Client Spotlight: Donna’s Journey From Constant Pain to Carrying Her Grandson
When Donna first came to see me, she was living in constant pain. At 71 years old, everyday tasks that most of us take for granted had become incredibly difficult. She couldn’t squeeze a lemon. She couldn’t push the button on her electric toothbrush. She couldn’t even put her bra on by herself. Many days she was close to tears from the pain and inflammation in her body.
Donna had been to several doctors searching for answers. She had even been referred to a rheumatologist because of the severity of her inflammation. Her ESR level (a marker of inflammation in the body) was 48 in May, indicating significant inflammation. But despite multiple doctor visits, she still didn’t have real answers or a path forward. That’s when she decided to try something different.
Starting Point
Donna began working with me on May 13, 2025. At that time her weight fluctuated between 198 and 202 pounds, and her primary goal was to lose weight and become pain free. But there were several other issues we needed to address as well:
Chronic inflammation and joint pain
High blood pressure
Severe digestive issues for nearly 20 years, including frequent explosive diarrhea
Limited ability to exercise because movement was so painful
Her diet wasn’t terrible, but it included several foods that can contribute to inflammation, including Diet Coke, Chick-fil-A meals, chips, sweets, dairy and gluten. She also relied on foods like cold cuts and white bread and was not getting nearly enough protein. The encouraging part was that Donna actually liked healthy foods and was willing to try new things. That openness made a big difference.
The First Step: Reducing Inflammation
We started with BodyDesigns Two-Week Detox Plan which helped reset her eating patterns and begin lowering inflammation. Within the first month and a half, something remarkable happened. Her ESR inflammation marker dropped from 48 down to 17. By September it had dropped even further to just 6, a dramatic improvement. As the inflammation came down, Donna’s pain began to improve as well. By the middle of June, she had already lost 10 pounds and felt well enough to begin pool aerobics, which became an important part of her recovery.
Discovering the Gluten Sensitivity
Later in the year Donna completed the detox program a second time in September/October. By that point her inflammation had improved enough that we could clearly see something important: She appeared to have a gluten intolerance or sensitivity. Once she began consistently avoiding gluten and continuing the gut-healing strategies in her plan, her digestive issues improved dramatically. After suffering with severe diarrhea for nearly 20 years, she reports that since February she has barely had any episodes at all.
What Helped Donna the Most
When I asked Donna what she felt made the biggest difference, she shared that these strategies were key to her success:
• Following the BodyDesigns Lifestyle Nutrition Plan consistently
• Avoiding gluten, which significantly improved her gut symptoms
• Taking a probiotic morning and evening
• Adding a digestive enzyme with each meal
• Reducing inflammatory foods and focusing on real, whole foods
• Daily coaching and accountability to Mary
• Gradually increasing movement with pool aerobics and walking
These small daily habits created powerful changes in her body over time.
The Results
Today Donna’s weight is 168 pounds, down more than 30 pounds from where she started. But the biggest victory isn’t just the number on the scale. She is no longer living in constant pain. She now walks 7,500–10,000 steps per day, enjoys hiking, and perhaps most meaningful of all, she can now carry her 18-pound grandson in a front carrier—something that would have been impossible before. Her motivation for starting the program was simple:
“I was in severe pain and no doctor could help me.”
Her motivation to continue became even clearer as she began to feel better:
“I quickly began to have less pain and I never want to feel like that again.”
A Transformation That Goes Beyond Weight Loss
Donna still has some weight she would like to lose and plans to continue working toward that goal. But the most important achievement is something far more meaningful. She has regained her mobility, her energy, and her quality of life. At 71 years old, she is living proof that it is never too late to improve your health. Through consistent lifestyle changes—improving her nutrition, healing her gut, reducing inflammation, and gradually increasing movement—Donna has completely transformed how she feels in her body.
Seeing transformations like Donna’s is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. When the body is given the right support, it has an incredible ability to heal. If Donna’s story resonates with you and you’re ready to reduce inflammation, improve gut health, and start feeling better in your body, I invite you to schedule a 20-minute compatibility call to learn more about the BodyDesigns Lifestyle Nutrition Plan.
Sometimes the biggest transformations begin with one simple step.
Are you looking to transform your health? Mary works with clients all over the country developing personalized nutrition and exercise plans for weight loss and health. If you want help building meals and snacks that work with your body instead of against it, I’d love to support you. Check out my coaching programs or reach out to learn how we can personalize your plan.
Visit BodyDesigns Two Week Detox Plan or BodyDesignsbyMary for more information.
