Nicole
Padilla
"My head is clear, my thoughts more composed, my balance and reflexes are great. I am in tune with my body."
Age: 29
Height: 5’6”
Heaviest Weight: 318
Current Weight: 198
My Journey:
Dear Tosca,
I spent my entire life overweight. I tried fad diet after fad diet throughout the years, only to end up weighing more in the end than when I started. My health suffered, I had a number of problems that were attributed directly to my obesity. I suffered from high blood pressure, heart palpitations, chest pain, severe stomach problems, constant heartburn, shortness of breath, sleep apnea, depression, anxiety, pain in my knees and ankles, and I had also had a pre-cancerous condition of my uterus.
My life was spiraling out of control … it took several cups of coffee and energy drinks just to make it through the day. I spent my days sitting at a desk at work and my nights playing video games. If it wasn't for my lovely son and supportive husband I'm not sure I would have wanted to live – life hurt too much.
I opened up for the first time in my life about my weight to my husband and I came clean about how I had been feeling. He had one simple answer ... “So, do something about it.” He was right, the answer was so simple. The next day in the grocery store I made the decision to change. I purchased a variety of diet food (no-fat/artificial) ... and I was off down the wrong path again.
Then something changed, my sister gave me your book, The Eat-Clean Diet® . It was a turning point in my life. I read the book from cover to cover, armed with a better knowledge of what my body actually needed. I cleared out my pantry and fridge and started over. It was time for a change, a big change.
Some people can handle going slowly into such a big lifestyle change, but not me. I needed to break the hold junk food had over me and fight the addiction. It was rough at first but I instantly felt better. Your book helped me identify what my body needed. Each week I would try a new food pulled straight from the pages of your book. New grains, vegetables and seeds – where had this food been my whole life?
My transformation is now complete. I'm not sure someone who hasn't experienced such a big change in his or her life would understand. My best description is that my body now functions as intended. I eat with purpose and each step I take has meaning. A new light has been shed on my life. My head is clear, my thoughts more composed, my balance and reflexes are great. I am in tune with my body.
Every single health problem I experienced has long since left me. I am aware that my journey is not yet complete and that I will have more successes and failures to come. I will work towards my goals at a healthy pace, never forgetting what my life is versus what it could have been. I could die tomorrow but at least I know now that I have lived.
Thank you Tosca!
Nicole Padilla