Designing Your Unique Body Image

"My clients come from all walks of life; seeking ways to work through issues that stand in the way of them reaching their fullest potential. Some live locally in Philadelphia, while others are located across the country. Their commitment and desire to identify and move beyond difficult issues and their achievements are an inspiration."
— Annie Stone

Client Testimonials

As a Coach

"When I hired Annie Stone, I felt desperate, out of control, and betrayed by my body. I was swinging between alternating states of expending extreme effort to diet and exercise, and self-loathing from feeling like a failure.

From my first coaching session with Annie, it was clear that we wouldn't be talking about calories and calisthenics! And we never did. She had a way of cutting through everything that I threw at her, and getting right to my deepest, truest obstacle. And unlike some other experiences I've had, I actually enjoyed (that's right: enjoyed!) this process. I always looked forward to my conversations with Annie, knowing that her gentleness and sense of humor would make the coaching session pleasant, and that her skill and wisdom would catalyze my growth.

Now, just about six months from that dark place I began in, I can say that I no longer see myself the same way, and I know I never will. When I reflect on my physical self today, I can see that my body does not meet my measure of perfection, and it never will. But that's really okay with me. I happen to eat better and be a little more fit than I've been in awhile, but it's not in pursuit of some "dream body". Instead, it's because I cherish this strong and reliable vessel that my soul lives in, and I want to take good care of it. After years and years of enforcing a "zero tolerance for flaws" policy on my self, that is a miraculous shift in perspective for me. And the freedom..oh...the freedom.

Sure, I still wince at the sight of my thighs under the fluorescent lights of the dressing room at Nordstrom. Annie is good, but she's not a magician! :-) However, her experience, skill, and unconditional support have helped me to be healthy, fit, and at peace with my body...for the first time in my life."

— Colleen B

"How nice to get your e-mail and know you were thinking about me! Things are good for me. Many factors - letting go of "shoulds", enjoying food more than the rote eating of the past, feeling the power to make choices, eating less food because I deserve the treat - converged for good results. Generally I am eating less food (although not always what I "should" eat) and my weight is now 143! I enjoyed working with you immensely! I felt a strong connection with you the first time we met and I'm happy that I had the opportunity to learn from you and explore a new way of being!"
— Sandy B., Hatfield, PA

"I have known Annie Stone for 4 years. Her personal support has given me the persistence to continue with my weight loss, which has now crossed over the 80 pound mark. Annie is encouraging, firm in her support of me and my goals, patient with my issues and most important she has given me a foundation that allows me to make mistakes and then correct them. Her coaching brings me back to reality and enables me to push through my challenges. Annie is a warm, generous, centered grown-up lady whose commitment shows through in both her language and actions. Be warned, with Annie as coach.... you will get what you ask for!"
— Catherine L., Philadelphia, PA

"Thank you very much. I love to talk to you. You always make so much sense and listen so well. I always feel better after I've talked with you. We have worked on my "getting it together", but now when I say it, I can mean it. It has been 5 weeks now and I have been going strong with WW. Lost 13 pounds. I am handling problems much better. I just want to thank you for being there for me, once again."
— Maryrose C., Philadelphia, PA

"I want to tell everyone I can about what I have learned about the reasons I haven't been successful in my struggle with weight. I have been involved with Annie Stone's Mindful Body Studio for the past 7 months. During our first talk I became aware of what I had always called my "tick", the "enemy" that told me to eat, was actually something that helped keep me safe when I needed it. Realizing that the tick was more a friend than an enemy took the self destructive behavior away and it didn't scare me any more or cause me to eat uncontrollably. We have often talked about many of my triggers, and Annie has always helped me pull a positive from them. I have actually threatened Annie with sending her my "electric" bill because of all the lights that get turned on. I now think of myself as a garden with fewer weeds. It has become easier to make wiser choices that include loving and taking better care of me. I'm finally having success with losing weight. I have lost 47 pounds, celebrate being a woman and often celebrate by saying out loud, "I am woman hear me roar".

Thank you Annie Stone.
— Debbie E., Philadelphia, PA.

"I engaged Annie as a Life Coach for six months for the purpose of moving forward in my work. Annie's professionalism as a coach includes many creative approaches to what I brought to each session. Her consistently warm and supportive manner provided a safe space for me to address the challenges at hand and steered me to the heart of the issue in ways that always honored my process. I feel her authenticity of spirit and I am grateful for the many breakthroughs experienced during our work together. Annie is a valuable resource for my personal growth and we continue to keep in touch on an as-need basis."
— Lee C., Skippack, PA

"I've been working with Annie Stone for about 6 weeks now. I've been dealing with a serious weight problem for 15-20 years. Nothing worked. I've tried many diets - weight watchers, Atkins, South Beach, Nutri-System and who knows what else. I know how many calories, carbs, fats, and proteins are in nearly every food. Nothing worked. Annie's approach is to get in touch with your total self - mind, body, emotions, family dynamics, career goals and stresses, etc. -- All the factors that I had to address everyday. I learned how to identify them and how to become aware of how I was addressing them. With her help, I learned listen to myself - to work with myself - to let my essence shine through. By working with her, I was able to work with my doctor to discover some very serious and subtle allergies that were negatively affecting my health. I was able to determine what I was doing to compensate for being tired all the time (drinking large amounts of caffeine) which further negatively impacted my health. I have also worked through feelings about my family's dynamics that inhibit my weight loss. Together, Annie and I came up with pragmatic ways to enable me constructively deal with health issues. And, oh yes I've lost 11 lbs in the past 6 weeks. Annie's coaching enabled me to find my inner self, to let me find the balance I so desperately needed in my life, and to let the control of my day to day functioning be centered within my inner self. I feel better than I've felt for 30 years…."
— Jane C., Piscataway, N.J.

"I first met Annie through chance. I had invited myself to a luncheon meeting for life coaches in the hopes that I would find a career I might like to try. I had been struggling with what I wanted to do when I grew up for a long as I could remember, and this was just another in a long line of inquiries I was attempting to make. What I found there was a life coach - Annie. From the start, she was open, personable and interested in my goals and searches in a way that no one else had been. Still, when she suggested that we start working together, I was pretty nervous. It can be uncomfortable to talk to a stranger about your life. That first phone call was one of the strangest I have ever had, but what a phone call it was. With Annie's help, I started to make changes in my life for the better from the very beginning. I was able to really see where I was standing in my own way. I was also able to figure out how to break down barriers that I had put in place so many years ago that they were not useful anymore. While I have been working with Annie I have been able to do many things that I only dreamed possible. This summer alone I have traveled and explored, where in the past I would have sat home and worried. I have also applied for two jobs in the area that Annie helped me define as my career path. When I didn't get the first job I applied for, I did not curl up into my shell like I usually do. I went out and applied for a better job. I would not have done that before working with Annie. Now that I am waiting to hear from the second job, I wait with much more confidence in my ability to get and do the job than I have ever had before. Annie is able to get to the root of a problem without making me feel uncomfortable and anxious about examining myself. And it is this examination that is the key to opening up opportunities. I would highly recommend working with Annie if you want to make discoveries about yourself and to grow into a more dynamic you. The journey is well worth taking."
— Katy L., Media, PA

"I am very grateful, and thanks for the encouragement. You are offering so much as a coach … it's amazing and inspirational."
— Shannon W. Cambridge, WI

"I know that Annie actually cares about what happens to me. She always makes me feel comfortable, and is genuinely interested and concerned about my well being, while helping me look at the situation in a different or alternative light."
— Rhona G., Philadelphia, PA

"Annie is very supportive in that she communicates her belief in the person she is talking with."
— Martha A. Palo Alto, CA

As a Speaker / Facilitator

"Annie has a genuine interest in her audience. She demonstrates the ability to clearly get the point across, engage the audience and maintain interest. She has a strong presence of authority and integrity while making the audience at ease and comfortable, which creates an environment that promotes learning and sharing. The groups are handled with a confidence that people can almost feel. It's not arrogant, but self-assured. These are good things. Annie comes across as "one of the weight-wounded", and yet shows that change (and long term change) is possible. She has excellent listening skills and allows all to be heard. She has command of material and depth of knowledge."
— Catherine L., Philadelphia, PA

"Annie encourages people to interact and really learn from one another in addition to herself. She encourages and enables people to feel good about themselves and what they have accomplished, which motivates them to learn more as well."
— Judith S., Philadelphia PA

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