Monica Mueller
Tell us Your Back-story and Some Insight:
I’ve struggled with my weight for 40 years and have been trying to lose weight off and on for the same period. My physical health has suffered with osteoarthritis in my knees now limiting my ability to do physical activities. I have lost and gained back the same 50 pounds at least 6 times.
What Circumstances Lead you To Join Balanced Habits:
I had participated in Balanced Habits 3 years ago and was successful. Then my Mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer and the stress and emotional toll involved, with the 2 plus years of caregiving, had me reverting back to my main stress reliever, “food for comfort”. Now that my Mom has passed, I felt it was time to get back to what worked for me in managing my weight.
Share Some Positive Impacts of your Experience(s):
I believe the Initial 4-Week program I started with is good training to learn how to eat on the program but personally, having a longer term food coach is very helpful as accountability for me is key.
What Have You Tried in the Past and Why is this Program Different?:
I’ve tried all the major diets IE: weight watchers, Jenny Craig, Medifast and was successful for a time. I didn’t like the cost of the programs and the reliance on purchasing their food products. They didn’t really teach you how to live in the real world. Balanced Habits has taught me how to cook differently, what an appropriate portion size is, how to read a food label to choose products wisely, and how to embrace the 30 minutes or so of feeling hungry before the next mealtime. That 30 minute is when my fat is being used by my body as fuel.
Please Name your Personal Food Coach and Why Having a Coach was a Game-Changer for You?:
Carolyn is my Food Coach. She has been so accessible. I’m not very computer savvy, she was very patient with me when getting me up to speed on doing the food journaling. She touches bases with me every day with some sort of message. When I have questions, she responds quickly. She keeps me on track and notices if I forget to read the daily lessons.
Would You Recommend Balanced Habits to Others?:
I truly believe the Balance Habits lifestyle will be sustainable for the rest of my life. There is a bit of a learning curve to start. My results have been so encouraging. I’m on day 60 and am down 22 pounds. My goal is to lose 20 more pounds so I can get knee replacement surgery.
Please Share a Personal Story about Your Experience to date:
I live on the Washington coast and I wanted a clam chowder recipe after we dug 40 razor clams. Coach Carolyn sent me a BH recipe the same day and let me tell you, it was so delicious.
