Donna B – “I love the way I feel!”

Donna on vacation

My path to Genesis started last summer after a social occasion at a local lake. The first thing that crossed my mind before going was ‘what am I going to wear?’ It’ was so hot and I wanted to wear shorts and a tank top but I just couldn’t do it. My weight was at an all time high, none of my shorts fit me (again), and even if I could squeeze into them, I’m not comfortable baring my legs.

My health was holding me back and I was tired ALL of the time. I missed social occasions because I was either too tired to attend or too worried about what others would think about my weight. Worst than all of this, though, was the fact that I was living in a constant state of ‘mind fog’, which affected nearly every aspect of my life. When I wasn’t working or sleeping you could usually find me lying on the sofa with the remote control and a box of crackers . . . not good.

I attributed the way I felt to aging. I noticed a big change after the age of 45. I couldn’t lose weight the usual way (i.e., calorie restriction), I suffered anxiety and depression, and I had very little energy for anything other than work and the basics of keeping a home. I had the ‘Big 3’ — significantly overweight, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I was 53 and felt lousy most of the time.

Then one day my friend Lisa mentioned that she wanted to lose weight and knew I had wanted to do the same thing and asked if I wanted to buddy up and try something together. I told her if I could find something different than what I had done before that I would try, but I didn’t even want to lose weight if I was just destined to gain it back anyway. Typical of many women my age, I’ve lost the same 15-25 pounds 7 times since I was 13; 1968, 1973, 1975, 1978, 1984, 1989, and 1996, each time gaining back just a little more than my previous high. By 2008 I was 45 pounds heavier than I want to be.

We found Genesis through a referral from my hair stylist, Peter. He had mentioned to me a year or so ago about a plan his wife Jayla was in that was ‘really different’ and provided ‘amazing results’. Peter gave me the website and I started reading. Then Lisa started reading. If wasn’t long before we both knew we wanted to find a coach and get going.

I know I’m on the right path now. This lifestyle is so different than anything I’ve done before and the changes I have made have literally changed my life. I have NEVER been able to stick with anything before for more than two or three months. I’ve been doing Genesis since August 2008. Diet AND exercise? No way! I was always too tired to even THINK about exercise if I couldn’t eat. Now I have Genesis and I can eat a very wide variety of WONDERFUL foods. I have more than enough energy to exercise and I feel more powerful and alive every single day.

I think for me it was learning to eat the right way that has really made a difference. It is about WHAT you eat and not just the calories. The right ratio of macronutrients fuels this engine in a way I didn’t think possible. After just a week or so eating good food and drinking lots of water I started to get so much energy I honestly just couldn’t believe it. I had some challenges in the beginning trying to figure out my daily menus, shopping more, cooking more and making time for all of these things, but for the most part, I felt so darned good I thought the extra effort was worth it right from the start. Not to mention the fact that I had the energy to do everything again.

My metabolism was pretty much gone when I started and I had to get to a place where my body ‘trusted’ me that I would stay well nourished, well hydrated, and thinking straight before it was ready to start burning extra fat for fuel. I was in fueling for 4 months, got up to 2,500 calories a day and lost 2 pounds during that phase. I’ve been in rotation since mid December and I’ve lost a total of 15 pounds, about a third of the way to my goal. I had a week’s vacation last winter that caused me to backslide a bit but once I got home I got right back on track — no problem!

For me Genesis is about thinking CLEARLY for the first time in years. I am on the right path and I feel fantastic most of the time. I honor my body’s need for clean fuel and lots of water. I honor the Genesis community. The wisdom I have gained from the many posts in the forum and the people I have met have helped me to make it through some tough spots. Lisa is a constant source of inspiration, and Sheri (my coach) will not let me settle for anything less than sublime health. I am stronger than I’ve probably ever been in my life. Nutrition, exercise, and the right frame of mind — powerful mojo!

I love this way of life because I love the way I feel. My cholesterol dropped 90 points after 3 months of fueling, my blood pressure is nearly normal, I don’t engage in negativity, and I smile … A LOT! Am I ready to stroll around in a bikini yet? No. But I’m strong and healthy and excited to continue living this way forever. Life is just full of possibilities now!