Jessica’s Story

My struggle with food started long before I became a mom. Most of my life I’ve been an emotional eater. I ate to cope with loss, change, happiness. You name it. It was an occasion to say, “I had an *insert emotion here* day. I deserve this cupcake!” After having my daughter, I knew things had to change, but I didn’t know how to do it. I had tried every diet known to man. I had even tried diet pills. And then I had given up. Suddenly, I was 5’1/2″ and 170 pounds (that’s probably a much kinder number than it was). The truth is my size 16 jeans didn’t fit, and my doctor was talking to me about cholesterol medication. I looked at my daughter and worried that I was the worst example. What was I teaching her? God gave me this body and life that she saw me abuse and hate every day. How was I supposed to expect her to be any different?

I know it’s cliché, but I knew something had to change. I started slow at a globo-gym, and then I read about weight training. I had never been a great runner, and I liked how empowering lifting seemed to be for women. I probably have the most humble, supportive husband in the known world. He agreed to give our local Crossfit box a try with me. Crossfit and lifting have done wonderful things for my family and me. I will always feel a debt of gratitude for what I’ve learned and become. One of the most important lessons I learned, as one of my friends likes to say, “You can’t outrun your fork.” For a long time even after joining Crossfit and working physically very hard, I wasn’t making marked progress. I felt better, but I needed the other piece.

Ayse Sukola had started Crossfit at nearly the same time I had. We worked out together once or twice. We went out a couple of time in groups together. I knew her story, but one day it completely changed. Suddenly, Ayse’s pictures were everywhere. The changes she had made were amazing. Not like “Wow! You’ve lost five pounds” amazing, but “Is that the same person amazing.” I knew Ayse had worked as an executive chef, and I was instantly curious. I’ll never forget the first text I sent her after seeing her new pictures.

From this text was born one of my best friendships. Ayse was and is the perfect nutritionist for me. She understands that my goals in feeding my body aren’t just numbers. If I’m struggling with how I can make my carbs work for me on a given day, she would never say eat some gummy bears. Because as a mom, she knows that while the numbers matter, the example is more important. She gives me tools that help my family. With Ayse as my nutrition coach, I’ve lost 30 pounds. Every step of the way she’s been my cheerleader. Her experience as an executive chef is invaluable. She shares recipes that my whole family can use. And I’d be hard pressed to find many people who work harder for or are more passionate about the people who are her clients. Ayse’s nutrition coaching and support along with my husband is the reason why I’ve come as far as I have today.