Years of yo-yo dieting, menopause and gradual weight gain took control of my 60-year old body. I had been a competitive cyclist, a runner (albeit not the fastest runner in the world), but it had gotten to the point that every step I ran was painful. I had regressed to 2-minute running/1-minute walking for my long-distance runs. Each of those running minutes was agony. In January 2016, I ‘ran’ my slowest half marathon ever in just under 3 hours. On top of that, I had a closet full of clothes I could no longer wear. I was depressed, tired and feeling hopeless. I had hit my wall.
My wonderful practitioner had sent a postcard about the SHAPE Program in December 2015, but at that time I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t ready to fail yet another ‘diet.’ By the end of January, I knew that I had to give it a try. I started my SHAPE Program journey, with a most supportive husband at my side. Even though he was skeptical of the lack of carbs, I told him to not worry about it, but to trust the plan. He was the family chef and was very careful to cook to the guidelines in the guidebook. I was so fortunate to have him on my team and not trying to sabotage my efforts.
Ten pounds were released in the first couple weeks. I was feeling so good, I continued on and was able to start Phase III in July 2016 after reaching my goal. Much slower weight loss than most, but in my mind, it was a miracle. In January 2017, I ran that same half marathon 34 pounds lighter and 29 minutes faster than a year earlier. That was a victory moment.
This program has ingrained into me what I should be eating. This is not a diet, but a lifestyle. This is the ONLY time I have ever felt that way about a plan. I am happy to say that I have managed to stay within three pounds of my goal weight. It takes weighing/measuring and commitment to healthy eating, but it is worth it to have ReClaimed my SHAPE and my health again.
I thank God that this program is available and that my wonderful practitioner, Dr. Shelley Radosta, made it available to us in Louisiana.
Some Non-Scale Victories (NSV):
- I feel healthy and strong.
- I can RUN again!
- I don’t feel suffocated by my stomach pushing into my lungs when I sit.
- I can fit into clothes that I had in my attic that I never thought would fit me again.
- I can comfortably sit in airplane seats (as comfortable as anyone can)!
- My thighs don’t rub anymore.
- I don’t feel embarrassed when I see someone that I haven’t seen in a while.
- I have gained back the confidence to know that I can do it! I can!
Submitted by Dr. Shelley Radosta
