Terri Jones

Part 1 of 3 (Month 1 of Transformation Program)

Hi, my name is Terri Jones, I'm a registered nurse who is separated and looking to make big changes in my life. I met Karla while I was looking for a journal and decided to meet with her to see if she could help me with incorporating big changes in my life. I work night shift, so eating right and finding time to take care of myself is a challenge. Although as a nurse I "know" what I should be doing but really needed help incorporating it into my hectic lifestyle. Oh did I mention that I'm in graduate school pursuing a Masters of Science in Nursing (my life is crazy right now and I didn't think that I could handle anything too stressful)

I recently moved back to NJ and finding time to hang out and have fun has been difficult (to say the least). I love to read, follow political news and enjoy learning new historical facts in my free time. I'm typically a shy person, although I exercise often I'm not a gym person (just prefer to work out at home).

I realized that it was time for me to make changes in my lifestyle when I started to have difficulty sleeping and a general "not well" feeling. I went to my doctor to determine if there was a medical reason for this, had several tests run and was told that there was nothing wrong with me. Honestly, you should have seen me when I got the results I was blown away. How could I feel so bad and there be nothing medically wrong with me. As a healthcare professional I knew that I needed to make a big change in my life or I'd end up on a lifetime of medications (Lipitor, HCTZ) and a host of others that I wasn't ready for.

How could I do this I'm an obese individual who has a slightly elevated cholesterol and blood pressure. What changes could I make in my life? I joined a weight loss program and didn't lose a pound and actually felt worse. How could this be? I was following the program to the letter and had even incorporated exercise in my life. I think meeting Karla was an intervention from above, she taught me that I don't have to really count points, calories, fat grams or whatever and I could still feel better.

Honestly after my first meeting with Karla I was like "what is this chick talking about" but I realized that I needed to make a positive change in my life and I'd give it a try. I incorporated more whole foods into my diet and stopped eating the sugar free, low fat processed foods. I was afraid of the cost of eating this way, because processed foods are cheaper. After a few days I felt a little better, I could finish a 40 minute workout without feeling like I was going to die (yes at almost 300 pounds its a challenge). I started making meals for just me, (not going to KFC and Wendy's) I hate cooking for one but it wasn't so bad. I'm a junk food junkie and I didn't think that I'd last a week eating like this. After just two weeks I lost 4 pounds and I'm sleeping better with more energy than I've ever had. I just made small changes to my diet nothing really drastic, I don't count calories, I don't watch fat grams. I mostly eat whole foods and increased my fruits and veggies and I feel great. I'm looking forward to continuing this journey and hope to share with you all my progress.

Part 2 of 3 (Month 3 of Transformation Program)

I have to say all in all the information that Karla has shown me has been able to work in my lifestyle. I've joined a gym and lost a total of 15 pounds since I started. There are foods that I love now that I wouldn't have ever tried if it weren't for Karla, and kale being at the top of the list. Stir fired kale with quinoa or brown rice is absolutely delicious. There are days when I want to eat crap, especially when I'm having a bad day at work. On one particularly horrible shift a co-worker and I ordered out from the diner, I ordered the roast beef (the crazy thing is that I don't eat red meat regularly). When I woke up the next day I had the worst sinus headache of my life, it took at least a week for it to clear completely.

I've found Karla to be especially inspirational during this process, she has helped me to continue with my goals. Joining a gym was a big thing for me. Honestly I'm still not comfortable doing weight training in front of others, but getting a trainer and making exercise a priority was a huge step. She also let me know that she wasn't perfect, and I tell myself that tidbit every day. With her honesty I learned that no matter what we see, everyone has problems just like we do.

This program has been very helpful to me, and I FEEL different. I tell people every day that sleeping well and feeling less "blah" makes a world of difference, and even if I don't lose another pound, switching my eating habits has helped me tremendously.

Part 3 of 3 (Month 6 of Transformation Program)

When I started this journey in March 2010, I was looking to lose weight and felt that I needed someone there to help me along the way. I met Karla at Staples while I was looking for a journal and the experience changed my life. During the last six months my focus went from weight loss to personal well-being. Honestly, changing my diet has changed my life.

I can currently sleep throughout the night without difficulty
I've learned to manage stress, and I no longer obsess over the smallest most minute details in my life as well as others peoples' lives
I have more energy and I feel great!

Karla's holistic approach has allowed me to change my diet without feeling deprived. As a result, my life has been transformed forever.