Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I am a wife and mother to two children. I work full time as a marketing manager in professional services. I love cooking, spending time with my family, and cheering our kids on at their sports and activities. I also enjoy working out and maintaining an active healthy lifestyle, including our Tonal and Peloton.
What did your life look like before Stronger U?
Before Stronger U I found myself at a weight I had never been before. I felt unhappy with what I saw in the mirror and I didn’t like how I was physically feeling. I thought I ate pretty well, but in reality, I’m sure I was splurging more than I wanted to admit to myself.
Over the the last few years I found myself in a cycle where for a long time I would be very consistent with my fitness and healthy eating and I would be at a weight I was happy with and liked the way I looked and felt, and then something would shift in my life and I would completely fall off the wagon and need to start over. I felt like was on a hamster wheel.
I really started to notice a change in myself in 2020 after spending a few months in quarantine and lockdown during the height of the pandemic. That time caused me to fall into some bad habits and I wanted to make a change! I wanted to lose weight, be healthier, and feel proud and confident.
I wanted to show my children that Mom feels good and model what that a healthy and strong person looks like. I had tried, with some success, to lose weight in the past, but I didn’t want to waste time dabbling around with it on my own.
What does your life look like now?
My journey with Stronger U and my coach has been life-changing. When I joined Stronger U I wanted to tackle my goal of 40 pounds of weight loss. I wanted a formula and I wanted accountability.
I’m a rule follower by nature so I knew if someone could give me some guidelines and support I could do this, but I was always a bit intimidated by my goal, it was a big number! As of today and for awhile now, I have more than surpassed that goal and am experiencing 47 pounds of weight loss and countless positive changes and blessings in my life. My husband and children and so proud of me, and that feels so good. The kids can’t believe the before and after pictures! I make time for fitness and exercise and I look forward to eating in a way that not only fuels me but makes me feel good.
I still enjoy a treat or a meal in a restaurant – I just plan around it. And if I have a day where I am off track, I put it in the rear view mirror and get back on track. I even enjoyed a week long spring break vacation in Florida where I didn’t track or weigh myself or food. I just enjoyed vacation and when I came home I got back on track and it was no big deal. My coach, Billy Phipps has been by my side and helped me achieve something that will forever be one of my proudest accomplishments. I am forever grateful to him, Mike Doehla for this program, and the SU community that are an awesome support system.
Where did you hear about Stronger U?
Our friends that we met through Peloton.
Why do you think Stronger U worked so well for you compared to other programs or diets?
Once I caught on to tracking and getting in the rhythm of logging I found it such an easy program to follow. I loved that there was tons of flexibility with what I wanted to eat and that it allowed space to enjoy special days like birthdays or a special night out. It was not restrictive. The way the program is structured causes the client to really focus on changes and habits that will serve them well for their life, not just while on the program with a coach. The support of the coach while on the program is also something that makes the program work well. My coach and I had an awesome connection and I felt I always had what I needed to succeed.
What was something you regularly ate while on Stronger U that people wouldn’t expect you to eat on a diet?
Yasso bars when I wanted a sweet treat.
How much weight did you lose with Stronger U?
47 pounds
Did you have any favorite non-scale victories to share?
Buying smaller sized clothes, purging all the old/big clothes from my closet and donating them, running a turkey trot with my kids last Thanksgiving, seeing my smile come back, positive comments from friends and family.
Has Stronger U improved your overall quality of life?
Yes, absolutely. I feel so much stronger physically, but also mentally. Knowing that I could achieve this goal with Stronger U makes me feel like I truly can commit and do whatever I set my mind on.
Has Stronger U improved your overall health?
Yes, I went to the doctor for my annual physical and the doctor was so impressed with my weight loss and when I had my labs done, all numbers improved.
If someone is thinking about joining Stronger U, what advice would you give them before beginning their journey?
I would tell them to trust the process and trust their coach. To ask for what you need and don’t expect your coach to do it for you or be a mind reader. And I’d tell them that if they do their part and follow their macros, success and so much awesomeness will follow!
Would you like to give a shoutout to your coach, SU staff member, or community member?
Yes, my coach Billy Phipps! He has been by my side and helped me achieve something that will forever be one of my proudest accomplishments. This journey was life changing and he was instrumental in supporting me, gently pushing me when I needed it, and always showing me grace, kindness, and a smile. His support of me was real and genuine – he wanted me to succeed and always made me feel like whatever I wanted for myself was attainable. We really got to know each other and connected during our 59 weeks together and I will miss those weekly check-ins. But he is a friend for life!
