Success Stories
January 2008
I had made up my mind to take back my life, to lose weight and regain lost energy. I began walking each morning, along with some stretching. The hardest part was finding the motivation. Massage therapy helped with muscle pain and stiff joints, the massage improved my mobility. I was still struggling mentally, when my family doctor suggested I try the Real You™ program.
After a couple of weekly visits with Dr A, who explained how to achieve my goals in weight loss and enjoy a healthier life style, one day it all just clicked I needed to put into action what I knew. Learning how to do that for me was the key.
The weekly chart, recording all my input (mind, body and soul) also my output (mind, body and soul) a lot of discipline in the beginning. Changes needed to be made to be successful. This involved my thinking (mind) Exercise best suited to me (body) My attitude, my time (heart/soul) One step at a time & not losing sight of the big picture.
Living with Parkinson's I needed some additional help, a personal trainer/coach. Chantel motivated me, monitored my progress, I learnt more about what I was able to do and not do, with Chantel's guidance I am having fun working out.
At the end of five months I have lost over 20 lbs, have more energy and love the great complements from family and friends who can see the difference. I am encouraged and determined to continue to stay on track and keep a good healthy balance in all the areas of my life.
Do you have a desire to live life more fully? It is possible. You can find the real you. I encourage you to take control, the Real You™ ou program works.
Colleen
- Who switched off my Mind - author Caroline Leaf
- Emotional Freedom - author Grant Mullen
Books I have found helpful
September 2008
After years of exercising and trying to watch what I ate in order to loose some weight and stay in shape, I joined the Real You Program offered by Dr Neda Amani. Through Dr Amani’s nutritional counseling and explaining of what types of foods and the quantities to eat at the right times of the day, I went down 2 sizes in my clothes. The exercise program was an important part of the program as well. Knowing that staying active, working out and eating properly, finally helped me lose the 20lbs I had been struggling with for over 10 years. Having a variety of exercises to choose from and incorporating strength training with cardio workouts is the key to working together with the proper eating habits and needs to be for life. I feel so confident with myself now. I no longer feel depressed about my body or my shape or the size of the clothes that I am wearing. My friends comment constantly on how good I look and I feel great. It is not a struggle to continue to live this healthy, it is a way of life now! Thank you Dr Amani and Chantal!
D. Erfle-Storie
April 2008
I am a patient of Dr. Amani and her program "The Real You". Dr. Amani not only gets you started on the program, she also does regular "Follow-Ups". She shows you how to make the right choices, not only in food but also in the proper exercise suited just for you. She gives you recipe ideas such as Sweet Potatoes or Yams cut in slices, brushed with oil and sprinkled with Cinnamon and baked in the oven, the use of various types of Beans, Chick Peas and Barley in soups, stews etc. Dr. Amani also listens to your problems, guides you, motivates you and even gives a morale boost when needed. I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in loosing weight, maintaining their goal, exercising properly and being healthy.
K. Ross
October 2007
I am a 67 year old woman with a long history of health and weight problems. After trying several programs with varying degrees of success, in July 2007 I came under the care of Dr. Neda Amani. Dr.Amani's nutritional and fitness program is holistic and realistic and I have experienced success in many areas- significant weight loss, increase in physical comfort in everyday activities and in doing exercises that I believed were beyond me. My health has improved considerably and I feel hopeful, encouraged and confident that I can achieve my weight and fitness goals.
Since beginning the program in July, to date, I have lost 32 pounds with ease and feeling well all the time. Also, I have had severe asthma for over 20 years which brings me to the Emergency dept every spring-fall period with at least 3-4 episodes of exacerbation where I require oral steroids for relief. Amazingly, this year since I started The Real You™ program, I have not had to go to the Emergency department once or require any oral steroids!
I am very gratedful to Dr.Amani for her program and the incredible support I have received from her and all the other warm and caring members of her team.
Jean 67 year old female
I consulted Dr. Amani during the winter of 2006, as I was concerned about weight, nutrition, joint pain and my general well being. She first made me conscious of the food I was eating and wisely offered substitutes for some of my unhealthy eating habits. This was much easier to apply than a “diet” and it’s restrictions. The no-nos of course included no added sugar, butter margarine, mayonnaise, processed meats and a reduction of red meat, pork and cheese, while encouraging chicken breast, fish as well as fruit & vegetables. The substitution of lentils and whole grains for red meat was wonderful and introduced me to a whole new sphere of healthy, tasty, low fat eating.
I’d had knee pain for years, as I was at least 30 lbs overweight, so in addition to the diet, Dr. Amani suggested I enroll in a program she had pioneered at the Nepean Sportsplex Clinic. It’s called The Real You™ and it involves a physiotherapist and 12 private sessions to work on core strengthening through simple exercises. As I’d just turned 60 I was a bit worried about the exertion level but Dr. Amani sent me to the Cardio centre for a stress test to make sure my cardio vascular system was up to a new routine. The test was fine so through Dr. Amani, I got in touch with Chantal Goneau, a physiotherapist at the Nepean Sportsplex who would become my personal trainer.
At my first session I was expecting to see a roomful of Nautilus machines but I was greeted in a private room with a minimum of equipment – free weights, elastic bands, and an exercise ball. So much less intimidating! The program began modestly but increased in difficulty as my strength grew. I soon found myself increasing the free weights from 3 lbs to 5 lbs and now 10 lbs. I’m walking long distances with no knee pain and able at last to take advantage of the beautiful paths along the river just a block from my place. I’m able to do a brisk 1 1/2 hour walk with added wrist weights and with only one rest stop to feed the ducks! No snacks for me. I swim regularly as well, using my newfound muscle strength to swim with more calorie-burning energy.
I’d like to thank Dr. Amani & Ms. Goneau for their care and concern and the excellent Real You™ program, which has helped me immeasurably. I’d recommend it whole heartedly to anyone, especially middle aged people who have neglected their health and want to get back on track and feel younger!
Jerry Golland
Ottawa ON
July 24, 2007
Sept 7, 2004
To whom it may concern:
This is to certify that I, Leticia C. Enriquez-Mary, has undergone the exercise and diet program called The REAL YOU™ under the supervision of Dr. Neda Amani and her medical clinic.
I found the program very rewarding and beneficial. It helps me feel stronger and healthier. I used to stay late in the evening not getting enough sleep and got up in the morning feeling tired. With proper diet and exercise, I now sleep early and get up feeling fresh and strong. I can walk longer distance and with proper diet, I don’t gain as much weight. My cholesterol level continues to go down and I can control my weight to stay at the level that is standard for people my age.
I hope this helps other people, too.
Leticia C. Enriquez-Mary, Toronto
59 y/o female with high blood pressure and high cholesterol
Nov 1, 2004
Dear Dr. Amani,
I would like to thank you for getting me to do more and regular exercise by including me in the program to determine the effects on their health of having someone my age adjust their food intake and physical activity.
When I first started in the program my physical strength was limited especially in my ability to lift anything. Now I am able to easily lift my 18 month old grandson who weighs thirty pounds. Sometimes when I feel like having a nap but exercise or go for a walk instead, my energy level increases so that a nap is no longer necessary.
In January of this year I had a total knee replacement and feel that my recovery was faster because of the physical activity prior to surgery and the physiotherapy and exercises after surgery. My resistance to colds and infections has definitely increased in the past year and a half.
Sincerely,
Christine Ileen Kennedy, Toronto
80 year old female with osteoarthritis in her knee
Sept 4, 2004
Dear Dr. Amani,
I just want to say thank you for encouraging me to enroll in such a fun and useful program. I have never imagined that losing weight would be so easy and fun. By enrolling in this program I not only feel more energentic, but I no longer suffer from leg pain that I have have suffered from for months! I now feel confident being myself because my body is in better shape and it is now a wonderful feeling to look at myself in the mirror.
I would also like to thank Fereshteh for her encouragement and support. Your happy face every Saturday morning made me push myself futher and futher when all I felt like doing was sleeping in!
I really loved and enjoyed your diet-free program for losing weight and I can not say anything other than THANK YOU!
Parisa (25 year old female)
Sept 16, 2003
I have completed the 10-week course of diet and exercise supervised by Dr. Neda Amani. There were distinct advantages to a program which was medically supervised, since the doctor had access to information on file which related to my own concerns-osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, spinal stenosis, cholesterol and blood pressure. I felt confident that both diet and suggested exercises would be both appropriate and beneficial.
I was not disappointed. The meal plan set up by the dietician emphasized calcium-rich foods but gave a framework for a varied diet. The provision, demonstration and supervision of exercises by the personal trainer gave me the impetus to carry out a regular daily regime of exercises at home. This included floor exercises at first, building up to strength-training with appropriate weights and repetitions.
Over the 10-week period I found that my energy level increased; balance, posture, strength, flexibility and sleep patterns improved; there was easier and faster recovery from what were formerly exhausting occasions like standing in line for a long time, using the subway, grocery shopping, etc. Perhaps most noteworthy is the fact that I have been able to reduce my pain-killing medication from 1200mg of ibuprofen daily to 600mg.
In sum, I have recovered my joie-de-vivre which had been rapidly dissipating given my various ailments and the approach of my 78th birthday! I would welcome regular check-backs with the program-once a month, say-to stay in line and keep in good health and shape.
Kathleen Lavin, Toronto
One of the first participants of the pilot Real You Program who was at the time not a regular patient of Dr. Amani’s. K.L. repeated the 10 week program twice and continued her monthly visits with the trainer for over a year. She also made a generous donation to the program.
Dear Dr. Amani,
I am pleased to thank you about your fitness program. It was really useful and I enjoyed it. I lost some weight and my body is in better shape! I want to ask you to continue this program, so more people can enjoy it. I am also very thankful to Ms.Fereshteh for being a great personal trainer for me.
Nakisa (14 year old girl)
Dear Dr.Amani,
Please accept my sincere thanks for recommending the Real You™ program.
In the Fall of 2003, I scheduled an appointment with you to get advice on family planning, hoping to get pregnant in early 2004. Among the standard tests and vitamin recommendations, you recommended the Real You program. I immediately registered since I thought that the program was unique and sounded very interesting. I completed the program in November and continued with the exercises.
When I became pregnant in January 2004, you recommended the program again, since my exercise routine needed to be adapted to fit my new requirements. The trainer identified complelely new exercises that I had never had experience with. She targeted specific muscle groups that, at the time, I was not sure why. Now that my baby has arrived, it is evident why she chose those areas! After seven of the ten sessions, she recommended that I continue with what she has already shown me on my own, but to complete the remaining sessions after giving birth.
The Real You™ program provided me with specific exercises that I would not have otherwise completed, even though I believe I have above-average knowledge of physical fitness (was a member of a gym for many years, have had a personal trainer, played volleyball, golfed, and was a dragonboat paddler) and consider myself to be well-educated (Bachelor of Commerce).
I discovered that the key advantages of the Real You™ program over a gym were:
- the specialized and personalized program designed for my particular health care needs and goals.
- the confidence that the recommended program will help me meet my specific goals within the most efficient timeframe.
- a caring and motivating trainer.
- the routine followup from a physician.
- the meetings with a nutritionist explaining a healthy diet
- the evening and weekend availability (suited my work schedule as a Customer Service Manager)
- the simple, yet effective, exercises that can be completed at homoe without expensive equipment or having to travel.
I believe that the Real You™ program was largely responsible for my problem-free pregnancy and delivery (with only two and a half hours of labour).
I would, without hesitation, recommend this program to anyone.
Allison