Is It Time for a Lifestyle Change?

Sandy struggled with an extra 50 pounds most of her life. It wasn’t until she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure that she realized she needed some help. She knew that her past efforts with diets and exercise programs were short term and had led her to where she was today, facing serious life-altering diseases. Sandy decided it was time for the help of a health coach and perhaps, a personal trainer.

Tom received a prestigious college football scholarship and was proud to play offensive tackle for the LSU Tigers. For years he ate to maintain those extra pounds needed for his position. Once he left college sports and secured a management position in the corporate world, he found little time for regular physical activity. Within 10 years, he had gained more than 150 additional pounds. Diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, high cholesterol and diabetes, he also faced two knee replacement surgeries. Due to his excess weight, his doctor required that he lose at least 100 pounds prior to knee surgery. Tom realized he need a lifestyle and health coach.

Both Sandy and Tom turned to Debbie Zimmerman, an experienced, knowledgeable, and highly skilled health/lifestyle coach with credentials in personal training and lifestyle/health coaching. Working with Debbie twice a week, Sandy was able to lose 85 pounds, reduce her hemoglobin A1c from over 10 to 5.3 and get off all of her medications. At first, she was limited to walking short distances. Everyday she challenged herself to do a little more. Coaching sessions consisted of longer and longer walks with her coach to discuss weekly goals and to address any nutritional/physical concerns. Due to a shoulder injury, Sandy had avoided resistance training, but soon transitioned safely to hand weights within a few months as her self-confidence increased. Once she experienced a weight-loss plateau that lasted over two weeks. Daunted by her (seemingly) lack of success, Debbie reassured her to “stay the course.” On week three, Sandy experienced a 10-pound loss and was thrilled with her transformation.

Tom started his program using a Fitbit and tracking his steps from less than 1,000 a day to over 10,000 a day. On weekends, he would reach 30,000 steps per day. Tom lost 100 pounds in the first nine months and an additional 65 pounds over the following year. Like Sandy, Tom’s coaching sessions began with short walks while discussing challenges he experienced at work and at home. Although he was experiencing great success, his wife was still preparing unhealthy meals. Tom learned that he was responsible for his health and began making meals for the family. Soon his wife began dropping pounds and showing more support for Tom’s efforts. Due to his tremendous weight-loss success, Tom was able to postpone surgery on his knees.

Today, Sandy and Tom have maintained their weight loss and active lifestyles.

Does this sound familiar?

·      Do you need to lose weight…and keep it off for good?

·      Do you need a balanced, sustainable fitness program (cardiovascular, strength and flexibility)?

·      Have you tried making changes in the past, only to fall back into old habits?

·      Have you experienced an event or illness that threatens your life?

·      Do you want to regain the quality-of-life lost from chronic disease?

·      Do you want to prevent a disease that runs in your family?

·      Do you want to know how to prepare healthy meals that will prevent or reverse the major illnesses caused by the standard American diet (heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and many others)

·      Do you want to be more physically fit, but don’t know how/where to begin?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the questions above, a health/lifestyle coach and personal trainer is right for you. A coaching relationship is different than sharing with family or friends. Your commitment to yourself and your coach increases your potential for completing your goals and reaching your health expectations. With a health & lifestyle coach, you are 70% more likely to reach and maintain your goals.

As your coach, I can help you work through the various diet/exercise trends, the confusing and mixed media messaging, and increase your knowledge of evidenced-based information and practice. I understand behavioral change and how success empowers clients in building confidence and engagement in the process of lifestyle change. From personal training to whole food, plant-based coaching, I can help YOU attain and maintain your optimal health and vitality.

Below is a recent testimonial from Hope Powell.

In December of 2020 I got some of the worst news in my life. My cholesterol was through the roof, my blood pressure was higher than it had ever been, my weight was out of control and my numbers for inflammation (HS-CRP) were so high the doctor ordered another set of blood tests to see what was wrong. That was when I knew I was in grave danger health wise.

I had been listening to Debbie Zimmerman talk about the effects of eating a Whole Food, Plant Based diet for quite some time, but I didn’t want to give up meat. She convinced me to try it and go at my pace to see what I wanted to do. I signed up for her coaching with my daughter who was “on the fence.”

Within a month of changing my eating habits, I was no longer in constant pain. I was, quite honestly, shocked. My knees and shoulders had been hurting me for years. I really thought I was going to have to have some surgery to stop the pain.

My daughter, who is a self-professed carnivore, has been suffering from daily headaches and migraines for 17 years. She has finally had some days with no pain at all.

Both of us were losing weight with no additional effort. Debbie proposed we come to her house for “Boot Camp.” As a retired soldier I am aware of what goes on in boot camp and just kept laughing her off. Finally, I ran out of excuses not to go and went.

Debbie had a plan and she was relentless. We had a large breakfast every morning of oatmeal (or another grain) with berries, flax seed, and herbs. Then we would lift weights (3 or 4 pounders, not 100) and get in some walking. She never went past what I could handle. (She also ignored my whining.) We would have a nutritious lunch of grains, bean burgers, various veggies and some fruit. We would spend time in the afternoon shopping and reading labels. I knew how to read labels but I wasn’t reading enough information to make the wisest choices. We often prepared meals together so I could learn how to use my new SaladMaster cookware. Supper was more grains, veggies and fruit. In the evening we had dessert—yes, a real dessert made from fruits and plants! I was always full and knew my food was prepared without fat of any kind. Everything I ate was delicious.

By the end of my week-long “Boot Camp,” I had lost five pounds, this was in addition to the 11 pounds I had lost over the previous three months. I was able to walk five miles with minimal whining. The weight loss made me happy, but the most amazing part was the lack of pain. No matter how strenuous the exercise we did, I never felt pain the next day. I am over the moon about my experience with Debbie, and look forward to continuing my journey with her by my side. Actually, I’m thinking of going to Advanced Camp this summer!

Hope Powell

Murphy, NC

April 2021

If you want to explore lifestyle and health coaching, now is the time to book a FREE consultation via e-mail (  debbie@phyto-fit.life  ), text ( (863) 660-8588 ) or directly on my Facebook page (  https://www.facebook.com/phytofitllc  ).

Let’s achieve your goals together!!