
My Turning Point
Two things triggered my turning point - first I got on the scales one morning to discover I'd gone over the 100kg mark which prompted me to seek the services of a personal trainer for the first time in my life. Then a massive personal tragedy occurred that really shook my world – my husband of 32 years had a fatal heart attack right before my eyes. For 2 years I did not cope, maybe because I had spent the previous 50 years making sure that I did cope! I was on sick leave for 8 months & then I left the job I had been doing for 26 years. During the first year I became acutely aware of the need to improve my health so that I did not deprive my family of another parent/grandparent. So began a serious health regime. I followed a strict eating plan and a rigorous exercise programme. Within about 6 months I was 80kgs and I was delighted but my goal was 70kgs. For the next 4 years I hovered between 78kgs and 83kgs but never reached my 70kgs goal.
"I had become obsessed with counting calories,
reading food labels and going
to the gym"
Two years after my husband passed away I decided it was time to return to my previous form and ‘cope’ again. So I enrolled full time to complete my degree in nutrition. Soon after this I discovered Marc David and read his bestselling book ‘The Slow Down Diet’. It was a complete revelation to me. I realised that since I had reached 80kgs I had put all my energy into trying to get to 70kgs – without success! I had become obsessed with counting calories, reading food labels, going to the gym and getting nowhere. What a waste of energy! I followed Marc David for a while and became very interested in his teachings at the Institute for the Psychology of Eating, based in Colorado. I was so impressed with Marc David and the Institute that I decided to enrol in the Institute’s Coach Certification course and I haven't looked back since. To find out what I learned click here.