A few months ago, we received a note from Jenn L., a friend and unofficial “client” of Lauren Guibert, one of our original Whole9 Envoy Extraordinaires. Jenn wrote: “You’ve heard it a million times, but – you changed my life. I was lucky to have worked with Lauren Guibert – we worked in the same building, but had never really talked. She offered her expertise to me, and I will forever be grateful. I was an instant convert as soon as I did one week of your Whole30 program, and my husband was too. The friends of mine that have chosen to get on board with this for at least 30 days – give your program a shot, do it for 2 to 3 months at least. They see and feel results instantly, as I did.” We were moved by Jenn’s story, and we think you will be too. Read it in her own, unedited words.
Jenn’s Story – Then
I remember pushing 230 lbs on the scale just 4 months ago. I remember pushing a 40 in waistline. I remember running mile after mile and never getting anywhere. I remember climbing hill after hill on the elliptical. I remember trying any diet I could and never feeling satisfied or successful. I remember crying a lot – out of hopelessness and despair because I couldn’t make my body respond the way I wanted it to. I remember beginning to research other job possibilities because I was about to lose my job in the USAF. I remember begging the doctors to run more tests to tell me why I can’t lose weight. I decided, I was going to just stop eating (SLIMFAST was a prepacked meal that I didn’t have to worry about calories) and then I was going to try to run more, even though I tore a ligament in my ankle. Maybe climb more elliptical hills. Then, I was told to go talk to someone – Lauren Guibert – who knew about fitness and nutrition. Honestly (I hate that she is going to read this), I thought, “Wow. Another person who is naturally thin and fit, who is just going to tell me to run more and to stop eating cake.” I don’t even like cake, but that’s what all “nutrition experts” had told me before, as they stared at me with pity. So, there I go walking to her office to tell her how I struggle, how I diet, how nothing works for me and, and, and (breathe)…she talked about food. She looked me in my eyes, told me she had answers. She said, “Just don’t bullshit me.” Then she made me a workout plan and a diet plan. She integrated me for about a week and a half, then sent me the Whole30 link and said, “Anybody I train has to do this for 30 days. Read it. Ask me questions. Start Monday.” I remember how good I felt after one week on the Whole30. I remember the weight literally FALLING off of me. I remember fitting my clothes again. I remember moving the notches on my belt. My spare tire turned to a muffin top, which turned into a waistline. People started making statements like, “How long are you going to do this for?” or “you shouldn’t punish yourself like this”. They were upset that I didn’t want bread, or dessert, or alcohol. I remember when the statements turned from that, to “Tell me how you eat. I want to lose weight too.” “Help me find something healthy to eat so I can drop a few pounds.”
Jenn’s Story – Now
My husband completed his first Whole45. He lost about 20 pounds. He used to have high blood pressure, which almost completely regulated itself after that 45 days. Now, I am 180lbs and have a 32 in. waist – gaining more muscle and getting more lean every day. Now, I am satisfied when I eat. Now, I’m not embarrassed to walk in my uniform in front of my bosses. Now, people actually don’t recognize me. They have “welcomed” me, as if I was new. Now, I can try on jeans without thinking, “Which of these looks the LEAST terrible on me?” Now, I am happy, confident, continuing to learn too – I’m still a beginner, but I am eager to become an expert. Finally, I became pregnant shortly after I sent in my testimonial. The first three months of my pregnancy were entirely Whole30. My baby is healthy at every appointment, and my weight gain has been perfect. I’ve also done a few Whole15’s purely to make sure that I don’t spoil myself on treats! And as of November 2nd, our beautiful baby girl, Magdalena, was born. So, that’s my success story. This was life changing for me, just like you say it will be in the introduction. I’m horribly embarrassed to send this BEFORE picture. It was taken in October of 2010. And this is me this summer, after my Whole30 – I went from a size 18 to a size 12 in a matter of months. This is as much my story as it is Lauren Guibert’s, because she is the one who introduced it to me, provided guidance and even support. She taught me about the Whole30, who answered every stupid sugary question, and only cringed a little when I said SLIMFAST. She was great and listened to me and gave me guidance non-stop. Oh, and of course, THANKS TO YOU TWO, whose blog I reference daily. Sincerely, Jenn L.
