Maria

I have been struggling with my weight for the past 12 years mainly due to my three biggest challenges; starting college, getting married and having children.

The first year of college was the first time I had really noticed a huge difference in my weight. Then after I got married, I never exercised, and I felt that all we ever did was go out for dinners and entertain, everything was always about food. I quickly discovered how much I loved food and how easy it was for me to over indulge. In time, this lead to a huge increase in weight.

My turning point finally came as I reached my last challenge and that was after having my second child. Being in my 30’s and after having two children my weight reached an ultimate high of 180 lbs. This was definitely and eye opener for me and I was very afraid of not being able to loose my weight. I reached a point where I hated looking at myself in the mirror; I hated to go out in public and nothing I wore ever looked right. I would look at myself in disbelief as I couldn’t even bend down to tie my shoes without struggling, and I couldn’t even see my knees anymore! The worst part of it was that I was very depressed, and moody all the time and the ones that noticed it the most were my children and husband.

This lead me to research help and I came across Karen’s website so I decided to hire her. I was a little skeptical at first because the trainers/nutritionists that I worked with in the past really restricted my food. My first comment to Karen was; “Please work with me as hard as you want but please don’t take away my food”. I was so afraid of hitting that yo-yo – diet – binge cycle again resulting in weight gain. I didn’t know about mindful eating and the term nutrition until I met Karen. Karen had personalized my meal plan for my family and me and most importantly taught me about mindful eating. She educated me in so many ways. I quickly realized that to lose weight without obsessing about food had noting to do with taking food away but about adding food!

In addition to Holistic health coaching, Karen worked with me in my weight training for several months. Karen showed me and taught me more than I ever thought possible. She introduced me to weight training, (which I knew nothing about), and she taught me to eat healthy and she kept me motivated. Although the workouts were challenging, she always made them interesting as she used a variety of training techniques and something new each week. Karen is also very good at celebrating progress no matter how small or big. Seeing her enthusiasm with my progress only encouraged me to continue. She is definitely a true motivator and supporter. Because of Karen I now enjoy working out, I find it very empowering and now I look forward to working out.

Since I have lost the weight and have developed a healthier relationship with food, I feel my best, I’m healthy, I have energy for my children and I feel happy and at peace. Since I have been happier I have noticed that my children are happier and nothing can beat that. Since I have been working with Karen, three of my friends are following in my footsteps as they have witnessed how healthy and happy I am in my new lifestyle.

Thanks a million Karen!! I could not have done this without you!

Before Weight: 180 lbs
After Weight: 125 lbs

Body Fat Before: 41%
Body Fat After: 23%