Meet Magnificent Michelle!

I first met Michelle in July of 2008. To say she had been somewhat "hand-balled" by health professionals and doctors to date is fair. She, as well as her mother, were feeling very frustrated, yet they were determined to find answers. In their quest, they came across me :)

I am so glad they did! Michelle is now firing along in life having completed her Diploma in an area of study she is passionate about, and now moving out of home and in with her boyfriend! Her confidence, self-acceptance and happiness have really blossomed!

It has been incredibly fulfilling to work with Michelle and to see the changes it has meant not only for her life and self-reltionship, but also for her mum, who is incredibly proud of her beautiful daughter.

Life is now flowing for Michelle and she can finally move on from something that was haunting her and holding her back for so long! :)

Here is what Marion, her mother, had to say:

"When my daughter first met Bridget, she was really struggling with her weight, food choices and motivation. She had recently joined a gym where she heard about a 'nutrition guru'. After some discussion together, we decided to set up a consultation with Bridget. The rest is history!! Bridget hit on some key information that really helped my daughter begin to make very good food choices, eg she now always has a bag of carrots in the fridge at home and work for munching on when she is peckish, and she understands so much more about making lifestyle changes with food rather than to 'diet'. Now she has lost over 47 kg, feels so much healthier and loves being able to buy clothes off the rack that fit. Prior to meeting Bridget, we had met with other dietary professionals but always came away feeling overwhelmed having been told information that really didn't work for her. We are so glad to have met Bridget as she unlocked important weight loss keys that have brought great success. Thanks Bridget!!!!" Marion, Buderim, QLD

Congrats Michelle! You are an AWESOME inspiration to SO many people out there! Thank you for sharing your story! :)


Cheers! xoxxoxoxo
BridgetJane
Food Body Lifestyle Guru
Writer, Speaker, Consultant
www.newleafnutrition.com.au
http://bridgetjaneguru.blogspot.com
http://bridgetthompson.blogspot.com
http://bridget-jane.blogspot.com

Sunshine Coast, QLD

"Your health is everything...Discover your TRUE health potential"

Introducing the NEW Jodie!

BEFORE

Some of you will remember and know a little bit about Miss Jodie and her journey. Well, let me just say....this girl has blown my mind in terms of the transformation she has gone through in 4 MONTHS!!! She has absolutely blossomed into the incredibly beautiful, talented, articulate and subtly confident girl she always was.

Jodie, working with you has been such a blessing and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity and for you opening up so much to me and trusting me so implicitly!

I know we will stay in touch for ever and continue to share this journey called LIFE! Next......I can hear baby cries..... lol...

To all of you out there....I hope you can feel the truth in Jodie's words and perhaps allow them to inspire you in some way!

Let me reintroduce you to Incredible Jodie!

AFTER (March 09)

xoxoxo

"Bridget,
Our sessions may have come to an end but I will never forget everything you have given me.
Not only have you taught me the fundamentals of nutritious food, you have taught me how to use all this extra energy that I have as an outcome of eating well and put it towards the other facets of my life. I feel that I am a changed person for the better and that my life is heading in the right direction. I am happier, healthier, energized, committed, confident, and more importantly enjoying my new life.

Towards the end of our sessions I was starting to get scared that once our sessions ended, I would fall back into my rut. However, the knowledge I have acquired from Bridget will last me a lifetime and the idea of being able to pass on my knowledge to my children (when I have them) and build a happy and healthy home for them gives me much comfort.

I must say Bridget that I never imagined eating the right foods would be so enjoyable. I enjoy shopping for food more than clothes now, having a kitchen full of colourful fruit and veg looks amazing. I take photos of my dinners now just because they look so amazing I want to share them with others. It tastes just as good as it looks which is even better. I haven’t looked back or craved my old food either, my body has adapted to this food, which has assisted in me continuing with this healthy lifestyle more easily.

I am still taking baby steps towards my goals, and only this week I have been getting up an hour earlier every morning and not once (yet) have I not bounced out of bed with enthusiasm. I don’t make myself exercise either, I just get up and do something active, whether it be cleaning, washing, swimming, 1 hour on Wii Fit, or today I even went out and climbed up and down the Stairs from level 1 to level 8 about five times. Never thought I would, but I’ve felt better since I’ve started doing this. Don’t know how I’ll go in Winter, but that’s my next step….

I came to you Bridget, because I wanted to up my energy levels (as I couldn’t lift myself up after having Chronic Fatigue), and to lose weight. Bridget you more than exceeded my expectations of you and for the lifetime knowledge you gave me, I thank you. You’re the best."

You can't lose weight without a diet, structure or rules! Or can you...? :)

Another insight into belief; facing the fear and doing it anyway!

Wow! How courageous my clients have been of late. Fearing so much in their minds and still going ahead anyway! How admirable!

You know though....the only way I have ever reached success is by following EXACTLY the same path....feeling apprehensive, sceptical, scared, but listening to that tiny little voice in me that said, "What if it IS ok? What if it IS safe? Imagine..." Usually the person I was taking advice from was someone I trusted, someone who had the results I wanted in their life. So it was easier for me to take that "leap of faith".

I hope my next client's sharing helps you to feel more at ease about facing any fears, insecurities, uncertainties that YOU have, holding you back from achieving your innermost desires, dreams and goals. This lady is in her mid 50's, works part-time in a fairly intensive environment and over the years had neglected herself so much so, that she had lost her faith that she could still achieve her dreams...I hope her sharing helps you to see that we all sometimes doubt, fear and feel lost...the moral is:


You CAN achieve anything you set your mind to! All you need is a decision, belief, ACTION and resilience! Resilience to never give up; to bounce back and learn from challenges; to keep going even when it's TOUGH :)

Go all of you!!!! You CAN do it!

Until next time.....xoxoxoxoxo


"Dear Bridget-Jane,
I still have to pinch myself, because I still can’t quite believe I’m managing to do this…When you told me that the plan you had in mind for me was no plan, no structure, no diet I nearly fell off my chair. I thought, she’s got to be joking: never, not once in my life, have I been able to just eat what I want and enjoy food. And be slim. I thought, how’s a person who needs and likes structure going to have success with weight and health this way? Especially in the recent past, I’ve tended to be a mood-determined eater: when there was something to celebrate, out with the cake and cream, the crackers, the camembert, the glass of wine. When there was something to worry about, a coffee shop stop was a must and I needed that piece of cheesecake with the full-cream latte. I hung in there and finished it all up, even after it was starting to make me feel sick…

The idea of respecting my body enough to listen to what it was asking me to eat was scary to me. Like learning a foreign language, in fact. I guess in so many ways in all my life and work I’ve been doing the exact opposite: driving my body on when it’s telling me there’s nothing left, that the tank was empty. So I didn’t even have the confidence to think that I knew what listening to my body even felt like. For me, these last ten days have been a leap of faith, a whole new experience or experiment. I’ve been set free from the tyranny of planning meals down to the last detail. I’ve been winging it, being creative, daring to throw in my own bits and pieces and flavours with the suggestions that come from a recipe. Both my husband and I have been enjoying the smaller but tastier meals. He’s really supportive of the new adventure too, and I’ve become interested again in shopping for different, new, interesting foods.

It’s only been ten days, but guess what? I’ve lost a few kilos into the bargain. When I filled out your initial questionnaire, I was weighing about 68 kg. The scales are now telling me I’m just below 65 kg – again, I can’t quite believe it. Yes, it’s a little bit akin to walking on water. Something tells me I just have to keep looking straight ahead, and not give way to fear…

I’ll see you later
xx"

Re-Learning to BELIEVE in yourself...a client's private journey

Belief in yourself is absolutely essential in order to achieve any goals you set yourself....if you do not actually really believe you CAN achieve something, then I guarantee you won't.....AND it will be a struggle...

For this reason, I work VERY HARD with my clients on their MINDSET..where your head is at, your body, health and all successes, follow...it is inevitable...

Remember too, those that have achieved the seemingly impossible....Lance Armstrong, Oprah Winfrey, President Obama. How did they do it?!!? How did they achieve things that others thought were impossible at one stage? It's all in the ATTITUDE! They were CERTAIN they WOULD achieve their visions...they believed in themselves, backed themselves and NEVER gave up....

So...here I share with you a client's very private reflection on her journey so far, and her feelings after our session yesterday.

I am grateful to this client for being generous enough to share her private thoughts with us. For privacy, her name has been changed. Thank you Alice ;0)

"Hello Bridget :)

Firstly I would like to say Thank you for being a crazy, psycho Chatterbox, I missed a very bad accident by about 10 minutes this afternoon just as I was entering the Brisbane suburbs. Had I left when I did it may have been me involved. Phew ! ( I hope everyone was ok).

Anyway, I have scanned that sheet you gave me & added 2 statements on cards that I bought today when I left you. As I was walking past a shop, not far from Hot Pipi's, I saw them & just had to buy them :) And on the radio there was a song with the words "give yourself permission to shine" so I am getting lots of messages (just starting to hear them !).

Your session today helps me more than you know ! I do believe I can achieve so much more but have so much doubt & listening to you breaks it down so simply that my mind can process it. I love the fact that it is so simple & when you actually tell me I'm already doing some of these things I go "yeah that's right" but hadn't seen it from that view. I know we haven't spoken much about food but I believe this area is an important part for me. I have lost belief in my abilities because I put too much pressure on myself (trying to make it more difficult) & when I speak with you that strong confident Alice comes up :) I want her to be up & out more often, without the help of Bridget Ha Ha Ha.

I was thinking on the way home how different I was today compared to the 1st time we meet, I was so scared & even too scared to speak. But today I approached Hot Pippi's with confidence & told them I was meeting with you & that you were running late & ordered a Chai & said we'd sit at our usual table. I would have previously wandered around nervously until you had arrived:) Cool hey ! I usually have difficulties being alone, but was comfortable with it today.

I'm really going to work on my goals & develop my self belief & the "I Am" statements will really help me with this. That's another thing, I absolutely love that fact you send me an extra bit after we have spoken, makes me feel special & that you're still thinking about me ...Thank you MWAH, MWAH :)

Ok I will send my 4 am questions through at some stage of the day tomorrow,

Thanks again Bridget I love you heaps,

Alice(Name changed) XXX
P.S this is the longest email I've sent to you LOL"

Shopping to a System- save time, save money! :)

Just thought I would share with you the reflections of one of my supermarket shopping tour participants...goes to show that just because we've always done something a certain way, or accepted something "just is like that"/"that's how it is"....sometimes, we can be shown that it is not so/does not have to be so.... :)

I am very grateful for the honest reflections sent to me by this participant in this email. Thank you so very much K!

Enjoy guys xo

"Hi Bridget,

My name is K (name removed for privacy purposes) - I attended the last shopping trip at Kawana - thank you (husband) and I are looking at shopping and food in a different light now.

I have been using your system of planning our nightly meals and shopping to them - yes I have seen a decrease in cost of shopping each week and we can get it
done so much quicker (even after only two weeks) thank you so much.

Last night for dinner I served up your Thai Fish Cakes - ((husband)and I have two boys - aged 14 and 11) I'm sorry to say the boys couldn't eat them - too spicy mum
when I told them we need to eat fish twice a week - the old grumbles came out - I can do a grilled or home crumbed fish fillets and also Salmon Mornay but I guess we will get sick of eating these every week - would you have any ideas for me to help them enjoy a variety of healthy foods?

I hope this isn't tooooooo forward - my apologises if it is.

Many thanks
K"

Elizabeth Eats Salmon! :)

This is an update on Elizabeth's journey. This week she has had a breakthrough! After telling me over and over how much she dislikes fish and how even the smell makes her gag, lets hear what she has to say now :)


"Hello !!! LOOK :) I made Salmon and ate it & enjoyed it :)

I cooked it in lime juice,eschallots,garlic & honey...absolutely delicious.

I've had a good week-end & printed out a few of your statements from Facebook & stuck them on my mirror !! It's the closet thing to you actually moving in with us LOL

Look forward to seeing you on Tuesday,

Love you heaps,

Elizabeth x"
Awesome news!

SO! All you self-proclaimed fish haters out there......you can LEARN TO LOVE this wonderful, amazing food! :)

We will hear from Brad soon on his journey and how he is enjoying tastes he never imagine he would like and is finding his old favourites bland and un-exciting! :)

Wow! The power of good food!

Warning: IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

Until next time guys! Get crazy- experiment and TRY things you think you HATE for the love of your health and your body! ;p

Cheers!
xoxoxoxoo

Rageing Rex! From 101 to 79.5! WOW!

Well guys it has been a long, beautiful and flourishing relationship between myself and one of my very first Sunny Coast clients, Rex Morrow.

I first met Rex in September of 06, and back then you might say he was somewhat down about his health...lets refresh on his story so far...

(From my Success Stories page at www.newleafnutrition.com.au)

(February 07)



In his 50's Rex Morrow is as fit and healthy as he has been in a very long time and leading a very different life to 17 months ago.
Suffering a heart attack over 4 years ago was not as rude a wake up call as the diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes in September 06.

This news spurred Rex into action and lead to his introduction to Bridget, as part of his health team.

Weighing in at 101kg, Rex was stressed, suffering low moods, tired, and lacking energy. He was on a cholesterol lowering medication and facing the real possibility of adding a diabetic medication to this.

By making a few simple changes to his diet and learning the basics about food, Rex noticed changes quickly. Rex's food choices were by no means "unhealthy options", in fact they were quite good. It came down to a few consistent changes that made a significant, and almost immediately noticeable, difference to his energy levels, moods and general feelings of wellbeing.

Exercise on a regular basis helps Rex find himself in full momentum of a completely new lifestyle.

Today at 84kg Rex still wants to shift a few more kilo's, however feels 150% better than he did. Not only does he have sky high energy levels, he is much happier, proud of his achievement and enjoying the pleasant side effect of immaculately clear skin! Acne had been a haunt for the better part of his life.



Additionally, Rex reports much better vision, practically non-existent irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and a much more positive and exciting outlook on life. During his time working with Bridget, Rex faced a major life upheaval and managed it much more easily than he might've had he not transitioned to a more healthy, vital and happier lifestyle.

Rex supports more than anyone the amazing and multi-faceted effect lifestyle change can make to your life.

He says "it wasn't that hard at all. I'm thoroughly enjoying the foods I'm eating, I don't miss alcohol, and I still include a few of my favourite indulgences every now and then". Before I met Bridget I was overweight and lacked energy.”

“After meeting Bridget over a year ago, and adhering mostly to her recommendations I have shed over 23kgs, lots inches ....down from XXL to M size and am close to my goal weight for good health and energy”

“Now I see Bridget for follow-ups, and fresh ideas on meals. Losing and maintaining weight loss is a lifestyle thing...not a quick fix drink from a can. I occasionally get a bit of a stern lecture from Bridget for wandering off the path”

Life with a healthy heart and mind, and without the threat of diabetes, has been well worth the effort for Rex.


And today???

This is the latest from Rex....

(March 09)

"G'day Bridget,

Shee ....I just got on the scales yes they are my electronic ones And they read 79.5kgs.............How good is that !!!!!!
Celebarated with a glass of wine and took the dog for another walk....LOL!!!

Made a mean mayo to go on salad tonight....

4 small chillies(home grown), 4 cloves of garlic and 5 tablespoons of Low Fat (Vaalia Natural) yoghurt..with a pinch of salt.....nearly blew my head off so added 3 more tablespoons of yoghurt and perfect

HooRoo!,
Rex"

I asked Rex permission to share this milestone, obviously he agreed. In response to the request of an updated piccy, Rex had this to say....

"Re a pic...will need some new clothes as I was told that even my jeans
of 6 months are starting to look baggy LOL!
Will get one to you in a couple of weeks"

So there you have it!

A wonderful story of continuing success! We look forward to the updated picture :)

Rex you truly are an inspiration and example to so many others out there with similar challenges and who also may feel overwhelmed and even somewhat overcome by their situation at times.

Thank you SO much for sharing and we look forward to many more great, quick, tasty, healthy recipe/food ideas from you!

Cheers!

BridgetJane xo