Transforming journeys: discovering the beauty within: Part 1

Each month, I base this column on a foundation of principles I established in 1997 when I set out to translate my own experience with self-transformation into a road map to help others. The result is a real-life process of shedding the modern mind-sets and self-sabotage that compromise our true potential and then rebuilding our beliefs and bodies in a whole new direction. Starting with this issue, I'm excited to share the stories of individuals who have set their own course for transformation with a boost from my program.

This month, I interview Better Nutrition's winner of my Total Transformation cruise, Gretchen McLlarky, who'll share the inner side effects of her seemingly surface makeover. Next month, Amy Montgomery tells us how she shed 85 pounds and regained her self-respect. In December, we'll hear from an executive in Houston who left behind an overflowing agenda to recover a part of herself she had buried since her teens.

To kick off this new series, I sat down with Gretchen McLlarky whose own self-discipline coming into my program made mc wonder if there was anything I could do to help her. I was surprised by all of the changes she made as a result of the program, but the big surprise to both of us was her reaction to her external makeover.

Gretchen McLlarky's New Perspective

KJ: Gretchen, you won a cruise after the first time you picked up Better Nutrition!

GM: Yeah, it was pretty amazing how it happened. I entered to win your cruise at my health food store, of course, not expecting to win. When you called me personally to tell me I'd won, I was shocked.

KJ: Did the experience help you?

GM: The meal salads were a standout, with organic dark greens, goat cheese and nuts to make them really unexpectedly satisfying. I had never tasted low-carb pasta, either, which was another surprise. My favorite was the angel hair with only garlic and oil and just the bit of pecorino cheese. When dessert was served, we often thought it was a mistake; they usually tasted too good. But they were always made with one of the sweeteners you told us about during your sessions: xylitol, stevia or lo han. There was a sneaky absence of sugar and starch in the menu because we were eating chips, chocolates and almond flour-based cookies, which tasted really good. I was never hungry, and I never felt deprived of what the other people on the ship were eating.

Quitting Coffee

KJ: Was any part of the program difficult or unpleasant?

GM: Not really. I'm an easy subject because I don't really have a weight problem or an issue with food. I just want to learn what's best. I did have an issue with coffee though. I didn't plan to, but I had my last cup of coffee the Sunday we set sail. Until the program, I had never really understood all the reasons for quitting coffee and had also never tried herbal coffee, which I quickly fell in love with and had each morning on the cruise. When I tried to quit coffee before, I got a headache, so I was prepared for that, but I never got one. I think the yoga and the detox drinks probably helped. It was the easiest thing I've ever stopped!

KJ: How did you feel during the program?

GM: Between the menu and snacks and the yoga (which I looked forward to the most), the daily detox drinks and the teas, I felt better and better each day. It surprised me that in spite of all the font-course meals and treats, I watched my stomach flatten out and my lace "de-puff" by the end of the week. But for me, the makeover was the real shocker.

Through New Eyes

KJ: The makeup lesson might be considered one of the more superficial aspects of the cruise. Did you get anything out of it?

GM: I'd never really worn makeup. I was expecting nothing more than a fun experience, but when I picked up the mirror, we laughed because I couldn't put it down. I could not figure out why my eyes--and particularly my eye color--were popping out like I had never seen. I kept looking for dramatic strokes of color but saw nothing. And yet I looked totally different! You said I should never use any eye makeup that would steal focus from my eye color. You had used only a subtle taupe pencil, which I would have thought would wash out my fair complexion. But the biggest impact by far was my brows. They'd never been shaped. You gave them a slight definition and angle without making them thin. It's as though all of my features suddenly came into focus. That "frivolous" makeover made me aware of features I had never considered. Months later, the knowledge has stayed with me. It's powerful!

Take-Home Lessons

KJ: Did the experience affect your life long-term?

GM: Yes. I made many permanent changes right away. I now make the meal salad for my husband and myself almost every day--not because I should, but because I love it. I don't have time to make the detox elixir, so instead I take a good green powder with spirulina and wheat grass. I now have seltzer water with a splash of unsweetened cranberry juice and lime instead of wine most of the time.