren and her continued encouragement and support, not forgetting my determination to lose weight.

I have learnt so much about nutrition from this experience and from following Lauren on Instagram that I am comfortably maintaining my goal weight. I now feel good about myself, have much more energy and perform better at my walking club.

My story started in August 2022. I struggled with my weight most of my life, but in 2022 my weight was at its highest. I really wanted to get pregnant again, but I knew my body wasn't in the best shape for that. I went to see my gynaecologist to discuss a future pregnancy and he confirmed what I actually already knew... My fertility was negatively affected by my very high body massand will struggle to conceive if I don't loose weight. My gynaecologist had a serious, but supportive, conversation with me and I realised I needed to make some big lifestyle changes. I realised I needed to not only do this for myself, but also for my husband, my daughter and my future children.

I had to make big lifestyle changes, eating in a calorie deficit, drinking my water and getting more exercise. I started seeing Lauren in August 2022, and Lauren helped me to set realistic goals for my weightloss journey and provided guidance with healthy eating and eating in a calorie deficit. I continued to see Lauren every 2/3 weeks to help track my weightloss, to keep me accountable on this journey, and to advise me and motivate me when necessary. I still see Lauren about every 3 weeks, which is very valuable.

My weightloss journey has not been easy, but with amazing family support as well as support from an amazing dietitian, this journey was more possible than I anticipated. I have lost a total of 17kg so far, and I'm still going strong. There are ups and downs, but my great support team keeps me motivated to continue. Update: Patient L is now due with 2nd baby!

My size became a realization when I started not losing weight even though I was "eating right". having salads, consuming fat free products etc. I was doing the same thing I did all my life that always seemed to work where I would lose weight and then gain a bit then lose some more however at some point I just gained and never lost weight.

My size really "hit me" when I was looking in the window of an empty store in Cobble Walk and I was just "OK I really have to do something about it" I got your number and it was a few months before contacting you, however I am now glad I did it and sort of upset that I didn't go earlier.

You taught me that even when "eating right" there's way more on what exactly is "eating right" I was 134KG when I started this journey with you and I am now 117KG, still struggling day by day as temptation for having something to scratch that "need" is always there. I have found that sticking to a schedule and prepping according to your guidance assists with this "need" everyday.

Thanks for all the help and thanks for pushing me to be healthier.

When Leo told me about you I thought maybe I should join him as I was seeing myself in the mirror and did not like all the rolls that accompanied me everyday.

I thought that it would be easier to do this with L and not by myself and it was as he would make sure to push me to not skip meals and remember not to live off the "chocolate, chips and a drink" from Clicks that was basically my lunch everyday. 

After meeting with you and discussing goals, eating healthy really made me feel good. When I started seeing results on my pants and people noticing me losing weight it made me feel even better.

This made me want to eat more healthy and exercise  more and drink more water and change how I feel and see healthy food.