A 3 minute read. What’s your name and where do you come from? Trisha Welsh - I grew up in Central Ohio, lived in Allentown Pennsylvania for 8 years and recently moved to Richmond Virginia. End of the month will be 2 years since moving. Do you have a family and what’s your profession? Last month I celebrated my 6 year wedding anniversary with my husband, Shayne. He is Canadian from Huntsville, Ontario. We met online and dated long distance for 2+ years. His job is what caused us to move in together from Ohio and Canada to Pennsylvania in 2010. We have a 4 year old son, Parker. He is a VERY active and imaginative young boy who is always on the run...literally running everywhere. Last year we adopted Henry, our rescue dog. The attached picture is of us four and the struggles of taking a nice family photo with a small child and a dog trying to appear like a normal high functioning family. My profession is in multi-unit restaurant management. I've worked for Panera Bread for 13+ years, and I'm currently the Area Director in Richmond. I have 8 locations and an incredible team of people who I lead and always try to set a positive example for them. How did you get introduced to PLT? I used to attend the same gym as Tracy O'Connell. Her and I kept in touch over the years and when I was serious about weight loss, I reached out to her for recommendations and she spoke so highly of PLT. I trust Tracy's judgement, and decided to give it a shot. I'm also friends with a previous client, Jessica Jacquot, and she encouraged me to sign up as well. Who is your coach? The wonderful Miss Amy Name 3 things that sum up your thoughts on your coach 1. Accountability....with a little well deserved tough love :) 2. Kindness - she would help me see the small victories when I struggled to see them myself. 3. Patience - for all the types I was late turning my tracker in...i'm so sorry! your patience makes you a saint! Are you engaged in regular exercise/a sport? Now I am, but I wasn't always. I took about a 2 year break from Crossfit and started again in January. My healthy journey with PLT gave me the confidence to go back. In addition I'm forcing myself to run outside. I hate running, running hates me....so we will learn to get along so I can catch up with my 4 year old before he can outrun me. (he is close!) How did you find your PLT onboarding experience & community experience? I love the community. I was very unsure of what to expect in the beginning as I have never had a formal coach or nutrition program but it was easy! Coach Amy gave me all the tools I needed and it took off from there! What dieting programs had you tried previously and what makes PLT standout from previous programs? I used to take all the weight loss meds and would buy into any gimmick that would convince me I can lose weight. I've struggled with body image and weight my whole life (even when I was at my fittest, I had little to no confidence). PLT is different because it broke down the science of weight loss without being hungry all day. Before PLT, I didn't want to believe that calorie deficit was the answer. I would eat "healthy", eating the stupid salad and drink all the water but still no weight loss. I was convinced something was wrong with me, even to the point that I had my Thyroid tested (...it's slightly underactive but not enough to cause problems). I also had a fear that if I restricted calories I would develop an unhealthy eating disorder. I also didn't understand Macros. I knew what they were but not how sourcing calories in the right amount of macros would make a difference in weight loss. PLT taught me that I'm not broken, I can lose weight and if I understand how my body ACTUALLY works and not how I THINK it works. In essence, I started to trust the science and trust my coach. What was your driving reason for joining PLT? Many reasons. I used to be fit-ish and healthy, and I miss the energy level I had. After I had my son, I gained 30+ pounds in about 6 months, and 50 lbs in about a year. My family of origin has a long history of poor health from poor decision making, and I really started to fear I was going to be like them. I don't want to be diabetic and have high blood pressure in my 30's. My husband and son are very active and deserve a mom/wife who can keep up with them. I also lead a team of 300+ people. If I am to be the role model I want to be, I need to physically take care of myself so I can lead by example. I know I will have more energy and stamina if I take care of my physical body. My family and my team deserves the best of me, and not just what's leftover. How much weight have you lost with PLT? 28 total and 22lbs since starting PLT! started my health journey at 211, joined PLT at 205 and I hit 183 two weeks ago. What non-scale successes have you found since joining PLT? I can run a mile without dying anymore. I'm not fast, but I am consistent. I returned to the gym and I'm thriving! It's such a confidence booster. Clothes are starting to fit better and better. The best non-scale success is when I get a compliment from someone who notices I'm working hard at losing the weight. How have you increased your nutritional education since PLT? I've learned so much! The community questions and posts have been true eye-openers. I generally struggle eating protein, as I'm not a big meat eater, and many of the discussions have helped me find ways to increase protein intake. The most impactful learning has been portion size. There is no substitution for a scale. Once I learned what portions are supposed to be rather than what my eyeballs think they should be, I now understand why I struggled with weight loss for so many years. What 1 piece of advice would you give to people considering joining PLT or new members? Be patient and consistent. Consistency builds the habits that most people currently lack, and habits are what will give you long term success and not a quick fix. For me, PLT taught me the lifestyle change I needed to make if I want to achieve my long term goals. ...and a 2nd piece of advice.... This is a self motivated program. Your coach is there to be a coach but not to play your game for you. Before you join, understand your "whys" for wanting to start and make sure they are strong enough that you won't want to quit on yourself. Your turn now; what 1 thing would you like to ask me? What is your "why" that drives you to have this company and help so many people live a healthier lifestyle? Hi Trisha, Thanks for the question! I became interested in nutrition after my own journey to lose weight and get fit again for my future and family's. Coaching people for nutrition and helping them achieve a healthier lifestyle is a real blessing to me. Clients connect deeply and share a lot of information with us, they let us into their lives and we feel every peak and trough of their journey. It has so many magical moments. Seeing them transform weekly is amazing, and I don't refer to the aesthetics, but the transformation of self. Their internal emotional changes are way more than the external physical transformation everyone sees. Watching them overcome their struggles keeps all us coaches motivated to help more people! Tks Paul A 3 minute read What to expect Premenstrual syndrome or PMS is something that most women experience at some level; mood swings, fatigue, irritability, and food cravings which is what I am going to touch on here. This should help you to understand and navigate the cravings you experience without feeling as frustrated as you might have done in the past. What is happening in my body?
As you go through the phases of your cycle you have ebbs and spikes of different hormones. As levels of estrogen go up and down, so do levels of the stress hormone cortisol. When cortisol levels are high enough, the body turns on its fight-or-flight response, you become more metabolically charged and your appetite is stimulated. This, in turn, causes you to seek out carbs and fat. Most women with PMS experience a drop in serotonin levels, which triggers cravings for carbs because the body uses carbs to make serotonin. If cortisol is high and serotonin is low, you'll seek carbs and fats, but really heavy duty on the simple carbs; sugar based sweets like candy bars, cakes, cookies, etc. This is because simple sugars are metabolized faster than complex carbs, so they offer a quick serotonin fix. If cortisol is way up but serotonin is normal, you are more likely to crave a fat-carb combo without a huge sweet component, such as a big bagel laden with cream cheese or peanut butter. How should I eat? Try to eat as much of your carbs in complex carbohydrates as you can. Grains, lentils, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, bread, etc. Avoid processed sugar as much as you can as it will increase insulin secretion which lowers blood sugar which can increase your appetite for carbs and fats. Eat more frequently throughout the day please to help decrease cravings simply from being hungry. Keep your protein intake high and be sure you are spacing it out through your day; it will keep you satiated longer that way. What else can I do to help? Aside from the nutritional approach to combating cravings, there are behavioral approaches we can apply as well. Physical exertion works for some, meaning an intense workout; for others, a head clearing walk has the same effect. Journaling, something you will hear me talk about often, is something that I have seen so many women find comfort in over the years. This might be a nice addition for you if you are struggling and fighting cravings for food that you know is going to derail your progress. Taking a few minutes to write down how and what you are feeling as you stare at your pantry full of potential progress wreckers can very often change your perspective and therefore your behavior. Lastly, as with everything, speak to your personal nutrition coach. If you don't have a nutrition coach, reach out to PLT Nutrition. It’s 100% ok to talk about your cycle and the many feelings it brings, physically and emotionally. Tks Patti A 3 minute read. What’s your name and where do you come from? Lawrence (Larry) Amato Do you have a family and what’s your profession? My Bride-Marianne, 3 sons-Christopher-27 Zachary-18 and Evan-15. I am an Operations Manager for HNI Global How did you get introduced to PLT? Coach Patti’s transformation inspired my wife and I. Who is your coach? Coach Deb Name 3 things that sum up your thoughts on your coach. 1. Focused 2. Straight shooter 3. Encouraging Are you engaged in regular exercise/a sport? Avid skier How did you find your PLT onboarding experience & community experience? Easy!!!! I just did it.. first week was a small bump, once over that, I went in feet first. What dieting programs had you tried previously and what makes PLT standout from previous programs? Not many really... I was a vegetarian for about 7 years in my 20’s... I was in great shape back then and ate/worked out responsibly .... this program works for me because it’s not really a program... for me... it’s an education on how to eat properly What was your driving reason for joining PLT? I was pushing 250 lbs with a cholesterol and high blood pressure issue... and at age 52 I didn’t want to go into my later years overweight. My wife and I decided why not get back to the way we were when we met each other; for me it’s 185 and that’s where I’m headed. And that’s where I plan to stay. How much weight have you lost with PLT? 56lbs! What non-scale successes have you found since joining PLT? I love the energy that I have and I love that I can fit into all of my clothes not just my fat ones. How have you increased your nutritional education since PLT? Yes, 100% What 1 piece of advice would you give to people considering joining PLT or new members? My advice would be, if you’re considering it then you’ve already made up your mind to join. Anyone can do anything and everyone is capable, so why not you? I have a dear friend who would eat nothing but beef and potatoes and now... he lost over 45 pounds on the PLT program and is eating cottage cheese and yogurt. If he can do that, then we all can do that. You owe it to yourself and you owe it to the people who love you to own your body and not let the food you eat own your body. Your turn now; what 1 thing would you like to ask me? I’d like to know your story Hi Larry,
Thanks for the question! I was a typically very active child and younger person. I got into bodybuilding and powerlifting at 13 and if I’m honest it kinda sidetracked my schooling, certainly hijacked my exams at 16! Through my 20s I still lifted with friends but in my 30s and 40s quit exercise and had a family, drank too much wine & slowly gained weight. Eventually at the end of 2014 I had hit 226lb and enough was enough. I embarked on 5 days a week CrossFit & made something dietary changes and limited alcohol to weekends. I lost 57lb in 20 weeks. I then maintained myself for approx 18 months but just didn’t look how I felt I should, considering I trained most days. Eventually I worked with 2 different coaches and stripped the remaining bodyfat off, tota 70lb lost. That sounds like a truly epic story but it has its negatives too; I was (in my opinion) over dieted down to 158lb by my coach, I’m at 180lb today, and my regular weight I would say is about 174. At the time I thought I looked great but looking back I did not. I went on my own and quickly regained 10lb weight. It taught me a lot about morals and ethics and the way the industry is focused sadly. During that time I taught myself a lot about nutrition and I knew I wanted to be a coach myself, so I would read and listen to podcasts daily. Eventually I became a coach and started PLT, the rest they say... Tks for the awesome question Paul |
AuthorI'm Paul Leonard, CEO & founder of PLT Nutrition. Categories
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