Jen's Bio
All of my life, I have had an issue with my weight. I always assumed that it was genetics, but that didn't stop me from trying everything from fasting diets to pills that put me in the hospital when I was 17. It wasn't until after my kids were born that I began to suffer with health problems that, now I know, had everything to do with my nutrition or lack there of; depression, anxiety, migranes and the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, just to name a few.
Over the years I have read what seems like hundreds of books that promised me the change that I was looking for. Although many of them worked for my weight, not one had a positive effect on my energy level. With three energetic sons and a classroom of 8 year olds to nurture every day, I could not stick with programs that zapped me of the fuel that I needed to get through a day. There are huge problems that come about as you try diets and fail. As far as my body was concerned, I was stressing it out more and more as the years went on and it was rebelling. It is no wonder! I had changed directions so many times that I really believe that I put my metabolism in a state of shock. It didn't know how to work for me anymore. But, psychologically, when you fail at something so many times, it is hard to pull yourself up and out and pretty soon you begin to feel that you are the failure, not the diet.
I walked into Fitness Forever a year ago as a sceptic. Was this just one more thing that I would fail at? What did this place have to offer that was any different than all of those other people who promised me the world? Well, it was different from the beginning. First, no promises. I had to commit and, as long as I did, Ingo would coach me. Often he wouldn't even let me work out because he knew I hadn't eaten that day and he would put me on the treadmill and talk to me for the whole workout time about what skipping my meals that day had done to my body. And then there was the time that I ate that whole pound bag of M&M's... just know that we all fall off the nutritional wagon sometimes!
The road that led me to where I am now is long and winding, but I wouldn't change any of it. I have finally found the answer to health and happiness in what I have learned from Ingo and the team at Fitness Forever; information that I now teach others as an Advanced Metabolic Typing Advisor. The tools that I now use have helped, not only me, but those I love most in this world; my husband, my children, my family and friends and, hopefully, friends I haven't met yet! Some think I'm crazy that I would take on one more thing to add to my very busy life as a wife, mother and teacher, but it wasn't difficult for me to decide to hit the books again and get my certification in Metabolic Typing. This is information that has truly changed my health, mentally and physically, and has made me a stronger person in every way. I can't wait to share it!
Hometown- I was born in Santa Clara, Ca., but moved to the desert when I was so young that I consider Palm Springs my hometown!
Favorite Movies- My favorite movies are musicals! Chicago, Dreamgirls and Hairspray are just a few. I love movies that show how changing attitudes changes lives. I love movies like Remember the Titans, Rudy, Chocolate with Johnny Depp. I also love films that show good teachers “changing the world”, like Stand and Deliver and Dangerous Minds. I cry and most Disney films, too.
Favorite Foods- I just love food! I don’t have a favorite! It goes in cycles. I will tell you that as I get more and more into health, I am loving the experimentation with finding ways to make simple recipes fit my Metabolic Type. Rachel Ray would be really proud of some of the things I have been able to come up with!
Qualities I Most Admire in Others- Kindness, a positive attitude, a sense of humor, the ability to not take yourself too seriously and the desire for life-long learning.
Qualities I Most Dislike- I don’t like bullies; people who try to tear down others because they are insecure with themselves. I don’t like selfishness, either.
Most Admired Quotes-
Preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words.- St. Francis of Assisi
No one knows what he can do until he tries. - unknown
Wash it, dry it, and put it away- Grandma Bing-Bing
Favorite Books-
The Bible ,The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck, and many, many books I have read about health and nutrition; You, The Owner’s Manual by Drs. Memhet Oz and Michael Roizen, The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan, Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser just to name a few. In the summer when I’m not working, I love getting lost in great novels. The two best books I read this year were Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.
Education: B.A. in Liberal Studies from Long Beach State University; M.A. in Teaching from Grand Canyon University. Certification as an Advanced Metabolic Typing Advisor from HealthExcel.
