Discovering the best version of ourselves often starts with our health. However, did you know that improving your metabolic flexibility is the root of achieving these goals? That's where Lumen comes in, as a partner in your health journey.
Over the past decade, Lumen's revolutionary metabolism tracker and personalized lifestyle coaching app have empowered more than 100,000 Lumen members to reach their healthy lifestyle goals, adopt sustainable habits, and improve their metabolic health.
In this article, we share real stories from people who used Lumen to meet their health goals. Each started their health journey, with different goals, and approaches. From losing weight the right way to building muscle, getting better sleep, and improving their metabolism, these users show what's possible when you have the right tools and support.
Metabolic flexibility is the ability of your body to efficiently switch between burning fats and carbohydrates for energy, largely determined by the health of its cellular energy powerhouses, the mitochondria.
By shifting your focus to improving mitochondrial health through tailored nutrition, appropriate workouts, quality sleep, and a mindful approach to living, you can significantly boost your metabolic flexibility. This strategy supports effective weight loss and contributes to overall well-being and vitality, aligning perfectly with a holistic, health-conscious lifestyle.
If you're experiencing energy crashes throughout the day, it could be related to the health of your mitochondria.
Healthy mitochondria, the cell's powerhouses, are key to energy production. Optimizing their function through lifestyle changes can lead to increased energy levels, as experienced by Cory Click and Crystal Myers. This is because improved mitochondrial function allows their bodies to produce more chemical energy, which fuels their activities and reduces fatigue.
"I previously tried to wake up extra early and exercise but would always crash and burn because I’d be too tired by Wednesday, but I realized I had a small sweet spot of time to exercise after getting my kids off to school, so I kept consistent with that. Over these last 7 months, I’ve lost 18lbs, a total of 27.25 inches off my body, and I took monthly photos to see a visible difference.
I’ve always refused to do any dieting where I had to cut certain things out, so this just seems to speak to me. Adjustments for the workouts make it that much more motivating to get them in.
How I feel is the most significant part. I’ve had a really difficult year at work, and I think all of this provided me a bit of sanity in the mix. I find it so incredibly sustainable for the long haul, especially by listening to what my body is telling me via Lumen."
"I was seriously worried that not working out would cause me to pack the weight back on, but by continuing to use my Lumen, I have stayed within 1 pound of my target weight. Having the macros and recommendations of when to eat them has helped me replace so many bad eating habits that were undermining my life and energy levels. I'm happy to say that I have more energy, which allows me to be a more active and engaged participant in my own life. My only regret about Lumen is not purchasing it earlier."
Healthy mitochondria play a key role in weight loss because they are responsible for converting the food we eat into energy. When they work efficiently, they help boost metabolism, making it easier for the body to burn fat.
For Lumen members Jordy Jensen, Carolyn Meija, and Jenna Stoughtenger, focusing on metabolic health through Lumen helped encourage their bodies to switch between carb burning and fat burning more efficiently, aiding in weight management.
"I've battled weight gain for too many years. My highest measured weight was around 240 or so pounds, and I hadn't seen 170 on a scale since around my early 30’s when I was doing lots of running. Using Lumen, I am consistently where I want to be weight-wise and feel great about being back to the 170s."
Jordy added, "The important thing for me and my success was learning about metabolism and insulin resistance. Lumen had the answers for me, and now it's one of my best friends!"
"I lost 72lbs in the past year. I did not win the genetic lottery. I was knocking at the door of diabetes, I had bad habits, and I stumbled onto Lumen. I have just been amazed. When I started focusing on my body's rhythms and how it wanted to eat and when it wanted to eat, even when it wanted to work out, my health turned around and the weight came off. I started exploring all of these things because Lumen was telling me what I was doing was affecting me differently than what I thought."
"Using my Lumen device has provided flexibility to eat all types of foods within my daily macros, so I don't feel the need for rigidity in the same way. Additionally, macros fluctuate from day to day based on your waking number. Plus, the little video clips on the app provided reassurance and explanations for both the mental and physical processes. I appreciated the insight into my metabolic health, as it was not something that I had been aware of before getting the Lumen device and app."
Enhancing your fitness is often linked to your metabolic health, determined by the efficiency of your mitochondria.
"Log your workouts in Lumen, and you'll be rewarded with more carbs when you exercise for long or high intensity. And then eat those calories you’ve earned! Your body needs them. Eat your carbs before a workout so you can be energized. Let’s face it; not everyone likes to work out. For me, I like the high-intensity energy I get from carbs! Rinse and repeat - it’s that simple. Don't forget, you will need to measure what you want to improve."
"My goal is to gain muscle and to lose some body fat. My weight has been relatively stable since losing 15 lbs with Lumen, which has been terrific. So I'm gaining a little bit of muscle. I'm still hovering below where my original goal was, which is fantastic. With exercise, I've learned that when I'm eating a lot of carbs and go for a walk in the evening burns some of that glucose so that I get the fat burn in the morning."
"How did I do it? I get 7+ hours of sleep; I perform high-intensity interval training, and rest 3-4 days between working for the same muscle group. Get enough rest; it is so key. I’m turning 51 years old. An old man needs his rest. Last, I hit my food macros and calories square in the teeth every day! Don’t try to hack the hack by eating less than the Lumen nutritional plan suggests. Your Lumen levels will be terrible as you stay in hibernation starvation mode."
"Right now, I'm navigating the challenges of menopause. Instead of using it as an excuse, I remember what I've achieved in the past and push forward. This isn't just about appearances; it's about holistic health and feeling good from the inside out. When you're healthy, you radiate happiness and positivity. While on my weight loss journey with Lumen, I did not cut out carbs completely; I followed a personalized carb cycling meal plan. I went with a high protein, slightly lower carb diet."
"For women going through perimenopause and menopause, I think that this is the best that I saw on the market because a lot of women, especially as they start to gain weight, have had kids, kids are grown, experienced different types of stresses in life throughout time, gained a little bit of weight, and you don't know what to do with it. But in reality, your metabolism is different. One thing that's huge for me is doing my best to get more healthy fat in this past year, and it's made a big difference. My hot flashes have ceased. I have very few, and they're minimal."
Having a space where we get emotional support and encouragement goes a long way too. Updating your friends and family on your progress, joining a community with like-minded people, and having that space to share your challenges and achievements will make this journey more enjoyable and motivating.
Alon Rosh, Lumen’s Community Manager, shares that “this kind of encouragement is especially comforting when we feel we are getting off track or had a bad day. On these days, it’s most important to celebrate your wins and milestones - it’s the fuel that will push you closer to your goals”.
Achieving good health goes beyond just what we eat. It encompasses our entire way of life, including how much we move, how well we sleep, and how we handle stress. These elements combine to form a holistic approach to wellness.
Building a healthy lifestyle requires patience and commitment, which might initially seem daunting, but taking the first step can lead you on your journey. Think about it, adopting a new strategy: focus on setting achievable, incremental goals that can lead to significant improvements over time.
Using Lumen, as our members have so far, to navigate your health journey more effectively, helps to eliminate the guesswork and make it easier to stay on track.
Our Lumen editorial desk includes an in-house team of certified and registered nutritionists and dietitians, scientists, researchers, and writers.