Ellen’s Story

When I first met Tracie I was 23, strong, college educated and working as a personal trainer. Despite hours in the gym, extensive reading and smart eating, I struggled with weight and body image. Frustrated with my own devices, I was referred to Tracie in November of 2010. I opened my life to Tracie starting with the struggle to lose weight despite regular, intense exercise and eating well. I had been experiencing hormonal imbalances with various side effects, one being daily fatigue after sleeping at least 8 hours a night. I was impressed with Tracie’s plan of action, which started with an examination of my whole self.

The first steps were easy: take my temperature every morning, add natural sweetener (honey) to coffee instead of artificial (sugar free vanilla syrup) and eat balanced meals (less protein focused with the addition of gluten free healthy carbs). Wow! Nothing physical happened right away, but I learned to listen to and understand my body by watching patterns develop in how I slept, my energy level and general health.

Tracking temperatures and other various symptoms for months motivated Tracie to encourage me to talk more to my ND about a prescription for a low dose natural thyroid medication. Wow! I started feeling better but still saw NO change on the scale. I had to be strong and stick with it knowing that eventually there would be good measurable advances. Trust me, it was not easy; my body needed to heal and repair, and it was not a quick process. Tracie played a vital role in my progress as she counseled me through the winter/spring of 2011 by adding new information and enforcing the plan we crafted together.

January 2011—no change in the scale!  Have I said “Wow?” That was the turning point. I was exercising too much, stressing out my body AND burning muscle instead of fat. Talk about finding the mental switch to make that transition, especially as a personal trainer at a local gym with a solid practice. I changed my life thanks to Tracie and her participation in my success. I did pay attention to food, its preparation and consumption, but I also stopped exercising at crazy­ levels of intensity and learned to go on walks as well. So, I walked, enjoyed fresh air and listened to my body about eating. Yep, it worked; Tracie recommended long walks and the scale finally changed in February of 2011.

It is easy to keep the weight off now that I have lost it. The past several months since I lost the last five pounds, I have actually only varied a half pound, if any, on the scale when I weigh myself—which I think it pretty neat. To date, I have lost 20 pounds! I can’t believe that is right; it’s such a large number and living in my own body I am not that conscious of it until I see pictures or think about the scale number.

I learned it is not only about what you eat, but how you feel about what you are doing. What and how you are eating can be influenced by your job, relationships, and lifestyle. My life was not what I wanted it to be. The scale changed and so did I. In fact, I am now working for Jordandal Farms at the farm, farmers’ market and their new cookhouse in Verona.  My journey is life long and I know that. For me it’s not all about working off the weight or getting stronger. It’s about what I consume, where it comes from, slowing down and making lifestyle changes that affected all aspects of my life. Without Tracie and a commitment to show her my entire life, I would not be in control of my body or my life.

Before                                                                                After