GoFitLife

I was obese. Just writing the word is painful. I had been dieting for 17 years, and I was still obese. I had tried cutting calories, starving, eating only weird food, and Weightwatchers, three times! I always lost weight. Unfortunately, I always gained back the weight I had lost plus put on 5 or so pounds. I was scared to keep dieting, because I didn't want to gain more weight! Sounds ridiculous I know, but it was true. Dieting and weight gain meant the same thing to me.

Then, I started talking to Heather Gardiner of GoFitLife. She asked me a question that scared me. She said, "Where are you going to be 10 years from now if you do not change the way you live?" The picture that came to my mind was not pretty or healthy. I can retire in 8 years and would like to enjoy my retirement. The picture in my head was of someone confined mostly to the couch because she was just too tired to get up. I decided then and there to do something about my situation.

Before	After

I was scared, and Heather knew it. She was so calm and confident about my weight loss that it was contagious. I began to believe I really could do it. I got excited about changing my life and becoming the person I used to be: athletic, energetic, and fun. So I jumped into HCG and Heather's personal counseling hoping that it would work. My hope soon turned to confidence as I started the program.

Within the first 2 weeks I had lost 14 pounds and 10 inches! This sounds amazing and it is, but this isn't the thing I am the most excited about. Sure I love the fact that I am not hungry. I don't watch the clock waiting for the next meal. I love discovering things in my closet that I can wear now and haven't been able to wear in about a decade. I love the comments people make about the transformation. And the way my husband looks at me and the comments he makes just make me soar. But now after 4 weeks on the plan I have something totally different to be ecstatic about.

I am a new person. Heather has helped me to get to the root of why I have overeaten for so many years. I have changed the way I look at and think about food. Throughout this process, Heather kept saying, "Ya know, it isn't about the food". Well I thought she was crazy. Of course it is about the food. The food is the reason I am fat! I quickly learned what she meant by that statement. It is probably different for each person, but for me, I was using food like a drug. I ate to enhance happiness: "You got an A on your test?", (I would say to my son) "Let's go have ice cream to celebrate". I ate to sedate my depression and sadness. "I had the worst day today at work. How about we go out to dinner?"

Heather has taught me to recognize my foolish use of food. It never really made me feel any better or fixed any of my problems. I will never eat for those reasons again. She has given me tools to combat situations I will encounter in regards to food that really work. I don't have to avoid social situations where there will be sweets and fatty foods. I have learned how to decrease my desire for unhealthy foods.

This all seems like a miracle to me. I cannot thank Heather enough for her coaching me through this process and teaching me how to live healthily again. Like an onion, she helped me to slowly peel away my fear, doubt and self-pity about my situation. I know now I will never be fat again. I am walking steadily toward my goal, which I know I will attain. Each day I feel more powerful about the choices I am making.

~ Cheri

Before	After