Reclaiming Life—One Small Step at a Time

My Story of Helping Diane on Her Journey

I remember meeting my client Diane in March of 2023. As we sat and chatted, I could hear in her voice the struggles of most women in their 40s to 60s.

Life got in the way for her. She moved to a new state, the stress of her job was absorbing and draining her mentally and physically. Her boys had grown and moved out of the house. Her life was changing in more ways than one.

I remember asking her what her goals were—her why for embarking on this health journey. Her family had booked a trip of a lifetime on a cruise through Europe. It was so important to her to be able to enjoy this trip as a healthier version of herself. She wanted to hike, walk, and experience the trip with her family full of energy—not feel like she was holding them back. She wanted to be in the family pictures and not feel ashamed of her body.

Her health was also wreaking havoc on her body, as she was now on medication for blood pressure, and her cholesterol had started to rise.

"I Don’t Know What Happened… Life Got in the Way."

In our initial appointment, we went over what she had tried in the past. Her story was very similar to many other women I have chatted with:

“I have lost weight in the past. I used to be stronger, thinner, healthier, had more energy, slept better, was less stressed, and felt confident. But I don’t know what happened.”

That sentence stuck with me: “I don’t know what happened… Life got in the way.”

When chaos sets in, when changes pop up in our lives, we often go back to our old habits and behaviors because that’s comfortable, that’s what’s familiar. While we often think the answer is to keep trying different “diets,” we never solve the real problem at hand.

As women, we are so hard on ourselves and give up easily when progress isn’t happening fast. We seem to put ourselves last, taking care of everyone else’s needs before our own. But we need to start putting on our oxygen masks first. If we don’t take care of ourselves, we can’t take care of our families or be the best versions of who we truly are.

The Shift: Focusing on Balanced Nutrition and Habits

Diane was eager to try again. She had worked with a nutritionist before, but unlike PFC3, there was no education around the behavioral piece of nutrition.

How was she going to change her habits and behaviors if no one was giving her the tools to understand them? Plus, eating food to lose weight versus eating nutritious food for health benefits changes a person's mindset entirely.

Diane set out on her journey of 100 Days of 1%, taking one lesson at a time and building on each one. Being consistent over time helped her realize her goals were not unattainable. She learned so much about herself. She developed a morning routine, realizing how important it was for mindset, reflecting, resetting, and journaling daily to set her intentions and reflect on her successes and opportunities.

Did She Have Ups and Downs? Absolutely.

Did she plateau? Yes. But she learned to LDR—Learn, Do, and Revise, as we teach in the program.

She started listening to what her body was telling her. Her body was speaking to her in a way she was finally understanding. And her why was so important to her—why would she give up on herself?

A New Version of Herself Emerged

As Diane’s journey continued, I started to see a new version of herself emerging:

• She was more vibrant and confident.

• Her energy had shifted.

• She let go of past negative attachments to her job that had been causing her stress.

• Her clothes were getting looser.

• Her stress levels had lowered.

• Her hives stopped showing up.

• She realized and changed behaviors and habits.

• She was off all of her medications.

Her physician was impressed by her progress. She shared with me that things that normally would have bothered or stressed her didn’t anymore. She could deal with life changes with more confidence and ease.

Diane is now her own Nutrition Boss and continues to become the best version of herself.

Written By:

Dolores Everett
I have worked as a fitness professional for over 35 years. Happily married for 33 years, I have 4 children, 1 granddaughter, and 3 fur babies, and I live in PA.

I love to stay active by running, biking, paddleboarding, hiking with my pups, rucking, swimming, and strength training. Growing up as the youngest of six girls, I saw my sisters try so many different unhealthy diets. Seeing them struggle led me down the fitness path to help and educate others on a healthy lifestyle through exercise, movement, and nutrition.

Most clients struggle with nutrition and want the “magic pill.” I met Carrie through her Diet Disruptor program and Mark through Venice Nutrition. Once they partnered together with PFC3, I knew in my heart this would be the program everyone needs—it was the missing puzzle piece.

I love helping clients realize they can change and are worthy of change.

Certifications:

• AFAA Group Exercise & Personal Training

• Senior Fitness

• MELT Method Level 5 Certified

• CETI Cancer Exercise Certified

• PFC3 Lifestyle Coach

• The In Sync Body Assessment & Fascia Release Technique Animal Practitioner

• CPR & First Aid Certified

• Lifeguard Certified

• Tai Chi Certified

📲 Follow me on Instagram: @dolruns