In 1997, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. When conventional medicine made me sicker than the symptoms I was trying to manage, I began my lifelong study of alternative therapies which enlightened me to the importance of our food choices, lifestyle and mindfulness. Upon achieving more functionality than the prior 10 years of only using conventional medicine, I became a Health and Wellness coach.
A positive mindset and striving to be better than yesterday are driving forces for me to continue through life’s challenges. I find expressing myself through the arts: singing, dancing, and creating (painting, sewing, building/ home repairs) a powerful way to release any tension built up over the day.
My Experience with The Metabolic Method…
With the diagnosis of MS my focus was on increasing my functionality; decreasing my pain, and improving my energy. During that process the weight started increasing.I tried other programs with the hope losing the weight would help. I rarely lost more than 20 pounds. And even though I was eating “healthier” foods I wound up weighing more than before the journey to lose weight.
In 2005, under the coaching of Lydia Martinez, I was able to lose 100 pounds. I maintained the weight loss for 3 years. I started experiencing major stress; plus I had 5 surgeries in 3 years. Over the next 6 years I re-gained 70 lbs. I tried re-adjusting the food and lifestyle choices I made to those that provided me with success years earlier; nothing happened. I was becoming more miserable. In addition, due to my own declining health I stopped coaching others.
Besides the weight, I was plagued by a rash over various areas of my body that after two years still was not responding to medical interventions. My fatigue was through the roof, and I was unable to function in temperatures above 72 degrees without a cooling vest. It seemed as if my future was going to be long and unfulfilling with little ability to really enjoy life or future grandkids.
I was so miserable in my skin and body I reached back out to Lydia, who no longer lived in the same state as me. I learned about the Metabolic Method. In 6 weeks of following the guidelines my rash was 90% healed! The fact that my rash was finally healing motivated me more than anything else. At 12 weeks I had released 30 lbs!
Today, I feel so much better. My rash is 98% healed (I learned ingredients made with corn and gluten will aggravate the rash.) My muscle pain is gone so I can exercise. My energy is so steady that I no longer needs naps or huge amounts of caffeine. The most aggravating symptom of heat intolerance has diminished. Now, I only wear the cooling vest in humidity above 40% or when going on a 24 mile bike ride. Currently, I have released 63lbs. The last time I felt this good, was in 1996.
All this was accomplished with zero face to face meetings. A detailed online educational program including exercise videos, daily interaction with an online support group, and weekly live calls with all the trainers allowed me to succeed. The program did more than heal my body, it also healed my mind and spirt.
Why I chose to become a Certified Coach in the Metabolic Method?
My own challenges and success with the Metabolic Method allows me to understand what a client might experience on their journey. It worked for me when everything else failed. Because of that, my passion to inspire and empower people to live happy, fit lives has been rekindled.
The development of materials combined with the marketing tools necessary as an independent coach takes a lot of effort. After evaluating the developed system, the support materials provided to the coaches, and knowing that they greatly impact the success for the client, there was no hesitation- I desired to be a Metabolic Method coach.