Fiery Soul Stories
Before working with Diane,I felt my health was rapidly declining; I had pain in all areas of my body. I am 60 years old, average weight female, I have osteoarthritis in one knee and symptoms of fibromyalgia throughout my arms, shoulders, back and thighs. Most every day I felt like someone had beaten me with a baseball bat. My husband, a super guy, does all our grocery shopping and cooking, we thought we were eating very healthy foods, i.e., tomatoes, garlic, multi-color peppers, zucchini, lots of chicken, some whole grains/crackers an occasional cookie or two and lots of juicy fruit, but I felt TERRIBLE. I was very frustrated with how I was feeling. My arthritis doctor was all about prescribing me more medication that only made me feel more tired, and didn’t address all my pain issues. My doctor mentioned exercise might help, but all I could do was make it through work, go home and collapse, I had zero energy and no interest in doing anything. In August 2016, I contacted Diane Blalack, she discussed her nutrition program that involves metabolic typing – the nutrition philosophy was something I was very interested in learning more about …. And at least giving it a try. Within a few weeks we had my metabolic testing results and I was on my way to feeling better. The metabolic typing provided me with tools on what foods to avoid, much of the food I had been consuming was not good for my body type and was causing or creating the inflammation I had. I did have to cut out ALL sugars and soy products. I was so surprised to find these products in so much of our processed food, no matter where you shopped, in a chain conventional grocer or an organic grocer, there is so much sugar and soy found in our food. By the end of month two I was feeling better, my muscular aches where beginning to subside, I was experiencing some weight loss, a few pounds. Nine months later I feel so much better, I have more energy, my muscular pains have subsided, and I am down nearly 15 lbs without trying. Everybody’s body is different; my husband went on the program and as seen and felt the results when avoiding the foods he is sensitive to. I would encourage anyone who is interested in feeling better and eating for their own personal metabolic type to contact Diane. She is a delight to work with, full of ideas and information.
~Kim, age 60 Human Resources
Before reaching out to Diane,I had gotten to my heaviest weight of 244.6 pounds. Losing weight used to be no problem. I was athletic growing up, and wrestled in college. However, when I got into my late 40s and early 50s, I was finding that I could lose a few pounds by dieting, but would end up gaining everything I lost plus a few pounds once I would go off the diet. I had gotten to the point that while I was sitting in my chair I would struggle to get a good breath at times, and I would get acid reflux throughout the day. My wife would let me know that I was snoring more and more while I was sleeping. I was also on blood pressure medication, and had been for about 5 or 6 years. I was wearing a snug size 38 pant, and refusing to go up the next size. I knew something needed to change. My wife and I started working out with Diane. We were working out for about an hour every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. At first we started slow and worked to build up our strength and stamina. When we first started working out with Diane it was hard to believe, and a little embarrassing, that I couldn’t do 5 push-ups before I would have to go to my knees. However, Diane emphasized that I didn’t get to my condition overnight, and it was going to take some time to get back to where I wanted to be. She had me define what goals I wanted to achieve. Then kept me motivated and accountable to keep working toward my goal. There were times that I would get sore, and start to feel some pain somewhere. Diane constantly is asking if I feel alright or if anything was hurting. Whenever I did have something hurting she would modify the workout to still give me a good workout, but not aggravate the muscle or joint that was hurting. In the past I would try to push through, and as I got older that would derail my ability to work out, to the point I just stopped working out altogether. About 8 months into working out with Diane my weight had stabilized about 228 lbs. The workout was helping me get stronger and back in shape, but I needed to change my diet also. Diane helped me understand what foods were best to provide me the proper nourishment and fuel my body needed. Once I started eating the proper foods, and working out a few days a week I reached and passed my goal weight. I still eat foods l like and can go out to any restaurant and order off the menu. However, for the most part I try to eat foods that react well together with my metabolic type, and watch my portions. We have been working out with Diane for a little over a year and a half. I am 53 years old, and I have lost a little over 40 lbs. (currently weighing 203.7 lbs.), and wearing a size 33 or 34 pants comfortably. Most importantly, I am no longer on blood pressure medication, I no longer have acid reflux, I have no problem getting a good breath while I am sitting in my chair, and my wife says I no longer snore. I highly recommend Diane for a trainer. She has done a great job of pushing me, within reason, to help me get back in shape. Thus, allowing me to enjoy a higher quality of life! She is awesome,
~Randy, age 53 Automotive Management
I have never met anyone like Diane! She so positive and such an inspiration! I am fortunate to have her in my life and to have her as my friend! She is a wealth of knowledge about true health and the best personal trainer you can find! I have known Diane since 2005 when I started personal training with her through Liberty Community Center. I quickly saw the benefits of her training and have always admired her focus on form and whole body workouts. I became very strong and fit through our personal training sessions and the group classes she offered. In 2010 Diane moved, and I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. I went through treatment and had some lingering effects that kept me from working out. When I began working out again I tried various classes and never found anything that even came close to Diane's. In the last class I joined I ended up hurting my back. I think it was the best thing that could have happened because I realized I wasn't finding what I needed there. I contacted Diane and we planned for me to take a trip and visit her at her home in Kansas. That trip changed my life! We had a great time and while I was there we talked about the metabolic typing that she does and what a difference it has made for so many people. I decided I wanted to give it a try and I am so glad that I did! I also started training again with Diane long distance with great success! I have noticed so many changes in my health and my body! When I went to visit Diane I was on a variety of medicine for IBS, severe seasonal allergies, and shoulder tendonitis. I don't take any medicine now and I feel incredible!!! My IBS symptoms have cleared up, my shoulder feels great, and my allergies have improved ten fold! I have also had numerous comments on my complexion! I have had breakouts since I was a teen and they have completely cleared up! I came across a quote…The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison… I believe this 100%! I have learned so much from Diane and look forward to many more years of working with her and learning from her. She is a truly amazing person inside and out!
~ Misty, age 38 Automotive Worker
About 20 years ago, I injured my shoulder. Over time, it got worse and worse. Recently, I decided that I needed to try to fix it or talk to an orthopedist about surgery. I’ve been working with Diane now for about four months. My shoulder and my overall fitness is better than its ever been. Diane is an expert at knowing how hard to push. She has an amazing ability to make me do more than I think I can without making me sore the next day. As a result, I can train regularly and not dread it. Her upbeat attitude makes a hard workout as fun as it can be and her interest in my wellbeing makes it impossible to disappoint her. Diane also trains my daughter who is a Division I athlete, proving that she can tailor a perfect training regime for you whether you start out as a broken down old guy like me, or an elite athlete. I wholeheartedly recommend Diane. She’s simply the best.
~David, age 54 Attorney
In the fall of 2015, I started private personal training sessions with Diane. I knew if I didn't start doing something, my body was going to crash. Early in 2015, I lost two parents and started into a divorce by mid 2015. From all the stress that had built up from years before, and these new stresses added to it, my body was not doing well. I was had been treating thyroid problems as naturally as I could for years, and my adrenal fatigue was still getting worse. I had tried yoga, but every time, it was just to much for my body, and I didn't have success long. I needed personal guidance, so I went to Diane.
She worked with me at the pace that I needed so it would support my system and not overly stress it even more. She pushes me just far enough, so that I will continue to improve. After about 3 months, I was strong enough for her class sessions, and now after about 7 months, I feel strong, fit, and more mentally healthy than I have for a very long time. When I started, I could not do very much cardio at all. I now find that is not a problem. I have seen the difference in the mirror, and friends have commented on my change. For me though, that was not my goal. I just wanted to feel healthy again. I needed to improve my health so I could continue to heal my thyroid and adrenals. I have been able to lower my thyroid medicine and I see the improvement overall with how my adrenals react when I am stressed.
I plan to continue working with Diane. Her classes are fun, and the routines never get boring. That classes seem to go by so quick! I look forward to my workouts with her each week. Yes, it can be hard to stay motivated to do it, but I feel too good afterwards to stop now. There are too many advantages. I also look forward to taking advantage of her Metabolic Type Nutrition Program soon.
~ Heather, age 40 Homeschool Mom/Professional Chef
Thanks to Diane’s nutrition and exercise plan, my life has changed!!! I’ve been saying for years, that I need something that isn’t a diet, but a healthy eating plan. I’ve looked high and low and never found the plan that worked for me. I’ve spent over a year eating a very strict diet and exercising 2 hours every day and I only lost 20 pounds. For one year, I didn’t cheat and yet that was all I had accomplished. It didn’t take long to get discouraged and put all that weight back on.
After working with Diane for 5 months, I have lost 15 pounds and more than 29 inches all over my body. Six of those inches were in my stomach area alone. I’m starting to get my curves back, but more than that, I’m starting to see myself differently. I feel AWESOME!!! Every day I do something that I couldn’t do two years ago and I’ve never felt more accomplished than I do right now. I still have a ways to go, but I am enjoying this wellness journey that I’ve been on. Diane give’s me the motivation to keep going, even when it feels like my progress is going slowly. She cheers me on every session and gives such positive encouragement in all situations. I look forward to each personal training appointment and nutrition session, as I know that each day I am making a difference in my mind, body and spirit.
Thank you, Diane for helping me along this journey. With your help I’ve seen myself in a different light and that’s something I’ve been missing for such a long time. Let Diane help make a difference in your life and I guarantee that you won’t regret a moment of it.
~ Lorraine, Age 44 Office Manager and EMT