We live in the age of AI - it is all around us - unless you’re one of those caveman that is hardly on their cell phone or laptop 😅. Surfing the web, social media, you name it - and AI elements are embedded everywhere.

 

So, based on my browsing history or sometimes I feel there is some sort of creepy AI that also listens through the phone 😅 - one day while I was on FB - I came across one of the many ‘sponsored’ ads. Most of them I’ve clicked on go on endlessly explaining everything on the mountain while I’m really interested in knowing what is at the base of it 😂. But this sponsored advertisement was different - how so you may ask?

 

First up, I saw the face of an Indian woman - so that's what caught my attention.

Second, I clicked on it and the information was succinct and caught my interest enough to take the next step 

Very, very few people of Indian origin I’ve seen will mislead you.

The face of this person was legit and there was an authenticity about her. So, I made an appointment.

 

And my reason for making this appointment for an initial free consult was primarily a wake-up call/flag/alarm my body gave me one morning after I woke up and got out of bed. My right knee was hurting a lot, I could feel it was super inflamed …. And even every step I took it was complaining. Yes I had gained weight but I had reached the number I had hit on the scale once before, but one of the most critical joints in my body hadn’t complained the way it did that one day.

 

I was like “Aparna - you need to do something, this is NOT a good sign“.

 

What motivated me even further is - I’m a single parent of my special needs son. I also don’t have a sibling, nor do I have another normal child. So, I’m my son’s only support.

And the thought just crossed my mind that - what if ?! What if I get a fracture? What if something happens to me (way earlier than the normal old age because I’m not pursuing healthy habits)?

The imagined scenario sent shivers down my spine and that was it.

I was determined. I said to myself - I want to be healthy, I want to lose weight. I want to feel good - for myself. And if I’m able to do that, then I will be able to be my son’s support system for the next few years.

 

I also have another ‘child’ in the wing - my aging father.

Mom passed away 3 years ago. My mother had an autoimmune condition called ankylosing spondylitis that she lived with for 45 years. It was triggered one year after they got married - and my father took care of her and was her primary caregiver for all the 45 years till her last breath. He is 77 now and I’m hoping he will join us here soon (waiting for his GC interview). I want to be healthy so I can take care of him - he totally deserves to be pampered, and fed well - ensuring his next few years are well spent.

 

So, I had my initial consult with Archana - she gave me all the details. I had no doubt in my mind - I wanted to do it. I knew it was going to work. I just had a good gut feeling about it.

The day in the program you are supposed to take measurements was ‘eye opening’ ….. I knew I didn’t like what I saw in the mirror - but actually taking measurements took the gravity of the situation to a different level 🙈. When did I go that high up on the scale - how, when, what the !?!?

Ok - I had just reached the base of this mountain I had decided to climb. Looked up, the peak wasn’t visible at all - but I knew Archana has a good support system for daily documenting, weekly calls - so there is someone who is going to make sure I’m on track and hold me accountable.

That was enough for me - I’m extremely self-motivated but, after all, human - so do need that ‘extra’ push at times.

And Archana has been just that since I started the program.

 

The first week went by - and I was not even exercising - and I had lost 4-5 lbs ….. that was encouraging. What I really noticed was I was feeling more energetic, no midday energy slumps, no feeling lethargic after eating the meal.

 

Second week into the program, I did have an upset stomach one whole day - maybe it’s supposed to happen?! I have no complaints - my body had started having a dialogue with me. It was telling me - I’m getting rid of the bad stuff you’ve been stuffing inside me. And I’m loving what you are now feeding me with. So it seemed like a natural clean out reaction by the body.

 

Third week into the program, I was feeling like an Energizer Bunny 😅 - ready to keep going all day. I couldn’t remember the last time I had worked through a full day, and then went for a 3-4 mile walk. And still felt like I could do another 30mins of strength training 😃.

Weeks 4-6 were like - this is amazing. My body was loving this new clean inside feeling. My skin was shining clear. The inflammation I used to have on my face and joints (especially knees) was significantly reduced.

 

Towards the end of the reset phase - I had to buy new pants, and also new bras 😅.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I took measurements the second time you are supposed to on the program.

It was an Aparna I hadn’t met and seen in a long time - a version that was 16 lbs lighter and 30 inches leaner overall.

 

This was my body’s way of saying THANK YOU. I’m now determined to keep this lifestyle for good - the few times I cheated intentionally - the body disliked it completely.

Now it has pretty much calibrated to - eating healthy - breads, pastries and foods that have no nutritional value but have only emotional value don’t excite me as they used to before.

 

I urge you to try this program - have faith in yourself and faith in the coach, the program and the journey it takes you on - I did - and IT WORKS!