Melissa D.

“The canary yellow tuxedo pants that I bought before I could zip them… the pants that reminded me just how audacious I am in spirit. I needed the pants to remind me, because I spent the last five years lost to who I was and hiding out. Between life changes and unexpected detours, I was unable to manage stress levels and I was on my 3rd Emergency Room visit in less than 3 months due to the toll it had taken on my body. I was eating uncontrollably; as I reflect, I’m not certain I ever really knew how to eat. Sounds so simple really, yet we struggle so much with it. I came across Dr. Ann’s Facebook page at a time when I was most desperate, my digestive health was failing and I was on my way back for another ER visit. Something had to change. Dr Ann evaluated me, and didn’t mix words. I was at the health level of an 80+ year old person, and what’s worse is that I felt like it. She tailored a program to treat my existence, not just my symptoms; because as we know, unless you address the root cause, the symptoms just reappear. I learned about self care and stress reduction (without food). The weight management came next, and again, Dr Ann *listened* to me and tailored the program to address what I needed on an individual level. I owe Dr Ann and Melissa my health. They are the support I needed then, and they continue to be a support system today. I started this journey at 225.8 in February, and at the end of program in April I weighed in at 193.6. During this program I was given the tools necessary to plan and execute a healthy lifestyle. The principles are so simple, I still can’t believe they work (But they do!) When I weighed in this morning, I was 183.8 and that is the lowest I have been since I had my daughter. I am back to hiking and climbing mountains… I like trying on clothes, I have my life back, and I smile the real smile again. And today…. I wore the pants.”