Nothing Tastes As Good As Healthy Feels
by Christopher D. LaTorraca ◊ Jun 17, 2011
Every long journey starts with a first step. For Marni Esposito that was about six years ago when she left her high-pressure career in human resources to go back to school and become a teacher. Marni did become a teacher, but not in the subject of math; rather she encourages and educates clients to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle through Take Shape For Life. According to their website at tsfl.com, Take Shape For Life starts by helping people achieve a healthy weight with personalized coaching, the Habits of Health, and Medifast Meals (portion-controlled nutrition that is developed, used, and recommended by doctors). So far, nothing unusual, right? However, at the time of her career change, Esposito was a size twenty-six and headed for major health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, to just name a few. So, the last six or so years have been filled with good times and bad, but through it all Marni has found her calling in life.
After working for years in a stressful job, Marni discovered that she used food to deal with the pressure in her job. “Once I left corporate America, I worked on changing my lifestyle. I reduced the demands in my life and removed the stress, which in turn enabled me to discover that it was the stress that made me gain weight. I found out about Take Shape For Life from my doctor. When I started the program, I lost 93 pounds in nine months. I have kept that weight off for over one year,” Marni explained.
“I realized that starting my own business to help others do what I did was the culmination of my skills and would truly impact people’s lives in a meaningful and positive manner. As a certified health coach, I help implement the program, troubleshoot, and act as a counselor. I’m most proud of the fact that my clients have lost over 1400 pounds and, in many cases, have come off their medication for things like high blood pressure and diabetes,” Esposito said.
So, how does Take Shape For Life work? Marni explained, “We follow the Habits of Health by Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen. There are three phases. First is the weight loss, next is the transition phase, and third is the maintenance part. The maintenance part is the area where so many people fail. The goal is to change a person’s behavior and, because we work so closely with our clients, it makes success so much easier. The other key is the Medifast 5 in The Plan, which is essentially five Medifast meals (individually portioned, calorie- and carbohydrate-controlled, low-fat meal replacements) and one prepared meal that has a lean protein source and a non-starchy vegetable.
“I’m so proud of the success I and my clients have had. Another goal of mine is to create my own charity from the success of my business. As a Christian, I’ve developed ‘The Last Holdout,’ which will be presented in churches to promote and maintain healthy living choices. In church, people seem to have brushed the sin of gluttony under the carpet. However, it’s the one area where anyone can see for themselves. Also, I still have 50 pounds to go to reach my goal weight and, if anything, my clients appreciate the fact that I can ‘talk the talk’ and also ‘walk the walk.’ I’m still transforming myself, so I know what my clients are going through every day,” Esposito commented.
Life isn’t easy. Marni Esposito has endured the physical and psychological effects of being morbidly obese. Change is hard, but it sure is worth it. Changing her lifestyle has now enabled Marni to make a positive impact in others.
For more information about Marni and Take Shape For Life, call 203.430.1009, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), or visit her on the web at www.youcanlivehealthynow.tsfl.com.
Photo: Marni Esposito – before (left) and after (right)
