I see lots of people every day in my practice. Most of them have health issues, and just want to maintain their current status. Only a few really want to become healthy. But the ones that do, inspire me to do my best work…not only with them, but with myself.
Case in point. Over the last year, I watched a woman lose over 100 lbs – her starting weight was 399 pounds. This is a woman with many physical and mental health problems, and frankly, I didn’t think she would be able to stick with a plan. However, she asked for assistance and I gave it.
My immediate pleasure at watching her lose a few pounds soon gave way to pure astonishment as month after month the pounds she lost added up. I became her most vocal cheer leader. I cried with her when her loses added up to 100 lbs. Over time we have reduced the amount of medication she is on her blood pressure and her diabetes. As she continues along her path, I fully expect that we will be able to discontinue many of her medications. Obviously…she is doing super!
Watching her change prompted me to reevaluate my own health status. How many extra pounds have I added to my frame in the past 10 years? How come I was not following my own advice about diet and exercise? The truth is, I was blaming it on not having enough time in my life to properly prepare meals, eating on the run instead of sitting down to a meal, and working all hours instead of finding 30 minutes to exercise.
This past June, as I marked another year, I decided it was time for this health care provider to take her own advice and take care of herself. Since June, I’ve released 36 lbs (and counting!). My diet is far healthier and I’m exercising on a regular basis (though not as much as I should). It’s a process I will continue to perfect. My goal is maintain and improve my health as I get older. I want to avoid all medications, all illnesses.
Since I quietly started on my own journey this past June, I have been amazed at the new people who have joined my practice seeking health. People who want to age in a way they will have health and the energy to live an active life. As one woman put it, she wants to have enough sass to be a sassy older woman.
It’s all so exciting. I am currently putting a coaching program together to work with even more women who want to get healthy and who want to grow into their own sassiness.
Let me hear what your greatest needs are in terms of your health. I’m listening.
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