In the middle of March 2020, the beginning of the pandemic, I was working from home and depressed. As an extrovert with an underlining medical condition, this isolation was hard on me. I would order all types of candy from Amazon to munch on. Soon I had put on 15 pounds and even my relaxing clothes were starting to be tight on me. I was miserable and my acid reflux was out of control. I was desperate to lose weight. I started searching online for what someone had approached me before for a weight lost program from Thrive market. Instead I found Stephanie from Thrive Health & Wellness and I started reading all the success reports from her clients. I reached out to Stephanie and asked about the quick weight loss program from Thrive. She informed me she was NOT the same thing, that she is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, and that she would help me lose weight and obtain health with eating right and exercise. At first, I was not happy because I wanted something quick to eat and lose weight, but I reluctantly agreed to join her program. I have worked with a health coach before, but we only spoke every two weeks. Stephanie kept saying she would be with me every step of the way on a daily basis. 

The good thing is from my work before I knew about clean eating; I just had to get back to doing it. I challenged myself to walk 10,000 steps a day and start back inline skating. Soon the weight started coming off and I started feeling better. Stephanie worked with me on what foods were causing my acid reflux so I wouldn’t have to take my medication anymore. When home swimming pools opened, I started back teaching driving from home to home and then off to teach inline skating. Stephanie got me to pack healthy snacks and food to eat in between homes so I wouldn’t stop at 7-Eleven and eat junk food which was my go to when I needed something fast. After several months, I started walking 11,000+ steps a day and the weight continued to drop off. I rarely have acid reflux problems now and a constant stomach pain I used to have I have no more either with the less weight. I have more energy and am finally back to getting lots of things done during the day instead of just wanting to nap.

 After 12 weeks I am down 28 pounds! Even though I still have a long way to go, Stephanie definitely has been there with me every step of the way. I feel great in my smaller clothes and I never feel hungry or deprived. I told Stephanie yesterday that my goal now was to walk in a swimming suit without my thighs rubbing together. I signed up for another 12 weeks and am confident that I will get to my goal. Stephanie said she would continue with me when the pandemic is over to help me stay at my goal weight when I am back in the office which always caused me to stress eat. I look forward to the even new improved me.

Carla, Age 62