SUCCESS STORIES

MEET PATRICIA YEAGER

I found out about Dr. Pam Popper when I became a member of The Wellness Forum. My instructor in the Wellness 101 class was Vanessa Chamberlin. In fact I was one of the original students in Vanessa's first class, approximately a year and a half ago.

My eating habits started changing as soon as I started attending Vanessa's Wellness 101 classes. I listened intently when she suggested to the class to make certain changes in our eating habits. One of the first things I did was to get rid of all processed foods in my pantry. She then taught us about the dangers of eating too much animal protein, but by then I had given up all meat, but I was still eating fish. After a couple of weeks of attending class, I stopped eating fish altogether. Even though we were told that you can keep some animal protein in your diet, I made a personal decision not to. The final change in my diet was giving up dairy. I was addicted to frozen yogurt and there was a brand called Golden Spoon that I particularly liked. I was pleasantly surprised that when I tried it months after completely giving up dairy, it tasted SO bad. It was the same for so many things that were a part of my regular diet like soda pop, cheese, yogurt etc. I had heard over and over that your taste buds change but I really didn't believe it until it happened to me. I am now so attuned to my body that when I have that occasional treat, like a candy bar, I can immediately feel my body turning into a sugar craving machine for the next few days. In fact, I used to feel that way ALL the time and I'm so glad I no longer live feeling that way! Usually after the sugar craving, a feeling of sluggishness would follow and I found myself not wanting to do much of anything. I am SO happy not to be in that cycle anymore!!

Probably the most surprising thing I learned in the Wellness 101 class was that I could eat a significantly bigger quantity of the right foods and still lose weight. By learning the RIGHT things to eat you never really over indulge and you feel satisfied. In fact, I feel like I eat all the time and I've never looked better or felt healthier.

I was fortunate that I did not have any pending "medical health problems" and that I was doing this for prevention purposes for my kids and for myself but I was concerned about extra weight I had put on. I definitely have lost weight, I am never tired and I feel good all the time. It is interesting that when you feel this way you notice even more how many people around you are always tired, complaining, have a negative attitude, and are always running to their Doctor to have prescriptions filled for every little ache and pain. I KNOW that a change in nutrition would turn ALL of that around. I want a long life as well as a good quality of life. My mind feels clearer and my body feels healthy. I am never sick and I am never ever tired. I want everyone to feel the way I do which is why I am headed down the path to share this lifestyle with as many people as I can! I feel very blessed to have learned this information before I was in the sick care system and I feel doubly blessed that my children will live their whole lives with these healthy habits!!!

When I was asked what is my favorite dish or food, I can definitely say it's a tie between my morning smoothies and a big brown rice bowl. Both of which are amazing and SO filling!!!!!! Did I mention - I'm never hungry!!

Being a single mom with four children, I do make an effort to get at least 7 hours of sleep and I work out at least 5-6 times a week. I hike, bike, run (well more like a slow jog but at least I try :), attend yoga classes and lift weights. The better you start to feel the MORE you want to do physical activity and you actually see and feel the difference in your mind and body when you don't get the work out in.

When asked how my family and friends have responded to my new habits, I can honestly say "some have and some have not." Sometimes as we know, the people that need the help the most are the most resistant. I have learned that strong arming someone into this lifestyle if they are not ready to hear the information will never work. I have chosen instead to live by example. I think people that meet me and feel the energy and happiness that I exude- largely because of this plant strong lifestyle - will get people who want a change to ask for the help and get educated and make the change. I know for sure if I CAN DO IT anyone can!!!!

Finally, when I was asked what advice do I have for other people who are considering becoming Wellness Forum members, I can say without hesitation there is nothing to lose. Get the education, then decide, make small changes, make big changes, DO something. If you continue to do what you have always done you will continue to get the same results. Why not try something that WORKS!!!

I am very fortunate to have come in contact with The Wellness Forum and Dr. Popper. Everyone should take advantage of the opportunity and make a life- altering decision to not just "look" healthy, but BE healthy!!!!!!