Several months ago, I made the difficult decision of resolving my weight loss issue with bariatric surgery. In order to fulfill the requirements for my insurance company to approve the procedure, I needed to have a couple appointments with a nutritionist or dietitian. My primary care physician sent over the recommendation, and this is how I started my journey with Uhling Consulting.
At the beginning, having a couple hour-long virtual sessions with a nutritionist was just a step and a checkbox for my insurance company. I actually couldn't even tell you specifically what a nutritionist's function was, except to tell me to cut back on this or that, tell me I can't eat what I like, and basically just put me on some low carb or low calorie diet that I've been on so many times in my past while struggling with my obesity, and knowing whatever they forced me to do would fail before I even started.
Let me tell you something - and this is coming from a huge skeptic - I was wrong. So very wrong. After my first session with Kaitlyn Shannon, Uhling's BEST registered dietitian, I knew this was different. I felt like I was being introduced to nutrition for the first time. She didn't approach my situation judgmentally, nor did she try to steer me into a direction where I was uncomfortable. She asked me very specific questions about what I expected and my ultimate goals of overall wellness. Kaitlyn took the time to listen to me and actually HEAR me, which are two different things. At the end of our first session, she showed me a meal plan and helped me setup REALISTIC goals for the next few weeks. In addition, she emailed me all the materials we discussed and shared links to valuable information tailored to my specific situation. I told her I was serious about moving forward with this plan, and we agreed to meet again in a few weeks to review my progress.
Since that first visit with Kaitlyn in late August, 2020, I feel like a different person only two short months later. I really did take her feedback seriously, and I followed her meal plan with very little deviation. I've learned how integrating the food groups improves metabolism and promotes weight loss. As of today, I lost 33 pounds. To some, that's a lot of weight. To others like me, that's a small step to reaching a goal that I now see as attainable. I came to the conclusion that getting to my goal weight is just a small part of this incredible journey, and certainly not the most important. I know now that finding peace in living in my own skin, finding joy in being more active, and truly enjoying the world that is around me are more important than how much the scale says I weigh. My weight is nothing more than a side effect of my actions.
I made the decision to put the idea of bariatric surgery to the side for now and concentrate on the program Kaitlyn and I are working together. I feel I am benefiting more from this than what I would put my body through after an evasive surgical procedure. Let me be clear, this was 100% my decision to table that idea, and there was no influence in any way from Uhling or Kaitlyn. As a matter of fact, her recommendations and feedback were all based on my life post-bariatric surgery. It was me coming to the conclusion that I could finally control my body weight for the first time EVER by working with someone who understands nutrition. Diets are a fad, and they will never last or work long-term. Learning how to eat properly is the key to beating the obesity giant.
I am so grateful for Kaitlyn and Uhling Consulting in my life. If you approach handling your daily diet with an open mind, you will have the same realization I experienced. My journey is only starting, and I expect to see this one through to the very end by meeting all my goals. Uhling has a fantastic team, and I strongly recommend their services to all those seeking to improve their wellness. read more