Meet Jill

A Real Forking Change Success Story

In Jill's own words:

"I had been working for a few years to heal my binge eating disorder, and I was stuck. I tried many things and other coaches. Nothing was working. I was feeling really desperate. And I was scared, because I feared I lacked something fundamental inside that other people had — some quality like commitment or willpower — which meant I would never heal and recover.

"The decision to work with Chloe took about a year. We live in the same community, so I had a huge benefit in watching her own recovery journey, then her husband's. I observed that both were not only in a healthier-sized body physically, they were calmer and more at peace internally. That is ultimately what made me want to try again with the Real Forking Change program. I wanted that for myself. I was 57, 6 feet tall and weighed 223 lbs.

"At first, I thought our sessions were about the food program itself — what I was eating, how much. I was very concerned that Chloe would impose restrictions on me. But soon I realized that we were crafting a program together that was custom to me and my needs. So I began to relaxed into it.

"As Chloe introduced new behaviors and ideas, I was often resistant at first. The idea of weighing my food felt too much like a diet. Then I learned that it was a necessary data point for us to track to help us adjust the balance of vegetables, proteins, starches and fats I was eating. Also I love to cook, and I was quickly discovered I was not in fact on a diet but experiencing a new way of living that supported this passion. I could still be excited about food, flavor and cooking, AND I could lose weight. Happily, the pounds began to come off.

"Then came the biggest surprise for me in this program. The weight loss that had been my initial focus, became a secondary priority. In our coaching sessions, Chloe created a very safe and supportive space for me to share why I felt driven to eat in the first place. I began to connect with some very painful emotions including my shame and self hatred around my eating disorder. She suggested alternatives to food for emotional support and regulation, like taking 3 deep breaths to sooth my nervous system when stressed. This deep, emotional work combined with the food plan was very healing for me. I began to feel more compassionate toward myself at a level I hadn't experienced before despite years of traditional talk therapy. And while Chloe isn't a therapist, her ability to listen, reflect back and ask guiding questions has been what was missing for me to feel safe to explore, shift and heal.

"It's been 8 or 9 months. I am now 58, still 6 feet tall and weigh 188lbs — a loss of 35 lbs. I am still releasing weight. My relationship with myself is loving and kind. It's a cliche I know, but I really love myself. I'm now focused on developing a sustainable exercise plan. And I have tools for emotional regulation so I don't reach for food.

"Real Forking Change taught me so much about the limiting, inaccurate beliefs I had about myself. I'm so grateful for the experience to get to work with Chloe. I know that word has become cliche, but truly I mean it. I'm at peace with food. I'm at peace with myself. I never thought I could do it — lose weight, feel normal around food, feel comfortable in my body. Here I am."