I Hired a Weight Loss Nutritionist I Could Text While Out to Dinner and Lost 25 Pounds
Davina Day DeMark worked with a weight loss nutritionist from OnPoint Nutrition to change her dining habits.
After working with a weight loss nutritionist, Davina Day DeMark lost 25 pounds. Photographs courtesy Davina Day DeMark.
Changing your body takes hard work, persistence, and dedication. Here’s one local’s story. Want to share your Transformation Story? Email ccunningham@phillymag.com.
Who: Davina Day DeMark, 40, a diversity and inclusion programs manager from Pennsport
Why I wanted to make a change: “When my son turned three years old, I was still carrying my ‘hard earned’ baby weight. I realized I no longer owned rights to the ‘I just had a baby’ excuse. My 40th birthday was also around the corner and how I felt on the inside did not match what was on the outside. I feel like a fun and confident free spirit, but my exterior was no reflection of that. That was when I knew it was time to call in the professionals. I consulted with a nutritionist and personal trainer and committed to making this THE year I took ownership of my health.”
When I started this journey: January 2018
Height: 5’3″
Starting weight: 180
Current weight: 155
What all changed for me: “Since losing the weight, I’ve reconnected with who I am as an individual. When you become a mother, it is so easy to lose yourself in day-to-day parenting. Naturally, I put my family before myself but when I took control of my health, I became a better wife and mother.”
How I changed my diet: “The biggest change was working with OnPoint Nutrition. Kate, my nutritionist, taught me about proper food choices and portion control. Armed with a better understanding of food labels, I now know what to look for, which ingredients to avoid, and how to sneak more vegetables into my meals. For example, if I’m making a pasta dish, I might make half of it with fresh linguini and the other half with zoodles. If I’m making a dish with rice, I’ll mix cauliflower rice into the regular rice. (Side note: My picky toddler doesn’t know the difference!) She was also accessible when it came to making food choices at happy hour or lunchtime. I tend to eat out a lot but no matter where I was, I could text her the name of the restaurant and she would reply with meal options from the menu. I never felt alone in my nutrition journey.”
How I changed my workout plan: “I’ve always considered myself a gym rat but with a slower metabolism, so I knew I needed to kick it up a notch. I enlisted the help of a personal trainer at Sweat Fitness in Queen Village. Jann kept me accountable while teaching me some new moves. We scheduled our training sessions during their Kids Club hours. I never had an excuse to avoid working out. Once those personal training sessions expired, going to the gym had become a natural habit. Now, I work out four to five times a week. I mix it up between cardio, strength training, and classes.”
“I could text her the name of the restaurant and she would reply with meal options from the menu. I never felt alone in my nutrition journey.”
The hardest part: “The most difficult part of the entire transformation was trusting the process. In the first couple of months, I did not see the quick changes I expected. It was discouraging at times. In those moments, I didn’t feel great and sometimes fell off the wagon. However, I was always honest with my nutritionist. She would remind me why I began this journey and we would talk through why I made a poor food choice. Her gentle way of keeping me accountable was what kept me going.”
What I’m most proud of: “I’m most proud of the change in my eating habits. It required a higher level of dedication that tested my discipline and will power.”
What’s next: “I am ABSOLUTELY ECSTATIC about my results, but I’m not stopping here! My next goal is to work on my strength training to see just how far I can push my muscles. The gym used to be a place I knew I had to go to, now it is the place I try any get to any chance I get.”
What I want everyone to know: “Set yourself up for success! Need childcare? Look for a gym that has childcare, or work out on your lunch break. Like to run? Run on the treadmill at the gym so you’re not dependent on the weather. Need to change your eating habits? Try a meal plan service or work with a nutritionist who is covered under your health insurance. No time to work out? Do squats while you do dishes. Whatever the reason, there are creative solutions to losing weight and being healthier!”
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