How Faigy Lost 50 Pounds, Got Off Metformin, and Took Control of Her PCOS

Article written and reviewed by Robby Barbaro, MPH
Published March 24, 2026

Meet Faigy. For years, she did everything she was told to do. She followed diet after diet, exercised consistently, and stayed committed to improving her health. But no matter how hard she tried, the results never lasted.

She cycled through Atkins, low-carb plans, carnivore, calorie restriction, intermittent fasting, and multiple variations of dieting strategies that promised weight loss and better health. Sometimes they worked briefly, but the progress always stalled. The weight came back, her lab work worsened, and her frustration grew.

At the same time, she was dealing with polycystic ovarian syndrome, a condition driven in large part by insulin resistance. Her symptoms included weight gain, irregular cycles, and metabolic dysfunction that made losing weight especially difficult. On top of that, her triglycerides had climbed into the upper 400s, and she was diagnosed with precancerous uterine hyperplasia.

At 38 years old, she felt scared, frustrated, and out of options. Then she discovered Mastering Diabetes.

When Nothing Works and the Frustration Builds

Faigy had tried nearly every popular approach to weight loss. Each time, she followed the plan carefully, exercised regularly, and stayed disciplined. But the results never matched her effort.

She recalls feeling like people did not believe her when she said she was dieting. She was going to the gym every day and following strict plans, yet her weight remained high and her blood work continued to worsen.

The emotional toll was significant. Her triglycerides were dangerously elevated. Her cycles were irregular. She was dealing with PCOS and its associated symptoms. And when she was diagnosed with uterine hyperplasia, a precancerous condition, the situation became even more urgent.

She knew something deeper was driving these issues, but none of the strategies she tried addressed it.

Discovering the Root Cause: Insulin Resistance

When Faigy found Mastering Diabetes, one phrase immediately stood out to her: lower your insulin resistance. That idea changed everything.

Instead of focusing on calories, restriction, or short-term weight loss, the program explained how insulin resistance drives conditions like PCOS, weight gain, and elevated triglycerides.

At first, the idea of eliminating oil and reducing fat intake felt overwhelming. But as she explored further, she realized something important: There was no calorie counting.
There was no restriction. There was abundance.

She could eat fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes freely while addressing the underlying metabolic issue. She decided to give it a real chance.

Losing Weight Without Restriction

After starting the program, Faigy began to see changes quickly.

Within four months, she lost 40 pounds, going from 200 pounds to 160. Over time, she continued progressing and reached a total weight loss of 50 pounds.

What surprised her most was how easy the process felt.

For the first time in her life, weight loss did not require extreme restriction or constant hunger. She was eating satisfying meals, enjoying her food, and watching the scale move steadily downward.

This was the first time she experienced consistent progress without feeling deprived.

Faigy’s Before and After Results

After just four months in the program, Faigy saw dramatic improvements in her most important health markers.

Header

Before

After

Triglycerides (mg/dL)

442

118

Medication

Metformin

NONE

Weight (lbs)

200

150

Within just three to four months, her triglycerides dropped from dangerously high levels into the normal range. Her weight decreased significantly. Her cycles returned. And her hyperplasia resolved as her hormonal balance improved.

Her doctor reviewed her blood work and encouraged her to continue exactly what she was doing.

Healing Her Body from the Inside Out

One of the most meaningful changes for Faigy was the improvement in her overall health and well-being.

Her energy increased dramatically. She felt more focused throughout the day. Her mood stabilized, and the mood swings associated with PCOS began to fade. She started sleeping better and waking up feeling refreshed.

Instead of feeling like her body was working against her, she felt like it was finally responding in a positive way.

The symptoms she had struggled with for years began to resolve as her insulin sensitivity improved.

A New Relationship with Food

Before the program, Faigy’s relationship with food was defined by restriction and frustration. She constantly felt like she had to limit what she ate to see results.

That completely changed.

She now eats an abundance of fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. Meals are satisfying, flavorful, and easy to prepare. She can go out and order simple meals like fruit smoothies or whole plant-based dishes without feeling limited.

For the first time, she feels free. She is no longer counting calories or restricting portions. She eats when she is hungry and feels satisfied afterward.

Food has become something that supports her health instead of something she has to control.

Getting Off Medication and Regaining Control

Before starting the program, Faigy was taking metformin to manage her condition. At one point, her doctor even suggested increasing the dose because her symptoms were not improving.

After making these lifestyle changes and seeing improvements in her blood work, she was able to discontinue the medication.

For Faigy, this was one of the most empowering outcomes. It reinforced that her body could heal when given the right conditions.

The Power of Support and Accountability

Faigy credits much of her success to the support system within the program.

Her coach provided consistent encouragement and accountability. Having someone check in, offer guidance, and help her stay on track made a significant difference.

The community also played an important role. Seeing what others were eating, sharing ideas, and feeling part of a group working toward the same goals helped her stay motivated.

She never felt like she was doing this alone.

A Completely Different Future

Before making these changes, Faigy felt scared about her future. She worried about worsening health, ongoing symptoms, and the long-term consequences of her condition.

Today, her outlook is completely different.

She feels healthy, energized, and in control. She is excited about the future and confident in her ability to maintain her progress.

Her goal is to continue improving her health, be present for her family, and live a long, vibrant life.

For the first time, she truly believes that is possible.

What Faigy Wants Others to Know

Faigy encourages anyone who feels stuck or frustrated to consider a different approach.

She knows how discouraging it can be to try everything and see no results. But she also knows that when you address the root cause of insulin resistance, real change becomes possible.

Her advice is simple: Give it a chance. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.

Ready to See Results Like Faigy?

If you are struggling with weight loss, PCOS, high triglycerides, or insulin resistance and feel like nothing is working, Faigy’s story shows that there is another way.

Book a free discovery call with one of our advisors and learn how to begin your own transformation.

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About the author 

Robby Barbaro, MPH

Robby Barbaro, MPH is a New York Times bestselling co-author of Mastering Diabetes: The Revolutionary Method to Reverse Insulin Resistance Permanently in Type 1, Type 1.5, Type 2, Prediabetes, and Gestational Diabetes.

Robby was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 12 and has been living this lifestyle since 2006. In that time, while eating pounds of fruit every day, his HbA1c has been stable with a current A1c of 5.3%, TIR of 92%, and average total daily insulin use of 30 units.

Robby graduated from the University of Florida and is the cofounder of Mastering Diabetes and Amla Green. He worked at Forks Over Knives for six years before turning his attention in 2016 to coaching people with diabetes full time.

He is the co-host of the annual Mastering Diabetes Online Summit, a featured speaker at VegFest LA, and has been featured on The Doctors, Forks Over Knives, Vice, Thrive Magazine, Diet Fiction, and the wildly popular podcasts the Rich Roll Podcast, Plant Proof, MindBodyGreen, and Nutrition Rounds.

Robby enjoys exercising every day, spending time with friends, and sharing his lifestyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.