Jackie’s Story

September 2, 2015Samantha Koellhoffer Leave a comment

Jackie always struggled with her weight. She tried Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig…you name it. They were all successful at first, but never for the long haul.

At 61 years old, she thought she was too old to lose weight. Then she heard of Mind Body and Soul Fitness through some friends.

Jackie had her appointment set. She was ready to begin. Then the unthinkable happened. She broke her leg! It was a bad break and it required surgery. She would be out of commission for weeks and weeks.

The owner of Mind Body and Soul Fitness said she could still do the plan. They talked over the phone about what Jackie would need to do. She began the week after her leg surgery.

Jackie lost 19 pounds in 8 weeks. While not being able to move! In the past, she did high impact aerobics up to four times a week and still was not losing. Sometimes she even gained. Now, without being able to exercise, or even walk for that matter, she lost weight! And she lost it fast. She was shocked.

The water helped the inches melt away. Her face, her waist, her shoulders – all reduced in size.

She looks younger and she feels younger.

Jackie followed the plan to the letter. She did not cheat. She was strict, especially since she could not exercise.

People find it hard to believe that diet alone can shed the inches and pounds. Jackie is proof that with the right diet, it can be.

There were other factors, too. Having a personalized weight loss coach was very helpful. Her coach offered guidance and help with losing the weight and now with keeping the weight off. Knowing that someone was watching and paying attention made her strive to be extra good! Also, writing down her foods and sending in her scale pictures really kept her in check, too.

Jackie was never hungry while on plan. She credits that to the right foods and the eating that was spread throughout the day.

She was a tight size 10. She is now a comfortable size 8. Her stubborn belly fat is gone. Before the plan, she was on two medications for high blood pressure. After the plan, her pressure was so low that her doctor eliminated one of the medications!

The plan works at any age. The plan works for any fitness level – or in Jackie’s case – no fitness level! Jackie plans to add some exercise into her life once the doctor gives her the ok. It’s nice to know, though, that she can work out now on her terms.

Instead of being in a full leg brace and sitting home and gaining weight and feeling depressed, Jackie took back control of her life and health. She has never been happier.

If you want to lose weight the healthy way, cook your own foods, have the support of a private coach in your corner every step of the way, then you are in the right place. If you want to avoid crowded meetings and pre-packaged foods, look no further. If you want to be like Jackie, then contact Mind Body and Soul Fitness today. Yes you can!

What’s YOUR Story?

September 1, 2015Samantha Koellhoffer Leave a comment

Do YOU have an interesting story to tell? Would your journey help someone else?

If so, then I want to hear from you!

Personal stories are the heart of Mind, Body & Soul Fitness and I want to help share your story. Whether you have lost 5 pounds or 50, your experience may help someone else.

If interested, leave a message here or send an email to samantha.mindbodysoul@gmail.com. I will then set up a phone interview with you at your convenience.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Peg’s Story

August 29, 2015Samantha Koellhoffer Leave a comment

In June of 2014, Peg threw out all her small clothes. She was tired of them hanging in her closet never to be worn. Enough was enough.

A month later, she happened to be flipping through the Penny Power. She saw an ad for fitness for overweight and out-of-shape women. Something about that ad spoke to her. She called the next day.

Peg started with Boot Camp at Mind Body & Soul Fitness. She had no idea it was Boot Camp, though! She thought it was just a really cool workout class. When someone told her the name of it, she almost fell over! She was in no shape to be doing Boot Camp! But it was too late. She already was.

After she started seeing results from the exercising, she decided to incorporate the food plan as well. In 9 months, she lost 74 pounds. She is now maintaining and in training to become a weight loss food coach herself.

Peg has fibromyalgia. She has a bad knee. She had a list of reasons as to why she could never be in shape and fit. None of them mattered once she started to believe in herself.

There were times when it was very frustrating. There were times when she wanted to give up. Then she would turn to her family for support and they were always there. She would turn to peers, co-workers and her church for support. She learned that everyone wanted to see her succeed.

Her weight loss coach reminded her constantly of how far she had come. She checked and double checked Peg’s food logs to make sure they were accurate. She offered alternatives when Peg plateaued. All of that support and accountability helped Peg get there where she wanted to be.

Peg was an 18/20. Now she is a size 6. She had to buy all new clothes to replace the ones she gave away and the ones she outgrew.

Her husband has jokingly said that he feels like he is cheating on his wife with the new Peg.

At their mountain house, Peg can now climb the hill to get in the door. She does not even think about it. There was a time, though, that she would have to stop and make a conscious effort to get up that hill.

Peg is still in Boot Camp. With that belief in herself, she is in the best shape of her life.

Mind Body & Soul Fitness has changed Peg’s life. She was a woman who could barely do one sit-up. When she said that to someone, they helped her do 50! And then they took a break. And then she did 50 more. She felt empowered. She felt strong. She felt in control!

If you want to lose weight the healthy way, cook your own foods, have the support of a private coach in your corner every step of the way, then you are in the right place. If you want to avoid crowded meetings and pre-packaged foods, look no further. If you want to be like Peg, then contact Mind Body & Soul Fitness today. Yes you can!

John’s Story

August 25, 2015Samantha Koellhoffer Leave a comment

One morning, not that long ago, John almost did not wake up. When he did, he felt a shooting pain that went all the way down to his toes. He knew then that something had to change.

John never had a weight problem until he was in his 20’s. It crept on slowly and before he knew it, he was in trouble. He then tried every diet in the book. None of them worked for him.

Luckily, John had a friend who happens to be the father of one of the Mind Body & Soul Fitness food coaches. So he knew where to go when the going got tough.

120 pounds later, John is in control of his life again!

John is not losing the weight alone. His wife and daughter prepare his food for him and make sure that he is never caught my surprise. As a truck driver, he does not have the luxury of knowing exactly where each meal will be. So he makes sure to be ready for whatever comes his way. He packs his cooler each day with healthy food, snacks and plenty of water.

John’s other secret weapon is his personal food coach. She is there for him day and night. She helps with motivation, recipes, encouragement and kindness. She does not judge and she is not harsh – she is honest and straightforward and supportive. She holds him accountable for his actions.

“If you want it enough, it will work” is what John says to anyone who asks how he has managed to lose so much weight. He has his “teenage legs back” and is no longer afraid to go to bed at night because he can walk up the stairs with ease (not so before) and he is fairly certain he will wake up in the morning!

John used to eat McDonald’s two to three times a day. He used to retain water in his feet which was very uncomfortable. All of that is behind him now.

A few months ago, John got his old bicycle out of storage to see if he could still ride. He did not have a helmet or any kind of gear. Sure enough, he fell face first on the trail. In front of his daughter, no less! He felt silly.

So what did he do? He got up. He bought a helmet. Eventually he bought a new bike. And in August of this year, he rode 62.9 miles in ONE ride. Last year this time, there is no way he could have done that.

Recently at work, someone asked, “Are you the same guy that used to come in here?” His changes are so drastic that he is not even recognizable to some people anymore!

John still loves his coffee. He also still loves to have a treat once and a while. His coach asked if he was ready to stabilize his weight, but he said no. He wants to lose more before he focuses on keeping it off. Probably about 60 pounds or so.

If you want to lose weight the healthy way, cook your own foods, have the support of a private coach in your corner every step of the way, avoid crowded meetings and pre-packaged food…if you want to be like John, then contact Mind Body & Soul Fitness today. Yes you can!

Sarah’s Story

August 22, 2015Samantha Koellhoffer Leave a comment

Sarah spent her entire life overweight. At 5’11”, she was used to being perceived as big. After all, with all that height, she was bound to stand out in a crowd. But she did not always want to stand out.

This past January, her grandfather passed away and it was a very painful time for her. She was forced to realize that people do not live forever and that she might not have unlimited time to do all she wanted to do.

Two months later, in March of 2015, Sarah finally had the courage to call Mind Body & Soul Fitness. 94.4 pounds later, she is so glad she did!

Sarah still has more weight to lose. The athlete in her is coming back…and so is the confidence and pride that she had in her younger years.

The accountability that Mind Body & Soul Fitness offers is what makes the difference. It is why Sarah feels she can share her story, even though she has not yet reached her goal. Having a person in her corner, cheering her on, encouraging her has made all the difference. She is forever grateful for the plan and for her coach. Her coach holds her accountable and now she has learned how to hold herself accountable, too.

It took her shedding 60 pounds before she was comfortable going to the gym. In the past, she would drive to the gym and sit in her car. Now she goes several days a week. Parks her car and walks right in to work out. Her clothes are loose, she is more self-aware and mostly everyone has noticed the new Sarah.

There was a time, a few months back, when she had a bad day. Work was stressful and things were just not going well. All she wanted to do was have an ice cream. That was how she dealt with stress in the past.

This time, though, she knew that she had to find another way. She had to teach herself how to live in the world without turning to food for comfort. She had to shift her mindset. She never did have that ice cream.

The diet is not forever. The pride is, though.

For the first time since her daughter has been alive, Sarah’s family is having Christmas portraits done this year. She is not embarrassed anymore.

Sarah knows the hard part is yet to come. She knows this is a battle that she will have for the rest of her life. She also knows now that she can do it.

For her, as for so many, it is not just about losing the weight. It is losing the weight and keeping it off.

Life has become so much easier since she made the decision to lose the weight.

One of Sarah’s favorite parts of the plan is that she can weigh in at home, and not in a public setting. When she meets with her coach, it’s for pictures and measurements, but there is not a scale in sight!

Her advice? Plan your menus. Utilize your coach. Be honest. Don’t cheat. And if she can do it, so can you!

Sarah is transforming into a new person. Stay tuned for the rest of her story.

If you want to lose weight the healthy way, cook your own foods, have the support of a private coach in your corner every step of the way, avoid crowded meetings and pre-packaged food…if you want to be like Sarah, then contact Mind Body & Soul Fitness today. Yes you can!

Lesia Petrizio

Weight loss and behavior modification

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