It is not an exaggeration to say that the 21-day challenge with Dr. Amy Casey changed my life and health for the better. In July of 2020, when I started the program, I thought I was pretty healthy. I was 50 years old, 150–155 lbs, and I walked at least 3 miles a day. My cholesterol was a little high and my blood pressure was always borderline, but I felt strong and energetic, for the most part. My problem was that I couldn’t lose the 15–20 lbs I really wanted to. I couldn’t even lose one. The closer I get to the inevitability of menopause, the more my weight kept creeping up ...

I am 38 years old. I have been referred to as “short and round” all my life. I never remember a time that my jean size was a single digit. I have been asked numerous times when I was due, or if I was having a girl/boy, because people thought I was an expecting mother. I had really come to a place that I accepted that I am “short and round” and decided I had to be ok with it. During Covid lockdown, I continued to gain weight and had developed more bad health habits. I began the 21-day tune up challenge with Amy in October. I joined because I was inspired by her personal journey. She was always transparent and I genuine, so I was excited to learn from her. I was driven and motivated during the 21-day challenge. Amy taught me about nourishing my body with real food ...

Since I started eduThrive, I have learned more about myself as a person inside and out. I know how what foods to eat, how to have energy, and more importantly how to keep myself healthy inside and out. I have learned how to cook healthy, read food nutritional labels, and make those great choices in what I decide to eat. I have lost 40 pounds and 3 pants sizes in 6 months. My biggest win and lesson that I have learned is that I am not on a “diet,” I am eating healthy and making great choices for me, my future self, and my future health!

eduThrive has changed more than the numbers on the scale for me. It has changed how I see myself and the world. Food is a social contract, a comfort, a tradition, a habit as well as a source to keep us going. Our lives are surrounded by food and I am a huge foodie but as I get older, 47, it becomes more important that everything in my life works to my health and happiness. eduThrive has helped me learn how to make decisions to that end.

I have so much more energy now to keep up with my very busy, almost 3 year old! As a woman in my mid-40’s it is nice to go to the park and be more active than some of the ‘young’ moms! I want to be around to watch my daughter grow! I have now surpassed my ‘goal’ weight. 3 months ago I had to buy bigger shorts because I had none that fit and now I am buying jeans 3 sizes smaller! But, it isn’t about the scale and the number on my jeans, it is about feeling better than I have felt in years! I enjoy finding fun, plant-based recipes to make and my daughter is loving all the fruits and veggies! I’m teaching her healthy habits that will hopefully stay with her as she grows.

This program has changed my whole life. I feel so fortunate that Amy chose me to be a part of eduThrive. I have learned to cook new meals with cooking classes and meditation has become such a part of my daily routine that I don’t feel complete if I miss it. It has really let me get to know myself and be so vulnerable. The weight has come off and my health is so much better. But the best thing about this program is that I have new group of people that are there for me “No Matter What!” Still learning and loving it.

I’m mostly active, but really the change has been the healthy food I am choosing to eat … I was struggling with weight gain, fatigue and some joint pain. As I continue this plant-based lifestyle, I am feeling great and my clothes fit again. The commitments I continue to work on for my own well-being are consistently working out and learning to meditate. I’m thankful for Amy’s kindness and wisdom and the edu-Thriver group for your friendship, accountability, and cooking ideas.