Success Stories

My name is Kathy Wall. I'm an interior designer from Palatine, Illinois. I felt out-of-control and embarrassed when I was overweight. I knew what I was supposed to do, but I didn't have the power to do it. That was why I decided to join Positive Changes. Thanks to them, I lost 41 lbs. in 6 months! I started out in a size 16 and now some 10s are loose. The staff was absolutely wonderful. The people there make you feel like a friend and are always positive, always upbeat. They truly believe in the program. The program was worth the cost, because I gained a lot more than just losing my weight. I have control. I'm more that satisfied with my results.

I was overweight for about 4 years '“ I was almost 200 lbs. at my heaviest. I suffered emotionally. Physically, I had back pain, which the extra weight certainly didn't help. I'd sometimes get swelling in my ankles. When you're overweight, you just don't go out and get exercise or do things that you normally would do, because you feel bad about yourself. I didn't want to do anything or go anywhere because I didn't feel I looked good. I was embarrassed to buy clothes. I tried several weight-loss programs, including the point system. I lost 25 lbs. on one, but then my mother got sick and food became my solace. I didn't have any willpower. I'd eat well during the day, but I was by myself when I went home at night. I ended up sabotaging everything I'd accomplished throughout the day. By the time I started Positive Changes, I'd put almost all my weight back on.

That was when I read the ad about Positive Changes. I was open to new ideas, and there was a money-back guarantee, so I said to myself, 'I really have nothing to lose but weight. If I were grading on a scale of 1-10, I'd give the evaluation process an 11! The girl that did my evaluation was really nice, and she went into great depth explaining everything. At first I thought the price was a lot, but when I thought about it, I realized it was cheaper than ending up in the hospital with a heart attack. That helped me put it in perspective. You really can't put a price on your health.

I noticed certain changes right away. I started drinking more water and eating healthier. Hypnosis helped me make better choices. My job doesn't always allow me to sit down and eat regular meals, but I now find healthy snacks rather than nibbling on chips or cookies. Hypnosis actually helped me change my food preferences. I'll have some cottage cheese and fruit, and it's a snack, not something where I say, 'I have to eat this because I can't eat that. Rather than candy bars, I eat raw almonds. I eat a lot more fish. I used to have pasta and bread almost every day, but I now only have them occasionally. I exercise regularly. I use a chi machine for 15 to 30 minutes every day. I jump on my rebounder. I do stretching and toning every day, and cardiovascular 2-3 times a week. From the beginning, I was losing 1-3 lbs. a week. I've also lost a lot of inches.

Losing weight has given me more confidence. It gave me the confidence to get a mortgage on my own and to take a new position, which I just started. A year ago I would just have stayed where I was because it was safe. I'm proud of my accomplishment and I feel very good about myself. I'm close to friends and family, but now I have the self-confidence to do things on my own. My life is more in control. I've gotten a lot of comments from family members about how 'together I am now. They say, 'We just can't believe how much you've changed. It feels good. If I want to go forward with my life, I have that control over it.

I feel more physically comfortable since losing my weight. The swelling in my ankles has totally gone away and my back doesn't hurt all the time. I have more energy. I also make better use of my time '“ I get more accomplished and I feel more like doing things. I rise earlier because I want to exercise in the morning. I find my leisure time is more enjoyable because I'm doing more. I'm swimming now, which I didn't want to do before. Who wants to get into a bathing suit when they're overweight? I just signed up for ballroom dancing. I've always wanted to learn, so I'm going to. That's something I wouldn't have tried at 40 lbs. overweight.

I feel great about my changed appearance. I love clothes! I can buy new clothes and I get complimented on them. I have sisters who are younger and thinner than I am, but I can go shopping with them and feel good about it. I went to my doctor recently and he said how great I looked. I told him about Positive Changes. He asked questions about diet and exercise, and I told him how I'm drinking water and exercising. He said, 'You're doing absolutely right.

I don't think I'll ever gain my weight back. I've already recommended Positive Changes to others for all the reasons I've spoken about. First, because it works. It worked for me. Second, because the only side effects are self-respect and self-esteem. The weight loss is almost a side benefit now, because the self-esteem is a really big thing for me. Third, because there's a great support system there. Finally, I don't want to keep it a secret if I feel good about myself '“ and I feel great! The weight is just a number. The real difference is how I look and how I feel. If someone else wants to know how to do it, I'm perfectly happy to share.

Positive Changes was a smart investment. I like the way the program is run, because it's all positive. Positive Changes works, but you have to be willing to give it a try. It's safe '“ in fact, I'd consider it much safer than a lot of stuff out there. With Positive Changes, they tailor the program to the individual person. Try it for yourself. If you're considering going to Positive Changes, look at me. I've had nothing but good things happen to me. What is good health worth to you?