Succeess

By Janet Crouse

Before Starting the Balance Program	After the Balance Program

I tried all the programs and though I managed to lose weight initially, it always came back and more. When my doctor said I wouldn't be able to get the weight off without weight loss surgery, I signed up and went to the presentation at major hospital and filled out the paperwork. The doctors office called and said my insurance wanted me to try 90 days with a nutritionist before they would approve it. I contacted the local hospital dietician and she was unwilling to counsel because she said her findings did not always support what the doctors were wanting to see. Real Living Nutrition was offered as part of the CAM (complimentary alternative medicine) program by my company so I signed up. Working online with Mandy taught me how to eat, what to eat and so much more that I had no idea about such as resistant starches, etc. This was not a diet but a change in lifestyle. My husband and I eat a balanced diet (fish, chicken, beef instead of all beef) and we now eat the proper portion size. I also added exercise: 3 days I walk on the treadmill I started at 15 min at 2.5 MPH and now go one hour at 3.6 MPH on a hill program, 2 days a week I take a 1 hour aquafit class, on Saturdays I walked an hour and laptop swim an hour. I do my exercise at the YMCA at one my lunch 1.5 and come in early to make up the time. This way have don't have excuses after work (tired, errands, other commitments, etc). My employer has been very supportive of my efforts and has been great about giving me time to exercise and my co-workers have been wonderful about supporting my efforts. Sunday I rest.

I think it's really important to get your spouse and family to buy in to your new eating lifestyle, it has been difficult at times for me when invited for dinners or ask to go our to eat. My husband is diabetic and everyone is considerate of this but not so much my efforts. I have stood my ground and now they know that I will simply turn them down if it's not something I feel I can manage to my own satisfaction.

This program provided me with facts and information along with personal feedback and support that guided me to making the right choices that I can life with for the rest of my life.

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