KS Loses Weight and Gains Her Strength

I was referred to Ali through my physical therapist while I was in the process of recovering from ACL surgery. I was trying to lose weight but was unsuccessful. This was frustrating as years ago, I lost 60 pounds on my own through diet and exercise. But for the past couple of years, I had hit a wall and now, unable to work out, I started to panic and get very discouraged.

The first day I met Ali I felt like I was catching up with an old friend. She was warm, understanding and just wanted to learn about ME! From this first meeting, I knew she was the person I wanted to help me learn about nutrition and how the food I was eating (or not eating) would affect my body and mind.

It was important to find someone who could work with my busy schedule, be willing to listen and work around my likes and dislikes (I have many), and accept that “I’m not perfect”, and be willing to be my cheerleader and friend when sometimes I just needed to talk.

The next couple of months Ali taught me although I wasn’t eating horribly, I was eating a lot of processed food and hardly had any fat in my diet. My body was unable to digest the food and in turn was not allowing me to lose weight. In addition, we realized that I was not eating enough to truly allow my body to thrive. Go figure! Ali’s dedication and support over the past six months has been invaluable to me as I’ve lost weight and learned to connect with what my body needs.

Additionally, I needed another ACL surgery while working with Ali. She mapped out the foods I should eat and exercises I could do to get my body/mind prepared to make a quick recovery. My surgery was two months ago and I’m feeling great.

Ali is someone I would recommend to anyone, whether you have weight to lose or want to learn how you can help yourself truly feel better through nutrition. Most importunately, Ali will become your friend and someone you can always call when you just need some extra support.

Thanks Ali –

KS, Philadelphia, PA

JL Trades in Food for Fun

Last spring, I began meeting with Ali for nutritional counseling. At the beginning of our sessions together, my main focus was to end my cravings and bring closure to an almost twenty year cycle of trying different diets/exercise programs, where I would meet with success for awhile, but then succumb to cravings – only to start the search again for a new “solution”.

By working with Ali, I began a transformation not only with my eating but also with my life. My “aha” moment came the week I worked on finding more time for myself and listing things I already love or would love to do. By taking time for myself, I have begun to cultivate new interests (singing and songwriting!) and, in general, have learned how to nourish myself without always turning to food for comfort. Some of these seemingly simple changes have been nothing short of amazing in my life: my always-hectic, frenzied schedule has become more calm, I am finding more productive ways to deal with people and have felt empowered as a result, and when I find myself facing life’s challenges I feel that I can meet these obstacles and come out on the other side stronger and better.

My stormy relationship with food has improved significantly: in fact, I find that I spend less time thinking about food and more time enjoying life! Because I am able to eliminate energy-wasting activities and thoughts at this point, I feel more relaxed, sleep better, and have more energy each day. My chronic sinusitis has subsided significantly, and my weight fluctuations have ended.

Ali is such an exceptional listener, and always has timely advice and resources that enhance whatever we’re discussing. In addition, her nonjudgmental nature makes room for open, honest conversation. I especially enjoyed the weekly goal-setting and follow-up e-mails. By revisiting goals reflectively, working on the present productively, and making subtle changes for a better future, I felt that our time together was purposeful and always moving in a positive direction.

Ali’s knowledge of mind/body health is extensive, and I would always leave our sessions feeling energized, inspired, and filled with new, exciting information. I believe that anyone working with Ali will experience success if that person is willing to be honest with him/herself, be introspective, and follow through with his/her goals! Ali certainly possesses the expertise and personality to help anyone achieve success!

~ JL, New Jersey