At 52, I took early retirement and decided to get my life back. I had held a high pressure job as a member of the senior staff team in a school board for many years , was always on the road and in meetings both during the day and evenings. Although I was conscious of my unhealthy lifestyle (irregular meals, little exercise during the week and a maximum of 4-5 hours of sleep per night), I felt that it was mostly out of my control.

I decided to try Nancy’s program and various cleanse workshops because I felt that I needed to start looking after myself. When I started the program, I was close to a burn out, was overweight and out of shape. I had a cough which was stress related, had trouble sleeping, suffered from acid reflux and various digestive problems. As I aged, I suffered from various aches and pains especially in my joints. I developed what is called a “snapping hip”.

And so… I began my journey. I wanted to learn more about healthy lifestyle habits. I liked Nancy’s approach because she deals with the person as a whole, accepts where we are and suggests a direction we could take to move forward towards our goals. She puts the ball in our court but is there to help along the way. I started participating in different workshops and teleclasses that were offered, read her blog and weekly newsletters. I am currently subscribed to the member site.

Cleansing is an important part of Nancy’s program. Because I read the literature provided, I too began to see the benefits and wanted to embark upon this component of the program. However, I did find the first one difficult and somewhat rigid. I stuck to it and have completed many cleanses. It is second nature for me now!

At the beginning, I was somewhat overwhelmed by the information that was out there and how little I knew about the internal workings of my body and how nutrition and an active lifestyle could contribute to my good health and wellbeing. That’s when I decided that I needed to learn more and more! I truly believe that the key to my continued success over the last 8 years has been my thirst for knowledge. I continue to learn every day!

Since being on the program, I have lost weight and my snapping hip has disappeared. My digestive problems and acid reflux have also disappeared. I am following a raw and living food diet. I have found peace within myself and love my life. I also started getting a life: for example, I became interested in photography, horticulture (I have a 5,000 square foot garden), I walk at least 5 times a week, hike with a walking group and do Pilates twice a week. These activities have helped with my minor aches and pains.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that I am retired!! I provide consultation for school boards and offer training workshops for principals and senior staff across the province. In addition, I am the proud grandmother of two beautiful grandsons one of whom I provided care for two days a week last year. As of June, I will have the pleasure of having both boys twice a week.

Since starting the program, my outlook on life has changed. I look after all aspects of my life. I view the program as a lifestyle and am totally committed to living this way for the rest of my life. I have stabilized my weight, cholesterol level and blood pressure. My doctor was concerned at first because I was making such a drastic lifestyle change (no meats or cooked foods). However, after my last physical, we sat down to look at my test results for the past three years. He had to admit that whatever I was doing… I should continue as all my results had greatly ameliorated.

I would like to share other examples of personal successes:

• Having family members and friends ask about the program, about what I am doing and why and comment on the positive changes they see in me.

• Going on a shopping spree and buying size 2 and 4 instead of size 10.

• Not having to make a resolution about losing weight on New Year’s Day.

• Seeing family members make positive changes in their personal eating and health habits.

• Having gained the full understanding and support of my family!

A few words of advice to those interested in taking control of their health and personal wellbeing:

• Start with small steps.

• Take a positive approach to change: start by adding things to your diet and to your life.

• Create a positive and supportive environment for yourself: make sure that you have a mentor and can access information (seminars, teleclasses, informative books, etc.)

This lifestyle has had a lasting effect on me personally and on my lifestyle and life decisions. I am a better person and feel like the “ever ready bunny”. My family was a bit skeptical at first, but now, when they see the results, they applaud my efforts and encourage me to continue. At 60, I have never looked as good nor felt better.

Paulette Laforest, Oakville Ontario

17 months after:

Whenever I tried to work on my weight issue, something always got in the way, so nothing ever got done, and I was miserable about it. A while ago, Nancy gave me a copy of The Sugar-Free Lifestyle, which I read but, to be honest, it seemed too much for me to do all at once.

After speaking with Nancy, we started with baby steps, changing one thing at a time in a process that I felt I could handle.

Now, there was a small light at the end of the tunnel. I began to feel better in all aspects of my life, and for the first time in a long while, things seemed obtainable! Food became less of an issue for me, and I liked feeling freer – no longer a slave to toxic food.

I hardly ever crave them anymore, and my tastes have changed. Nancy introduced me to juicing, which I now do mostly on a daily basis. The other day, I actually ate a salad for breakfast with my sprouts on it – truly amazing for me. I now see people who haven’t seen me in a while and they don’t recognize me. They are completely shocked at the ‘new me.’ I have lost a Lot of weight in 17 months thanks to Nancy’s invaluable knowledge and patience.

Nancy works with you, where you are at in life and with your emotional capabilities; otherwise it would not have worked for me. I have struggled with my weight issue for over 20 years, but I now weigh less than I did in high school. I am still learning and changing, and what an exciting process it is! I am extremely grateful for your programs and so much more.”

Tamara Stewart
Reflexologist and Esthetician
The Bear Necessities Spa

Bancroft, Ontario

I am continuing to lose weight, but very slowly now. I am officially at a size 8 (went from a post-preg. size of 16 in August of last year)! I know I have not been this weight in at least 13 years and I am very grateful…even if I don’t lose another lb. or inch, I feel good and am very content at where I am right now.

However, thanks to you and your program and all I’ve gleaned from you, I am on a path of healthier eating/living! My husband is also very grateful. When I used to make dietary changes for my family, he wasn’t on board with me, but now he is. I’ve brought him alongside me and he’s lost 25 lbs.! He feels so much better and he told me the other day. “I just feel better when I eat healthier!” He also notices how much better he feels when he exercises regularly.

We are planning a big trip to Orlando, FL at the end of the month…I was so excited when I tried on a size 8 bathing suit and it actually fit and looks good!  (Usually bathing suits can run smaller than regular clothes).

I will also start cleansing when the seasons change. We eat so much more fruits and vegetables than we used to eat. We rarely eat beef anymore and when we do, we make sure that it’s “clean” beef. We do eat chicken, but make sure it is “clean” chicken. I am learning how to cook healthier and it’s a lot of fun! It’s such a blessing to know that I am making good, nourishing food for my family.

I also am glad to establish healthier eating habits for my children because the eating habits I grew up on were not so healthy!

Thank you and God bless you,
Lori G, Texas

I started the program and change my eating habits as a result; by the summer of that year I had lost 30 pounds without even trying. I am off all medication for my knees and sleep like a baby; I can lift heavier weights and instruct more aerobics classes with energy to spare.

Johanne Jakuszyk – Halton Hills, Ontario

Nutritionist

A woman I knew told me she had never felt better after being on Nancy’s program and by her eliminating certain foods from her diet and replacing them with high energy foods she had energy she hadn’t felt in years. Shortly after hearing this, I knew this was how I wanted to feel, so, I invested in Nancy’s Program and since then, the program she put me on has truly changed my life for the better.

Within the last 3 1/2 months, I have successfully given up coffee, chocolate (and I was a chocoholic), desserts, dairy products and red meat which I have substituted with a majority of organically grown and a variety of different vegetables, sprouts, herbs, seeds, fruits, fish, etc… Along with doing a few cleanses for different organs which have only given me more vitality. As far as my chocolate craving goes, the odd time if I feel like having anything sweet which is not too often, I’ll have 87% cocoa which is good for my heart. If by chance, I break down the odd time because I’m not claiming to be perfect, I forgive myself and the next day I’m back on track again.

The good news is, I dropped a few dress sizes which I wasn’t expecting, I have 80% more energy and I feel great! My hat is off to you Nancy. Thanks for helping me and others.

Sheri Tenaglia~ Georgetown, Ontario
Parkside Studios~www.sheritenaglia.com