Sandra Clarke

"Like most of us on New Years Eve 2005, it was time to evaluate what my new years resolutions would be. On 1 January 2006 I decided this year I would lose weight. I had spent the last two years comfort eating due to the sudden death of my son. I was over weight, depressed and unfit.

I returned from the beach, called all the weight loss organizations and asked them why would I use their organisation and how would their programme give me weight loss that would last for the rest of my life. They all had their relevant reasons.

When I called Nutrition Care and spoke to Cathy Khouri I was extremely impressed with what she said. Cathy was friendly, informative and left a lasting impression on me.

However like most New Years resolutions it took me six months to do anything about it. In June, my birthday month, my husband asked what I would like for the big occasion. A trip to Nutrition Care of course! This was a life-changing gift, which I am still enjoying to this day.

July 13th 2006 was my first appointment with Nutrition Care I will never forget the date. There was an initial one hour consultation which we discussed my general health and weight history, my life style, family situation and my general likes and dislikes of food. Cathy also considered my husbands nutritional requirements, which made cooking for us so much easier. I was weighed, measured and my BMI was assessed. Cathy gave me food and portion advice, recipes and got me recording daily food intake.

Initially I would visit weekly then fortnightly or monthly depending on my needs and the support I required. My weight reduced at steady rate, not large losses but enough to make a little bit of difference to your clothes each week. Enough to keep weight off permanently without the yoyo effect of some diets. It didn’t take long before people began to notice and within 4 months I had dropped from a size 16 – 14 to a comfortable 12. I also took up walking 3-5 days a week, which was encouraged by Cathy.

People began to comment that I looked healthier; my skin was nicer and they thought I looked younger. My hair, which was very grey, began to grow black healthy new growth – amazingly. I began to feel fitter and healthier than I had for years. After two years I have maintained my weight loss and my new eating regime is now just part of my life.

I found Cathy a very real person who was supportive at all times. She is firm when it is necessary to keep you on track but empathetic when the going gets tough. Her absolute passion for her profession and years of experience are obvious and her knowledge is invaluable. Cathy’s encouragement, handy tips, fabulous recipes and genuine caring attitude made the whole experience painless and pleasant.

‘Nutrition Care’ comes highly recommend by me, I believe if you are serious about losing weight and follow their advice, you will maintain your weight loss permanently and live a happy healthy life."

Craig Hughes - Occupational Health Advisor

"I am the Occupational Health Advisor for Solid Energy New Zealand based at Huntly East Coal Mine. In 2007 I ran a wellness programme for staff at all three of the Huntly sites modeled on the TV program The Biggest Loser. I invited the dietitians from Nutrition Care along for the ride.

From the outset the dietitians at Nutrition Care were invaluable in assisting with planning and monitoring the competitors in the programme. They developed successful healthy eating plans for guys to whom salad was a dirty word, were well regarded by everyone they were working with and enjoyed great success over the 4 month competition.

One year on from the Biggest Loser and the majority of competitors are still following advice and methods given to them by Cathy and Janelle. I have also referred others to them on a one on one basis for a variety of health reasons."

Jude Bartram

"The support that we received from Nutrition Care was genuine, and reassuring. The advice that we were given was researched, very specific and manageable. Cathy has given us the tools we needed to improve our daughter's diet and to make healthy choices for our family."

Chris

"I have struggled with my weight most of my life and developed diabetes in 1990. It was recommended that I see Mr David Schroeder and his team for gastric bypass surgery as prospects for my health were not good. Cathy was very good to talk to before surgery and the advice she gave was great. It was also very important to stay in touch with her after surgery to make sure I was eating correctly and meeting my nutritional needs. After 3 years I have lost 45 kg and my dress size has dropped from 24 to 14. I only need 30 to 35 units of insulin now, which is much less than before. I cannot thank the team enough for giving me my confidence and life back."