Metabolic Reset Week 1: Losing stress is as important as losing weight

I just finished week one of the Vibrant Aging Metabolic Reset, and I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure how I was going to pull this off. Between running a full-time consulting company, curating TEDxSanDiego, serving as board president of Partners in Torah, and being there for my kids—not to mention cooking for a large blended family every Shabbat—time is not something I have in abundance. But I’ve made the investment, and more importantly, the time, and it’s working.

The numbers this week are encouraging—I’m down 8.6 pounds. To be fair, I came into this program after indulging during the Jewish holidays and my birthday, so I had a fresh 12 pounds to lose. But I’ve realized the scale isn’t my end goal anymore. I’m becoming the version of myself who knows how to take care of herself without guilt or excuses, no matter how full my plate is.

This program has so many layers: it’s not just about the first six weeks of eating clean (no oils, no processed food, just lean protein and vegetables you cook and weigh yourself) or taking supplements to heal your gut. It’s also about education, accountability, and community.

The weekly Zoom meetings have become a safe space to learn, discuss, and share with others across the country. We also have a group chat to ask questions, vent frustrations, and share victories. Wynne Heilbrunn, the program’s creator, is always there—encouraging us and keeping us focused.

To make time for this, I took all social media off my phone—and I don’t miss it. Instead of scrolling, I now track everything: meals, water, mood, even bowel movements. This level of awareness has been eye-opening and surprisingly freeing.

This week, I also got a ton of blood work done that Wynne recommended. I asked my doctor to measure things I’ve never checked before (but probably should have), like my hormones. My doctor was impressed that I was doing the reset and happy to order the tests. I’m excited to retest at the end of the program and track the changes beyond just inches and weight—I want to see real differences in my overall health.

The most important lesson this week was how important managing stress is to weight loss and overall health. I learned about the autonomic nervous system and how crucial it is to shift into the parasympathetic “rest and digest” state. I thought I was doing great—I journal and meditate daily—but it’s the all-day stress that’s been sabotaging me. When deadlines hit, my shoulders tense, my face flushes, and I stop breathing deeply. Now, I catch myself, stretch, breathe, and consciously calm my body. This awareness has been a game-changer—not just for my stress but also for my sleep, which has already improved.

I’m a little concerned about staying on track during next month’s three-week trip to New York, but right now, I’m focused on progress. One stress reduction discovery that’s helped is a free YouTube yoga teacher, Kassandra (Yoga with Kassandra). Her 10- to 20-minute classes help me recenter throughout the day.

Before this reset, I relied on Keto for weight loss, but I realize now how much of what I ate was processed junk. I’ve never eaten this clean, and I’m excited to see what happens next.

Want to join the metabolic reset program? Contact Wynne Heilbrunn and mention me for a meaningful discount!

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