In September of 2008, at 42,  I decided that things were not going the way I wanted with my body and lifestyle.  I was a busy professional and I was eating pretty healthy and working out 3 days a week like most people who try to stay fit.  My workouts were the usual.  30 minutes on the elliptical or treadmill and then 30 minutes to 45 minutes of circuit training.  Yet, my closet was full of clothes that used to fit 5 years before and 2 years before and so on.  I was putting on 5 to 10 pounds a years for the past 5 years and the next thing I knew I tipping the scales at 230 and change.  I am pretty tall so I “carried” the weight fairly well, but I was definitely headed the wrong way.  A friend of mine mentioned that he knew some people who were going to Dr. Stickler and they were doing very very well on his program.  I had read about the national program you see in the airline magazines but I knew that travelling that far and keeping up with the long-distance relationship with those doctors would be problematic.  I was happy to hear that the same program and help was here in Charleston.  So, I took the plunge and set an appointment.  I was both sad and happy with the first appointment.  I was sad to find that my body fat was just under 40%!  I was sad to find that my cardiovascular performance and flexibility were so poor despite my “work outs.”  I was happy to find that from diet, to exercise, to bone density, to extensive blood panels and hormone optimization, there was a way to get back to where I wanted to be and was years before.  Everything was there if you simply committed to the concept that enough is enough and this is the best shot at a completely changed life.  I took the full plunge.  The diet was a change.  What I was eating to that point was not bad in most folks’ eyes, but when they explain the insulin wave and insulin sensitivity and how the body reacts to certain foods, you realize that everything you thought you knew about diet is way off.  And, what you can eat on this program is not tasteless and bland.  I eat better than ever.  It is simply a matter of keeping the right foods around you and with you.  They even go to the grocery store with you the first time if you want!  The exercise was the hardest part.  No way to beat around the bush.  They got me into Crossfit and with the diet, the exercise and getting my testosterone to simply where it is for a 30 to 35 year old, I cannot believe the results.  My body fat is half of what it was.  I have dropped over 30 pounds on the scales.  But that isn’t the full story.  I have actually lost over 44 pounds of fat!  I have also gained 26 pounds of lean muscle.  I am in better shape now than when I was 35, maybe even 30.  At about the 8^th to 12^th week, the weight and inches started to roll off me.  Be prepared, the most expensive part of the program might be the clothing alterations and replacements.  It is definitely one of the best decisions I have ever made.  Both physically and mentally, I am sharper and more focused.  My wife was so impressed with the results she joined the program.  Our relationship has benefitted in every way from this program.  People approach us and want to know just what the heck happened to us!  The change is nothing short of dramatic.  If you are to the point where you are reading this and the other testimonials, you must know or at least feel that you need to make some real changes in your life.  You need to quit thinking about it and  make the damn appointment.  You’ll never regret it.

 T

Lawyer

I consider myself a runner. It is a passion that I have had ever since I was a child. Over the past 30 years, I have completed 4 marathons, dozens of half-marathons, and hundreds of 5k and 10k races. Now that’s a lot of shoes and a lot of Gatorade. I also have been involved in coaching both track and cross-country.  At the age of 33, I had a hysterectomy. Although it was a necessary procedure, I was not ready for the changes my body would endure. At 33, I was having hot flashes and sleepless nights like a woman decades older than me. I tried over the counter hormone replacements and I was still having the same symptoms. Finally at the age of 40, I went to my physician and was placed on Estradiolwithout any blood work or labs. There was some relief from the hot flashes but the sleepless nights continued. I was watching Oprah one afternoon when they started talking about the importance of having annual blood work to check all of your hormones, not just estrogen. This was news to me, as I had NEVER had my blood drawn to test for hormone profiles much less had a test looking at estrogen levels. After this episode, I knew I needed to find a doctor that wasn’t just going to hand out hormones, I needed a doctor that would perform the necessary exams and tests that would make me feel better, that would allow me to actually sleep a full night. This was my mission!! I was listening to the radio and Dr. Dan Stickler was talking about hormone replacement and the importance of the right levels of hormones. I called as soon as the program aired and made my appointment. At my first visit I was shocked. After thousands of miles I’ve logged over the years, I thought I was fit, very fit!! I was shocked when I learned I was 34.5% body fat which is considered obese based on the BMI scale. WOW! After my lab results were in, I was prescribed different hormone replacements. Within 2 weeks, I noticed that my hot flashes were disappearing and yes, I actually started sleeping through the night. Along with running, I began training at Crossfit and incorporating diet changes into my daily routine. I can’t believe what a change this has made. I feel rejuvenated! I feel invigorated! My body fat is now 28.2% and my goal is 25%. My long-term goal is to help other woman make a change in their lifestyle and encourage them to be fit and active, whether it be through running or cross training. People always ask my why I run or what am I running from. I run for my health, I run for my life, I run for my children and I run for me!Before