Erin's Story — Overcoming Depression and Down 4 Sizes

*Results described are not typical and will vary for each individual.

I had gained about 20 pounds over the summer and at a Labor Day weekend get together with my family, my mom said she was very worried about my health and suggested nutrition counseling at Nutritional Weight & Wellness. I had gotten to the point where I didn’t feel pretty, I had back pain, my pants were tight and I even had people ask me if I was pregnant. I felt sad and embarrassed about the weight gain and was ready to make a change.

I'm A Sugar Addict

Weight loss was my goal when I first met with Lea, but I also wanted to prevent chronic illness. My mom has diabetes, my grandpa had it too, and I didn’t want to end up with it myself. After talking with Lea, I realized that I’m a sugar addict. She helped me understand why the new eating plan would be beneficial for losing weight and also getting over my sugar addiction. I’m an info-driven person and love reading up on things so that I truly understand the reasons for making a change before I take action. All the information and tools that Lea provided were so helpful to me being successful.

Eating Well Changed How I Felt Mentally

I’m happy to report that I lost 25 pounds! I dropped from a size 10 to a size 6. The weight loss has been wonderful, but I’ve also been surprised by how much happier and less anxious I feel. I was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and depression long ago, and I never would have believed that eating well could change how I felt mentally, but it did. That’s been an amazing benefit of my new eating plan! I was able to test this over the holidays and when I traveled—when I wasn’t eating as well as I normally do. I noticed that I felt more irritable, anxious and depressed. Those experiences have motivated me to stay on my Weight and Wellness Way eating plan.

I'm Sleeping Better Than Ever

In the past I felt so tired all the time, but since seeing Lea I have much more energy. I no longer feel the need to nap. Plus, I’m sleeping deeper and notice that I fall asleep much quicker. I have had trouble sleeping for years and took a prescription sleep medication for 8 years, but I no longer need it!

I Kicked My Soda Habit

One thing I never thought I’d be able to do is kick my pop habit. Before, I would drink four Pepsis or Cokes per day; I just loved the taste. I slowly tapered down and supplemented with bifido and L-glutamine. One day I noticed that I hadn’t had any soda at all and I realized that I didn’t even miss it. I haven’t had any pop for months!

One of the best things that has come out of this experience is that I know what I want to do with my life. I feel so passionate about the power of eating real food that I’m currently looking into getting my master’s degree in nutrition. I hope to one day help others discover how eating well can change their lives like it did for me!

Create Your Own Success Story with Nutrition Education

Erin was able to lose weight and gain control of her eating with the power of nutrition education and personal support. Sign up for the Nutrition 4 Weight Loss program today and be on your way to improved health. The 12-week program is available in-person or online and includes a two-hour consultation with a licensed nutritionist or dietician.

Find more tips and advice on kicking the sugar habit in these additional articles and podcasts and be on your way to getting rid of sugar cravings for good!

6 Strategies to Kick Your Sugar Habit
2 Reasons Why You Can't Give Up Sugar
Why Can't I Give Up Sugar?
Compulsive Eating and Sugar Cravings