The team at Nutritional Wisdom: Jackie Gramlich, Carly Pollack and Lauren Deaton

I was determined things were going to change. Six weeks ago, I walked through the doorway of a little blue cottage on the east side of Austin. A wooden sign spelled out in two words what I was in desperate search of: Nutritional Wisdom.

My family history health report card does not warrant gold star stickers or words of kudos. Heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes course through our veins. These unwanted, persistent medical terms run rampant through our medical history, wreaking havoc and leaving chaos in their wake.

From Kickboxing to Kicking Queso

Six months prior to entering the office of Nutritional Wisdom, I committed to attend 3-5 kickboxing classes a week. I was encouraged after six months to have lost several inches, and reduced my blood pressure and heart rate to normal range. But I was disappointed when the scale showed I had gained two pounds. I’m a sucker for queso, 512 Pecan Porter, fresh bread and pastries (I’ve worked in two bakeries). It was time to make another change, this time regarding my diet.

Since going through Nutritional Wisdom’s Wellness Starter Program, I’m pleased to report I’ve lost three pounds. This is a feat, since exercise alone wasn’t taking off unwanted weight. Like the name of this local business suggests, I learned a lot of valuable information that will last a lifetime. The program was tailored to my specific goals and needs.

Delicious Path to Clean Eating With Nutritional Wisdom

Chocolate raspberry muffins, made with a “Carly Approved” recipe from Nutritional Wisdom (Credit: Judy Rae Merhar)

Learning what it means to eat clean was fun, with the help of owner Carly Pollack’s “Carly Approved” recipes. Since I have an affection for baking, the first recipe I tackled was for chocolate raspberry muffins. They were moist, delicious and introduced a new ingredient that had been foreign to my pantry: almond flour. It was nice to discover other rich indulgent ingredients, like ghee (clarified butter), which turns out to have a number of nutritional benefits.

But the number one major revelation was water consumption. My digestive system has never been better. By simply starting my morning with a cup of warm water, adding half a squeezed lemon, and drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day, I’ve significantly reduced my appetite and improved my complexion.

Choosing Not to Repeat History

Dad and me

Growing up in southwest Louisiana, I don’t recall one family member ever having a gym membership. Meals around the table were sumptuous and rich. The main dish was fried, drowning in cheese or swimming in butter, or possibly all three. The 2011 movie, The Help, hit on a popular ingredient in southern kitchens: Crisco. This substance was used in everything from fried chicken to frosting for cakes. I can only imagine the clogged arteries induced by this kitchen staple of my childhood.

A month into the Nutrtional Wisdom program, my 64-year-old dad survived his second heart attack. The drive home to Louisiana was lonely, but I was accompanied by six chocolate and raspberry muffins I had made for dad.

I can’t change my medical DNA, but after visiting the office of Nutritional Wisdom, I can confidently say I do feel wiser. I’m choosing to stay on a lifetime course to better health. It won’t be quick, and at times it may not be easy. But I’m receiving something more rewarding than my initial goal of weight loss, and don’t think my daughters will find themselves bringing their mom heart-healthy muffins in the emergency room anytime soon.

–> Read about my introductory appointment at Nutritional Wisdom.

@JudyMerhar wants to know:

How do you stay healthy in Austin?

Disclosure: Nutritional Wisdom is providing me with the Wellness Starter Program at no cost, for the purposes of this review. All opinions are my own.