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| Testimonials |
"Debra has been advising me on nutrition for a little
under a year now. Her focus on my individual needs
has been fantastic! She has an incredible amount of
knowledge about nutrition and has shared that
knowledge with me in a way that is truly easy to
understand and to incorporate in my daily life. I have
found Debra to be supportive and understanding,
and she has never judged me. I am grateful to say
that with her guidance I have lost 45 pounds in 9
months. I feel great.
Debra has helped me to make food and lifestyle
changes over time - never rushing me - that has
improved my overall health and life."
Paula W.
Washington DC
under a year now. Her focus on my individual needs
has been fantastic! She has an incredible amount of
knowledge about nutrition and has shared that
knowledge with me in a way that is truly easy to
understand and to incorporate in my daily life. I have
found Debra to be supportive and understanding,
and she has never judged me. I am grateful to say
that with her guidance I have lost 45 pounds in 9
months. I feel great.
Debra has helped me to make food and lifestyle
changes over time - never rushing me - that has
improved my overall health and life."
Paula W.
Washington DC
"High School graduation was a size 10, college graduation a 14, graduate school a 16, my 30th birthday and my 34th
birthday...well, you can do the math. The years also saw severe sleep disturbances, terrible skin, boughts of severe
depression, and a myriad of other bizarre health issues, including my personal favorite- chronic constipation. They
also saw the Atkins Diet, The Zone, Fat Smashers, Sugar Busters, Weight Watchers, Nutri-System, South Beach, and
variety of weight loss patches, pills, meal replacement shakes, and teas. If you did the math, you see how well they
worked.
Careening toward 35 and a dress size quickly beginning to resemble my age, I realized I needed help. Not the
infomercial, Barnes & Noble, and/or random health food aisle of the drug store help, but the real deal. I needed
expertise, guidance and education. I needed someone who knew what they were talking about-more importantly, a
professional who would partner with me to assess my needs and assist me in achieving my goals within the context
of my lifestyle-lucky for me that I stumbled upon such a professional!
I've been working with Debra for over year now, and the changes which have taken place in a word have been
outstanding, phenomenally-fantastic! I have lost three dress sizes. I sleep for at least 8 restful hours each evening.
My skin is the clearest it's ever been. My mood is stable and uplifted, and the best part: chronic constipation is a
distant memory!
All of this achieved through very reasonable and doable adjustments to my diet. I was skeptical, but so disheartened
I was willing to try anything once. Could it be any worse than the pills, teas, shakes, prepackaged food, and library
of books I've collected over the years? Nope, it was a simple as shopping at my local grocery store, meeting my
unique nutritional needs, and becoming educated on the positive power of food.
Debra brings the perfect blend of knowledge, experience, and empathy to her practice-striving to meet each client's
individual needs. No fad diets, prepackaged foods, points to count, calories to track, deprivation, frustration, or
degradation. Through wholesome, nutritious, and conscientious meal planning and preparation optimum health
and well being can be achieved.
Debra possesses a unique ability to assist individuals through their own process of self-discovery, creating
permanent life-long change, and places them on a direct path to realistic, achievable, and maintainable goals. I have
referred numerous friends and family members to her practice and will continue to do so with 100% confidence that
they will all have the same positive experience which I have.
And if you're still not convinced...
After spending literally hundreds of dollars in veterinary bills for my 14 year old Chow mix, it was Debra who, in
just moments, correctly suggested my poor pooch might be suffering from a severe food allergy. After a few minor
dietary adjustments both Bailey and my bank account are in much better shape!"
Andrea A.
Washington DC
birthday...well, you can do the math. The years also saw severe sleep disturbances, terrible skin, boughts of severe
depression, and a myriad of other bizarre health issues, including my personal favorite- chronic constipation. They
also saw the Atkins Diet, The Zone, Fat Smashers, Sugar Busters, Weight Watchers, Nutri-System, South Beach, and
variety of weight loss patches, pills, meal replacement shakes, and teas. If you did the math, you see how well they
worked.
Careening toward 35 and a dress size quickly beginning to resemble my age, I realized I needed help. Not the
infomercial, Barnes & Noble, and/or random health food aisle of the drug store help, but the real deal. I needed
expertise, guidance and education. I needed someone who knew what they were talking about-more importantly, a
professional who would partner with me to assess my needs and assist me in achieving my goals within the context
of my lifestyle-lucky for me that I stumbled upon such a professional!
I've been working with Debra for over year now, and the changes which have taken place in a word have been
outstanding, phenomenally-fantastic! I have lost three dress sizes. I sleep for at least 8 restful hours each evening.
My skin is the clearest it's ever been. My mood is stable and uplifted, and the best part: chronic constipation is a
distant memory!
All of this achieved through very reasonable and doable adjustments to my diet. I was skeptical, but so disheartened
I was willing to try anything once. Could it be any worse than the pills, teas, shakes, prepackaged food, and library
of books I've collected over the years? Nope, it was a simple as shopping at my local grocery store, meeting my
unique nutritional needs, and becoming educated on the positive power of food.
Debra brings the perfect blend of knowledge, experience, and empathy to her practice-striving to meet each client's
individual needs. No fad diets, prepackaged foods, points to count, calories to track, deprivation, frustration, or
degradation. Through wholesome, nutritious, and conscientious meal planning and preparation optimum health
and well being can be achieved.
Debra possesses a unique ability to assist individuals through their own process of self-discovery, creating
permanent life-long change, and places them on a direct path to realistic, achievable, and maintainable goals. I have
referred numerous friends and family members to her practice and will continue to do so with 100% confidence that
they will all have the same positive experience which I have.
And if you're still not convinced...
After spending literally hundreds of dollars in veterinary bills for my 14 year old Chow mix, it was Debra who, in
just moments, correctly suggested my poor pooch might be suffering from a severe food allergy. After a few minor
dietary adjustments both Bailey and my bank account are in much better shape!"
Andrea A.
Washington DC
"The first day I met Debra, I knew my life would never be the same. I wanted a healthy life style in preparation for a
baby. My period was never regular. I've been overweight for the last 15 years. My energy level was low and based
on sugar and caffeine spikes. I was worried that at 35, it would be incredibly hard to get pregnant. That is what all
the doctors told me. I was supposed to lose 15-20 pound in order to gain 15-20 during the pregnancy. My only
hope was someone who could guide me. I had tried a few nutritionists, group programs like Weight Watchers and
dietitians, but none had really worked for me.
Then a friend who had lost about 20 pounds told me about Debra. I figured I could go hear her opinions about
pregnancy eating and see what she could offer me. Debra told me the absolute truth. I would have to change my
diet. Actually, I would have to change my life style. When she told me what I had to do, I was so angry and
hesitant. I was supposed to go through an elimination diet for a month to detox my body and find out what I was
allergic to. Who would want to give up dairy and sugar and wheat and caffeine and eating out even if it was for a
short time?!?! I thought I couldn't do this as a life style change. But I knew what I really wanted was waiting for
me. Debra encouraged me to do this for just a week and see what the changes in me were.
I was hesitant but I figured I could do anything for a week. Within 3 days, I was feeling incredibly different. I had
so much more energy than I ever imagined. I needed less sleep and felt so much better. And the change in my diet
wasn't that hard. In fact, it was easy. My obsessive thoughts about food were gone. Within a week, my cravings
for sugar and caffeine were gone. And food tasted better. My taste buds were alive and I could eat less and feel
more full. And my chronic backache which plagued me for years was gone. It was such a treat. Within a couple of
months, I lost over 20 pounds and started talking to the doctor about getting pregnant. And to my surprise, I got
pregnant within months of seeing Debra.
I believe all this is owed to Debra. She is a god-send. Now, every other sentence about food is "Debra said..." I
started cooking food at home, something I hated to do for the past 20 years. I eat food closer to the earth, like more
fruits and veggie. No more processed food, TV dinners, or unpronounceable ingredients in my diet. I thought this
food change would be hard, but in fact, it feels so much better. I have started realizing what really happens to my
food and am much more connected with what goes into my body.
A month after I started, I added everything back into my diet. I was eating bread and chocolate and cake and
caffeine and dairy again, but I am more particular about what I choose. I still enjoy pizza and ice cream but I make
better choices, and my body reacts to good and bad foods.
My whole pregnancy has been a joy. I am gaining the right amount of weight and the baby is getting the best
nutrition possible. No morning sickness, no nausea, no feeling of starvation or deprivation. And I am healthier
and happier than ever."
Sona V.
Arlington, Virginia
baby. My period was never regular. I've been overweight for the last 15 years. My energy level was low and based
on sugar and caffeine spikes. I was worried that at 35, it would be incredibly hard to get pregnant. That is what all
the doctors told me. I was supposed to lose 15-20 pound in order to gain 15-20 during the pregnancy. My only
hope was someone who could guide me. I had tried a few nutritionists, group programs like Weight Watchers and
dietitians, but none had really worked for me.
Then a friend who had lost about 20 pounds told me about Debra. I figured I could go hear her opinions about
pregnancy eating and see what she could offer me. Debra told me the absolute truth. I would have to change my
diet. Actually, I would have to change my life style. When she told me what I had to do, I was so angry and
hesitant. I was supposed to go through an elimination diet for a month to detox my body and find out what I was
allergic to. Who would want to give up dairy and sugar and wheat and caffeine and eating out even if it was for a
short time?!?! I thought I couldn't do this as a life style change. But I knew what I really wanted was waiting for
me. Debra encouraged me to do this for just a week and see what the changes in me were.
I was hesitant but I figured I could do anything for a week. Within 3 days, I was feeling incredibly different. I had
so much more energy than I ever imagined. I needed less sleep and felt so much better. And the change in my diet
wasn't that hard. In fact, it was easy. My obsessive thoughts about food were gone. Within a week, my cravings
for sugar and caffeine were gone. And food tasted better. My taste buds were alive and I could eat less and feel
more full. And my chronic backache which plagued me for years was gone. It was such a treat. Within a couple of
months, I lost over 20 pounds and started talking to the doctor about getting pregnant. And to my surprise, I got
pregnant within months of seeing Debra.
I believe all this is owed to Debra. She is a god-send. Now, every other sentence about food is "Debra said..." I
started cooking food at home, something I hated to do for the past 20 years. I eat food closer to the earth, like more
fruits and veggie. No more processed food, TV dinners, or unpronounceable ingredients in my diet. I thought this
food change would be hard, but in fact, it feels so much better. I have started realizing what really happens to my
food and am much more connected with what goes into my body.
A month after I started, I added everything back into my diet. I was eating bread and chocolate and cake and
caffeine and dairy again, but I am more particular about what I choose. I still enjoy pizza and ice cream but I make
better choices, and my body reacts to good and bad foods.
My whole pregnancy has been a joy. I am gaining the right amount of weight and the baby is getting the best
nutrition possible. No morning sickness, no nausea, no feeling of starvation or deprivation. And I am healthier
and happier than ever."
Sona V.
Arlington, Virginia
On this page you will find actual
testimonials from some of my clients.
It can be helpful to learn first hand
about the experiences of others before
making the decision to see a health
practitioner.
Debra
testimonials from some of my clients.
It can be helpful to learn first hand
about the experiences of others before
making the decision to see a health
practitioner.
Debra
| ©2007 Debra Russo Houri, MS, CCN 101 S. Whiting St., Suite 208, Alexandria, VA 22304 (703)485-6965 |
"If you had told me a year ago that losing weight was simple and did not need to be a torturous process, I would
have wanted to hit you. But I've lost 30 pounds and it has been an easy process that still allowed me to enjoy my
life and food. I wouldn't have been able to do it without Debra's knowledge and guidance."
Dawn K.
Alexandria, Virginia
have wanted to hit you. But I've lost 30 pounds and it has been an easy process that still allowed me to enjoy my
life and food. I wouldn't have been able to do it without Debra's knowledge and guidance."
Dawn K.
Alexandria, Virginia