Read on to hear what a few more of our clients have said...

Dear Crystal,

Simply...Woman has brought me a great deal of comfort and renewed hope at a time in my life when I have felt completely exposed, worn down, and empty. It's amazing how alone you can feel when you aren't in touch with and accepting of yourself. It's interesting you know, how easily we can walk through life with blinders on, until that one day or moment comes along when we are instantly struck with a feeling, inkling, or "aha moment" as you refer to it in the book, that something is about to change; forever!

Embracing Simply...Woman for me has involved opening and emptying many shelved memory boxes filled with anger, pain, humiliation, desperation, abandonment and sadness; memories which have stunted many years of self-love and awareness, yet memories which are very much a part of who I am today as a result of the experiences that connect me to them. Would I change my past? No, because I have grown from it. Am I working to change the control I allow my past to have on my present and future? Yes, as it is hinders me from growing further.

It has been almost 11 years now since I pulled away from the world as I knew it to be and one that I did not want to be part of. A sad transformation began to take place that would alter my looks, my personality, my beliefs, and my faith. Soon I wouldn't be recognized by anyone from the past. Little did I know that in time, I wouldn't even be able to recognize myself! I became lost.

So lost, that ten years later, I feel happy to be given the opportunity to discover myself once again. No longer an adolescent and having crossed the cusp into adulthood, I am now beginning a journey of self-exploration for the person that I know is hidden deep inside and who is grasping to be held, loved, heard, cherished, and welcomed with open arms.

Week 4 of Simply...Woman was a major benchmark of achievement on this personal journey. There were some pretty tough questions in those first fours weeks that required a lot of honesty and digging, particularly in Week 3.

In just four weeks I had decreased my body fat percentage by 8.7%, my lean muscle increased by 10lbs, and my fat weight had decreased 22lbs. On the scales I had lost 13lbs and my body measurements showed a loss of 13 overall inches. All of this great loss in weight and I thought that I would be ecstatic!! In reality however, I remember an overwhelming sense of sadness took over and I began to cry. It was only than I realized that part of celebrating my success to date, meant that I needed to grieve the loss of a life I was choosing to leave behind; the person that I had transformed myself into 10 years ago, and yet the only person that I knew myself to be for such a great length of time.

The change that was occurring was not only in body, but greatly in mind as well!

Crystal, you have conveyed a message throughout your book, which encourages women to look within for answers and self-fulfillment. I wanted to share my experience with you, so that you too can know that the message has been received! Thank you for pouring your heart into this book and for sharing your experiences and knowledge with the world. Most of all Crystal....thanks for being REAL! I look forward to keeping you posted as I continue becoming "Simply...Woman"!

Wishing you all the best in what will be true success,

Amy Maltby

Whitby, Ontario

Hi Crystal,

I haven't had the privilege of meeting you yet, but I feel I know you so well by reading your book. I couldn't afford a trainer but through some miracle I met an angel, who was one of your S.W.A.T. trainers and who has changed my life in so many ways. Her name is Tammy Noakes. When Tammy became a personal trainer she chose me to work with, free of charge! Along with her I had the guidance of the most amazing woman I have ever met, Mary Kim Harper, your Fitness and Lifestyle Director. They both took me under their wing and changed my life forever.

At the same time, I began reading your book and thought "how did you know I felt this way". I couldn't put it down; every page was the life I've lived for the last 32 years. I was always overweight and made fun of as a little girl. I got used to it by making fun of myself because it was much easier than hearing it from others. I would sit in front of the T.V. with potato chips and chocolate bars every day because I was so depressed.

A year ago, in February, I weighed 214 lbs and now today I am 169 lbs. I went from a size 18 plus to a size 12. I have never been a size 12 since I was a young girl. I have never seen these kinds of amazing results until I started your program. I would always weigh myself every day and now I hardly ever step on the scales. I now know it’s about losing inches and how my clothes fit. I didn't realize the cardio, toning up and of course changing my eating habits by following the red, yellow, and green light food charts, would change my body the way it has, until I read your book.

I can't explain how Tammy, Mary Kim, and you Crystal have changed my life. I know I should be proud of me because I did the work, and I am, but you guys are "ANGELS" sent from God. You have given me the dream I have so long desired. I've always wanted to be thin and feel sexy and now I can finally say I like what I see in the mirror.

Crystal be proud of your accomplishments and continue to touch the hearts of others out there, like me. The knowledge you have taught me in your book is more than I would ever have imagined learning and has changed me forever. Thanks and keep up the great work!!!

Sincerely,
Kaye Park

I would like to start off by saying "Thank-you, Crystal for taking the time to speak to me at Costco, last Saturday, at your book signing."   

I have only just begun reading the book and I have been taking it slow because I want to absorb everything in the book. I have started writing in a journal, to figure out the reason to my "extra" eating, which as we discussed, is really about the loss of my parents. I have begun writing my life story, starting when I was a kid, and I'm going to work my way through my life and write down everything that has given me these negative feelings about myself; like you said, "Baby Steps". Ever since we talked I've stopped focusing on food and have put my focus on my feelings inside. I thank you so much for taking so much time on Saturday to speak to me. God Blessed Me that day in Costco.

 

Thank you.

Zel

Prince Albert , ON

Good Morning!

What am I saying? Great Morning!! Took my 4 week stats today, unbelievable. I have lost 9 pounds and 10 1/2". This is amazing, considering I am looking at about a 35 pound loss in total. More importantly are the mental strides I've made towards a life free of dieting and lamenting over my body image. I could go on and on about the changes I am experiencing with your program. Perhaps one of the most important is being honest with myself about my exercise efforts. With the amazing results I've achieved without much exercise effort, I can't even imagine how far I will progress in the next four weeks when I really step up to the plate.
Have a fabulous day.

Regards,

Sharon Godin
Pembroke, Ontario

Hi Crystal,

Thank-you very much for having such a profound impact on my life. I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't began your program !!!! I have just finished week sixteen and I have lost 57 lbs to date and counting!!! I guess the most important thing you should know is how my life has changed. Well, I am wearing clothes I only dreamed of, I have decided to begin training to be a fitness instructor at the gym. My background is Psychology, and I have my first year Masters of Social work. Through working your program I have discovered that for all of these years, I have tried helping other people, before helping myself first !!! And that's exactly what I am doing now. Early into the program I realized that this was like nothing I had ever experienced before, and that I would like a career in Fitness and Nutrition. I also wanted to ask you what I need to do to become a S.W.A.T. ?? I would love to work with the Simply Woman team!!!
I believe so strongly in this program, that I feel I need to spread the word.....
Thank-you again for making such a difference in my life.

Ann-Marie Chianta
Hamilton, Ontario

Dear Crystal,

I've lost 9 pounds and 43cm in 4 weeks and I have to thank you for it. I lost 30 pounds last year, with 30 more to go and I was stuck hovering at the same weight. Your program is really helping me break through those barriers. And I've gotta tell you that the timing of your inspirational and motivational pieces is perfect! I'm going through some hardships emotionally right now, and it's as if you are reading my mind! Your words always seem to hit the nail on the head for my own situation--how amazing is that?!?

Stephanie Tkach
Courtice, Ontario

"You are an inspiration to all of us "Mothers" out there who desire more from life. I am a mother of four fantastic children (13,12,5,4), and I want to be all I know God created me to be. I am currently however, not using all of my God-given talents and abilities. You are absolutely right when you talk about the mind, body, spirit connection. Thank you for creating a tool for us to use to get started on the right track. I'll keep you updated with my progress."

Yours in Health,
Lorenda
Calgary, Alberta