
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!
Posted on June 1, 2009 by Sheri Lynn
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