Success Story - Kirk & Debbie Nelson

Debbie Nelson

Occupation: self employed

Age: 40

"My experience with Kristi Tauti and I-Physique started with an email to my awesome husband, Kirk.  It was for a Body Transformation Contest with Kristi.  I was very intrigued by this since I was just a couple of months away from my 40^th birthday and was still carrying some weight from my 3 ½ year old son.

I have always been fairly active, but in the past few years have found it harder to lose that weight.  I have worked out with trainers at the gym, but they have never helped with the nutrition side.  I have a small frame, yet pretty muscular as well thanks to growing up with gymnastics and dance.  I just needed the RIGHT person to help me conquer my weight and teach me the right way to eat for my age and body.

So, not only was I carrying more weight, but before I started this process I was having some medical concerns and the doctors were CONVINCED that I was starting Peri-Menopause.  It is not unheard of to start in late 30’s or early 40’s, but not usual.  I am happy to say that after 10 weeks on the Clean Eating program and working with Kristi, EVERY symptom is gone!  Absolutely amazing!  I seriously can’t believe it!

Honestly, I was intimidated when I first met Kristi…  She is beautiful, buff and KNOWS WHAT SHE IS TALKING ABOUT.  Right away I felt a connection to her and thought that she could really help us.  I also knew the key to being successful was Kirk and I partnering in yet one more aspect of our life and making this change together.  After our initial meeting, I was completely, 100% on board!  So much so, that when I left her office, I immediately went to the store and stocked up on the containers, zip locks and the scale… 

I saw good results in the first week and even more the second week.  I was amazed that I was never hungry.  I also found it easier to find that time to work out…  NO MORE EXCUSES!  My kids were not always happy about going to the gym, but we had decided, too bad for them!  No one’s happy if Mommy isn’t happy! J 

Throughout the next 10 weeks, I had some major ups and downs!  I didn’t see the results as quickly as I saw the initial ones.  Honestly, there were times when I felt very discouraged…  But, Kristi knew best and just kept encouraging me.  The true key was to continue to follow the plan – every meal – everyday!  She was always there for me.  I never would have made it emotionally without my husband and Kristi.  They were both there for me 100%, I couldn’t have asked for more.

After tweaking the food and exercise, I have continued to lose weight every week and more importantly, lose body fat and inches every week!  Just 2 weeks until my big 40…  I put on a size 2 pant!  And then cried…  At one point this summer I figured I would just be a 5’ tall size 8 and that was that!  Now, I am 5lbs from goal and wearing a size 2 and 4.

Kristi has been such a wonderful addition to our “family” and our friendship will continue for a long time.  Her expertise has helped us as parents and our family, have a new edge on life!  Our children will learn from our example… and learn how to be healthy now and for years to come.  THANK YOU KRISTI!"

- Debbie Nelson

Kirk Nelson

Occupation:

Age: 44

"My Transformation story all began when one day I met Amanda McNulty as I was working out doing cardio on the StairMaster machine.  In meeting Amanda it became clear to me that she knew how to get in top physical shape (instant credibility for me) and so I was more than willing to listen when she introduced me to the wonderful, Kristi Tauti.

Ever since I moved away from my mid-20’s I have always carried around too much weight and knew it.  I have been a 38 to 40 pant size at 6’2” and 230-240 lbs for as long as I could remember.  At one point I did lose a little weight working out everyday and 2x per week with a trainer but not changing my eating lifestyle.  I lost weight but it just went back on as my training schedule became more difficult to keep. However I have always felt like I was healthy and able to exercise/run so it was never much of a priority to me to change my lifestyle or eating habits.  I felt like I was in ok shape but just built with a bigger frame.

On August 19th I received the email from Amanda that would change our lives, it was the Body Transformation Contest flyer and my lovely wife, Debbie, and I were on our way to Central Oregon for our 10^th year wedding anniversary.  In sharing this information with Debbie she made it clear that she wanted to do this and learn proper nutrition together. We could both benefit from looking how to find a way to become more fit and feel better about ourselves. We needed each other to get to our goals and from there it became a bond with the two of us that we were not going to let excuses keep us from eating properly – no excuses for kids, no excuses for being too busy, just no excuses!

In my initial meeting with Kristi I KNEW this was someone that could show me the secret to achieving a reduction in my bodyfat.  She even said “I have the Magic Pill but the question is do you want to swallow it”, I thought to myself YES I will give this 12 week nutrition program a chance to help me get my body fat down to being in the fit to lean category.  The faith that I had in Kristi from the beginning ended up being a big part of the successful results that I obtained. I am the type of person that takes on things with enthusiasm and this would be no exception.

We were given our daily nutrition plan and exchange list and began to change the foods we had at home immediately coupled with the purchase of a food scale for portion sizes.  The first few days were adaptive and not easy but I could just tell this was going to work, and work it did.. In eating on this plan I began to have lots of energy and my workouts instantly became better, a real key was learning how to eat pre workout as well as breakfast before going off to work, this seemed to make sure I was not hungry between the numerous meals and there seemed to be plenty of food to eat on the plan. My body began to work for itself and people began to NOTICE results.  I could also tell this was working as my belt began to move a notch down and clothes started to feel roomier.

I lost over 2 inches from my neck in the first few weeks, incredible.

It was only a few weeks into the plan and now a challenge, a 4 day golf trip with my buddies.  My commitment to staying on plan was evident when I packed up my cooler of food and took it with me so I could stay on my meal plan and not go off plan. While my friends ate and drank whatever they wanted, I stayed committed to what I needed to consume.  Tupperware on the golf course and eating every 2-3 hours was not easy on this trip but it showed me something very important – I CAN DO THIS regardless of my surroundings, temptations, or what others were doing. I needed to worry about myself and what I needed because there was NO WAY that I would not be under 200 lbs and 14% body fat by December 1 for my final measurement. The vision and belief was established and my lifestyle and nutrition were changing for the better.

My body dropped an average of 2.5lbs each week and although the scale fluctuated I could see the progress every two weeks in meeting with Kristi for measurements. This is very motivating to know that it is working and my clothes were not going to be around for long, but that is what I wanted. And I could actually see myself as a large and no longer an XL in everything.

As we continued on the plan there were certainly temptations (especially over Thanksgiving and birthdays, etc) but the commitment and belief in this knowledge that I have gained helped me make good choices, not perfect but real good. I also had support at home from my family as well as my new found friends at the gym every morning – Amanda and her husband Tim as well as Katie and John.  These folks were significant in just saying hi as we all moved around the gym for our workouts. I will continue to look forward to seeing them every morning.

I have been asked – “When will you stop eating this way?” and the answer is NEVER, I want to keep eating properly with the knowledge and habits that Kristi has developed. It makes me feel good.  Yes of course there are the future “off plan” meals that keep down the cravings and make you feel like there is that treat but based on how this has made me feel I WANT to eat these foods this way. My attitude is that not only can they be very tasty, they ultimately provide energy and a positive outlook.  Debbie and I have learned and created different versions of how to make foods healthy and clean which is very helpful if you can create simple recipes that provide the flavors and richness of food.  This way you can enjoy eating while taking care of yourself on the nutrition plan.

The journey was educational and very rewarding.  It feels good to know that my measurement at the end of this contest (which is really the beginning of better living) was 197.8lbs and 14% body fat.  I KNEW with the help of Kristi Tauti I could do this! I will continue to work on it to improve my condition and shape. It has impacted myself and many around me that have witnessed the change and commitment to achieve these results. And the comments keep coming in everyday.

Thanks to the support of those around me – I DID IT!"

- Kirk Nelson