TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF

• Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Omnicom Health Group 
• Socially active single in the city 
• Active voluteer member of my college alumni association and my sorority 
• I have to balance traveling for work and pleasure, offsite meetings and finding the time to do the things important for me, like cooking or working out 

THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE THE PROGRAM

Totally life changing.

FAVORITE ON PLAN MEAL OR SNACK

My fave meal is one that I adapt to be compliant thanks to my SSS Coaches. It’s an Instant Pot healthy chicken pot pie soup. It is magnificent!  

PRIOR TO WORKING WITH SUGAR SNAP SHIFT WHAT HAD YOUR WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY BEEN LIKE?

Prior to SSS, my weight loss journey was one of losing 20-30 pounds and then gaining 40 over and over again. I tried Jenny Craig, Atkins, Weight Watchers, Eat Right for your Blood Type, and anything else you can think of. I would see results for a second but then it would be back to same old. During the lockdown I went really hard with my Peloton workouts and saw some great results in losing inches and getting stronger but the pounds weren’t moving all that fast. And then I got injured and lost the ability to work out like I did and all the weight and inches came back.  

HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE PROGRAM?

Through my friend [who did the program]. I had seen her during the summer and then met up with her 3 months later and she looked like a whole different person. She and I had talked about our challenges with weight in the past and I was totally inspired by her transformation, so I asked her for more info and the rest is history. I didn’t even do any research, I took her word, as well as, her clearly visible results, as all I needed to know!  

What was the most surprising thing you learned or experienced during the program? 

How much I forgot I liked cooking. I had gotten so used to eating out or ordering in that I hadn’t eating my own cooked food in a long time. I discovered again that I am a good cook and how delicious making my own meals can be. I cannot wait now to cook a meal or create something new in the kitchen jus based off what compliant foods I have on hand. Also…how important sleep is to weight loss!  

WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU NOTICED SINCE YOU BEGAN THE PROGRAM?

My energy is through the roof for the most part. I am more mentally focused than ever. I sleep well. I am no longer in pain every morning when I wake up. I look and feel younger.  

What did you like best about the program?

I didn’t realize it before the program, but I totally am a teacher’s pet. Having the coaches there to give me kudos and guidance when I was sharing my meals not only helped me be accountable but gave me some folks to share what I was doing. As a single woman, it’s easy to fall off when you don’t have anyone checking for you. I had other accountability partners but I definitely cherished the time I got from my coaches to guide me towards success. I’ve learned so much on this journey!

WHY DO YOU THINK THE PROGRAM WORKED FOR YOU?

I think there are 2 reasons. The first is, I was ready for it, both mentally and physically. I was constantly exhausted, I was the largest I had ever been, and I felt like I was falling apart in all aspects of life. I went into this program without a lot of faith in it but really wanting to do this right. I had invested in me, and it was time for me make that investment work. And I what I liked most about the program was that it wasn’t focused on me being a specific size or weight, it was focused on being healthier. 

WHAT PART OF THE PROGRAM WAS THE HARDEST FOR YOU? THE EASIEST?

The part of the program that has been the hardest for me is traveling and staying compliant. I still struggle with it now. Traveling is hard and even harder because you can’t control all the meals. The easiest for me was giving up sugar. I sound insane but it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.   

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR SOMEONE NEW TO THE PROGRAM?

Stay the course. Trust and believe in yourself and the process. And enjoy the journey to discovering how good clean eating tastes! Every 0.2 pounds adds up to bigger and bigger numbers before you know it.