I have struggled with my weight and my relationship to food my whole life, and for most of it food was my adversary. I would deprive myself to "take control" or "lose control" and binge. Either way I hated myself and what I ate. I always felt like a failure. To cope I tried to think of food as little as possible, never thinking about what I ate or how it made me feel. I rarely cooked, ate lots of pre-made food and had considered having gastric bypass as a way to deal with weight problem. I knew though that my problem was not just my weight, but my relationship to food, and surgery was not going to change that. Through Fruition I have been able to connect with myself and with what I need to feel strong and fulfilled. Alice has not only taught me that food isn't good or bad, but supported me time and time again as I struggled with this issue. It's not a matter of someone just telling you once, you need the constant support to succeed against things that are so ingrained, you take them as fact.

Fruition taught me to let go of all the rules I had learned, instead of following rules of what not to eat, Alice encouraged me to add new things to my diet, especially whole grains and greens. She did this by not giving me a diet, but by encouraging me to try it, to add it slowly, to just open myself to it. Having an individual counselor really makes all the difference. The cooking classestaught me to cook new foods, enjoy the process of cooking, and connect with others going through the same thing I'm going through: changing my life one day at a time.

Before I started Fruition I was tired a lot of the time and I had a lot of digestive problems . I never connected these two things with what I was eating. Through paying attention to what I ate and how I felt I realized my body doesn't feel good when I eat dairy. And instead of feeling like I was depriving myself of ice cream and cheese I could instead feel like I was treating my body well by eating other things that made me feel good instead of feeling sick. Eating lots of leafy greens and protein and exercising regularly (another change that required a lot of support and encouragement!) and I enjoy cooking! I totally get into the zen of chopping vegetables and I'm able to really take the time to cook food that is tasty and makes me feel good. I used to never cook, now I cook dinner from scratch at least 3 times a week. The quick easy healthy recipes I have received from fruition have given me the power to be a cook, and I never stop getting complements when I bring the walnut lentil pate to parties J

I can't say enough about how great and important the support I received from Fruition has been . Fruition is all about support. The one on one sessions, the emails, the cooking classes, the books to borrow, the hot water bottles, meditation groups, the list goes on and on. They made me feel I wasn't alone. Food always made me feel shame and embarrassment. Having Alice listen to me and hear my secrets and tell me she understands and I'm not the only one has been amazing and transforming. Also the idea that there is no failure, that everything is just a step in the right direction, and your body knows bests have really changed my outlook on life.

I've also seen a change in my relationships. By letting go of my feelings around food, I've been able to let go of other feelings I have, especially with my family. I have been able to set healthy limits and enjoy my friendships and family more. I don't try to control everything or feel like I'm responsible for everything. I'm only responsible for myself and my choices, and that mental change has taken a huge weight off my shoulder. I'm also better able to identify what someone else's issues are and what mine are and not taking on other's issues.

Fruition has changed my life. I am happier with myself now than I have ever been. The great thing about Fruition is it isn't a program that ends, it's a way to change your lifestyle and these changes are going to stay with me forever.

Beckie Anderson
Program Manager (and future nurse!)

FRUITION FRIDAY : Few spots left
Friday May 4, 2007
6:30-8:00pm

Love the Skin You're In!
Transforming body image

* Do you ever look in the mirror and wish you saw something different?
* Do you sometimes think that certain foods will make you "fat"?
* Is your exercise routine fun and pleasurable or stressful and draining?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, join us for an evening of exploration, discussion and…fun! This workshop will be led by Darshana Weill, Fruition Health Founder. For more details email us at info@fruitionhealth.com or call 415 552 8344.

SOLSTICE SANGHA RETREAT- June 21- 24, 2007
Enjoy four days in beautiful coastal Mendocino County at a retreat organized by Learning to Listen Yoga and Meditation Center. Spend time with a community of loving people committed to conscious living. Fruition founder Darshana Weill joins a cast of eight powerful teachers to explore yoga, chi-kung, circling, Feldenkrais, food awareness, meditation and other tools for transformation. For more info visit http://www.learningtolisten.info/pages/calendar/calendar.html  

THE FWH LOCAL GROUP PROGRAM -. Our first group was so popular that we started a second group. Click here for details: http://www.fruitionhealth.com/services_local.html

WOMEN'S YOGA CLASS - Yoga is a practice for everyone—regardless of size, shape or overall health. Fruition now offers a women-only yoga class! Click here for more info: http://www.fruitionhealth.com/index.html

As always it gives me such joy to hear how focusing on our relationship to food can change ones life.

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