Client Success Story: Heidi P.
Heidi P.
Laurinburg, NC
Individual Meal Plan Client (started with 3-month subscription; renewed for 12-months)
"On January 1 (2019) I looked in the mirror and was not happy with how I looked. More importantly, I was not happy with how I felt. Something just felt off. It was clear to me I needed to make some changes. So, I vowed to get serious about self-care.
I consider myself a fit person. I am not a stress-eater. I am a stress-exerciser. I truly believe in the mental benefits of exercise. I am usually training for a half marathon, and I enthusiastically attend AYM Crossfit 3 times per week. So why was I feeling slow, sluggish, and weak? Why didn’t my clothes fit right? A quote I read somewhere popped into my head, “You can’t outrun poor nutrition.” I made plans to change my eating habits.
I thought I knew how to eat properly. Simply take in less calories than you put out. Turns out there was nothing simple about it! I tracked my calories and made what I thought were the best food choices. But my sweet tooth is fierce, and I frequently found myself gobbling candy/cupcakes in the break room or an entire sleeve of Thin Mints. I would log it, berate myself, and promise to do better. I was frustrated and discouraged.
In February people at my gym were talking about how they were eating better with help from Muscles by Madz. Her clients were getting stronger and achieving their goals in the gym, so I decided to ask Madison if she could help me. Best decision ever!
Madison devised an eating plan to fit my life. Some of the changes were difficult at first (I was NOT a breakfast eater). But with her patient support and encouragement I was able to catch on, one meal at a time. (Breakfast is now my favorite meal!) She taught me that when I eat is almost as important as what I eat. She has introduced me to healthy, delicious recipes and new foods. She is a great problem solver and has helped me navigate the tricky food situations like social gatherings, travel, and restaurants. I am never hungry, nor do I feel deprived. Madison paid close attention and adjusted my meal plan as my body needed it.
I feel so much better- not just in the gym, but everywhere! I am making intentional, purposeful, delicious nutrition choices to fuel my body with what it deserves. I am not on a diet. I have changed the way I eat…forever! Thank you, Madison!."- Heidi
Where to begin…Heidi has been a DREAM to work with. For starters, the effort she pours into her workout regimen is remarkable. Between doubles tennis, training for all sorts of races, and consistent attendance of AYM Crossfit workouts – I knew that she a) understood the value of preventative health and b) had the level of commitment necessary to make lasting, healthful dietary changes. However, even knowing this going into our work together, I have been stunned by Heidi’s dedication to making nourishing dietary changes on a REGULAR basis.
Heidi has put great effort into learning the principles that build the foundation of a healthy diet. Her consistency with logging each day’s food and beverage intake in Practice Better has afforded me many opportunities to explain such principles – something I only have to do once as she makes the change immediately and never reverts back to old, unhealthful habits. Heidi actually did SUCH a great job at making positive dietary changes that she lost ~15 pounds in the first 2 months! With a goal to then maintain/build muscle mass and prevent any further weight loss, we adjusted her energy needs accordingly. As with her initial meal plan, Heidi did an outstanding job making the modifications necessary to meet her new targets for daily calories + grams of protein/carbs/fat.
Let’s not allow Heidi’s great success to overshadow the challenges she has squashed in reaching her goals. Between travel, neighborhood social gatherings, and somewhat of a home remodel, Heidi has encountered numerous events that could have been considered obstacles to healthy eating. Not to Heidi! When flying across the country, she carefully followed my recommendations to eat breakfast before leaving the house, pack appropriate snacks for the plane, etc. She remained mindful of her dietary choices while out of town, while allowing herself to be conservatively flexible at times (whether this meant enjoying whatever meal the host served, embracing the signature dish at a restaurant, or partaking in an extra sweet treat since it was vacation!). The beauty here was that she also remained committed to her workouts, which helped stabilize her energy balance. When attending various social gatherings, Heidi holds her focus by minding proper portion sizes and thinking through her body’s needs at that particular time (based on activity level, time of day, etc.). When groceries became scarce due to her home remodel, Heidi did not use this as an excuse to eat out or make poor dietary choices. Instead, she scoured the pantry and found some non-perishable foods that were still nourishing and would enable her to stay on track to achieve her goals!
Heidi’s enthusiasm for healthy eating has sparked an interest in others at her crossfit gym, as well as re-invigorated my passion for showing others the light. I look so forward to each of our weekly calls as I get to hear a new success report, respond to insightful questions, or a number of other positive things. Thank YOU, Heidi, for your unwavering commitment to bettering your own health and for inspiring others around you to do the same! 😊