I am very grateful to Kim for being so open and allowing me to share her story! She did the Eat Well package with me and followed the meal plan I created for her. But it's important that you know she truly embraced change from a holistic perspective, beyond just the foods she was eating. She is truly a success as you will see from the list of health benefits she experienced including elimination of acne, improved energy and no more asthma-like symptoms to name a few. I'm thrilled to be able to share her story with you in hopes that it inspires you to take control of your health! Be sure to check out the opportunity to win an "eat well" session with me -- scroll all the way down.
1. What were your main health goals?
My main health goal was to eat a more balanced vegetarian diet. I remember emailing you about symptoms I had been experiencing for what seemed like forever (i.e. shortness of breath, runny nose, increased breakouts, moodiness) and you said that it sounded like I had some food allergies so I was hoping that you could help me with these symptoms as well.
2. What were the top 3-4 changes you made to your diet?
I cut out refined wheat, dairy, refined sugar, and soy. I made sure to drink Lemon & water on an empty stomach every morning. I also bought organic foods and eating less packaged food and takeout.
3. Were there any lifestyle changes you made?
I went off birth control, began using clean products to clean my house, and joy approved organic, clean products on my skin and body. I also started taking the vitamins you recommended.
4. What are the effects of those changes?
Im just going to list the effects of the changes because there are so many:
- Shortness of breath, runny nose GONE! When I went to my doctor prior to seeing you, I was told that nothing could help my shortness of breath so I was prescribed an inhaler which never worked, and I was also prescribed a nose spray for my runny nose instead of figuring out why I had the runny nose. Keeping a food journal allowed me to recognize that I had a runny nose, breakouts and difficulty breathing whenever I had soy. Getting an allergy test (skin test) confirmed that I reacted badly to it.
- Acne breakouts under control.
- Regular periods (My periods were NEVER regular off the BCP)
- Helping me go off birth control without having my face break out
- Brain fog GONE! My ability to function at work has improved. Instead of writing sticky notes to myself and having difficulty remembering the simplest tasks, I can remember them on my own.
- Increased energy I used to drink a venti-sized coffee (20 oz) every morning and a grande (16 oz) at lunch. I now dont even finish my morning coffee (a small mug) and I have green tea now instead of my afternoon coffee. No more hitting the 3:00pm wall.
- Increased libido
- Increased confidence While trying to find a before and after pictures, I noticed that my social media profile pics were either of me walking away from the camera or of my cats. I didnt realize until then that I hated looking at photos of myself.
- People tell me Im just glowing definitely not moody anymore.
- I dont need to snack as much used to crave potato chips daily
- No more inflammation wheat belly has disappeared.
- Hair is silky and shiny skin is less dry.
Anything else youd like to share?
Before I met with you, I wasnt convinced that cutting out certain foods would make all of my issues go away. I thought that if medicine couldnt help me, nothing could but I had to try. I now admit I was completely wrong. Not only does food affect how you feel, it affects your every day. There was a day where I cheated and ate a non-joyous meal and after eating it, I instantly felt awful! My husband also feels like he has more energy, and eating better has definitely helped him out too.
I love the food plan that you created for me - even though you eliminated the bad foods that I liked eating, you found better versions of them for me.
If I were to give any of your future clients any sort of advice, it would be to just follow your advice. When I try to thank you for changing my life and my husbands life for the better, you never take the credit
so I dont think you should take all of the blame if it doesnt work. The reason why I feel the way I do and the reason why its worked for me is because I took every suggestion you made for me, and I did it. Even though you will tell me that it was all me, I do sincerely thank you for everything that youve done!
I plan to have the most joyous summer at my cottage in Muskoka with my fabulous husband and son and as many family and friends that will fit in my cottage!!
ReplyI plan to indulge in healthy desserts and ride my bike all summer
ReplyWow! What a great giveaway! I'm planning on having a joyously healthy summer by purchasing a bicycle, an riding it obviously, continuing eating clean and healthy, making time for a nice walk outside everyday on my lunch break at work and having a GREAT TIME! The weather is finally nice here and I'm so happy! Here's to a great summer and great health!!!
ReplyThis summer, after I finish the 21 day Eat Clean Body Lean program, I'm going to do my best to keep up with everything you taught in the program about eating clean! It's only been 2 days and I already feel lighter and more energized, I want to keep up these habits as long as I can. Even if there is a cheat meal, I will pick up where I left off! Oh, and this summer I want to get more committed to my yoga practice! 3 times per week is my goal. :)
ReplyFalling in love <3
ReplyI am sooo looking forward to summer! Two days ago we got another 8 inches of snow and still had a foot of it on the ground! So needless to say, when spring/summer finally arrives, that fact alone will make me wonderfully joyous!! lol I plan on planting a garden like usual and savoring fresh, organic produce. I will enjoy camping, canoeing and biking with my family and look forward to sitting on my porch swing, sipping homemade lemonade and enjoying the view! :)
ReplyWay to go Kim! My joyously healthy summer will consist of eating fresh berries and delicious peaches, long summer evening walks, and trading in the tv for a stack of books.
ReplyWay to go Kim!!! What an amazing story!!!! This summer I plan to be joyously health with being off work at the school board I plan on being active daily with my children and cook home cooked healthy meals for them! I have signed up for an organic delivery service that will be bringing me and my family fresh fruits and veggies every week! Now I just need the amazing Joy to help me create amazing meals all my family will love!
ReplyI plan on getting out there and enjoying my life, my daughters, and basking in my new found love for all that is joyous and nourishing my body and soul.
ReplyThis summer I plan to maximize every moment with my baby girl, as come September...my mat leave very sadly comes to an end. :( I plan to find the time to read more, to enjoy my backyard more, and to find or create new recipes to use every single vegetable that comes in my weekly organic veggie basket! :)
ReplyThe day I'm finished teaching the next session (I teach figure drawing to foundation-level students), I'll be going to live in a writing studio at Gibraltar Point on Toronto Islands and working on a novel I started last year in Paris (it was a short story but it's grown). I'll be travelling to & from there and my home by bike. I have a cart that attaches to it so I can haul healthy groceries. I also have an allotment in High Park and I grow vegetables from seed for it (and I've been teaching myself how to can and preserve my produce). Last but not least, I'll be visiting both my 90 year old parents in Ottawa a couple of times, as well. Right now everyone in my family is in good health. This was not the case a month ago - suffice to say things have really improved. It's been a long cold Winter. Three cheers for Summer! I'm looking forward to enjoying every minute of it.
ReplyI plan to live joyously all summer. Enjoy, hot yoga on hot days - yoga on parlement hill every wednesday, biking, hiking, climbing and a little work and fully enjoying my time with family and friends and loved ones. oh and most importantly eating healthy as much as possible, with daily juices/smoothies.
ReplyI plan on having a joyously healthy summer by trying to be in the kitchen more and get on top of meal prepping!
ReplyHi Joy, I plan on having a joyous summer by enjoying every last second of it. Every breath I take will be another opportunity for me to be grateful for having such a wonderful life. Summer goes by so quickly, so I will live every day to the fullest. Salut! Sending positive energy your way! Maria
ReplyI am looking forward to a summer spent in my own garden, growing my own organic veggies!
ReplyMy joyous summer will include plenty of regular exercise and continuing to try and make healthy choices for me and my family including no excuses for camping n outings..keepin it wheat free, dairy n sugar free n will plan ahead! Lots of juicing too!!!! And as always follow new tips from your Facebook posts;)
ReplyPart of a healthy summer is walking home (1hr) from work every day.
ReplyI plan on taking advantage of all the wonderful markets in Toronto this summer as often as possible. I also will be taking my toddler to the park every day!!
ReplyI've recently been making some changes to live more Joyously and to eat clean. It's a little overwhelming at times but this site offers so much information and great support. So I plan on checking out the local farmers markets this summer and making more Joyous recipes. I always plan to do this on a regular basis but I don't always have the time. So this summer is the perfect opportunity to to change that and make time for my new joyous life!
ReplyI am looking forwar to having a joyous summer and getting outside for long walks with my dog. I love walking and having her by my side makes walking so much more joyous. I plan to keep eating as per the 21 day eat clean body lean program and continue to do the wonderful exercises that are included in the program and hopefully I can finally shed some of those unwanted unflattering pounds that keep hanging on to my body. I want to enjoy the sunshine that we are going to have and even embrace the long drives home in the hot sun.
Reply"Feel the fear and do it anyway" That's my motto for the summer :) I have been afraid to ride a bike in the city, and learn how to drive but this summer I intend to do both. I've already been riding and at the risk of sounding silly I feel liberated at letting go of the fears that held me back. :)
ReplyShawna! The fear of riding a bike in the city isn't silly! I grew up in the country where there was no one around to bother you if you did anything wrong when you were biking (actually, there was no one around to even see you biking) but once I got to university, I was terrified to ride my bike! I got honked at a few times, smacked the cement my fair share... It was like learning to ride all over again! You can conquer your fears! Just do it in baby steps! :)
Hi Joy, I plan on being outside this summer as much as possible. I got a new dog in January so she is my daily motivation and reminder. I also plan on swimming more and doing summer appropriate things. I say this because I tend to try and go indoors to air conditioned places in the heat. I also hope to not be lazy and juice more often. Great giveaway, I read the other posters and they all have great ideas.
ReplyHey Joy! I plan on doing a lot of hiking with my husband and our pup. Also looking forward to eating local produce! :)
ReplyGonna learn to honor my body and recover from my eating disorder~ This would so help!
Replyi plan to have a joyous summer by trying to cut down on processed foods and incorporating more raw foods into my diet. also by upping the amount of water i drink in a day and committing to exercising regularly.
ReplyI plan on having a Joyous Summer by starting off my mornings with warm lemon water, dry brushing, fresh green juices and smoothies!
ReplyThis summer I finally have my own balcony to start container gardening on. I will joyously devour the bounty that my garden yields and supplement it with wholesome foods now that I finally know how good (and easy to prepare) healthy food is thanks to the EatCleanBodyLean Program. This summer I will figure out how to prepare the healthiest biryani my family has ever tasted (because it is my fave food in the world & I can't imagine life without it) and hope that it tastes as good as my mom's. This summer I will have the energy to bring all my plans to fruition because I will be eating well and eating clean!
ReplyI plan on rock climbing, going to yoga and kick boxing once a week this summer :)
ReplyI plan to join a yoga class, be in the sunshine as mush as possible and take a vacation!
ReplyMy summer will be filled with lessons. I am changing my lifestyle, (my 2013 resolution) and by summertime I wanna be a whole new girl. =)
ReplyThis summer, I plan to enjoy a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables (mmm...smoothies and salads), hike and walk with my family and dog, and soak up some much needed sunshine (vitamin D).
ReplyI plan to have a joyous summer by hitting up my neighbourhood farmer's market every Saturday morning!
ReplyI plan to have a Joy-ous summer by spending more time in the garden growing more of my own produce and cooking more clean meals for friend and family gatherings at my house (get everyone on the wagon!). I am also being more active with my boyfriend (kayaking trips and camping preplanned already!), and we're both working on shedding a few extra pounds and getting into better shape. I'm also moving into a new house (my first!) at the beginning of July. I want to start and keep the house as environmentally friendly as possible, reusable straws and containers, composting, ecocleaning products etc. I want to live my summer starting and maintaining healthy habits that will keep me and my family Joy-ous for years to come! :)
ReplyI plan to have a joyously healthy summer by training for a race and taking advantage of all the fresh produce the season has to offer! And lots of time spent in the great outdoors will keep me pretty joyful too!
ReplyI plan on planting an awesome garden with lots of kale. When time permits enjoy the garden from the deck and walk with my dog :-)
ReplyMy summer goals include getting outside everyday for some vitamin D and excercise, as we'll as eating a colorful, non-processed variety of yummy foods.
ReplyAfter another year abroad, I'll finally be home to spend the joyous month of July with my family. Looking forward to getting my hands on things that are hard to find in Colombia, and baking up some joyous goodies!
ReplyI plan to spend a lot of time running in trails, hugging my children and cultivating my new organic vegetable garden that I'm building in my backyard:)
ReplyI plan on having a joyous summer by doing a gentle candida cleans in June then staying away from refined sugar and sticking to seasonal fruit throughout the summer. I'm also going to cut out dairy 100% over the summer.
ReplyI am in transitional period in my life. I will be moving back to Toronto from San Francisco and will be starting a new chapter in my life, that I welcome with open arms. Life is like a pinball machine, where we are shot off and hit something that rickashades us into something else.....that usually turns out better than we could ever imagine. Therefore we have nothing to fear. My joyous health tips and mantra's keep me centered.
ReplyI plan on having a joyous summer biking with my kids, growing our garden and eating all the delicious fresh food, and enjoying all the sunshine!
ReplyThis summer, I want to remain as active as I have been in the last 3 months. I will be attempting a few new things...I have signed up for some TRX training and I want to make garden boxes to grow fresh produce. Bring it ON!
ReplyI plan on having a joyous summer by FINALLY cutting out the foods I'm 'sensitive' to completely. I'll commit to coming up with recipes for the foods I can eat that will not only be tasty and healthy, but convenient and easy to prepare as well!
ReplyI plan on having a joyously healthy summer by leaning towards a more vegetarian diet, getting outside and being active as much as possible, and practicing gratitude on a daily basis.
ReplyI will be spending the summer enjoying walks with my dogs and rounds of golf with my hubby! I also plan to spend some more time in the forest breathing in all the good vibes from the trees. I loved getting that information from your session in Kitchener :)
ReplyThis summer I will work on getting my pre-pregnant body back as much as I can. I will work on running, writing, and my yoga practice. I will also try and combat my toddler's life-altering eczema with an anti-fungal diet.
ReplyFinding creative ways to bring healthy meals on the yearly canoe trip I take with my partner and puppy!
ReplyI'm going to have a joyously healthy summer by increasing my fruit intake and lowering my chips and chocolate intake! I also want to go jogging more :). - Laura S
ReplyWhat a great giveaway! And as a former co-worker of Kim, I am so proud of her success! To have a joyously healthy summer I plan on doing the 10-day detox again, biking everywhere possible and eating as locally as I can.
ReplyAwesome job Kim! I plan on living joyously throughout the summer by going outside and experiencing nature and not spending all of my days on the couch watching TV.
ReplyCongrats Kim. I plan to live joyously this summer and do everything I have missed out due to past stress and/or health issues (colds) that have made me miss out on the beautiful weather. This summer I wish to develop a healthy understanding of food and how it can help me in my health goals. I want to learn how to develohealthy food habits and to use food as a vehicle for clean living, rather than a dependency situation. I also, want to ride my bike everyday, do yoga, everyday and be grateful for what I have. - Preeti
ReplyMy joyous summer will involve eating (and hopefully juicing!) lots of fresh fruits and vegetables straight from the farmers markets! Can't wait!
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