Cassandra’s Success Story

Key to Success

Summer is flying by but no worries!  We have more success coming your way.

This week we highlight the success of Cassandra*.  Cassandra is a music teacher who has been married for 30 years, and has two children; a 27 year old daughter and a 23 year old son.  She struggled with being overweight her whole life, and had always been on a diet.  In 1998 she was diagnosed with Grave’s Disease.  She had an overactive thyroid and was treated with radioactive-iodine and then Synthroid.  “I did not believe I could ever lose weight again.  But when my mother passed away 6 years ago from diabetes and heart disease, I felt like I was facing a road block, and I had a choice to make.  I could go right through the road block and fall off the cliff, or turn around and do right by my body.”

When Cassandra started seeing Bonnie, she knew that this time would be different. Of her first appointment Cassandra recalls, “I asked Bonnie if I could have bread, and she said yes.  That made me feel better.”  Cassandra was afraid she would be hungry, but Bonnie explained how eating smaller meals five times a day would keep her satisfied and keep her metabolism moving.  Cassandra’s first appointment with Bonnie was in late December 2008.  She recalls starting her meal plan on January 1, 2009.  “I started the day when everybody starts a diet.  But this meant more.  I was not doing this to be skinny or have new clothes.  I wanted to reverse all the damage.”  And reverse it she did.

For Cassandra, when people at work started noticing her weight loss and she started fitting into smaller sized clothing, she knew she was headed in the right direction.  She had more energy and confidence, as well as self-esteem.  She felt better on Bonnie’s meal plan than on all those other diets she had tried because this plan was personalized to her likes and dislikes, and to her life.  “I was just very proud of myself.  People look at me now and say, ‘You’re still thin!?’ and my answer is yes.  I still want to be healthy.” Cassandra lost 85 pounds but more importantly learned how to make healthy choices and treat her body well.  Even when Cassandra broke her foot last year and was unable to exercise the way she had been, she was able to keep her weight in control and is now fully recovered and back to exercise.  Her new goal is to tone up with strength training exercises.

Cassandra’s advice to others who are starting on their journey is, “Don’t give up.  You deserve it.  If something doesn’t work for you, let Bonnie know and she will work with you.  I did it and so could you!”

See you next Wednesday!

*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of Bonnie’s patients.

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