Success Stories

Clients have reported these benefits from our work together:

Increased energy

Weight loss

Less bloating

Clearer skin

2 pant sizes dropped!

Lower blood pressure

No more fainting from low blood sugar issues

Less allergies

Fewer Cravings

Healthier gums

Less anxiety and mood swings

The disappearance of seasonal depression

Increased confidence to change careers and find more fulfilling jobs

If you would like to work with Ava individually, please schedule a  Nutrition Breakthrough Session to see if this is the right path for you.

“I learned so much from Ava in the Nutrition Breakthrough Session alone! I was able to apply what I learned immediately; and, in just a week, I lost 5 pounds, without suffering or self-denial.  Ava is amazing!” ~ L.D

 

Recent Client Success Stories

 

 

Learned how to eat gluten-free, and now prepares healthy meals in advance each week

 

“I was already on track with eating healthy and working out.  Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease and after having three children was finally able to devote some time and energy to myself.  2011 was an incredible year for me researching different ways to heal my thyroid through nutrition.  I found a wonderful practitioner in town who helped me level out all my hormone levels and noted I had a sensitivity to gluten.  He recommended I start a gluten-free diet.   After a couple of months of “sorta” being gluten-free and still having digestive issues, he recommended that I start a 100% gluten free diet.  I didn’t really understand what it meant to be gluten-free or how to make the transition to a 100% gluten free diet.

This is where Ava came in…. I had the fortunate opportunity to meet her during the Day of Empowerment conference last fall.  The timing was perfect!  She provided me with lots of gluten-free recipes, supplied me with menu ideas and recommended an amazing new cookbook.  I soon learned that I could adapt most recipes to be gluten-free.  I have decreased the amount of processed foods and increased the amount of nutrient dense foods for my entire family.  With Ava’s help, I have a whole new level of appreciation for quality organic food and new standards for what I won’t allow me to put into my body.  I have also recently switched to an all organic skin care line since learning that some skin care products contain gluten.

Ava taught me how to prepare healthy food in bigger batches and the importance of planning ahead for meals on the go.  One of my major goals in working with Ava was some help with menu planning.  She focused quite a bit of her time helping me put the process in place.  She encouraged me to start out planning for three meals at a time and carving out some time on Sunday to prepare my grocery list and shop for the needed items.  I realize it will take time and consistency to ensure it becomes a habit, but I am definitely on the right track thanks to Ava’s gentle persuasion!

I would highly recommend this program to anyone who is struggling with health issues and would like to develop a better understanding of how you can use nutrition to help heal yourself.  It will be a fun and delightful process as you strive for optimal health!”

 

~K.O.  Olympia, WA

 

 

Has new tools to tap into her inner strength, even with a compromised immune system.

 

There is no way around it, Ava Waits is a ray of sunshine and a breath of fresh air. She is a woman who is full of life and loves what she is doing in every way. Her enthusiasm and her ability to draw her coaching students in are infectious. While coaching via the telephone can seem daunting, Ava is able to reach beyond the miles and touch hearts and souls.

My experience with Ava Waits has been one of the most positive experiences in my life and is certainly a huge asset to me as I begin to develop myself and my work as a holistic health coach. For me, my personal and inner struggles were haunting me and she provided significant resources that helped me to do the work I needed to do (and continue to do) upon myself. Support as well as supplementary assignments gave me direction when I needed it. Through these readings and assignments, our monthly meetings grew to be of the greatest importance. Helping me grow, asking me the hard questions and allowing me to ask my own questions made all the difference in my experience as one of Ava’s students. She is a teacher and a leader who tells her own story eloquently, seeking always to inspire.

During our time together I was dealing with long standing health issues, the same issues that had led me to Institute for Integrative Nutrition and gave birth to my desire to help others. I feared these same health issues would rear their ugly heads and derail my hopes and dreams. A compromised immune system is a devastating thing, yet with Ava’s calming influence and level head I was able to talk to her and move forward. Even after a hospitalization in January for a new health issue, Ava gave me a hand that kept my eye on the prize as I furiously worked to keep up.

The improvements I have found after working with Ava are many. Perhaps the most outstanding improvement is that she gave me new tools to use in order to tap my inner strength and deal with those demons that we all have to deal with every now and then. Her personal integrity and joy also impressed me from the start, and continue to be a gift that keeps giving. More, her academic prowess and intellectual abilities gave rise to the kind of respect we all seek to give and receive.

I can’t think of anyone who would not benefit from Ava’s gentle and caring counseling and support. Her take on life, food, nutrition and health is uplifting and always affirming. She is a true success story and seeks to create the very same in those students who come her way. She is a bright reflection upon all of us and The Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

~ Jana J. Pendragon Bowdish, M.A.,
Institute for Integrative Nutrition Holistic Health Counselor-in-Training

 

 

Dropped 2 pant sizes and got off of fake sweeteners

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to write a testimonial about Ava Waits and the amazing work that she’s done with me.

Before I met Ava and became her client, I was struggling with my weight. The problem was not simply being overweight, but it was the dramatic fluctuation in my weight in short periods of time. The reason I always had that problem is the fact that I was always either on a diet, or binging on foods that I had been deprived of after a diet.

Ava changed the whole perspective of dieting in my head. She did not even want me using the word “diet,” so I started calling it “healthy eating,” which made it a lot easier to sustain. Furthermore, when I ate something that I was not supposed to eat, I was no longer “cheating;” Ava taught me to just forget about the little bump, and keep going as if nothing happened, rather than beat myself up over it and think that I had ruined all my work by eating the “bad” food. She was so supportive and motivational. She was always there to answer all my questions whether by email or in person during our meetings.

She explained to me why certain foods are not good for me and how not eating them would help my body in the long run. She really took the time to explain everything scientifically and did not give up until it all made sense to me and made me want to change the way I eat. We worked together on a plan that fits my schedule, cooking abilities and long-term goals. The eating plan had a variety of great delicious foods and super foods that I had never heard of.

I started seeing results after the first week of being on the plan: I was happier, more energetic, my skin got noticeably better, and I went down two pants sizes in less than two months! One of the big things that Ava helped me accomplish is getting off fake sweeteners such as Splenda and Aspartame. Again, she explained to me how the chemicals affected my body and my weight loss efforts negatively. It made me want to stop eating them, and I have been off of them since.

I recommend Ava to anyone who is ready to take a step into living a better, healthier life. You will not find anyone who is as knowledgeable, down to earth, positive and amazing as Ava. I truly enjoyed every minute of working with her and I know you will too!”

~ R.H. Lebanon

 

 

Lowered cholesterol naturally, lost 10 pounds without effort, and has more stamina

“I’m an athletic man in my fifties with a busy lifestyle and a sedentary job. I signed on for a six-month program with Ava because I was ignorant about food and nutrition. My intent is to maintain my health and athleticism into my sixties and beyond – and I know that managing my nutrition will be a central component in meeting my goals.

Ava guided me through the process of learning to plan, shop, and prepare nutritional and tasty meals. I also found great value in her integration of eating with other aspects of my life. She brings a wide body of knowledge to the table, and shares her expertise in the form of advice, counseling, and informational handouts.

After six months working with Ava, I’ve developed a new set of routines and behaviors around eating. I never dreamed how good salads could be, and that I would ever be a discriminating food buyer.

My stamina has improved and my all around health is great. While weight loss was not one of my goals, my weight has stabilized at 10 pounds less than 6 months ago. In a recent physical exam, my blood pressure was the lowest I’ve ever recorded at a doctor’s office.

I’ve referred a number of friends who I do adventures with to Ava. Working with Ava is one of the best investments I’ve ever made.”

~ G.S. Olympia, WA

 

 

Used to faint at work ~ Now, no more blood sugar issues, and doesn’t crave sugar

“The work I’ve done with Ava has been truly life changing. I suffered from low blood sugar that left me in states of panic, blacking out, and sometimes overeating to make up for the feeling of starvation and depletion. This had a huge effect on my daily activities especially after exercise, which I love to do. After working with Ava and focusing on foods that provide the adequate nutrition for my lifestyle, I no longer suffer from low blood sugar and the side effects of feeling panicky, lethargic, and sometimes immobilized. I’ve never enjoyed eating so healthy before and now it’s just a part of my normal daily diet. Why would I give myself anything less after feeling this good.

Another bonus is that I no longer crave sweets after adjusting my palette to the natural sweetness of whole and natural foods.”

~ anonymous, Olympia, WA

 

 

Now, she enjoys grocery shopping, instead of dreading the store. Her husband even joined her on a juice cleanse!

 

Before working with Ava I felt stuck in my old eating routines that were not healthy at all.  I wanted to change but didn’t know how or where to start. I tried the self-help books but they would make me even more confused! I decided to work with Ava to help concur my fears and insecurities of eating healthier. I know that sounds strange but that is how I felt.

Ava met me at the local food co-op and gave me a tour. It was great! We started in the gluten free mix section and worked our way around the store. I think the three most significant improvements I’ve made since the tour is opening up my repertoire of fruits and vegetables, and instead of dreading going to the store to shop, I actually enjoy taking my time and looking at all that the co-op has to offer. Especially the bulk food section. Third and foremost, it gave the courage to do something that I have wanted to do for a long time. Start a juice cleanse! My husband even decided to join me!

I would recommend Ava to anyone who is not sure where to start in their journey to better health. It is very hard to get out of old habits and we all struggle from them on a daily basis. Ava has helped me to make my healthy eating dreams a reality!

Thank you Ava!

Debbie S.
Olympia, WA

 

 

Gluten-free and fewer sugar cravings!

“My work with Ava challenged me to take charge of my relationships with food while honoring my pace with change. Consequently, I felt inspired and encouraged to try new, healthy approaches to old, established patterns.  For instance, I’m in the process of breaking up with my long-term partner, Sugar — something I never imagined was possible.

In six months with Ava’s generous counsel, I’ve turned the corner to a gluten-free, diminished sugar, and greener life, and I feel hopeful about my health and vitality instead of dread. I also enjoy eating as an experience now instead of sleep walking through my meals. My next steps include learning to cook for myself! I recommend working with Ava if you are interested in forging your own culinary, healing journey.”

~ S.Y. Olympia, WA

 

 

Kept losing weight after her nutrition program, and has a tremendous amount of energy to advance her career

“It’s been about six months since I took Ava’s nutrition distance program (I live in California), and her excellent coaching continues to resonate in my daily life. Going into our sessions, I actually had a lot of knowledge about healthy foods but not much idea of how to synthesize that knowledge and apply it to my daily life. I also had some mysterious hang-ups about certain health practices (e.g. being resentful about having to drink water) that I wanted to get to the bottom of. Ava’s program finally helped me learn from a personal place how I can support myself nutritionally. I got to explore new foods like kimchee, get creative with foods I already love (avocado, coconut, and honey ice cream, anyone?) and let go of some of my old patterns with food, like not buying organic when I’m feeling financially insecure.

Six months later, I’ve lost about 25 pounds, I have a tremendous amount of energy which is handy since I just took a major step in my career, and I’ve gotten attuned to what my body appreciates, craves, or doesn’t much care for. I look forward to reading Ava’s newsletters because they always remind me or introduce me to important but “bite size” concepts I can be integrating into my daily life. Ava is so clearly passionate about nutrition mentoring that it’s hard not to get as excited as she is about food!”

~ Lily Starling, Certified Massage Therapist, Davis, California www.lilystarling.com

 

 

No longer uses caffeine to feel awake, and without wheat and gluten, he lost his seasonal allergies, bloated stomach, and mid day drowsiness. Eleven pounds of weight loss in the first 2 weeks!

 

“I began my program with a lot of enthusiasm, and an equal amount of trepidation. I had always had clear goals for my health and with my relationship with food. I knew that on a daily basis I was making mistakes, eating large amounts of sugar and fat laden organic foods that at the end of the day left me heavy, lethargic and often in pain. After laying out a program with Ms. Waits I began to clearly identify the changes that needed to occur, and with her excellent guidance and knowledge we picked apart my diet to reveal the foods that were most likely harming me, those I may be allergic too, and that which I could eat and enjoy, without the side effects. It must be stated that I didn’t create a step by step plan or tear down my food intake to citrus fruits and water. I didn’t eat merely spinach and carrots for weeks to “cleanse” myself. I revolutionized and reevaluated what food was, and should be, and to this day I am consuming more delicious dinners, breakfasts, super foods, and raw food recipes than when I started. With Ava Waits, I ate my way to health, rather than starved my way into submission and target waist size.

In my first week I lost 8 pounds, and this was without my usual jogging routine, due to an increased work schedule at the time. In my second week I had lost another 3 pounds, and began to free myself of the usual ailments that I had written off before as the “eccentricities” and unavoidable aches of my body. I no longer used caffeine to feel awake, and without gluten and wheat I lost my incessant seasonal allergies, bloated stomach, and mid day drowsiness.  I never thought my body would respond so well, but with Ava’s guidance I have found a harmony between food and body that only needed to be remembered.

Without hesitation I recommend Ava Waits and her holistic health counseling to every person who wants a life long improvement for their body, mind, and spirit. We are so indoctrinated by diets and cleanses that we forget the necessity to nurture our bodies every moment of everyday, and that by doing so we gain the beauty, energy, and goals not for the short term but for the rest of our lives.  I am well on my way to losing all the weight I have gained since High School, but none of what I do involved calorie counting, fasting or punishment, rather, I eat to be whole, and my body follows suit.”

~ D.H.  Olympia, WA

 

 

Came to improve the health of her gums, and grew a greater respect for her body

 

I first met Ava at her presentation during a health fair at my workplace.  She discussed superfoods and ideas that were new to me, so I followed up with her offer of a grocery store tour.  I also attended a presentation on using foods to deal with the summer heat and a private session to discuss my personal health.  Ava’s knowledge of nutrition and her accepting attitude toward others makes her a fine educator on the subject of nutrition.  Her own lifestyle models the topics she is teaching.

I participated in the Stronger Gums group program for six weeks in 2010.  It includes six recorded telephone-based presentations and three live conference calls with Ava and the other class members.  The class covers a wide array of topics from super foods to dealing with stress in our lives. Her ideas on using food to support dental health spilled over to a general respect for my whole body.

I found myself sampling and enjoying foods that I had never before considered for my meals.  My focus on meal choices moved from what would taste good to what would best support my health and vitality. My energy level and my general feeling of well-being improved while working with Ava.  I greatly appreciate her support and caring attitude toward her clients.  I would recommend working with Ava to anyone who is interested in improving their health. “

~ D.H. Olympia, WA

 

 

When I first began working with Ava I was busy, overworked and having a hard time incorporating healthy habits into my lifestyle. She had helpful tips and was a great listener.  After all of our sessions I felt inspired to find little spaces in my life for health.  My favorite tip was to dance in my apartment for 5min for more exercise!

~ Erin Cramm

 

 

Boosted energy levels with raw living food

 

“Working with Ava for the last six months has helped me to re-learn how to honor and take care of myself. I first met Ava at a workshop, sponsored by the Olympia Food Co-op. Her energy and ideas about nutrition really sparked my interest. The yummy healthy food samples were an added bonus!

After seeing Ava’s ad in her newsletter for a consultation, I contacted her to find out more about the program. In working with Ava, you get a supportive coach and a wealth of knowledge. Each session starts with a “lesson plan”, but there is a great deal of flexibility in each session to express your individual needs and questions. A big perk for me is that we conducted our sessions over the phone and email. Ava would occasionally send little surprises in the mail relating to the topic we discussed that week (tea, body lotion, seeds for sprouting to name a few).

After several years of coping with my husband’s declining health and eventual death, I became very depleted and out of touch with myself. Ava has helped bring AWARENESS back into my life. Adding “living” foods into my diet has boosted my energy levels. My body lets me know if I’ve eaten something that is not right for me because I feel I like I’ve swallowed a rubber ball. Emotions and environment impact digestion (I related Ava’s suggestion to the administrator about adding colorful tablecloths in the lunch room at work. She liked the idea so much, that she purchased two sets of tablecloths!) I now read all food labels, even on what is supposed to be “health food”. For example, a white gravy sauce mix I purchased was loaded with MSG.

Ava has also been my very supportive down-time coach, encouraging me to daydream, play, and just take time for myself.  I’m learning how to relax.

Anyone can benefit from this program.”

With gratitude,

~ J.B. Centralia,WA

 

 

Gluten and dairy intolerant, and was wasting time and money trying to select new foods. This was the first season without seasonal depression

 

“I worked with Ava Waits to reach my goals of eating whole foods at every meal and loosing excess weight. I wanted to maintain the weight loss in a healthy way and age gracefully.

I am gluten and dairy intolerant and I had learned how to prepare a few safe meals but I knew my diet was too limited. I had searched for information and recipes from books and articles, and I had found a few sources to purchase these alternative foods. Unfortunately, I didn’t know how to select or prepare them and I was frustrated at the time and money I was wasting. It is also frustrating to be hungry and to feel that “there is nothing to eat!” I recognized that I needed to find someone to teach me these skills. I was so happy to find Ava so I could learn to prepare healthy whole foods. Now I eat a wide variety of nutrient dense foods that agree with my system. Ava encouraged me to try foods I said I didn’t like and I have discovered that my preferences have changed.

My main goal in working with Ava was to lose weight, and now I know that my self- esteem is not measured by my pants size. I was working to let go of incorrect information from diet plans I had tried in the past, but I still needed more guidance on how to eat properly. I used to feel hungry most of the time and it was a new experience to be encouraged to eat a satisfying meal with plenty of fresh vegetables. As I ate whole foods and properly nourished my body, I stopped experiencing anxiety and mood swings and now I have a sustained sense of calm well-being. This is also the first winter that I have not suffered from seasonal depression.

I am so into whole foods now that I would call it my lifestyle. I prefer healthy food and find that processed food and things I used to crave taste really bad to me now. I have switched to health and beauty products that are made of organic ingredients. I am also exploring a career change that will match my robust and energized new self. There is a feeling of strength that I didn’t have before and I want every area of my life to be lined up with my healthy lifestyle.

I would recommend this program to anyone who would like to develop a sound knowledge of whole foods and the awareness to listen to what your body needs to stay well. I encourage you to take this step as a lasting gift to yourself.”

~  Sara D.  Olympia, WA

 

 

Was tired and lethargic, but now has abundant energy, dropped 10 pounds without dieting and completed a 5k race!

 

“I took my time contacting Ava about counseling because I wasn’t sure how it could actually help me. I was pretty comfortable in my nutritional knowledge, having taken multiple food related courses at The Evergreen State College. I thought I was eating pretty healthy, but I was always tired and had put on some unnecessary weight over the years, which made me feel disproportionate and disconnected from my body. I tried making personal health goals on my own but kept falling short or putting them off thinking I could deal with them later. Bogged down by a stressful relationship, food had become a source of comfort. As lethargy slowly invaded my usually active life, I finally realized that I had been neglecting my friends and passing up on outings in favor of watching indie films in my sweatpants with a six-pack of microbrew. I felt so trapped in this state of being that I almost started accepting it as my inevitable future. Luckily I received an email that mentioned Ava had an opening so I took a leap of faith and contacted her.

I started noticing improvements from the beginning. They were small at first and consisted of me passing up on offerings of foods that I knew I didn’t need and wouldn’t make me happy. But her counseling went far beyond food and helped me plan ways to alleviate the source of my cravings, which stemmed from work and relationship related stress. This truly was a holistic approach that improved aspects of my life that I hadn’t expected our sessions to cover. Before, I thought I was eating healthy because I thought about food all the time and put my relationship with it before other activities. I came to realize that food was being used to fill empty parts of my life that I had been neglecting and that my focus on it wasn’t healthy at all.

Through our sessions Ava had me make goals that I was able to keep. Having her hold me accountable for my decisions made more of a difference then I ever could have thought. Everything started happening so easily and authentically that I felt like I must be cheating. I no longer craved the heavy foods I once longed for, opting instead for more raw foods. Over the past two months working with Ava I have lost over 10 lbs. and that is without “dieting.” Multiple people have told me that it’s apparent to them that I have lost weight but more importantly I just feel totally right in my body. It’s like we have forgiven each other for a quarrel and are close friends once again. I have abundant energy and am constantly surprising myself with how much more active I have become. I ran a 5k with four friends and beat them by two minutes! This is a complete turnaround, one that I have been struggling to make for a couple of years without success.

I highly recommend Ava to anyone stuck in a rut or who wants to make positive life changes. I am only sorry I waited so long to start a program.”

~ S.S. Gig Harbor, Washington ~ Health From Afar Distance Program