Before the Challenge, I thought I was just one of those people who couldn’t stick to healthy eating. I constantly craved junk food–fast food, sweets,comfort foods, starchy foods such as bread. I wanted to lean out, but couldn’t last more than three days on any diet because I’d crave those foods and give up.

As a result I was unhappy and unhealthy. So I signed up for the challenge not really believing it would be possible for me to make a change. However, thanks to Paula’s nutritional advice, I did make that change and it completely transformed my life.

The first week of the challenge was miserable…I felt shaky, dizzy and had horrible cravings. Paula encouraged me to hang in there so that my efforts would not be wasted. About ten days later, my energy skyrocketed and I started feeling stronger at the workouts. In about a month, I found that some recurring health problems had vanished and I felt mentally sharp and

energetic throughout the day, yet slept great. By the end of the challenge, I was running faster and lifting heavier than ever. I had learned to cook and bought size 4 pants (which are now falling off) I had also lost 8 lbs and 5% body fat. I never have any cravings and it’s easy to make good choices because I know they will make me feel great. I have a great sense of accomplishment having completed a challenge that has always eluded me. I am happier and more confident and view myself as an athlete.

Paula’s nutritional advice is dead on– I am convinced that this is the way human beings were designed to eat, and that things we simply accept–cravings, disease, low energy, irritability, symptoms of aging–are not inevitable, but are due to the Standard American Diet.

Here goes the Oscar speech: I want to thank Paula from the bottom of my heart and also Mike (and Mel), who encouraged me to work hard and challenge myself every day at the workouts, as well as all the rock stars in the 7AM class who motivated me to become stronger and faster. I thank all of these people so much for helping me changing my life for the better! Thank you Paula!