Finding Peace

Over the past 10 months I have had the privilege of training Cathy. Over this period of time, her physical transformation and 30lbs lost, was in my opinion, the least of her achievements. Don’t get me wrong, she has earned her new body with every rep, bite, step and day. But, what has really resonated with me has been the new found confidence, pride and relationship with food.  When Cathy walks into a room (we are lucky enough to live in the same city), she NOW lights it up with her contagious charisma, that was hidden under layers of “stuff” for so long. My biggest pride is helping her find her true self and of course, as she mentions, a life-long friend. Take it away Cathy!

“2013 is the year I found peace with myself and my lifelong struggle with my weight. I did that with the help and guidance of the amazing Rita Catolino.

I started my first diet in grade 5, setting the stage for decades of yo-yo dieting and never feeling quite good enough. I loved eating healthy food and I made fitness a big priority in my life – but somehow the number on the scale always continued its ominous march upwards. Nothing seemed to work and I really hated how much time I spent thinking about food – such a colossal waste of energy when there were so many other things I could and should be doing.

I started working with Rita in February 2013 and something amazing has happened over the past 10 months – I no longer have anxiety about eating!! To me this is a huge development and relief since I was wasting vast amounts of time worrying about my next meal and alternating between feelings of guilt and starvation. By following Rita’s approach to eating I have gained mental and emotional peace over my crazy food thoughts. I’m almost never hungry but when I am, I just eat and eat until I’m not –I know I won’t gain weight because now I trust my body and my choices and best of all- physical hunger is no longer mixed up with feelings of stress, deprivation, and guilt.

I can’t say its been an easy journey but Rita has been there every step of the way –  coaching, encouraging, inspiring and pushing me outside my comfort zone. There will always be hours of food prep, 5:30am gym visits and naysayers who don’t think my new lifestyle can be maintained.  That stuff doesn’t worry me because while losing nearly 30 lbs this year is a big source of pride for me, gaining a sense of peace with food has been life changing.  It is truly the best gift Rita has given me. To my friend and coach – thank you!”