“My Healing Story” probably isn’t really all that different from most people.  I had noticed a co-worker had lost a lot of weight and I inquired about their process.  That was when I heard about Dr. David Kolbaba and Associates. 

After talking with my co-worker and hearing about this transformation, just the idea of being healthy was intriguing.  I had gained a lot of weight over a period of five years and was feeling terrible, both inside and out.  I had very little energy and was always tired, wanting to sleep a lot.  I hated shopping for clothes or always being out of breath when taking a short walk.  There was an ache in my legs that always seemed to linger no matter what I did.  I hated going for my annual check-up because I always had to deal with my doctor telling me to lose weight, but never telling me what to do about it.   

I was in a place where I needed to make a change but didn’t know where to start. I knew if I didn’t make this change, I would probably end up diabetic like many people in my family. Most of all, I was simply tired of feeling the way that I did and I was ready for a fresh start. 

When I first came to Dr. Kolbaba and Associates I was 251 pounds.  I felt tired and achy all of the time.  I was eating out quite a bit and going out for dinner and drinks with my friends almost every weekend.  In the beginning, the whole reason for visiting the clinic was about losing the weight and addressing the subsequent fatigue.  In a matter of 9 months, I have lost roughly 70 pounds and feel great!  I exercise everyday and have lots of energy.  But the truth is, the whole experience isn’t totally about the weight loss, it really is about getting healthy.  Now, I am getting to a healthier place, at whatever weight that may be. I now have confidence in myself that I haven’t had in years. 

The care that I have been receiving has impacted my way of life in many different ways.  I don’t eat out as much, but if I do, I make better food choices.  I eat more fruits and vegetables and always carry a healthy snack with me, so that if I find myself hungry when I am out running errands, I have something that will carry me until I get home. This keeps me from stopping for fast food, which fills me up at the moment but in a few hours I will want to eat again.  I now think about my food choices more than I used to.  The experience was not easy in the beginning, because I felt as if I was changing everything that I had known before, which in some ways I was.  Now, I am cooking and planning my meals, avoiding fast food and exercising every day. 

Although my experience has been one of total change, the one important factor that I never expected is the support I receive in the “health coaching sessions”.  I didn’t realize how food was my way of coping with a stressful day at work or an argument with a family member or friend.  When I choose not to eat when I’m upset, I have to ask myself, “How do people do this and still stay on track?”

This is where health coaching sessions are critical to my success.  The doctors help me understand my feelings are normal and thru their support, I’ve learned having a constructive hobby is a great way to cope with those stressful situations. I now understand why one food choice is better than another, which helps take the mystery out of the entire situation. 

My family and my friends can see the difference in me, not only in my appearance, but also in how I carry myself.  I am constantly told how wonderful I look in my clothes, but more importantly that I seem happier and less stressed. Others can see the hard work and effort that I have put into becoming healthy.  I know now that I would not have gotten this far with my medical physician.  Not because he is bad at his job, but I would not have gotten the attention or guidance to make the changes that I needed to. 

After starting this process with Dr. David C. Kolbaba and Associates, I am not only happy with my continued results, but I feel as though it was one of the best decisions I have ever made!