Kay: More Energy, Inspiration, and Insight; Less Cholesterol

I met Dr. Carney during a breakout session at a health check fair San Marcos. As a health coach, I was interested in how she mentioned food was a major factor in your health and that really grabbed my attention. Within a year, I became plant-based and since then, I've referred many people to her. During a well woman exam, my visit resulted in something bigger. I went in for just a regular checkup but my blood work showed high cholesterol and that I was pre-diabetic.

I was shocked since many years ago I had my health transformation, and I had been off dairy and fried foods for several years. For a while I had felt sluggish, but I was wondering why my cholesterol was so high. I had no interest in getting on medication, so when she suggested I try a plant-based diet to help with these issues, I decided to give it a try. I started seeing some results in just two weeks and realized that it was really working! There was a big difference in the way I was feeling and after three months, I had lost 12 lbs. by giving up animal protein. I was happier, more energetic, and down two sizes. My diabetic number came way down, and my cholesterol improved.

Dr. Carney motivated me to "beef up" my wellness practice and strive to work harder in spreading the word about good nutrition. Many years ago, I had been working with clients, and I almost felt like I had lost my passion on that. She reignited that within me, and I have found that I was being called back to that path of working with clients. By learning more from Dr. Carney, I realized how great plant-based diets are and I'm once again passionate about nutrition.

A few years ago, I was in a little funk and honestly didn't realize that I was even in one until I felt the difference from a plant-based diet. I have a different outlook on life, and really have noticed that I am in a totally different place now emotionally and mentally. I find myself listening to music in a different way, looking out the window with a new perspective, and even prefer to avoid negative information in the news or on TV.

Another issue that I had about a decade ago was rosacea. A friend who is an aesthetician recommended a dermatologist for me to see about my skin. I remember laying there in that office on the table and having the doctor walk in, barely look at my chart, and quickly diagnosing the rosacea. Within a few minutes she said I could pay at the front and gave me a prescription that cost me $100 for a month's worth of medicine. The medication didn't even help, and I began to think, this could be treated from the inside out. A previous doctor took me off of sodas, fried foods, and dairy, but not meat.

When I gave up dairy several years ago, I lost inches within a couple of months. As a woman going through menopause, I have seen some great results. I no longer get the night sweats and my hot flashes have been less frequent.

I truly believe that the best gift you could give to your children is your health. It's more important than any gift or amount of money that you could give them. I don't want to be a burden to my children or waste away in a nursing home. I feel like I am doing everything I can in my power today to have a healthy older life.

It's always a pleasure to visit Dr. Linda Carney, and the whole office is wonderful. I always come home with a new book, DVD, or cookbook, and in all of my years, she is the best doctor I have had. I also really care about what Dr. Carney would think and like that it holds me accountable in my actions and what I'm eating. The fact that she has all of your medical records available to you is also a huge thing! Her online system is great and it really puts you back in control of your health. All of the people who work with Dr. Carney are so nice and it was a happy feeling to encounter each of them. I knew I could "talk food" with Dr. Carney and that's one of the reasons I was excited about seeing her.

Her approach is gentle, and even the last time that I visited with her, she prayed with me. I appreciated her personal touch and it really sets her apart. She is going to spend the entire hour with me and answer any questions that I have. I'm not just a number and I'm not just paying her to look at my file. I've learned so much just in the short time that I've seen her, and I feel like my knowledge has grown each time.

If you're scared about trying this plant-based lifestyle, take the first step and change your life! It's never too late to make the change, and it's such a positive one, so why not try it?