Testimonials

It is an incredible thing to succeed. It is freeing, joyful and exciting! Success in daily challenges has led to personal edification and a drawing out of me that has resulted in monumental success. I have lost an impressive 90 pounds in 8 months! My relationship with my God is richer. I am confident and much more engaged with family and those around me. In our initial interview, Dwayna used words like "confidence" and “victory” and "God cares”. These ideas, applied to me personally, so impacted me. My personal convictions of changing what you are able to and taking responsibility for yourself, was in conflict with admitting that I was unable to lose weight or change without help. Understanding food as an addiction was a missing piece for me. I was tired of failing, ‘not getting it right’ and although intimidated by food accountability and its intimate nature, I committed. At 58, I was overweight, 230 lbs., I lacked attentiveness and focus and motivation. I had sleep apnea. I had pain in my hips, shoulders and neck, and had limited flexibility. I lost confidence in my abilities and felt defeated. I wanted to be able to do more, physically move more and feel better. I look back now and see sugar and food was central for most activities, my stabilizer, my hiding place. Through intermittent fasting, rest, keeping present in daily situations, and many additional strategies, Dwayna led me through areas of personal food challenges. Her knowledge as a health coach and her personal experiences of things that work or don’t work for her, combined with thoughtful questions and prayer, helped me identify destructive eating habits and poor food choices. Dwayna helped me connect my food with how something made me feel, both physically and emotionally, and then to the actual weight loss. Recognizing these effects in relation to cravings and addiction, led to important discoveries, all paramount to my success. As food began to recede into its rightful place in my life, I became more confident, more grounded, even wanting to build better relationships. I became stronger in my ability to remain in control, making beneficial decisions for myself while grasping the humility in the process and how that undergirds my new relationship with food! The incredible weight loss comes with a recognition of how much control food had over me and now, how much control over me I have. The experience has resulted in truly wanting healthy, long-term living, identification of successful strategies reducing cravings, building healthy alternatives to navigating stress, pain and habits that no longer serve a purpose. What JOY! Dwayna has the heart of a true coach! She combines knowledge and discernment, uses your own experiences and connects those to your actions. Dwayna sees my value! She cares about my successes, my walk with the Lord! She combines the correct perspective about sugar addiction and the joy of our relationship with a gracious God, bringing insight, clarity and direction to each day. I jumped in with a lot of questions, but I found my way, it is about finding your way. I love the freedom that comes with not having cravings, not being ruled by my appetite and choices rooted in clear thinking and health. These past 8 months have been so much lovelier, so much more full of grace and learning and being kind to yourself, then I would have imagined. The attention was on me, but the real benefit is being able to support others, build relationships, stay engaged and experience and love people face to face! I am present and engaged in life, not food! I love more. I love deeper. I am doing more, thinking more and living more!

–Deborah Lew / 8 Months Working with Dwayna / Total Weight Loss: 90 pounds

I am a different person, inside and out, from who I was 2 months ago. I now like who I am. Dwayna said that God loves me just as much at any size, and I must love myself that way. I am now losing weight for my health but not to love myself more. I have had no cravings, thanks to how Dwayna has helped me through special occasions with friends and family eating food that I have chosen not to touch in order to stay on track. Even on a limited budget, Dwayna has helped me with a food plan and one treat per day that has kept me from feeling deprived. My tastes buds have changed. I now love juicing and vegetables more than ever before. I had 70 pounds to lose, and now I have lost 30 in only two months, eating three meals a day for the most part, drinking lots of water and learning to deal with anxiety without turning to food. I am at peace as I turn to God instead. This new way of living is worth it, as Dwayna has taught me that I must eat this way for the rest of my life in order to keep the weight off.

–Janice Poland / 2 Months Working with Dwayna / Total Weight Loss: 30 pounds

I made my weight loss goal—70 pounds! Thank you, Dwayna, for teaching me to love myself, reward myself and take care of myself, even if it means making new friends. You have taught me that people who truly love me will not try to sabotage my success. You have taught me to say, “No, thank you,” even when family members want me to eat junk food to “have fun with them,” and I have gotten so used to it that it is no longer as hard. I will not gain this weight back as long as I choose to eat right over the “fun” I used to have in eating wrong. I realize now it was about much more than the food. Thanks to you, I have learned new ways to relax. Here’s to a new me, making new friends who are healthy and support my journey and a new beginning. Most of all, here’s to being honest with myself enough to keep this weight off for this confidence to last for the rest of my life. I spent most of my life not liking who I am. Now, I do.

–Janice Poland / 8 Months Working with Dwayna / Total Weight Loss: 70 pounds

Working with Dwayna was the first time I ever had fun losing weight without feeling hungry or fighting cravings. She put me on a low glycemic plan that actually took away my sugar cravings in two days—all plant based. I could not believe it! I’ve gone from depressed to happy. I feel like a different person. Her daily support and feedback made all of the difference. She taught me how to eat for insulin levels while also feeling satisfied. I had tried for years and kept failing in yo-yo dieting, craving sugar day and night, until I worked with Dwayna. She knows her stuff. I am continuing to work with her to keep it off.

–Alicia Guthrey / 1 month working with Dwayna/ Total Weightloss: 10 pounds

When I first spoke with Dwayna for a consultation by phone she asked, “Are you willing to feel uncomfortable temporarily in order to feel good long term?” I have thought of this question every day, as I have now met my weight loss goal of 20 stubborn pounds in less than two months. I had tried for years to no avail. Dwayna explained that people who are not naturally thin have to stay in a lifestyle of calorie control in order to stay thin. She said it was my choice: I could go on eating more and not being the size I wanted to be or learn to be happy eating more nutritiously, which, for me, meant also eating less. She said she was willing to work with me if I opted to eat plant based or paleo but explained that clean eating of vegetables and fruit with juices like carrot and greens would be the easiest way long term to stay the healthiest and keep the weight off. I opted to dive into a “Daniel Fast” of vegetables, avocados and low glycemic fruit. I quickly experienced a change in cravings. By the end of my first week of working with Dwayna, I felt like a different person due to the daily accountability she gave me and no longer feeling alone in my struggles with food. She kept saying things like, “Stay filled up on life” and “Live in the moment” and “It’s not about the food” when I often feel the hungriest. I see now that my food is connected to my relationships and have gotten honest with myself about it. She has convinced me that most people who lose weight gain it back unless they learn how to be happy eating healthy, so I am living cold turkey, so to speak, from sweets and toxic foods that trigger addiction, including toxic meats. I plan to only eat whole plants, yogurts, nuts and grains for the rest of my life. I have found delicious treats that do not hurt me, per her suggestions. I am continuing to work with Dwayna to keep my weight off and pray for God to fill up my heart instead of food for the rest of my life. I’m a new person, and I like who I am! I would rather feel good about myself than eat too much, and I am enjoying every healthy bite of this new life.

–Paulette Anderson / 2 Months Working with Dwayna / Total Weight Loss: 20 Pounds

Even with a low thyroid, I have achieved my goal of losing 30 pounds working with Dwayna. No turning back this time! It was hard at first but got easier as the obsession with food lifted. It is so nice to no longer think about food day and night! What has made this different from a diet is the daily accountability and how I have come to see my former way of eating as a food addiction for the first time. Dwayna has truly cared about me and sometimes has even called to give me tips for weight loss in addition to my daily texting her for accountability and feedback. I had tried pretty much every diet over time only to lose weight and gain it all back. Now, my cravings have changed, which is something that never happened before. Dwayna’s tip for “a treat per day” has helped me stay on track and has changed my appetite. I have also gotten cleansed better than ever before. I am not as hungry all of the time. I have broken free from animal protein, as I continue to learn that losing weight is losing waste, as Dwayna says. She emphasizes fiber from vegetables and fruits and monounsaturated fats, which have helped curb my appetite. I look forward to working with Dwayna for a few more months to maintain this weight loss, as I never want to gain the weight back and want to change how I eat for life. Now, I feel happier than ever. I am learning the root causes of my food addiction more and more and taking it to God through prayer. It feels good to no longer want to hide or avoid gatherings, all because of food addiction. Dwayna has helped me re-learn how to have fun and stay in the moment apart from food. I never want to touch refined sugar again and get back “into the food.” I want to stay in the moment of life instead. Thank you, Dwayna, for this new beginning.

–Ann Marie Peterson / 3 Months Working with Dwayna / Total Weight Loss: 30 pounds

I have lost weight, and my stomach feels so much better. I have also been working out, though Dwayna also emphasizes rest. I still crave sugar, and she suggests more greens so as to get my body more alkaline. I have found that fruit and eating plant based is my friend in weight loss after all. My goal is a 20 pound weight loss, and I have already lost 10! I feel much happier and more confident already.

–C.B. / 10 Days Working with Dwayna / Total Weight Loss: 10 pounds

After years of crushing futility and defeat, I have hope! God's mercies are new every morning….great is His faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23). Dwayna's nutrition coaching is tailored to what an individual's body needs to thrive, and in response to a daily food report, Dwayna gives actionable, encouraging feedback. It's not just about the food, though her depth of knowledge about nutrition is incredible; it's also insights into the spiritual impact of a life in bondage to a food addiction contrasted with a life of freedom and victory through the power of the God who loves and values His children. Most of my life I have had an unhealthy approach to eating, from one extreme to the other and everywhere in between, and I've wasted energy for days that turned into years trying to "hide" myself, as if I could keep people from seeing the visible display of a lonely stronghold that I could not seem to truly and lastingly break through. Dwayna, you are amazing, and God blesses you with kindness and wisdom in journeying with me, even on the days when I struggle. I'm learning from you to be fully engaged in each moment and to take each emotion to my heavenly Father instead of burying it with food, activity, work, or any other temporary "fix". Praise our Lord Jesus! I will have to be intentional about how I eat the rest of my life, but God gives the victory. Intermittent fasting, eating the right foods at the right time of day, drinking enough water, and utilizing helpful supplements have been keys to an unbelievable two months, and we've only just begun. I am learning to seek the power of God for a calm, thoughtful, and prayer-filled approach to eating and to life. His faithfulness in these last two months gives me great hope to see what He will continue to do! I love working with you and am so thankful for you, my sister and my friend.

–Anonymous / 5 months working with Dwayna / Total Weight Loss: 71 pounds

I just went to the doctor for tests. Before my lifestyle change I was a diabetic taking pills, cholesterol gradually getting higher, kidneys spilling protein, and my iron was very low. Yesterday, when the nurse called with my results, she said, 'You are no longer in the [type 2] diabetic range, not even pre-diabetes, no protein spillage, and your cholesterol levels are great, not to mention your iron is also perfect.’ God is so good, and I thank Him for allowing me to work with you to succeed due to the daily accountability you have given to me, which has changed my life. If I could have done it on my own, I would have a long time ago. I was and still am a food addict. I like how you let me choose a food plan best for me as an individual, staying away from foods that trigger my sugar cravings, educating me on the effects of certain foods and how I feel after eating them, even resulting in good or poor digestion. Living free from toxic cravings is true freedom! I was absolutely addicted to candy bars before we began working together. I feel satisfied now without the junk food. By turning over my food daily and getting your feedback, I no longer even crave sugar and have cut out all eating at night. Thank you!

–Tonia Berry / 2 Months Working with Dwayna / Total Weight Loss: 15 pounds

Dwayna, I just can’t believe how awesome God really is! You are used by God in such a powerful way in my life and so many others. I was ready for a supernatural change, and I got it. I’ve found that God will bring a challenge to you that can only be accomplished with His help. And I’ve realized that through Christ I can do anything, not just temporarily but for LIFE. Now, I am living my dream of good health and also looking ok, too. Dwayna, you are so smart and truly a woman of God. My goodness, the talent you have is amazing! Thank you so much for being a life-changer for me, an angel on the wings of love to me!  I have never lived without always thinking about food until now. Now the food addiction is recognized, and I am aware of what triggers me, and I stay free. This is a life-long situation, and I am so happy about my life. Not everything is perfect, but God is helping me go to Him and not the false idol of food. Glory to God! I enjoy food more now than ever before, because the food I eat is healthy and good for me. I don’t feel any guilt and shame when I eat. Thank you, Dwayna! Thank you, Jesus! I couldn’t have done it, or couldn’t keep doing it, without you. My amazing, beautiful, best friend from our early days on Music Row together, I love you, girl!

–Suzanne Young / 6 Months Working with Dwayna / Total Weight Loss: 130 pounds

(with no more overeating and no eating whatsoever past 5:00, at the latest, for 6 months without exception)

Working with Dwayna now for only five months with absolutely zero eating past lunch, I’ve lost 100 pounds. Woohoo! I feel so amazing!!! The food struggle may always be part of my life, but Dwayna has helped me get off of foods that constantly makes me feel hungry. I’ve not quite achieved my goal, but I’m well on my way to the finish line. I live a 100% plant-based lifestyle. Never did I ever think I could, but my strong faith has kept me on track. Intermittent fasting has been key for me. There are so many benefits to not eating late. And the more you get free of the addictive foods in your system, the easier it is. I can’t stress enough how my prayer life is central to my success. When you get real with yourself, you see how food is your comfort, stress reliever, and the center of every celebration. God is teaching me every day more and more about how to deal with food addiction. But for the first time in my life, I can see how I can live healthy, fit, and free. I’m not on a white-knuckle ride to skinny. I feel so fantastic that I can hardly believe it! I hope and pray that whoever reads this will be encouraged to know there really is hope. Like Dwayna teaches, find your value, and know you are worth, and do whatever it takes to be healthy and fit. You are worth it!

– Suzanne Young / 5 Months Working with Dwayna / Total Weight Loss: 100 pounds

A 50 pounds weight loss is no small thing! Truly, I can say, this would have never happened without my dear friend, Dwayna, as my health coach. Seven years ago, I white knuckled it all the way down to a low weight. But I could not stay there because I never dealt with my issues of addiction to sugar, unhealthy fats, caffeine, and salt. As a result, I gained over 100 pounds back. Mind you, I’m in front of people all of the time as a singer and did not feel confident. My little heart was broken every time I had to see an old friend. I was so embarrassed when Dwayna and I reconnected after about 20 years, but I sucked up the way I saw myself and went. We had a blast, and I never felt any judgment from her at all, just overwhelming love for me. One day she said, ‘Start a journal and write down what you eat and how it makes you feel afterwards.’ My first thought was, ‘Well, food makes me feel good, duh,’ but it didn’t! My journey had started with that first light bulb moment. I made it past all the initial cravings to get to this place that Dwayna kept telling me I would reach. For the very first time in seven years, I felt hope. I’m eating a plant-based diet. I never thought I could do that. I am recognizing that stress makes me ‘hungry’ and ignites cravings. In truth, it is not even just ‘stress eating,’ but straight up addiction. I, like most people, had plenty of excuses such as financial worries, family struggles, job stress, and any other concern that may pop up in a given day. I’m over 50 and in menopause, and I tried to blame that for a little while, too. I do not have a lot of extra cash, but I began shopping at a little organic store down the street, and everything I eat is whole food, not processed or packaged. I do intermittent fasting, not eating past 5:00. It’s absolutely not hard because I’m not eating the foods that make me crave. I drink a gallon of water a day. I look better than I’ve looked in years. Three months ago, I was having heart pains and sharp pains under my left arm pit. I also had adult onset diabetes and kidney issues. My back would hurt so badly when I would make the bed that I would have to stop several times before I was finished, due to all the pain. My breathing was labored as I slept. At this time, all of those issues have gone away. I feel so amazing! To God be the glory! I believe God used Dwayna to save my life. I report in to her everything I eat without exception and no longer feel alone, thanks to her daily feedback. I’ll be checking in on the next milestone with another testimonial of even more weight loss and even better health. Peace and blessings to all.

I just wanted to say that I feel very privileged to have had Dwayna work with me this past month. I’ve lost 17.5 lbs in four weeks and I truly feel she had a lot to do with it. I’m so glad and thankful for all of her help. She’s encouraged me and has held me accountable every day, and I felt so comfortable talking with her and sharing about my day and what I was eating. She took the time to always be there for me and often shared some great health tips with me that I will be using for the rest of my life. With her help, I broke my addiction to eating chocolate every night. I truly thank God for putting her in my life, and at a time when I really needed someone. And God found me the perfect someone to help me. She’s helped me more than she’ll ever know, and I sincerely appreciate her and all she’s done for me. I am proud to have her as my sister in Christ and friend for life.

I have been on a health journey for some time. Attaining a proper weight is something I have always wanted to do and have put out effort yearly to attain. Invariably, though, I would drop a good deal of weight, and then put it right back on, because of an inconsistent follow up plan for daily living. It is basically due to “knowing” what to do, but not doing it. Now, since December of 2012, I have made a conscious decision to make good health a priority…As a Christian, It is my duty to manage my physical health as a mandate from God, who gave me life: 1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. As I was working with Dwayna for 30 days, I put myself on a 30 day water fast (which was my idea, as she supported me in it), where I added pH Drops, green powder and chia seeds to a gallon of water for daily consumption. Also, I started my day with a handful of vitamin and mineral supplements taken with sparkling mineral water with added lemon/lime juice (freshly squeezed) and stevia drops. As part of my regime, as needed, I had coconut water and towards the end protein powder. Every day, in the evening, I spent at least 30 min to 1 hour exercising. Every evening, I had to report to Dwayna, what I consumed for the day. If I had any food cravings, or perhaps slipped on my program by eating or drinking something I shouldn’t have. Sometimes I would text her a particular temptation I was undergoing during the day ( i.e.: being exposed to food that was right in front of me that my family was eating…). It really helps to have someone to talk to, who provides encouragement to stay on the straight path. Just knowing that I had to tell “everything I put in my mouth” was a great motivator to keep with the plan and not cheat. I never had this before, as I have always been alone as I fasted and dieted with no one to share my thoughts and feelings. (That is, with someone who is on the same road in fasting and health.) I can tell you, this is a blessing, and I recommend it…

Dwayna, I appreciate you very much! I’ve never met anyone with such passion for a clean, organic healthy lifestyle. Your calm, sweet spirit and encouragement on this journey is a blessing. You make working with you easy. At first I was not sure. The inner fat girl in me was screaming, "She's nuts! She's a food Nazi!" (LOL) [sic] But now, with less inflammation in my body and tons of energy, I have changed my opinion on ‘your’ way of eating. I must admit, well, you definitely know your stuff, girly!

I have been taking the Zeolite powder you recommended a few weeks back, as well as changing my diet and juicing, and I can’t believe the results! I feel 15 years younger and have more energy than I know what to do with. Thank you for your suggestions! I’ve lost 7 pounds in two weeks. I am sleeping through the entire night without waking up numerous times. The best thing, though, is the energy levels I now have. I wake up and don’t need coffee or tea to get going. My complexion has changed, and I was able to dig in the closet and wear some clothes I haven’t worn in a long time.

Dwayna had mentioned that lemon juice in a glass of water will raise alkalinity and could possibly negate a trigger in the brain that makes us crave sugar. I tucked away that tip. A few weeks later I was walking through Costco and saw they had bottles of organic lemon juice. I thought how simple it would be to see if Dwayna’s tip would work for me. The first day was difficult to avoid sugar, but I did it. The next day was a little easier and after that I had no problem totally avoiding it. In four and a half months of avoiding added sugar and with modest regular exercise, I lost 34 pounds and am now down to 166. I think one of the key reasons was that not craving added sugar allowed me to easily avoid snacking after dinner and before bedtime. Previously when craving sugar I would grab something to eat which made it easier to fall asleep. I haven’t snacked after dinner in that four and a half months. I’m thinking my body’s pH might have been the source of my cravings. There are other ways to alter pH as well, such as consuming apple cider vinegar. I’m really pleased with the results of my experiment and modest effort. The way I now feel was well worth the sacrifice of avoiding added sugar even considering the fact that I did it through the Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year holidays. My advice is put your faith in the Lord and let Dwayna guide you through the process.

I feel so blessed to have had your prayers, support and guidance. You are such a blessing to so many and have helped me so much. I do not crave sweets anymore. I have adjusted to getting hungry and just letting it pass, and I am eating so much less but more healthy foods. I have lost ten wonderful pounds. That may not seem like a lot, but I have tried to lose before and would only lose a half a pound a week, at most. Also, eating less and more healthy should improve my cholesterol. Thank you for introducing me to things that other diets and diet leaders have not included. I now know that probiotics and a healthy digestive system are very important when it comes to controlling hunger and weight. The kombucha and Kevita [kefir water] you recommended have both worked to curb my appetite. Thank you so much again.