Jessie Dwiggins’ Story:

My relationship with food has only recently become healthy. It has been my experience with yoga and mindful eating that has evolved my dysfunctional perspective of food and self-image to a positive, vibrant outlook to eating and living. I share this story, not to elicit sympathy, but to describe the experience that has led me to be so passionate about teaching yoga and mindful-eating.

My journey begun when I was young, as is the case, unfortunately, with many girls and young women today. I was overweight as a child and pre-teen. My mother always provided nutritious food but I wasn’t very active. I knew I needed to change when, as part of a school video project; I needed baggy pants and went into my father’s closet for a pair of jeans. They didn’t fit.  I stepped on the bathroom scale and was shocked. I expressed my frustration to my Mother, found a diet in Teen magazine, and I set out to lose weight. I did, 35 pounds. But in the process I established rigid, restrictive eating patterns.

My interest in studying nutrition began as I was reading and learning about weight loss. I was exercising excessively and began bargaining with myself to overeat. I have to point out that my Mother kept close watch over my eating and exercising habits and read a lot of information about nutrition. She eventually expressed concern and I conceded that I was having difficulty with my body image and felt obsessive about eating and exercise. My parents found a therapist and I was diagnosed with and treated for Body Dismorphic Disorder (BDD).

I temporarily found relief from my struggle with food when I moved to Colorado to attend Colorado State University. I rescued a dog, which was irresponsible for freshman in college; however, I believe that she was integral in my recovery from BDD. I was able to redirect my attention away from myself and my body image and onto her care and wellbeing. We walked or hiked daily, a decrease in exercise for me but still plenty to keep me fit, she relaxed me, and I started practicing yoga. It was respite from my constant struggle with food.

Then, as a senior in college, I started experiencing regular panic attacks and was put on medication to manage them. I gained about 25 lbs in 6 months, despite no changes in eating and exercising habits, but my doctor was not convinced it was a result of the medication. In order to prove him wrong, I diligently measured and tracked my food intake, maintained 1300-1500 calories/day and exercised compulsively. I was back in a restrictive eating and exercise pattern and not losing weight.

I maintained this pattern after graduating college and working a “real” job for 3 years. I was exhausting! Eventually, I grew tired of constantly trying to control my weight without seeing results. I needed a different solution. I needed to explore the roots of my eating behaviors and my struggle with body image. I did this in an intensive Forrest yoga teacher training that I participated in. For 30 days, 8 hours per day, I lived and breathed yoga. Ana Forrest, a pioneer in the yoga community and recovered from years of eating disorder, helped me to understand eating in a way that fuels my body and to appreciate my body’s potential.

Once the training was over, I maintained this perspective, however, after a while working fulltime as a Wellness Coach and attending graduate school, I noticed myself becoming disconnected from my regular practice of mindful behaviors. I needed to re-center. I found “Am I Hungry?” through my graduate thesis work studying mindful eating. The material presented in the workshops just made sense, the solution that I had been searching for since high school, which, ironically, has been inside me all along. And, without intending to, I lost 15 pounds.

I have since completed my graduate degree in nutrition and become a licensed Am I Hungry? facilitator in addition to teaching yoga. My relationship with food is still evolving and I expect it always will. The difference now is that it will grow and change in a healthy way. Best said by the Buddha, “As long as were facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep walking.”

Do You Have What It Takes? USMMA 2012 Challenge!

We’re teaming up with Whole Foods Market in Bellingham to offer 3 fitness scholarships to local children & teens. Check out our flyer for more info.

JANUARY 2012 MMA STUDENT OF THE MONTH
MARK CARDARELLI

Before I joined USMMA I was fighting a disease the Doctors could not explain. I went through years of tests and suffered extreme pain with continuous cortisone shots in my shoulders and feet. When I was at rock bottom (a day I will never forget). My doctor diagnosed me with Rheumatoid Arthritis and I started treatment right away. So needless to say I was in the worst shape of my entire life and I needed to get back on track. 

My son and I went out researching various gyms. Of course I was unable to join a gym that would be too stressful on my joints and my son wanted a place where he could learn boxing and self 

defense. After months of searching the internet, newspapers and local yellow pages, we ended up at the USMMA doorstep.

Upon arrival the owner Tom Hafers greeted us and he gave us a tour of his facility. This was nothing like I had ever seen before. It’s a completely

different approach to the boring gym routine. For us this was perfect. Padded mats throughout the gym so no stress on the joints. There is a wide

selection of various workout classes and enough cardio for a race horse. But the main thing that separates them from all others is the people. The talent and knowledge of the Owner, Instructors, Professional Fighters and Students is phenomenal. They have the ability to articulate instructions so every student can properly learn. The results are proof of that.

Where am I today you might ask? Well I lost 50 lbs and I am high school skinny. My cholesterol levels are perfect. I have not been healthier in over 20 years. 

My son and I both won our Amateur debut MMA fights to be the first father and son listed on the same fight card in Massachusetts. Yes you read that correctly. I competed in a mixed martial arts competition, as well as several submission tournaments in which I placed 1st. USMMA has changed my life and for that I am eternally grateful.

“If that’s what they have done for me, just imagine what they can do for you!”

JANUARY 2012 YOGA STUDENT OF THE MONTH
JOSIE STERLING

“Hot yoga at USMMA is where I go for a mind and body tune up. The yoga instructors (and I adore every one of them!) tell you that this space and time on your mat is just for you to do what your body and mind need right here, right now. 

But being somewhat of a Type A personality it wasn’t until months of practicing several times a week that I finally got it. I bring that sprit back with me to my family and my work and cannot imagine how I could cope with life’s challenges without it. 

As an added bonus, I can do arm-balances that I’d never dreamed my 56 year old body could do!”