“In 2004, I found myself in my doctor's office getting the news. My doctor was telling me that my cholesterol was way too high (233 total, 191 LDL), and that he was going to put me on medication to try and bring it down. I also knew that I was overweight (almost 27% body fat) and not getting nearly as much exercise as I needed.

My father had gone down a similar road. This lead him to a quadruple bypass in his 40's and death by a heart attack at 56.

At that point, sitting on the paper-covered table in my doctor’s office, I realized that I had to make a decision - continue down the same road as my father and risk leaving my kids without a dad, or change everything.

The cholesterol medication only seemed like half the answer, plus I didn't like the idea of going on a long term course of medication when I was only in my early 30's. Maybe this was something I could get under control through diet and exercise. I discussed this with my doctor, and he suggested I find a nutritionist to get my diet under control, then come back in 6 months. If my cholesterol was still high, then medication would be the wise course of action.

In addition to diet, I knew I had to get serious about exercise. I had participated in several small (sprint distance) triathlons, but had always had a dream of completing the big one - Ironman. I knew that it might take a couple years before I made it there, but I also knew that it would be a great motivating goal.

An internet search provided contact information for Chrissy Barth. I had never seen a nutritionist before and wasn't sure what to expect. I was a little afraid that she would just lecture me about eating eggs, hand me a print-out of the food pyramid, and send me on my way.

I met with Chrissy and expressed to her my three goals:

1. Get my cholesterol under control
2. Reduce my body fat to a healthy percentage
3. Complete Ironman

I had read several books on diet and nutrition, but it seemed like every book I read contraindicated the last one I read on several points. The more I read, the more confusing things got.

Chrissy reviewed my diet with me in detail and helped me understand what I was doing right and what I was doing wrong. She also reviewed my goals with me and helped me get a realistic perspective on them. Then Chrissy gave me a personalized plan built specifically for my needs. She also helped me understand how my diet as a whole worked, and how different foods worked with each other. In the process, she clarified the many points of confusion I had from the contradictory literature I had been reading.

This was definitely far beyond the lecture and handout I had expected. To take it a step further, Chrissy was available by email whenever I had a question or problem. Her support was more than I expected and was definitely the critical factor in my success.

Six months later I was back on the paper-covered table, waiting impatiently as my doctor skimmed through my lab results. My total cholesterol was down 42 points to 191, my LDL down 30 points to 119. Chrissy's nutrition plan was working, and my doctor said to keep it up and come back in 6 months to make sure it kept on track.

Two years later, and Chrissy is still providing great support, helping me change and adjust my diet as my needs change.

As far as my goals:

1. Get cholesterol under control
   My total cholesterol is down to 135 (a loss of almost 100 points), LDL down to 70 (a loss of 121 points)
2. Reduce body fat
   My body fat has come down from almost 27% to less than 10.5%. I've lost 35.5 pounds of fat and gained 16.5 pounds of lean body mass
3. Complete Ironman
   This past spring I completed Ironman Arizona in less than 15-1/2 hours.

For anyone else trying to make a change in their life through diet, I have to recommend that you go see Chrissy. Her knowledge and positive support have been a critical factor in my personal success, as I'm sure they will be in yours.” -Kim Essendrup, Ironman