About Annie

I struggled with being overweight most of my life. Even as a young child I tried to be a "normal" weight. I can remember constantly being told I was too chubby and was deprived of certain foods because I was told they would make me fatter. Curiously, my childhood photos tell a different story. Although not "thin" I looked to be a perfectly normal weight. The "fat child" label became a self fulfilling prophecy. I did in fact become a chubby child and worse, an obese adult.

Being in anguish and physical discomfort was how I moved in the world. I would wake up each morning committing to start a diet only to go to sleep every night in anguish again because I hadn't. Sometime in 1995 I finally got tired of feeling bad about myself, my weight and the vicious cycle I was in. I realized I wasn't willing to do what "it takes" to be thin and thought I would probably be fat for the rest of my life. Interestingly my thoughts and actions began to take a more positive turn as I began accepting myself as I was. I wanted to make the best of who I was and what I looked like.

Ultimately this led to wanting to treat myself even better. I wanted to feel more comfortable in my body and I rejoined Weight Watchers in 1996. I lost 78 pounds in 16 months and have kept it off ever since. It worked not only because I changed my eating patterns. Mostly I succeeded because I wanted to — so badly that I risked exploring new ways to feed my spirit as well as my body.

Maintaining my weight has made a difference in every aspect of my life. The transition from being the fat person I was into the slimmer person I am, is an ongoing process that I find exhilarating, enriching and always rewarding.

Awareness of the many transitional stages was and is an essential part of evolving into a slimmer person. I was not the only one who needed to get used to the changes, my family members were affected as well! My husband now has what he calls his "trophy" wife. My youngest son claimed that I was not the mother to him that I was to his older siblings. The fact of the matter is, he was absolutely right and I became sensitive to what the transition meant for my entire family and friends without losing sight of what I wanted for myself.

Since losing weight I have pursued my lifelong dream of artistic expression. I have always been and continue to be a great cook. No one turns down an invitation to eat at my house.

I maintain my weight today because I understand that I don't have to be perfect or spend my life on a diet — being in a process of self awareness and conscious choice is enough. I don't let "perfect" get in the way of "good". I live the Mindful Body approach to sustain both my weight loss and the life I choose. Do I occasionally gain a couple of pounds? Absolutely. Do I let myself slide into someone I no longer intend to be? Absolutely not.

If you desire being comfortable in your body, and naturally maintain it, I'd love to share that journey with you. You will transcend thinking about what you are or aren't eating. Instead we will explore who you are, how it influences your relationship with food, and what you can do about it. We will uncover the "real" you — who embraces eating and behavioral choices naturally. It's already inside you. We just need to let it out.

Contact Annie today to get started living a Mindful Body life today!