I DID IT!

I have been blessed to touch many lives and in many different positive way. My inspiration is an outcome of my personal and professional experiences. My gratification is the ongoing success my clients and members continue to experience. We mature into an ongoing and everlasting process. We continue to learn, experience, and experiment. Hence, I am included in this journey.

Nutrition, physical, and emotional state of mind has always intrigued me and has played a major part in my life on many levels.

A year after I graduated from the university, my son who was eighteen months at the time, was diagnosed with Type I diabetes. He is now 26 years old. Three years ago, he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and required a complete thyroid removal. Two days prior to his Thyroid surgery, he was having his wisdom tooth removed. I recall, going in to check on him after the dental assistance came out to the waiting room and inform me the procedure is complete and he is waiting for the release by the Dentist. I was surprised to see my sons' confused and worried look. Apparently, the dental assistant had her Thyroid removed. Easy to notice from the scar across her neck. She proceeded to explain her weight gain, lack of energy and depression as a result from her Thyroid removal and imbalance hormones. I think this was a blessing for us. As we stepped into the parking lot, he said”, Mom, I am so scared I am going to be like her.” I said”, that is a choice you make. “You will need to understand it will be difficult until your body adjust, but do not allow yourself to rationalize laziness and to eat out of your norm due to the removal of your Thyroid. Since then, he has competed in over 50 Spartan races, in addition to running 50 miles through Nicaragua’s Volcano twice.

About seven years ago, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease. Hashimoto’s is a disease leading to an under- active Thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). Hypothyroidism leads to weight gain, lethargy, hair loss, brittle nails, and other things that science has not yet discovered. Like my son, I must take Synthroid every day for the rest of my life

My son and I chose not to use the disease as a reason to be overweight and unhealthy.

How many times have I heard about the 30, 40, or more pounds women put on post-partum?

When I proceed to ask how old their child is, it is no surprise when they respond, "My kid is in college". The weight gain may be an exaggeration, but I doubt it is as exaggerated as the weight put on due to pregnancy. Women become a tad too self-entitled regarding weight gain during pregnancy, more importantly to keep it on post-partum. My four kids are a blessing, and I didn't want or need the self-entitlement, so many women feel they have earned to gain weight due to their pregnancy.

There seems to be so much talk and writing about eating past a certain time. It is not ideal to eat late in the evening due to the high calories consumed in addition to dinner. You have a reasonable dinner and then gorge on comfort food laden with carbohydrates, sugar, and fat, after dinner. On the contrary, snacking before you sleep can help keep your metabolism working and stabilize blood sugar levels during the night. The recommended pre-bedtime snack is around 200-300 calories, mainly protein an no simple carbohydrate.

At one point in my career, I worked the evening shift at the hospital and got home at 10:00 PM. I can assure you I did not go to bed on an empty stomach.

This book is not a magic pill or the answer to why some lose weight and others do not. It is not the final answer to an unhealthy lifestyle or behavior, which set you up for failure. It is a logbook of strategies geared to the individual. This book is a complete lifestyle makeover. You are actively writing your personal reasons and ideas. Therefore, becoming aware on what has not allowed you to be mentally and physically healthy.

The strategies will assist in recognizing behaviors and raise awareness that will be conducive to your overall success. Strategies are not limited to dietary habits and formulating a meal plan. You will be able to relate it to the different parts of your life.