Small Steppers Stories – Kellie J

1)  Where were you at before starting Small Steps to Wholefoods?

With about 10kg to lose I had done the regular programs such as ww and Michelle bridges.  While they were successful while on them I was really just following instructions and when they stopped so did my progress.

2) What made you take the plunge?

After altering our daughters diet to control eczema with great results without creams and meds.  I was really just winging it and when sstwf popped on  my Facebook I thought some guidance would be a great kick up.  I thought it might be time to fix our diet properly as I was so controlled and fixated on what she ate but my husband and I still really changed nothing…  as she got older it was hard to explain why she didn’t eat what we did.  Explaining to a 1 year old that she can’t have something cos it’s bad for you was really just saying ‘your parents are pretty stupid’ but luckily she was too young to question it!!

3) What were the most important things you learnt through the program?

I always knew that some of what we ate was not perfect but I thought most of it was ok.  I loved learning not just what was ‘bad’ like in ww and mb programs but why too.  It is so much more poignant if I know the whys and can put it into a context of self.  Now  rather than thinking this is bad for ‘people’ I think this is bad for me/daughter/family.

And broader from a personal understanding,  including regional and global setting (ie alexx) helps put everything in perspective.  Also hearing many variations of good food from many experienced people was great to work out what will work for my family and what won’t. Other programs are so prescriptive and you like it or lump it.  I have been able to change slowly and understand why I wamt to change.

4.  What did you love most about it?

Really Lisa you are the best thing about the program… I don’t think it would be this amazing with anyone else behind the wheel.  It seems to me that you really have the desire to make these positive changes in peoples lives. Never did i feel inadequate (even though there were days when I was!).  I felt supported even on my bad days.  You are inspiring and engaging in a totally down to earth way.

I loved the daily emails.  Even if I didn’t have time to watch the long video that day just having it pop on my phone kept me on track.  I loved the Facebook group.

5.  How would you say your life has changed since participating in Small Steps?

Really so many things in our lives have changed.  We really think about our food impact, not just individually but so much broader. It’s not about my weight or my husbands food preferences… we eat to nourish ourselves AND not to deplete the world at the same time.  I feel like I can accomplish so much more. I have more energy and less stress… Therefore less agitation and more patience with everyone around me… sad to say I didn’t actually realise that before I had less patience with my husband and daughter that I might have never known needed improvement and that would have been a terrible endpoint…

Happy to make my difference in the world.  As Alexx says we can make the world we want by trying so organic food is increasing here, not perfect but on our way.

Also really happy to report that this has been a lasting change (mostly haha) that hasn’t dropped off the moment the program did like so many others.

 6.  Any advice for those who are considering starting their journey?

You truly have nothing to lose here and potentially SO MUCH to gain.  Even if you take away only half of the information to ponder you will learn and grow and probably move onto small steps of your own along the way.

It’s the best thing I have done for my family in a long time, probably ever!