Some background before the background. You’ll see. So, Shannah was in my small group (group of people who hang out together once a week, talk about life, talk about difficulties, talk about CrossFit and politics if so inclined) with her husband Rob. Rob had actually been through my Body By God Challenge a number of years ago.
Anyways, I am not much of a “pusher” when it comes to my lifestyle, or chiropractic, when you are out of my office. I do life the way I do it. Some people notice, and gravitate, others ignore it and stay away. I believe that our search for truth has served us well, but I don’t want that search to be bullied onto anyone. Just know that I love you, and I mean it… but if you give me a chance, tough love is what you’ll get! :)
So read about Shannah’s story before her story:
Back in October, I was awakened by a voice in my head saying “Matthew 7:7.” It was 5:30 in the morning and I was very asleep. I definitely didn’t want to get up, but then it was a command “READ IT!” So, I got out of bed, grabbed my phone and looked it up.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
I felt very specifically that God had just commanded me to ask him for something. I then started praying for my sister, Rob, Dreyke, finances, etc. When I told Rob, he agreed that God was telling me to ask Him for something. Through the next few weeks and months, scripture and devotionals kept coming to me that talked about faith and the resounding theme of “Ask and it shall be given.” I kept searching for the “thing” God was telling me to ask for.
Finally, around January, I started praying specifically about my weight loss. I knew that it was affecting so many aspects of my life…. physically and emotionally. I heard about a “weight loss” contest that 104.7 the Fish was having with Optimum Health. Without any research, I entered the contest on a whim, and was selected by The Fish to go to be interviewed by Optimum Health for their final selection. I had my interview, and after hearing about the actual plan (HCG weight loss) I was really worried that I was going to be selected. It didn’t seem like a good idea to me, but I thought that this might be God answering my prayer. I was so relieved when I was NOT selected! But, at the same time, I really didn’t know how God was going to answer my prayer, and I felt very much that this is what He wanted me to ask for.
I finally decided to ask Eric about what HealthSprout offers in regards to weight loss. It was so hard for me to do. I just didn’t want either of you to feel like I was taking advantage of the small group setting, and it was embarrassing and hard for me to ask for help with my weight issues. I really shouldn’t have been so paranoid as I think it was all just created in my head. Right before time to leave small group back at the beginning of February, I finally asked…. I came so close to not asking. Eric immediately said that I needed to come to his Food Makeover class that started the very next day! It really was amazing timing, and the rest you can read about in the attachment.
I just felt that you both should know how God used the two of you to answer a need in my life that He told me to ask for. Eric, your class was absolutely priceless, and Laura, the encouragement and tips that you offered as a friend were more helpful than you can know.
SO with that, she jumped into the January class of the Total Food Makeover. This is the basis of the 60-Day Turnaround, but the turnaround also incorporates Recipe Night, and the Body By God teaching of stress management, time management, peace building and exercise. All good! Here is the rest of her story:
When I first attended Healthsprout’s Total Food Makeover class, I was 50 pounds overweight, depressed about my body and health, constantly thought about food and had given up on ever reaching my desired weight loss. Having counted calories, exercised, and practiced moderation with limited success, I was desperate for something to work. In our very first class, Dr. Eric explained the science behind our body and its need for good fats, its reaction to sugars and how the North American diet is killing us. It was eye-opening and motivating. With my husband’s help, we immediately cleaned out our pantry and went to work on the food makeover. For the first week, I literally lost a pound a day which was a huge motivator to not give up during those first few days when I was going through sugar withdrawals. This new plan was liberating because now I knew what I could eat and what I couldn’t. There was no justification or trying to be disciplined and limit the quantity of what I chose to eat. It was either on the plan or it wasn’t.
Dr. Eric took us on two shopping excursions at Kroger and Trader Joe’s. This was an invaluable resource as we were taught how to read labels, and shown what was permissible on the diet in a real grocery store setting. All five classes were priceless, and continued to motivate me to stay on track, and not to cheat. Dr. Eric also shared with us some of his favorite food products to keep us from feeling like we were being deprived — hello, whipped topping!
By the end of the 5-week class I had lost 16 pounds just by changing my diet. In the past, it had taken me 4 months to lose 15 pounds by counting calories and exercise. I was so exceptionally excited. I still wanted to lose more weight, so Dr. Eric encouraged me to stay on the advanced plan, and at this point it really wasn’t difficult since all of my eating habits had been changed. I still went out to eat doing my best to choose wisely within the parameters of the diet, and I enjoyed trying out recipes from blogs that were grain and sugar free like a pizza with a cauliflower crust. My biggest challenge came with social situations, like birthdays or other special events where everyone was eating special treats or cake. I didn’t even really want what they were eating, but I wanted to feel included in the celebration. The way I felt and the continued weight loss kept me on track even during these moments.
Now, six months later, I have lost over 40 pounds! I feel fantastic, and I’m confident that my overall health is so much better than it was before. This is a lifestyle that I believe that I can continue to stick with for years to come. My mouth waters at the sight of salad, and it’s so simple to prepare meals. If I ever have the desire to order a pizza, it’s only for the convenience, and now I’m able to recognize that and move on instead of caving to the craving.
The knowledge that was shared with me through Healthsprout’s Total Food Makeover class has changed my life. It’s something that I want to share with everyone. Whether the goal is to lose weight or become more healthy, this class is key to understanding the human body and what it craves nutritionally. I am so grateful for this experience!
— Shannah J. Smith
Her story is awesome. And it is actually more common than you would imagine. But only because people are inspired. Be inspired. Win for the right reason, and make it last a lifetime! See you soon, Be Well and Be Blessed! – Dr. E
I am Shannah’s aunt and I am 100 pounds overweight. Shannah is beautiful and never looked overweight, just full figured in a good way. I on the other hand have never had good curves. I am happy that Shannah has lost the weight and feels good. That is what is important, she will be around longer for Dreyke because she has taken care of her health early. As an overweight person, I have had my morning chocolate chip cookie and I am about to take my blood pressure medication. She was smart to get it under control.