Fatigue, general malaise, and a cough that would not go awayÂ
pushed me to make an appointment with my doctor.Â
After many tests and a biopsy, a diagnosis was determined on June 8th, 2022. It felt like a life sentence. Â I started high-dose prednisone which left me sleepless, hungry, and swollen. The weight crept on as my body held onto fluid causing my face to become rounded, my ankles to disappear, and my confidence about my health to shrink.
I continued with my life, traveling and working. I was scared about what this diagnosis meant but I kept moving forward like life was normal. My steroids were discontinued due to side effects and they were not effective according to the scan.
I was referred to Mayo Clinic with no progress towards healing.
In October of 2024 when I saw my pulmonologist he sat down in his chair a little deflated, put his hand on his head, and said,
"Kim, your pulmonary function tests just keep declining and I think we should consider immune modulators." He also mentioned that these medications wear off over time. It's like seeing your life coming to an end in slow motion right in front of your eyes.
Since I am a pharmacist, I know this type medication can have some serious side effects.Â
"I really don't want to take those medications if I don't have to. Can I do some research first?," I asked. Â He agreed.
I was talking to my coaching friend and accountability partner, Debra, about it and she invited me to visit her in Hawaii in November. It was easy to be active and eat healthy in Hawaii; and I was determined to do the same when I returned home. In January I went back to Hawaii to house sit and watch Deb's cats. She had a book on her shelf about auto-immune disease and I started reading it.
I learned that autoimmune disease progression may slow down if I gave up gluten, dairy, added sugar, and artificial sweeteners. I was already gluten free, but dairy! I wasn’t sure I could do it. I put cheese on everything! It was my life, lol! I decided to look at my sugar and artificial sweetener intake first. I was an avid Diet Coke drinker who could not go a day without it. I had tried before many times without success. But this was different! My health depended on it. So...on January 11, 2025 I said this is it! No more Diet Coke. Â
Then I started looking at every label for added sugar.  It is amazing how much added sugar is in everything. Â
I struggled with giving up dairy but my daughter did find some sheep’s cheese at Costco and that really helped with giving up cow cheese. When I tried eating cow cheese again, I had a lot of phlegm and coughing which encouraged me not to eat the cheese. I needed to tell myself that I want to heal and eating cheese is not healing me but making it worse.
I also realized that I wasn’t eating as healthy as I thought.  I was going to the cupboard at 3pm for chocolate covered almonds almost every day. It took awhile but I figured out that it was stress about the next task on my list and I really wasn’t even hungry. So, I decided to ask myself every time I went to the cupboard: “Am I hungry?”. If not, what is on my to do list that I am avoiding? After going back to the to do list and finishing the task, the craving for the snacks went away. Eventually, I would ask myself those questions before I ended up in the kitchen.
 As time went on and I had formed this new lifestyle I noticed my clothes fitting better and my breathing was easier. I lost 15 pounds with this lifestyle change without even trying; and I have more energy. I am even able to walk around the lake a few times and bounce on my rebounder for a good length of time.  Plus, my pulmonary function tests have improved!
Because I feel so much better without gluten, dairy, sugar, and artificial sweeteners I enjoy cooking even when we go on vacation. I am able to navigate eating out and can easily pass on sugary desserts. Dark chocolate is a wonderful substitute that fits in my purse.Â
Because I want to help others who want health freedom, I have created this community and the Upgrade Your Health Program. If I can change my health one small step at a time and have lasting results, I know you can too!
What we think becomes our reality. Good news! We can change our thoughts and our life one small step at a time!-Kim Otto
Â
Follow through is over 9 times more likely with accountability.
Even though we may dismiss or find accountability annoying at times at our core being, we need it to be our best selves. Our parents were our first accountability partners helping us grow up brushing our teeth and teaching us the importance of fruits and veggies. All we wanted at some point is freedom. But without that accountability and wisdom from our parents who knows where we would be right now. Â If we consider accountability as a positive vibe on being our best selves, it is a saving grace that you can treasure.Â
Being part of a community where you can grow and make small changes will make accountability fun again. Are you ready for an upgrade in your health?
When you dig deep and uncover what is important to you and why, it is easier to follow through with your action steps. Join the community and receive access to Upgrade Your Health videos where you can join other women on their health journey and make a difference in your own life.Â
Learn how to swap out foods for better, lower sugar options with my sugar swap worksheet.
I believe in you and your ability to upgrade your health one small step at a time. Small hinges swing big doors! This is a safe, no judgement zone where you can grow and learn and take action. Don't worry if you haven't been able to take action in the past. We will get to the bottom of it and you will start moving forward in a positive direction. Click on discovery call to fill out some health information and I will contact you for a complimentary coaching call.
