I can now eat and have fun and not worry. Thank you Joan of Health!

Highest weight: 175 lbs
Lowest weight: 125 lbs
Height: 5’ 5”

I grew up in a divorced family in the 80’s. By the time I was 8 years old, both of my parents remarried and  I was living primarily with my mother and step father. I would see my dad on holidays and summer vacations. Even though my parents were divorced, they still fought non stop about me and by the time I was 10 years old, I was living full time with my dad and my step mother and step siblings. I was heartbroken to have to make that choice and the only way I felt better was to eat. I didn’t know it at the time but I was eating addictively.

I was 40 pounds over weight by the time I was 12 years old and felt embarrassed and ashamed about my weight. Kids always made fun of me and called me names and worst of all, my stepmother always told me how fat I was and that I would never be slim. I loved food. We didn’t eat a lot of fast foods or have lots of snacks at the house but I remember that I always wanted large portions and always wanted seconds and helped everyone else finish their meals. My step mother was very controlling and I know that deep down inside she didn't want me there and I always felt like it was a competition for her to show me that she was more loved by my father than I was. Something I now know that was at the core of my over eating. I was using food to feel loved because I wasn’t getting it from my own parents… when I was 17, I put on another 25 pounds during summer break . Once again, I was ashamed and embarrassed of my weight but I could not stop eating. For years, I continued to gain weight and topped off at 175 lbs.

Now, keep in mind, I had been on many diets and have read and applied almost every diet out there. I would lose 10 or twenty pounds and get all excited and them a few months later, I would gain it back and an extra 10 more. This was my life for many years. My weight consumed my 24/7.

Finally, I met Joan and she was one of the most authentic and genuine person I have ever met. She made me feel so much better about myself and taught me how it wasn't my fault that I have been on a diet roller-coaster my whole life. She showed me how eating foods with sugar and flour in them and also dairy products were creating imbalances in my brain that was actually making me eat more of the foods that were making me sick and overweight and why I could not control my cravings and insatiable hunger. She taught exactly what and how to eat so that my body and most importantly, my brain chemistry could heal so I could lose the fat and not gain it back. Her coaching helped me get my life back and I am living at my perfect weight and I am healthy and happy and full of energy. I can now eat and have fun and not worry. Thank you Joan of Health!