Get Vulnerable, GO Public: Chris

Most people come to me wanting a new diet or exercise secret they haven't heard before. And sure, there are definitely things I know about nutrition and exercise that can help lose weight. But the one place people forget to look is inside themselves, especially at their thoughts, mindsets, and beliefs. 

Chris is the ultimate testimony of what it looks like to change your mind and see your body change as a result of that. I'm so proud of her and how far she's come in 6 short months with State of Slim and Extreme Weight Loss: Destination Boot Camp. Read her story below.

How did you feel before DBC?

Frankly, I had just about given up on my quest for a sleek, slim body. At the advancing age of 73, I had tried and failed at most of the diets on the planet. I was ready to settle for the body I had and throw in the towel and just be content to be fat. 

I had watched "Extreme Weight Loss" on TV and saw that at the end, the central weight loss individual paid it forward with a week at Anshutz Wellness Center. It was a glimmer of hope, and, when I investigated the wellness center on the internet I decided to call. I signed up immediately and said to myself, "this is the last thing I will try". I entered the program with growing fear and trepidation; after all, I wasn't a young person anymore. . . would I be able to do the program? But, I went anyway and that began the beginning of a new journey.

What was the moment when you actually realized you were transforming?

Actually, I began to shift my brain and transform my dialog with myself the very first session we had with Dr. Holly. She was trying to get Chris and Heidi Powell using Facetime on the classroom TV, when lo and behold!! In they walked to our session and began to speak honestly with us. 

At that moment, I was ready to hear what they shared, but most of all I was struck with their message that one needs to be in integrity with oneself in order to get their mind right. That notion hit me like a thunderbolt, as I realized that I have not lived my life in integrity with my own self. Imagine that! I realized my behavior, my bargaining with myself, my lying to myself was a self-sabotage and kept me from attaining the body I wanted. Integrity with oneself is a core principal for living a life of congruence and truth. I was not standing in my own truth and living from that place, so that was the turning point for me.

How do you feel now?

Oddly enough, my weight loss journey has been steady, but in visiting my physician in early January, I learned that I needed major spinal surgery. After having lost a considerable amount of weight, I was worried that I would have to quit the program, since I would not be able physically to do strenuous workouts anymore. I conferred with Dr. Holly and she assured me that I could continue on the program but she would help me modify it to my specific physical limitations. The doctor told me I could not do strenuous exercise for 9 months to a year after surgery, and I would have to wear a daily back brace to keep my spine healing. All I could do was walk! Dr. Holly helped me realize, even with the restrictions and only walking I could still attain my goals; she strongly believed I could do it. As of this day in early April, now being past surgery for 5 weeks, I am 12 pounds from my goal (!!!) and am walking with joy and with Dr. Holly's encouraging help, I know I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I finally have gotten my mind right and feel healthy and confident. I am finally living in integrity with myself and it fills me with positivity.

What are you most proud of with your transformational journey?

All of the above, really, but in my gut I am proud that I stayed with the program, even when the going got rough. I've never stayed on a weight loss program as long as I've stayed on Destination Boot Camp; I've always bailed after a month or so and beat myself up for being such a failure. With DBC it's such a multi-faceted program and supported me when I needed it, that giving up was simply not an option. And, after 6 months I am almost at my goal and still feeling healthy and strong, is amazing to me. Such a gift it has been for my life. And now, heading to the ripe age of 74, I face my golden years with joy in my heart and a bounce in my walk.

What is the biggest lesson/takeaway you've had through DBC?

I know that I am on my own journey and that I must live from a place of truth and integrity with myself first, because then all else falls in line -- my relationship to my family and my friends all benefit because I am not lying or hiding or coming from a place of fear. I am truly free.