Women in Low Carb: Lanell Lenzkes
In our Women in Low Carb series, we share the stories of women who are quietly living, learning, and growing in this space often behind the scenes, but with impact that runs deep.
Lanell Lenzkes is one of those women.
While many may recognize her husband, Dr. Brian Lenzkes, Lanell’s journey is deeply her own, shaped by years of lived experience, personal healing, and a commitment to showing up for her health, her family, and her purpose.
I had the pleasure of meeting Lanell through my husband, Dr. Tro, who co-hosts the Low Carb MD podcast with Brian. We met in person for the first time on the Low Carb Cruise, where our husbands were invited as speakers.
From the moment we met, it felt easy and instant.
Her presence was warm, welcoming, and incredibly refreshing. In simple, unspoken ways, she shows up as a source of mentorship; as the spouse of a physician, a mother, and a woman who has remained committed to her path through all of life’s ups and downs, growth, and change.
Even though we live on opposite ends of the country, I’m so grateful to call her a friend.
She’s also a supporter of ROSETTE’S, which means so much to me.
What stands out most in her story is not perfection, but consistency… not rigidity, but grace.
This is her journey in her own words.
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The Low-carb/whole food lifestyle has truly transformed my mindset and metabolic health, in ways that I could never have imagined. I have lived in this space for about 20 years, but very seriously for the last 10 years. My husband, who practices medicine, went down the low-carb rabbit trail for his own health, as he always struggled with not just being overweight and unhealthy, but he could not wrap his mind around the possibility of ever being metabolically healthy. He was convinced that his chances of obesity and diabetes were inevitable, due to his family history, and that he was always going to struggle.
However, once he was introduced to Jason Fung's book Obesity Code, and he was convinced of the science behind the low-carb lifestyle, hope was born and he was all in.
His westernized way of thinking was flipped upside down and he took a deep dive into trying to understand everything he possibly could in order to educate his patients and truly whoever would listen. There was a passion born inside of him to help others and that passion continues to this day. The medical system held him captive and he felt like he was not able to care for his patients well or make a difference in their lives. Fast forward to today, it brings me so much joy, seeing how his health and mindset have been transformed, and watching him absolutely love walking alongside of his patients and even having the honor of giving some, a second chance at life.
When his eyes were opened, there was no turning back.
He decided to change his lifestyle, he encouraged me to give it a try, mainly due to some fairly extreme irritable bowel issues I was having.
Not totally convinced yet, I decided to give it a try anyways, so we could take the journey together. I really wanted to support his health decision, not knowing the impact it would eventually have on my life.
One of the challenges we both faced when we began this journey, was that not only was “low-carb” not popular, but it was discouraged by many, due to ignorance and a lack of understanding, mainly by the medical professionals. We felt like we had to keep it on the down low. Even though each of our low-carb journeys looked a little different, we were both fully committed to no processed food and limiting our carb intake. If we did have carbs, they were whole foods, mainly in the form of vegetables. It did not take long for me to realize that all of my irritable bowel symptoms were completely gone. Something that kept me from enjoying life on so many occasions, for so long, was GONE! Hoping that this life-style could help my IBS was the goal, but the bonuses that I never even considered when I started this life-style were amazing.
My body went from feeling like a blown up balloon, to a deflated one. And, in that process, all of my unexplained inflammation, aches and pains were GONE! One of the other unexpected blessings I experienced was clarity of mind. During this season, I was pre-menopausal and I felt like I was literally losing my mind and my ability to remember things that were once so familiar to me. (A special shout out to Mindy Pelz and her book “Fast Like A Girl” for helping me understand that I was not alone and for giving me invaluable tools to walk through that season)
During that time, I was a walking sticky note. I had sticky notes everywhere to remind me of everything, so that I did not forget anything important, especially at work and at home. About 6 weeks into this life-style, I remember thinking “my mind feels so clear,” and the need for sticky notes was GONE! Lastly, I did lose weight, but honestly that was the cherry on top. The biggest reward was my gut, body, and mind being restored.
Over the past 10 years, we have not only learned so much more about the benefits of a low-carb lifestyle, but we no longer live it out on the down low. There are so many more science backed studies, education and knowledge.
I have experimented and learned so much with my own diet, exercise regimen, sleep, stress releasors, and other things that I benefit from like cold plunges, red light therapy and sauna. I honestly have had so much fun with this lifestyle. I believe one of the most valuable things that I have learned is that this is my journey, and although there are so many things that I have learned from others that live this lifestyle, sometimes it can feel so overwhelming with so much information. I need to keep it simple and do what works best for me. If what I am doing is working, I keep doing it. If it stops working, I shift gears. For me, it’s that simple. There have been times on my journey that I over complicate it and fixate on macros or ketosis, or exact amount of protein vs fat. Although I believe there is a time & place for tracking those things, at the same time, if fixating on them causes undue stress or anxiety, I am ultimately fighting against myself.
I plan ahead and meal prep most days, because that keeps me on track. If life gets in the way, and I don’t have time to prepare my food for the day, I do my best to choose options that are good enough and move on.
Mindset is so important on this journey. I find when I feel stuck, it usually is directly related to my thoughts, stress, & mindset. Sometimes we can’t take life too seriously, and being able to let things go, laugh at ourselves, and have some grace for our setbacks is incredibly freeing and life-giving. Learning what works and what doesn't is a process that can take awhile. I have learned to give myself permission to make mistakes and try different or try again.This lifestyle is for life and is not something that we must have figured out right away. Our bodies change, our hormones change, our lifestyles change and just like raising children, there are different seasons. What was effective in one season, may not work in the next and experimenting or switching things up, takes time and patience. Be kind to yourself and give yourself the gift of space to learn and adjust
With my husband's career, we travel a few times a year for different speaking engagements and/or medical missions trips. We have been living this lifestyle long enough to know the consequences of having the mindset that says “lets just eat whatever and do whatever while we're gone and get back on track when we get home.” We know that our health would suffer greatly and the consequences would not be worth it.
With that said, we recognize that the places we go, don’t always have all the food choices we prefer. Therefore, we bring with us what we are able and then we make the best choices we can along the way. We don’t worry or stress about it. Life, at times, is going to have unexpected turns and bumps in the road. Make the turns with some caution and drive over the bumps with the least amount of disruption to your well-being, remembering that consistency isn’t about perfection, it’s about honoring your values wherever you are and trusting that each small, mindful choice keeps you moving in the right direction.
A motto I live by is to always have a “Why” to stay focused on my health.
Every season, I choose a different “Why” For example, a few years ago our daughter was getting married, so my “Why” was to feel strong, healthy, and look my best for her special day. Then, my” Why” shifted to feeling strong and working on agility and movement so that when I become a grandma, I will be able to play on the ground and do fun things with my grandchildren. My “Why” changes from season to season, but it always has an impactful purpose to keep me motivated. Right now my “Why” is longevity. My Husband & I have lived our lives committed to raising our daughters. Now, they are both married and at some point they will be raising their families. I want to be a grandma more than anything. So, my “Why” is to be the healthiest version of myself that I can be, for our grandchildren, so I can leave a generational legacy of love, that says my “Why” was for YOU.
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Lanell’s story is a reminder that this journey doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful.
Her perspective brings something so many women need to hear; that this lifestyle isn’t about getting everything “right,” but about learning, adjusting, and staying connected to your why through every season; it’s okay for your journey to look like your own.